Analysis of the Z distribution of young objects in the Galactic thin disk

Abstract

We have obtained new estimates of the Sun’s distance from the symmetry plane Z_⊙ and the vertical disk scale height h using currently available data on stellar OB associations, Wolf–Rayet stars, HII regions, and Cepheids. Based on individual determinations, we have calculated the mean Z_⊙ = −16 ± 2 pc. Based on the model of a self-gravitating isothermal disk for the density distribution, we have found the following vertical disk scale heights: h = 40.2 ± 2.1 pc from OB associations, h = 47.8 ± 3.9 pc from Wolf–Rayet stars, h = 48.4 ± 2.5 pc from HII regions, and h = 66.2 ± 1.6 pc from Cepheids. We have estimated the surface, Σ = 6 kpc⁻², and volume, D(Z_⊙) = 50.6 kpc⁻³, densities from a sample of OB associations. We have found that there could be ∼5000 OB associations in the Galaxy.