Revealing the environs of the remarkable southern hot core G327.3-0.6

Abstract

Aims. We present a submm study of the massive hot core G327.3-0.6 that constrains its physical parameters and environment. Methods. The APEX telescope was used to image CO and N2H+ emission, to observe lines from other molecules toward a hot and a cold molecular core, and to measure the continuum flux density of the hot core. Results. In the C18O J = 3-2 line, two clumps were found, one associated with the Hn region G327.3-0.5 and the other associated with the hot core. An additional cold clump is found 30″ (0.4 pc) northeast of the hot core in bright N2H + emission. From the the continuum data, we calculate a mass of 420 M⊙ and a size of 0.1 pc for the hot core. A new, more accurate position of the hot core is reported, which allows the association of the core with a bright mid-infrared source. The luminosity of the hot core is estimated to be between 5 and 15 × 104 L⊙. Conclusions. This study revealed several different evolutionary stages of massive star formation in the G327.3-0.6 region. ©ESO 2006.