SuperMALT: determining the physical and chemical evolution of high-mass star-forming clumps

SuperMALT aims to observe the higher J (3-2) and (4-3) transitions toward a carefully selected sub-sample of the MALT90 survey. This will allow us to determine the physical and chemical properties of the gas within a large sample of high-mass star forming clumps.
In the first phase of this project we have completed the mapping toward all clumps in their (3-2) emission. Initial results show that the J=3-2/J=1-0 line ratios vary significantly among the clumps, suggesting a wide range of excitation conditions. These data suggest that gas temperatures and densities increase as the clumps evolve. We also see hint of chemical differences among the various evolutionary stages.

Team Members

• Yanett Contreras - Leiden University
• Jill Rathborne - CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science
• Guido Garay - Universidad de Chile
• Peter Schilke - I. Physikalisches Institut der Universitaet zu Koeln
• Alvaro Sanchez-Monge - I. Physikalisches Institut der Universitaet zu Koeln
• Laura Gomez - Universidad de Chile
• Diego Mardones - Universidad de Chile
• Elise Servajean - Universidad de Chile
• Andres Guzman - Universidad de Chile
• James Jackson - Boston University
• Jonathan Foster
• Steve Longmore - John Moores University
• Leonardo Testi - ESO
• I. Jimenez-Sierra - ESO
• K. Wang - ESO
• James Urquhart - MPIfR
• Friedrich Wyrowski - MPIfR
• Timea Csengeri - MPIfR