Massive star formation in the southern Milky Way

Abstract

During the past decade we have compiled a large molecular line data base of massive star forming regions in the southern Milky Way. These regions are confined into giant molecular clouds that trace the galactic spiral arms. Their radial distribution has a pronounced peak midway between the Sun and the galactic center, which in the IV quadrant corresponds to the location of the Norma Spiral arm. We study in some detail one of the foremost regions of massive star formation in the Norma arm, using millimeter continuum and line emission maps obtained with the SEST, APEX, and ASTE telescopes. It is a multiple system evolving along a complete GMC core, candidate for future ALMA observations.