The star forming region Monoceros R2 as a gamma-ray source

TL;DR

This study investigates whether the gamma-ray source 2FGL J0607.5-0618c is associated with the Monoceros R2 star-forming region, using multi-wavelength data to explore potential physical origins.

Contribution

The paper provides the first multi-wavelength analysis linking the gamma-ray source to Monoceros R2, suggesting young stellar objects as a possible origin.

Findings

Confirmed the gamma-ray source detection with higher confidence.

Proposed that multiple young stellar objects could explain the gamma-ray emission.

Abstract

Context. After the release of the gamma-ray source catalog produced by the Fermi satellite during its first two years of operation, a significant fraction of sources still remain unassociated at lower energies. In addition to well-known high-energy emitters (pulsars, blazars, supernova remnants, etc.) theoretical expectations predict new classes of gamma-ray sources. In particular, gamma-ray emission could be associated with some of the early phases of stellar evolution, but this interesting possibility is still poorly understood. Aims. The aim of this paper is to assess the possibility of the Fermi gamma-ray source 2FGL J0607.5-0618c being associated with the massive star forming region Monoceros R2. Methods. A multi-wavelength analysis of the Monoceros R2 region is carried out using archival data at radio, infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths. The resulting observational properties are used to estimate the physical parameters needed to test the different physical scenarios. Results. We confirm the 2FGL J0607.5-0618c detection with improved confidence over the Fermi two-year catalog. We find that a combined effect of the multiple young stellar objects in Monoceros R2 is a viable picture for the nature of the source.