Spitzer Space Telescope - Guaranteed Time Observer Proposal #50691


L1340: How Do Intermediate-Mass Stars Impact Their Natal Environment?

Principal Investigator: Giovanni Fazio
           Institution: Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

     Technical Contact: JoAnn O'Linger, SIRTF Science Center

Co-Investigators: 
Grace Wolf-Chase, Adler Planetarium/Univ. of Chicago                  
Sean Carey, Spitzer Science Center                                    
Gerald Moriarty-Schieven, Joint Astronomy Centre                      
Mary Barsony, Space Science Institute/SFSU                            
Maria Kun, Konkoly Observatory of the Hungarian Academy of Sc         
Michael Ressler, Jet Propulsion Laboratory                            

Science Category: star formation 
 Observing Modes: IracMap MipsScan 
  Hours Approved: 4.9 

Abstract:
L1340 is a mid-Galactic-latitude (b~11.5) star-forming cloud which contains
several intermediate-mass stars of spectral types B5 and later. It is an ideal
testbed for studying the effects such stars have on an isolated, compact cloud.
L1340 was specifically chosen to bridge the gap between Spitzer studies of low-
and high-mass star formation modes in other clouds. Through ground-based multi-
wavelength continuum and spectral line observations, we have found a series of
bubble-like structures within this cloud that appear to be associated with the
intermediate-mass stars. Additionally, we have imaged dozens of cold dust cores
around the edges of these structures using SCUBA, many of which exhibit outflow
activity and other hallmarks of extreme youth. These features make L1340 unique
among known molecular clouds within 600 parsecs. Therefore we propose to map the
L1340 cloud with IRAC and MIPS in order to: 1) Investigate the prevalence of
"bubbles within bubbles" in this relatively nearby, isolated, intermediate-mass
star-forming cloud. 2) Take a complete census of the protostellar population
associated with our submillimeter cores using the unprecedented sensitivity of
IRAC and MIPS. 3) Analyze the spatial distributions of Young Stellar Objects
(YSOs) within the cloud boundaries for indications of possible sequential, or
triggered, star formation.