Small-scale structure in the Rosette molecular cloud revealed by Herschel

Abstract

We present a preliminary analysis of the small-scale structure found in new 70-520 μ m continuum maps of the Rosette molecular cloud (RMC), obtained with the SPIRE and PACS instruments of the Herschel Space Observatory. We find 473 clumps within the RMC using a new structure identification algorithm, with sizes up to ~1.0 pc in diameter. A comparison with recent Spitzer maps reveals that 371 clumps are "starless" (without an associated young stellar object), while 102 are "protostellar." Using the respective values of dust temperature, we determine the clumps have masses (MC) over the range -0.75 = log (MC/M) = 2.50. Linear fits to the high-mass tails of the resulting clump mass spectra (CMS) have slopes that are consistent with those found for high-mass clumps identified in CO emission by other groups. © ESO 2010.