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S.J. Wolk (CfA), M. Vigil (MIT), T.L. Bourke, B.D. Spitzbart (CfA)
We present our recent (October 2004) Chandra observations of the embedded star forming region RCW~108. RCW~108 contains a deeply embedded young cluster lying in a dark cloud to the west of the young open cluster NGC 6193 (excited by two early O stars). Our motivation for this obsrvation was to followup on our discovery of diffuse X-ray emission in the older less embedded RCW~38. If the diffuse emission seen in RCW~38 is the result of plasma being trapped within the star forming region by overlaying molecular material, then RCW~108 should contain even more trapped plasma.
At 8-20 \mum microns, the Midcourse Space Experiment Galactic Plane Survey data shows a ridge of warm dust passing through the eastern edge of the emission peak parallel to but west of an optical ridge. Our SEST mm continuum observations show a cold component to this dust ridge peaking strongly at the cluster. The far infrared luminosity suggests that there is more than one significant heating source, i.e., OB stars and/or intermediate mass protostars. The extended infrared nebulosity to the east of the main cluster is due to emission and not reflection, suggesting a break-out of radiation in this direction.
The goals of the observations are to: 1) Study triggered star formation. 2) Investigate the origin and nature of diffuse X-ray emission within regions of massive star formation. 3) Identify deeply embedded PMS stars via their X--ray emission and derive an IMF and XLF. 4) Investigate the X--ray properties of the embedded sources.
This work is supported by the Chandra X-ray Center NASA contact NAS8-39073 and by the Chandra guest observer program.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.