Observational Evidence of the Merging of Filaments and Hub Formation in G083.097+03.270

Abstract

We uncover a hub–filament system correlated with massive young stellar associations in G083.097+03.270. Diagnosed with simultaneous ^12 CO, ^13 CO, and C ^18 O line observations, the region is found to host two distinct and elongated filaments having separate velocity components, interacting spatially and kinematically, that appear to have seeded the formation of a dense hub at the intersection. A large velocity spread at the hub, in addition to a clear bridging feature connecting the filaments in velocity, indicate the merging of filaments. Along the filament axis, the velocity gradient reveals a global gas motion with an increasing velocity dispersion inward to the hub signifying turbulence. Altogether, the clustering of Class I sources, a high excitation temperature, a high column density, and the presence of a massive outflow at the central hub suggest enhanced star formation. We propose that the merging of large-scale filaments and velocity gradients along filaments are the driving factors in the mass accumulation process at the hub that have sequentially led to the massive star formation. With two giant filaments merging to coincide with a hub therein with ongoing star formation, this site serves as a benchmark for the “filaments to clusters” star-forming paradigm.

Keywords

• Star formation
• Young stellar objects
• Young massive clusters
• Interstellar filaments
• Molecular gas