Related papers: Infrared Dark Clouds: precursors to star clusters

The "Nessie" Nebula is a filamentary infrared dark cloud (IRDC) with a large aspect ratio of over 150:1 (1.5 degrees x 0.01 degrees, or 80 pc x 0.5 pc at a kinematic distance of 3.1 kpc). Maps of HNC (1-0) emission, a tracer of dense…

The dense, cold gas of Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs) is thought to be representative of the initial conditions of massive star and star cluster formation. We analyze 13CO(J=1-0) line emission data from the Galactic Ring Survey of Jackson et…

We present an analysis of the dust continuum emission at 870 um in order to investigate the mass distribution of clumps within infrared dark clouds (IRDCs). We map six IRDCs with the Large APEX BOlometer CAmera (LABOCA) at APEX, reaching an…

We present a high spatial resolution Chandra X-ray study of two Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs), G034.43+00.24 and G035.39-00.33, which are expected to be in the early phases of star cluster formation. We detect 112 and 209 valid X-ray point…

The earliest phases of massive star formation are found in cold and dense infrared dark clouds (IRDCs). Since the detection method of IRDCs is very sensitive to the local properties of the background emission, we present here an alternative…

We have observed the IRDC G028.23-00.19 at 3.3 mm using CARMA. In its center, the IRDC hosts one of the most massive (~1520 Msun) quiescent, cold (12 K) clumps known (MM1). The low temperature, high NH_2D abundance, narrow molecular line…

We present Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations of seven massive molecular clumps which are dark in the far-infrared for wavelengths up to 70 $\mu$m. Our 1.3 mm continuum images reveal 44 dense cores, with gas masses ranging from 1.4 to…

Infrared dark clouds are kinematically complex molecular structures in the interstellar medium that can host sites of massive star formation. We present 4 square arcminute maps of the 12CO, 13CO, and C18O J = 3 to 2 lines from selected…

(abridged) We develop the mid-infrared extinction (MIREX) mapping technique of Butler & Tan (2009, Paper I), presenting a new method to correct for the Galactic foreground emission based on observed saturation in independent cores. Using…

Aims. Infrared dark clouds represent the earliest stages of high-mass star formation. Detailed observations of their physical conditions on all physical scales are required to improve our understanding of their role in fueling star…

We mapped the MSX dark cloud G084.81-01.09 in the NH3 (1,1) - (4,4) lines and in the J = 1-0 transitions of 12CO, 13CO, C18O and HCO+ in order to study the physical properties of infrared dark clouds, and to better understand the initial…

We analyze the molecular gas and dust associated with the infrared dark cloud SDC 341.232-0.268 in order to investigate the characteristics and parameters of the gas, determine the evolutionary status of four embedded EGO candidates and…

Massive infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) are considered to host the earliest stages of high-mass star formation. In particular, 70 $\mu$m dark IRDCs are the colder and more quiescent clouds. At a scale of about 5000 au using formaldehyde (H2CO)…

Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs) are very dense and highly extincted regions that host the initial conditions of star and stellar cluster formation. It is crucial to study the kinematics and molecular content of IRDCs to test their formation…

We have observed 37 Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs), containing a total of 159 clumps, in high-density molecular tracers at 3 mm using the 22-meter ATNF Mopra Telescope located in Australia. After determining kinematic distances, we eliminated…

Despite its major role in the evolution of the interstellar medium, the formation of high-mass stars (M > 10 Msol) is still poorly understood. Two types of massive star cluster precursors, the so-called Massive Dense Cores (MDCs), have been…

Context. Molecular Clouds (MCs) are the place where stars are formed and their feedback starts to take place, regulating the evolution of galaxies. Therefore, MCs represent the critical scale at which to study how ultra-violet (UV) photons…

Previous studies of the initial conditions of massive star formation have mainly targeted Infrared-Dark Clouds (IRDCs) toward the inner Galaxy. This is due to the fact that IRDCs were first detected in absorption against the bright mid-IR…

Our search for the earliest stages of massive star formation turned up twelve massive pre-protocluster candidates plus a few protoclusters. For this search, we selected 47 FIR-bright IRAS sources in the outer Galaxy. We mapped regions of…

Infrared-dark clouds (IRDCs) are believed to be the birthplaces of rich clusters and thus contain the earliest phases of high-mass star formation. We use the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) and Very Large Array (VLA) maps of ammonia (NH3) in six…