Pillars of creation amongst destruction: Star formation in molecular clouds near R136 in 30 Doradus

TL;DR

This study presents new CO(2-1) observations of 30 Doradus, revealing molecular clouds near R136, associated star formation, and pillar-like structures influenced by the cluster's radiation.

Contribution

It reports the discovery of three new molecular clouds and associated star formation structures near R136, providing insights into star formation processes in intense radiation environments.

Findings

Discovery of three new molecular clouds (KN1, KN2, KN3) near R136.

Identification of pillar-like structures with star formation activity.

Spatial correlation between excited H2 emission and molecular clouds.

Abstract

New sensitive CO(2-1) observations of the 30 Doradus region in the Large Magellanic Cloud are presented. We identify a chain of three newly discovered molecular clouds we name KN1, KN2 and KN3 lying within 2--14 pc in projection from the young massive cluster R136 in 30 Doradus. Excited H$_2$ 2.12$\mu$m emission is spatially coincident with the molecular clouds, but ionized Br$\gamma$ emission is not. We interpret these observations as the tails of pillar-like structures whose ionized heads are pointing towards R136. Based on infrared photometry, we identify a new generation of stars forming within this structure.