Massive stars embedded in molecular clouds: Their population and distribution in the galaxy
May, 19898 pages
Published in:
- Astrophys.J. 340 (1989) 265-272
DOI:
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Abstract: (ADS)
A new method for identifying massive stars inside molecular clouds is described which makes use of their characteristic FIR flux density distribution. A two-color selection criterion has been developed and carefully calibrated using stars which are known to be embedded in molecular clouds. When applied to the sensitive IRAS all-sky survey, a direct measure of the total number and distribution of embedded massive stars in the Galaxy is obtained. A lower limit is derived on the current O star formation rate in the Galaxy, the contribution O stars make to the FIR luminosity of the Galaxy is estimated, and it is shown that the number of IRAS sources found is consistent with a Galactic supernova rate of about one every 25 yrs.References(0)
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