Analysis of the interstellar matter at the periphery of the supershell surrounding the CYG OB1 association in 2.12 micron molecular hydrogen line

TL;DR

This study uses 2.12 micron molecular hydrogen line observations to analyze the interstellar matter around the vdB 130 cluster, revealing emission shells, features related to star formation, and evidence of shock excitation and fluorescence.

Contribution

It provides new infrared observations of the interstellar medium around vdB 130, highlighting the role of supershell interactions in triggering star formation.

Findings

Detection of an H$_2$ emission shell around vdB 130.

Identification of shock-excited H$_2$ features near protoclusters.

Evidence supporting sequential star formation triggered by supershell expansion.

Abstract

We present observations of the vdB 130 cluster vicinity in a narrow-band filter centered at a $2.12\,\mu$m molecular hydrogen line performed at the Caucasus Mountain Observatory of the Lomonosov Moscow State University. The observations reveal an H$_2$ emission shell around vdB 130, coincident with a bright infrared shell, visible in all \textit{Spitzer} bands. Also, numerous H$_{2}$ emission features are detected around infrared Blobs E and W and in the vicinity of a protocluster located to the east of the shell, in a tail of a cometary molecular cloud. H$_2$ emission in the vicinity of the vdB~130 cluster is mostly generated in well-developed \HII\ regions and is of fluorescent nature. In the protocluster area, isolated spots are observed, where H$_2$ emission is collisionally excited and is probably related to shocks in protostellar outflows. Obtained results are discussed in the context of possible sequential star formation in the vicinity of the vdB 130 cluster, triggered by the interaction of the expanding supershell surrounding the Cyg OB1 association with the molecular cloud and an associated molecular filament.