Detection of a new molecular cloud in the LHAASO J2108+5157 region supporting a hadronic PeVatron scenario

• PeVatrons are the most powerful naturally occurring particle accelerators in the Universe. The identification of counterparts associated to astrophysical objects such as dying massive stars, molecular gas, star-forming regions, and star clusters is essential to clarify the underlying nature of the PeV emission, i.e., hadronic or leptonic. We present 12,13CO (J = 2→1) observations made with the 1.85 m radio-Telescope of the Osaka Prefecture University toward the Cygnus OB7 molecular cloud, which contains the PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157. We investigate the nature of the sub-PeV (gamma-ray) emission by studying the nucleon density determined from the content of H i and H2, derived from the CO observations. In addition to MML[2017]4607, detected via the observations of the optically thick 12CO (J = 1→0) emission, we infer the presence of an optically thin molecular cloud, named [FKT-MC]2022, whose angular size is 1-1 ± 0.}^\circ}}2. We propose this cloud as a new candidate to produce the sub-PeV emission observed in LHAASO J2108+5157. Considering a distance of 1.7 kpc, we estimate a nucleon (H i + H2) density of 37 ± 14 cm-3, and a total nucleon mass(H i + H2) of 1.5 ± 0.6 × 104 M·. On the other hand, we confirm that Kronberger 82 is a molecular clump with an angular size of 0°1, a nucleon density ∼103 cm-3, and a mass ∼103 M·. Although Kronberger 82 hosts the physical conditions to produce the observed emission of LHAASO J2108+5157, [FKT-MC]2022 is located closer to it, suggesting that the latter could be the one associated to the sub-PeV emission. Under this scenario, our results favour a hadronic origin for the emission.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

ISM: molecules

ISM: individual objects (LHAASO J2108+5157

ISM: clouds

gamma rays: ISM

cosmic rays

Kronberger 82)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

art (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)