Three-dimensional Dust Mapping Reveals that Orion Forms Part of a Large Ring of Dust

Schlafly, E.F.; Green, G.; Finkbeiner, D.P.; Rix, H.-W.; Burgett, W.S.; Chambers, K.C.; Draper, P.W.; Kaiser, N.; Martin, N.F.; Metcalfe, N.; Morgan, J.S.; Price, P.A.; Tonry, J.L.; Wainscoat, R.J.; Waters, C.

doi:10.1088/0004-637x/799/2/116

Three-dimensional Dust Mapping Reveals that Orion Forms Part of a Large Ring of Dust

Schlafly, E.F.; Green, G.; Finkbeiner, D.P.; Rix, H.-W.; Burgett, W.S.; Chambers, K.C.; Draper, P.W.; Kaiser, N.; Martin, N.F.; Metcalfe, N.; Morgan, J.S.; Price, P.A.; Tonry, J.L.; Wainscoat, R.J.; Waters, C.

Authors

E.F. Schlafly

G. Green

D.P. Finkbeiner

H.-W. Rix

W.S. Burgett

K.C. Chambers

Dr Peter Draper p.w.draper@durham.ac.uk
Senior Computer Programmer

N. Kaiser

N.F. Martin

Dr Nigel Metcalfe nigel.metcalfe@durham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor

J.S. Morgan

P.A. Price

J.L. Tonry

R.J. Wainscoat

C. Waters

Abstract

The Orion Molecular Complex is the nearest site of ongoing high-mass star formation, making it one of the most extensively studied molecular complexes in the Galaxy. We have developed a new technique for mapping the three-dimensional distribution of dust in the Galaxy using Pan-STARRS1 photometry. We isolate the dust at the distance to Orion using this technique, revealing a large (100 pc, 14° diameter), previously unrecognized ring of dust, which we term the "Orion dust ring." The ring includes Orion A and B, and is not coincident with current Hα features. The circular morphology suggests formation as an ancient bubble in the interstellar medium, though we have not been able to conclusively identify the source of the bubble. This hint at the history of Orion may have important consequences for models of high-mass star formation and triggered star formation.

Citation

Schlafly, E., Green, G., Finkbeiner, D., Rix, H., Burgett, W., Chambers, K., …Waters, C. (2015). Three-dimensional Dust Mapping Reveals that Orion Forms Part of a Large Ring of Dust. Astrophysical Journal, 799(2), https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/799/2/116

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Nov 19, 2014
Publication Date	Feb 1, 2015
Deposit Date	Jun 16, 2015
Publicly Available Date	Jul 1, 2015
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Print ISSN	0004-637X
Electronic ISSN	1538-4357
Publisher	American Astronomical Society
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	799
Issue	2
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/799/2/116
Keywords	Dust, extinction, ISM: bubbles, ISM: clouds.