New evidences in IRDC G333.73+0.37: colliding filamentary clouds, hub-filament system, and embedded cores

TL;DR

This study investigates the complex structure and star formation processes in IRDC G333.73+0.37, revealing colliding filamentary clouds, a hub-filament system, and embedded cores, suggesting cloud interactions trigger star formation.

Contribution

It provides multi-wavelength evidence of filament collisions, hub-filament systems, and embedded cores in IRDC G333.73+0.37, highlighting the role of cloud interactions in star formation.

Findings

Two filamentary clouds at different velocities are identified.

Star formation activity is concentrated at filament intersections.

Evidence suggests cloud-cloud collision or converging flows trigger star formation.

Abstract

To unravel the star formation process, we present a multi-scale and multi-wavelength study of the filamentary infrared dark cloud (IRDC) G333.73+0.37, which hosts previously known two HII regions located at its center. Each HII region is associated with a mid-infrared source, and is excited by a massive OB star. Two filamentary structures and a hub-filament system (HFS) associated with one HII region are investigated in absorption using the Spitzer 8.0 $\mu$m image. The $^{13}$CO(J = 2-1) and C$^{18}$O(J = 2-1) line data reveal two velocity components (around $-$35.5 and $-$33.5 km s$^{-1}$) toward the IRDC, favouring the presence of two filamentary clouds at different velocities. Nonthermal (or turbulent) motions are depicted in the IRDC using the C$^{18}$O line data. The spatial distribution of young stellar objects (YSOs) identified using the VVV near-infrared data traces star formation activities in the IRDC. Low-mass cores are identified toward both the HII regions using the ALMA 1.38 mm continuum map. The VLT/NACO adaptive-optics L$^{\prime}$-band images show the presence of at least three point-like sources and the absence of small-scale features in the inner 4000 AU around YSOs NIR31 and MIR 16 located toward the HII regions. The HII regions and groups of YSO are observed toward the central part of the IRDC, where the two filamentary clouds intersect. A scenario of cloud-cloud collision or converging flows in the IRDC seems to be applicable, which may explain star formation activities including HFS and massive stars.