A far infrared view of low mass star formation in the Cederblad 110 nebula of Chamaeleon I

Abstract

The Cederblad 110 reflection nebula contains several young stellar objects previously discovered by IRAS and sub-mm observations. This cluster was revisited with ISO's FIR cameras and mapped with higher spatial resolution. All sources were also mapped for the first time near the maximum of their spectral energy distribution at 200 mu m. In addition, two new FIR-sources were discovered. The new data enabled parameters of the young objects to be determined, such as their luminosity, temperature and mass of the circumstellar dust. These parameters were related to the YSO classes of the various objects ranging from the pure protostar Class O to Class III. Cederblad 110 can be viewed as a compact volume of active low mass star formation in a dense ridge of molecular gas of the Chamaeleon I cloud detected e.g. in HN¹³C and C¹⁸O lines. The star formation efficiency in the 0.001 pc³ cluster volume is high; about 20% of the gas is now bound into stars. Based on observations with ISO, an ESA project with instruments funded by ESA Member States (especially the PI countries: France, Germany, The Netherlands and the UK) and with the participation of ISAS and NASA.