Gamma-ray emission from star-forming regions

Abstract

Star-forming regions have been tentatively associated with gamma-ray sources since the early days of the COS B satellite. After the many sources detected by the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, the statistical evidence for such an association has became overwhelming. Recent results from imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes indicate that some high-energy sources are produced in regions of active star formation like Cygnus OB2 and Westerlund 2. In this paper I will review what kind of stellar objects can produce gamma-ray emission in star-forming regions and I will suggest that the formation process of massive stars could in principle result in the production of observable gamma ray emission. Gamma-ray astronomy, will be argued, is mature enough as to contribute to the study of the birth of massive stars.