Evidence for ongoing star formation in the Carina nebula

We present the first evidence that star formation is continuing in the molecular complex associated with the Carina nebula. CO observations in several isotopomers and transitions reveal a clumpy and dynamically complex structure in the molecular gas south of the OB association Trumpler 16. Superresolution IRAS images of the region show a 1.1 10(4) L(.) point source (IRAS 10430-5931) in a molecular clump at the edge of the cloud complex. The IRAS colors are characteristic of deeply embedded young stellar objects. Through a comparison with a published [SII] photograph, we find that the clump is a bright-rimmed globule. The mass of the globule is 67 M(.), yielding a luminosity-to-mass ratio of similar to 160 L(.)/(L.) J, H and K'-Band imaging of the IRAS source shows a group of highly reddened stars and bright nebulosity. We argue on a statistical basis that some of the reddened stars must be embedded in the globule and are not background objects. Additionally, several of the reddened stars exhibit anomalous near-infrared colors which are typical of embedded pre-main sequence stars. The near-infrared images show that all apparent star formation is taking place near the rim, 0.5 pc from the peak in (CO)-C-13(2 - 1) emission. This morphology is suggestive of star formation triggered by radiation driven shocks.