G305 Giant Molecular Cloud II. Clump properties

This was followed by comparing G305 clumps with the Galactic average taken from the ATLASGAL and CHIMPS clumps. Finally, the cumulative distribution functions (CDF) of the clump masses in G305 & their L/M ratios were compared to that of the Galactic sample. The surface mass densities of clumps showed a positive correlation with incident 8um flux.

The data did not have sufficient velocity resolution to discern the effects of feedback on the linewidths of the clumps. The sub-sample of clumps named "mostly inside" had the highest surface mass densities followed by "partly -inside" and "outside" sub-samples. These differences between the three sub-samples were shown to be statistically significant using the KS test.

The "mostly inside" sample also showed the highest level of fragmentation compared to the other two. These prove that clumps inside the G305 region are triggered. The G305 clump population is also statistically different from the Galactic average population rejecting redistribution as a likely consequence of feedback.

The CDFs of clump masses and their L/M ratios are both flatter than the Galactic average, indicating that feedback in G305 has triggered star formation. The collect & collapse method is the dominant mechanism at play in G305.