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 Tr umpler 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 o f the cloud complex. The IRAS colors are characteristic of deeply embe dded young stellar objects. Through a comparison with a published [SII ] photograph, we find that the clump is a bright-rimmed globule. The m ass 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 s hows a group of highly reddened stars and bright nebulosity. We argue on a statistical basis that some of the reddened stars must be embedde d in the globule and are not background objects. Additionally, several of the reddened stars exhibit anomalous near-infrared colors which ar e typical of embedded pre-main sequence stars. The near-infrared image s 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.