Unveiling the Extreme Conditions of Star Formation in the CMZ with JWST-NIRCam
Star formation and stellar feedback in extreme environments like the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) are important yet poorly constrained. Here we present JWST-NIRCam observations of the CMZ molecular cloud Sagittarius C (Sgr C) in order to take a census of its star formation activity. In conjunction with ancillary NIR, MIR, FIR, and sub-mm data from Spitzer, SOFIA, Herschel, and ALMA, we characterise the massive protostars G359.44a and G359.44b via SED fitting as well as their neighbouring cores. The NIRCam data reveals in high resolution the outflows from these protostellar sources in the form of atomic and molecular hydrogen-shocked material. Outflows are widespread throughout the entire Sgr C cloud, corroborating previous observations with ALMA, and tracing both low- and high-mass star formation. Overall, these observations paint a picture of star formation in Sgr C that is largely similar to the solar neighbourhood, despite the extreme environment of the CMZ. We also report the discovery of a new star-forming region ~1' to the west of the main protocluster, hosting two prominent bow shocks visible in H2 emission driven by at least two actively forming YSOs. We speculate on the locations of further YSOs in the region, as well as whether the entire star-forming region is in the CMZ or foreground. Finally, we discuss the extended, often filamentary molecular hydrogen shocks around Sgr C that do not appear to be associated with protostellar outflows.
