Distribution of hot stars and hydrogen in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Abstract

Far-UV brightness distribution data for the face of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) are derived from calibrated electrographic imagery in the 1050-1600 and 1250-1600 A ranges, and far-UV fluxes for individual hot-star groupings in the LMC are compared with H-alpha measurements and with a 21-cm survey. It is found that large clouds of interstellar hydrogen contain smaller concentrations revealed by H-alpha emission and other clear regions where hot O-B stars excite no H II regions. Either (1) four of these associations lie behind the large interstellar clouds, or (2) the clouds may be very diffuse and extended in the line of sight. Six other peaks in far-UV flux not previously cataloged are also indicated.