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| Paper: |
Unveiling the Hidden Star Formation in the Galactic Centre Dust Ridge with the SMA and ALMA |
| Volume: |
528, New Horizons in Galactic Center Astronomy and Beyond |
| Page: |
299 |
| Authors: |
Walker, D. |
| Abstract: |
Understanding the extent to which star formation is sensitive to environmental conditions is crucial if we wish to apply star formation laws to the varying conditions found throughout the Universe. As our nearest "extreme environment", the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) offers a unique laboratory in which to study how stars form and evolve under such turbulent conditions. Here, we present new ALMA observations that provide an unprecedented view down to scales of 1000 AU in some of the most massive and dense molecular clouds in the Galactic Centre, the so-called dust-ridge. These observations reveal that these clouds, which were previously thought to be largely quiescent precursors to massive clusters, actually host active sites of simultaneous high- and low-mass star formation. We detect multiple protostellar outflows, which have previously been difficult to detect in the CMZ, along with the potential detection of a high-mass accretion disc. Comparing the continuum with similar regions in the Galactic disc suggests that while the critical density threshold for star formation is higher in the CMZ, the structure on protostellar scales is similar despite the very different environmental conditions. |
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