HIGH MASS STAR FORMATION IN THE MOLECULAR CLOUD COMPLEX NGC 6334: NGC 6334E

摘要

We obtained deep broad-band JHK_s and narrowband H_2 and Brγ images of the northern part of the giant molecular cloud NGC 6334 containing three distinct centers of star formation (NGC 6334IN, E, and F), probably at different evolutionary stages. Preliminary results, including mid-IR images at 9.8 and 11.9 μm of the shell-shaped HII region NGC 6334E, are presented. An embedded young stellar cluster composed mainly by intermediate-mass stars (earlier than B3-B4) and by low-mass stars has been found within the boundaries of the HII region. At the center of the region we detected a Class Ⅰ young stellar object with an infrared luminosity of ～ 8 solar luminosity.