High-resolution radio emission from RCW 49/Westerlund 2

Aims. The HII region RCW49 and its ionizing cluster form an extensive, complex region that has been widely studied at infrared (IR) and optical wavelengths. The Molonglo 843 MHz and Australia Telescope Compact Array data at 1.4 and 2.4 GHz showed two shells. Recent high-resolution IR imaging reveale...

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Autores principales: Benaglia, Paula, Koribalski, B., Peri, Cintia Soledad, Martí, J., Sánchez Sutil, J. R., Dougherty, S. M., Noriega Crespo, A.
Formato: Articulo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/85387
Aporte de:
id I19-R120-10915-85387
record_format dspace
institution Universidad Nacional de La Plata
institution_str I-19
repository_str R-120
collection SEDICI (UNLP)
language Inglés
topic Ciencias Astronómicas
Stars: winds, outflows
ISM: individual objects: RCW 49
open clusters and associations: individual: Westerlund 2
radio continuum: ISM
Gamma rays: stars
spellingShingle Ciencias Astronómicas
Stars: winds, outflows
ISM: individual objects: RCW 49
open clusters and associations: individual: Westerlund 2
radio continuum: ISM
Gamma rays: stars
Benaglia, Paula
Koribalski, B.
Peri, Cintia Soledad
Martí, J.
Sánchez Sutil, J. R.
Dougherty, S. M.
Noriega Crespo, A.
High-resolution radio emission from RCW 49/Westerlund 2
topic_facet Ciencias Astronómicas
Stars: winds, outflows
ISM: individual objects: RCW 49
open clusters and associations: individual: Westerlund 2
radio continuum: ISM
Gamma rays: stars
description Aims. The HII region RCW49 and its ionizing cluster form an extensive, complex region that has been widely studied at infrared (IR) and optical wavelengths. The Molonglo 843 MHz and Australia Telescope Compact Array data at 1.4 and 2.4 GHz showed two shells. Recent high-resolution IR imaging revealed a complex dust structure and ongoing star formation. New high-bandwidth and high-resolution data of the RCW 49 field have been obtained to survey the radio emission at arcsec scale and investigate the smallscale features and nature of the HII region. Methods. Radio observations were collected with the new 2-GHz bandwidth receivers and the CABB correlator of the Australia Telescope Compact Array [ATCA], at 5.5 and 9.0 GHz. In addition, archival observations at 1.4 and 2.4 GHz have been re-reduced and re-analyzed in conjunction with observations in the optical, IR, X-ray, and gamma-ray regimes. Results. The new 2-GHz bandwidth data result in the most detailed radio continuum images of RCW 49 to date. The radio emission closely mimics the near-IR emission observed by <i>Spitzer</i>, showing pillars and filaments. The brightest continuum emission comes from the region known as the bridge. The overall flattish spectral index is typically consistent with a free-free emission mechanism. However, hints of nonthermal components are also present in the bridge. An interesting jet-like structure surrounded by a bubble feature whose nature is still unclear has been discovered close to the Westerlund 2 core. Two apparent bow shocks and a number of discrete sources have been detected as well in the surroundings of RCW 49. In addition, we also report on and discuss the possible detection of a hydrogen recombination line. Conclusions. The radio results support an association between the cm continuum and molecular emission. The detection of the radio recombination line kinematically favors a RCW49 distance of 6-7 kpc. If the negative spectral indices measured at the bridge should be confirmed to be caused by synchrotron emission, we propose a scenario where high-energy emission could be produced. Finally, the newly discovered jet-like structure appears to be an intriguing source that deserves a detailed study by itself.
format Articulo
Articulo
author Benaglia, Paula
Koribalski, B.
Peri, Cintia Soledad
Martí, J.
Sánchez Sutil, J. R.
Dougherty, S. M.
Noriega Crespo, A.
author_facet Benaglia, Paula
Koribalski, B.
Peri, Cintia Soledad
Martí, J.
Sánchez Sutil, J. R.
Dougherty, S. M.
Noriega Crespo, A.
author_sort Benaglia, Paula
title High-resolution radio emission from RCW 49/Westerlund 2
title_short High-resolution radio emission from RCW 49/Westerlund 2
title_full High-resolution radio emission from RCW 49/Westerlund 2
title_fullStr High-resolution radio emission from RCW 49/Westerlund 2
title_full_unstemmed High-resolution radio emission from RCW 49/Westerlund 2
title_sort high-resolution radio emission from rcw 49/westerlund 2
publishDate 2013
url http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/85387
work_keys_str_mv AT benagliapaula highresolutionradioemissionfromrcw49westerlund2
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AT pericintiasoledad highresolutionradioemissionfromrcw49westerlund2
AT martij highresolutionradioemissionfromrcw49westerlund2
AT sanchezsutiljr highresolutionradioemissionfromrcw49westerlund2
AT doughertysm highresolutionradioemissionfromrcw49westerlund2
AT noriegacrespoa highresolutionradioemissionfromrcw49westerlund2
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