Authors:
Gómez J.F., Trapero J., Pascual S., Patel N., Morales C., Torrelles J.M.
Journal:
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Abstract:
We present NH3(1,1) and (2,2) observations of MBM 12, the closest known molecular cloud (65-pc distance), aimed at finding evidence for on-going star formation processes. No local temperature (with a Trot, upper limit of 12 K) or linewidth enhancement is found, which suggests that the area of the cloud that we have mapped (∼15-arcmin size) is not currently forming stars. Therefore this nearby 'starless' molecular gas region is an ideal laboratory to study the physical conditions preceding new star formation. A radio continuum source has been found in Very Large Array archive data, close to but outside the NH3 emission. This source is likely to be a background object.
Keywords:
ISM: clouds; ISM: individual: MBM 12; ISM: molecules; Radio lines: ISM; Stars: Formation