GeV γ-ray emission in the low-mass star-forming region AFGL 490
Abstract
ABSTRACT We report the discovery of an extended GeV $\gamma$-ray source, 4FGL J0330.7+5845e, associated with the star-forming region AFGL 490 using 17 yr of Fermi-LAT data. The emission is spatially coincident with a dense molecular cloud and centred near the massive protostar AFGL 490. Its spectral energy distribution shows a distinct high-energy cutoff. Both leptonic and hadronic models can fit the $\gamma$-ray spectrum, but energetic arguments rule out stellar winds as the primary accelerator. Instead, the protostellar jet driven by AFGL 490 is identified as a plausible site for particle acceleration, and the derived time-scales and maximum particle energies are consistent with theoretical predictions for such jets.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Volume
- 549
- Issue
- 1
- Publication date
- 14 May 2026
- Language
- EN