ATLASGAL massive clumps dust characterization

We find trends for increasing temperature, luminosity and column density with the proposed evolution sequence, confirming that this sample is representative of different evolutionary stages of massive star formation. We show that most of the sample has the ability to form massive stars (including the most massive O-type stars) and that the majority is gravitationally unstable and hence likely to be collapsing. The highest column density ATLASGAL sources presented cover the whole range of evolutionary stages from the youngest to the most evolved high-mass star forming clumps.

Their study provides a unique starting point for more in-depth research on massive star formation in four distinct evolutionary stages whose well defined physical parameters afford more detailed studies. As most of the sample is closer than 5kpc, these sources are also ideal for follow-up observations with high spatial resolution.