The Dependence of Protostellar Luminosity on Environment in the Cygnus-X Star-Forming Complex

TL;DR

This study investigates how the environment within the Cygnus-X star-forming complex influences protostellar luminosity, revealing that denser regions tend to host more luminous protostars, thus impacting star formation theories.

Contribution

It provides the first comparative analysis of protostellar luminosity functions across different environments within Cygnus-X, demonstrating environmental dependence.

Findings

Luminosity functions differ significantly between CygX-South and CygX-North.

Protostars in high-density regions are generally more luminous.

Environmental factors influence the star formation process.

Abstract

The Cygnus-X star-forming complex is one of the most active regions of low and high mass star formation within 2 kpc of the Sun. Using mid-infrared photometry from the IRAC and MIPS Spitzer Cygnus-X Legacy Survey, we have identified over 1800 protostar candidates. We compare the protostellar luminosity functions of two regions within Cygnus-X: CygX-South and CygX-North. These two clouds show distinctly different morphologies suggestive of dissimilar star-forming environments. We find the luminosity functions of these two regions are statistically different. Furthermore, we compare the luminosity functions of protostars found in regions of high and low stellar density within Cygnus-X and find that the luminosity function in regions of high stellar density is biased to higher luminosities. In total, these observations provide further evidence that the luminosities of protostars depend on their natal environment. We discuss the implications this dependence has for the star formation process.