Protostars, dust globules, and a Herbig-Haro object in the LMC superbubble N51D

Y. H. Chu, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
R. A. Gruendl, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
C. H.R. Chen, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
B. A. Whitney, Space Science Institute
K. D. Gordon, The University of Arizona
L. W. Looney, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
G. C. Clayton, Louisiana State University
J. R. Dickel, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
B. C. Dunne, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
S. D. Points, Cerro Tololo Inter American Observatory
R. C. Smith, Cerro Tololo Inter American Observatory
R. M. Williams, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Abstract

Using Spitzer Space Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope observations of the superbubble N51D, we have identified three young stellar objects (YSOs) in dust globules and made the first detection of a Herbig-Haro object outside the Galaxy. The spectral energy distributions of these YSOs suggest young massive stars with disk, envelope, and outflow cavities. The interstellar conditions are used to assess whether the star formation was spontaneous or induced by external pressure. © 2005. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.