138248 - The evolutionary status of protostellar clumps hosting class II methanol masers.pdf (2.14 MB)
The evolutionary status of protostellar clumps hosting class II methanol masers
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 12:12 authored by Jones, BM, Fuller, GA, Breen, SL, Avison, A, Green, JA, Traficante, A, Elia, DE, Simon EllingsenSimon Ellingsen, Voronkov, MA, Merello, M, Molinari, S, Schisano, EThe Methanol MultiBeam survey (MMB) provides the most complete sample of Galactic massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) hosting 6.7 GHz class II methanol masers. We characterize the properties of these maser sources using dust emission detected by the Herschel Infrared Galactic Plane Survey (Hi-GAL) to assess their evolutionary state. Associating 731 (73 per cent) of MMB sources with compact emission at four Hi-GAL wavelengths, we derive clump properties and define the requirements of an MYSO to host a 6.7 GHz maser. The median far-infrared (FIR) mass and luminosity are 630 M⊙ and 2500 L⊙ for sources on the near side of Galactic centre and 3200 M⊙ and 10000 L⊙ for more distant sources. The median luminosity-to-mass ratio is similar for both at ∼4.2 L⊙ M⊙-1. We identify an apparent minimum 70 μm luminosity required to sustain a methanol maser of a given luminosity (with L70 ∝ L6.70.6). The maser host clumps have higher mass and higher FIR luminosities than the general Galactic population of protostellar MYSOs. Using principal component analysis, we find 896 protostellar clumps satisfy the requirements to host a methanol maser but lack a detection in the MMB. Finding a 70 μm flux density deficiency in these objects, we favour the scenario in which these objects are evolved beyond the age where a luminous 6.7 GHz maser can be sustained. Finally, segregation by association with secondary maser species identifies evolutionary differences within the population of 6.7GHz sources.
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical SocietyVolume
493Pagination
2015-2041ISSN
0035-8711Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Blackwell Publishing LtdPlace of publication
9600 Garsington Rd, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox4 2DgRights statement
Copyright 2020 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. All rights ReservedRepository Status
- Open