Infrared Dust Bubbles: Probing the Detailed Structure and Young Massive Stellar Populations of Galactic H ii Regions

Abstract

We present an analysis of wind-blown, parsec-sized, mid-infrared bubbles and associated star formation using the GLIMPSE IRAC, MIPSGAL MIPS, and MAGPIS VLA surveys. Three bubbles from the Churchwell et al. catalog were selected. The relative distribution of the ionized gas (based on 20 cm emission), PAH emission (based on 8 μm, 5.8 μm, and lack of 4.5 μm emission), and hot dust (24 μm emission) is compared. At the center of each bubble there is a region containing ionized gas and hot dust surrounded by PAHs. We identify the likely source(s) of the stellar wind and ionizing flux producing each bubble based on SED fitting to numerical hot stellar photosphere models. Candidate YSOs are also identified using SED fitting, including several sites of possible triggered star formation.