Abstract
Building on the recent discovery of multiple chains of clusters in the Scorpius Centaurus (Sco-Cen) OB association, we propose that stellar feedback commonly generates spatiotemporal patterns over multiple star formation epochs. We identify four cluster chains within Sco-Cen: one in Corona Australis, another in Lower Centaurus Crux, and two in Upper Scorpius. Focusing on the Corona Australis (CrA) chain of clusters as a case study, we examine the 3D space motion of its member stars using Gaia DR3 and APOGEE-2 data, revealing expansion gradients along all dimensions. Specifically, the expansion along the vertical axis, W vs. Z, exhibits a curved pattern, the first time such a non-linear velocity-position relation has been observed for stellar clusters. We propose a scenario to explain our findings wherein the observed gradient is a result of stellar feedback from the massive older clusters. This feedback continuously accelerates the molecular cloud away from its initial location towards the center of Sco-Cen, with an initial acceleration rate of approximately 0.6 km/s/Myr. A traceback analysis confirms that, about 10 Myr ago, at the time of cluster formation, the CrA star formation complex was located near massive clusters offering a natural source of feedback. Based on the velocity of the youngest unbound CrA cluster, we estimate that approximately two supernovae would have been sufficient to inject the present-day kinetic energy of the CrA molecular cloud. The head-tail morphology observed in the remaining molecular gas additionally supports the scenario of cluster chain formation through stellar feedback. The discovery of multiple spatially and temporally well-defined star formation patterns in Sco-Cen emphasizes the significant role of stellar feedback processes in star formation.
Originalsprache | Englisch |
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Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 1 Juli 2024 |
Veranstaltung | European Astronomical Society Annual Meeting 2024 - Padova Congress, Padova, Italien Dauer: 1 Juli 2024 → 5 Juli 2024 https://eas.unige.ch/EAS2024/ |
Konferenz
Konferenz | European Astronomical Society Annual Meeting 2024 |
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Kurztitel | EAS 2024 |
Land/Gebiet | Italien |
Ort | Padova |
Zeitraum | 1/07/24 → 5/07/24 |
Internetadresse |
ÖFOS 2012
- 103003 Astronomie
- 103004 Astrophysik