Massive protostars in the infrared dark cloud msxdc g034.43+00.24

We present a multiwavelength study of the infrared dark cloud MSXDC G034.43+00.24. Dust emission, traced by millimeter/submillimeter images obtained with the IRAM, JCMT, and CSO telescopes, reveals three compact cores within this infrared dark cloud with masses of 170--800 Msun and sizes < 0.5 pc. Spitzer 3.6-8.0 um images show slightly extended emission toward these cores, with a spectral enhancement at 4.5 um that probably arises from shocked H2. In addition, the broad line widths (Delta V ~ 10 km/s) of HCN (4-3), and CS (3-2), and the detection of SiO (2-1), observed with the JCMT and IRAM telescopes, also indicate active star formation. Spitzer 24 um images reveal that each of these cores contains a bright, unresolved continuum source/ these sources are most likely embedded protostars. Their millimeter to mid-IR continuum spectral energy distributions reveal very high luminosities, 9000-32,000 Lsun. Because such large luminosities cannot arise from low-mass protostars, MSXDC G034.43+00.24 is actively forming massive (~ 10 Msun) stars.

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6 pages, 3 figures (1 colour), accepted ApJL

infrared: stars
ISM: molecules
stars: formation
submillimeter

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