Tatiana Vasyunina (Max-Planck Institute for Astronomy)

Comprehensive investigation of the southern Infrared Dark Clouds - Tatiana Vasyunina Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

We present the first results of our program to study dust and gas properties of a new sample of southern infrared-dark clouds (IRDCs). We cross-correlated 1.2 mm continuum data from SIMBA@SEST with mid-infrared
Spitzer/GLIMPSE images. Thus, it was possible to establish the connection between emission sources at millimeter wavelengths and the dark clouds we see at 8 micron. Comparison of the obtained values for masses and column densities (both for millimeter and mid-IR data) with previously obtained results showed a clear difference between IRDCs and known low-mass pre-stellar cores, and confirm our assumptions that Infrared Dark Clouds can present the earliest stages of high-mass star formation. Furthermore, an outlook on our molecular line work towards these objects will be given to investigate the state of the gas inside these IRDCs.