Star and Cluster Formation in the Sh2-112 Filamentary Cloud Complex

Abstract

We present the star formation activity around the emission nebula Sh2-112. At a distance of $\sim 2.1$~kpc, this \ion{H}{2} complex, itself 3~pc in radius, is illuminated by the massive star (O8\,V) BD$+$45\,3216. The associated molecular cloud extends in angular scales of $2\fdg0\times0\fdg83$, corresponding to linear sizes of 73~pc by 30~pc, along the Galactic longitude. The high-resolution ($30\arcsec$) extinction map reveals a chain of dust clumps aligned with the filament-like structure with an average extinction of $A_V\sim 2.78$~mag, varying up to a maximum of $\sim 17$~mag. Our analysis led to identification of a rich population ($\sim 500$) of young (average age of $\sim 1$~Myr) stars, plus a numerous number ($\sim 350$) of H$\alpha$ emitters, spatially correlated with the filamentary clouds. Located near the edge of the cloud, the luminous star BD$+$45\,3216 has created an arc-like pattern as the ionizing radiation encounters the dense gas, forming a blister-shaped morphology. We found three distinct young stellar groups, all coincident with relatively dense parts of the cloud complex, signifying ongoing star formation. Moreover, the cloud filament (excitation temperature $\sim 10$~K) traced by the CO isotopologues and extending nearly $\sim 80$~pc is devoid of ionized gas except at the dense cores (excitation temperature $\sim$ 28--32~K) wherein significant ionized emission excited by OB stars (dynamical age $\sim$ 0.18--1.0~Myr) pertains. The radial velocity is dynamic (median $\sim -3.65$~km~s${}^{-1}$) along the main filament, increasing from Galactic east to west, features mass flow to form the massive stars/clusters at the central hubs.

29 pages, 16 figures, 5 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

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