Color composite image of complex S193 using the WISE 22 µm telescope (red), Spitzer 3.6 µm telescope (green) and IPHAS Hα (visible hydrogen emission line, blue blue). Source: arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2309.12410

Astronomers have discovered new star clusters, young stellar objects, and molecular clusters. Astronomers from the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad (India) studied the star formation complex S193. The results of the study reveal the properties of this complex in more detail.

Located about 17,000 light-years from Earth, between the star-forming regions W4 and W5, S193 is a star-forming complex consisting of three regions of ionized atomic hydrogen HII, namely Sh 2-192, Sh 2-193 and Sh 2-194. The complex contains two open star clusters, 10 molecular clusters and many massive stars. S193 is an excellent region for studying star formation processes, including massive stars, young star clusters, and molecular clusters. That is why a team of astronomers led by Rakesh Pande decided to study this complex in more detail.They studied observational data from multiple ground-based observatories as well as space observatories to gain more information about S193’s properties.

The team discovered a new star cluster in S193, in the southwest, containing at least 30 stars. The average density of stars in the cluster is 13.3 stars per square minute. The three clusters S193 appear to be connected by contours of lowest density, and their stars are part of the same population. The S193 survey also discovered 27 scattered young stellar objects and 16 molecular clusters. The largest star cluster weighs about 1,142 solar masses.

Using mid- and far-infrared images, astronomers tracked the distribution of dust in S193. They found that the dust was distributed in structures surrounding the HII reservoir. Based on relevant motion data, Pande’s team estimates S193 is about 15,800 light-years away, a closer distance than previously thought.

source: arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2309.12410