GBT26A-486

A Search for Outer Galaxy Hot Molecular Cores

Abstract

For more than a quarter-century, hot molecular cores (HMCs) have been recognized as the natal environment for the formation of high-mass stars. Ammonia inversion transitions, which are reliable tracers of the physical conditions within these cores, have long been the standard diagnostic tool.

Although extensive observations have been made toward inner galaxy HMCs, very few observations have been made toward potential high-mass star formation sites in the outer galaxy. This observational bias may have left undetected substantial differences in the HMC population as a function of galactic radius. Indeed, the lower metallicity and pressure of the outer galaxy may have profound effects on the formation of molecular clouds, and, hence, on the later formation of high-mass stars in the outer galaxy.

We propose a pilot project to search for HMC candidates in the outer galaxy. These observations will determine if HMCs are as common in the outer galaxy as they are in the inner galaxy, determine the basic core parameters of temperature and column density for comparison with their inner galaxy counterparts, and provide a catalog of hot cores for follow-up studies with the VLA.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Jetzael Cuazoson *	Instituto de Radioastronomia y Astrofisica
Stan Kurtz	México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de

* indicates the PI