Spitzer and Magellan Observations of NGC 2264: A Remarkable Star‐forming Core near IRS 2

Abstract

We analyze Spitzer and Magellan observations of a star-forming core near IRS 2 in the young cluster NGC 2264. The submillimeter source IRAS 12 S1, previously believed to be an intermediate-mass Class 0 object is shown to be a dense collection of embedded, low-mass stars. We argue that this group of stars represents the fragmenting collapse of a dense, turbulent core, using a number of indicators of extreme youth. With reasonable estimates for the velocity dispersion in the group, we estimate a dynamical lifetime of only a few times 104 yr. Spectral energy distributions of stars in the core are consistent with Class I or Class 0 assignments. We present observations of an extensive system of molecular hydrogen emission knots. The luminosity of the objects in the core region are consistent with roughly solar mass protostars.