Multi-seeded multi-mode formation of embedded clusters in the RMC: Clusters baked in swept-up shells

Abstract

This is the first of a series of three papers on clustered star formation in the Rosette Molecular Complex. Here we investigate star formation in the interfacing layers between the expanding Rosette Nebula and its surrounding cloud, based on an analysis of the spatially complete and unbiased 2MASS data. Two medium-mass infrared clusters with ages of around 1 Myr are identified in the south and south-east arcs of the fragmented shell. The majority of the candidate cluster members in these radiation and pressure-confined regions are found to be almost uniformly distributed, roughly following the compression layers traced by the distribution of optical depth at 100 $\mu$m, and may well develop into gravitationally unbound systems upon their emergence from the parental cloud. These expanding shells are believed to be playing important roles in impeding the emerging young open cluster NGC 2244 from intruding immediately and deeply into the ambient molecular cloud, where sequential formation of massive clusters is taking place.

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References in corpus (6)

• Embedded Clusters in Molecular Clouds
• New infrared star clusters in the southern Milky Way with 2MASS
• New infrared star clusters in the Northern and Equatorial Milky Way with 2MASS
• A Catalog of Young Stellar Groups and Clusters Within 1kpc of the Sun
• A Catalogue of infrared star clusters and stellar groups
• The young stellar population in the Serpens Cloud Core: An ISOCAM survey

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Mass segregation in very young open clusters -- A case study of NGC 2244 and NGC 6530
• Early-type stars in the young open cluster NGC 2244 and in the Mon OB2 association I. The multiplicity of O-type stars
• A Chandra Study of the Rosette Star-Forming Complex. III. The NGC 2237 Cluster and the Region's Star Formation History
• Multi-seeded multi-mode formation of embedded clusters in the RMC: Structured star formation toward the south-east boundary
• Investigation of Star Formation toward the Sharpless 155 H II region
• Sequential clustering of star formation in IC 1396