Embedded star clusters associated with luminous IRAS point sources

Abstract

Consideration is given to results of a near-infrared (J, H, and K bands) and CS (J = 2-1) survey of 20 star-forming regions selected from the IRAS Point Source Catalog that lie in the second and third quadrants of the Galaxy. Data obtained show that nineteen of the 20 IRAS sources contain a significant number of stars in excess of that observed in the reference fields and, undoutedly, each are newly formed clusters. To a limiting magnitude of 15.5 mag, the number of observed cluster members varies from 15 to 91. Radio continuum, FIR, and NIR observations confirm the notion that high-mass, B type stars are forming within these clusters. The CS observations revealed dense cores in all 20 IRAS sources, with the core's masses ranging from 8 to 270 solar masses. The CS cores exhibit a variety of cloud morphologies.