The RMS survey: radio observations of candidate massive YSOs in the southern hemisphere

Abstract The Red MSX Source (RMS) survey (Hoare et al. 2005) is a multi-wavelength programme of follow-up observations designed to distinguish between genuine massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) and other embedded or dusty objects, such as ultra compact (UC) HII regions, evolved stars and planetary nebulae (PNe). We have identified nearly 2000 MYSOs candidates by comparing the colours of MSX and 2MASS point sources to those of known MYSOs. There are several other types of embedded or dust enshrouded objects that have similar colours as MYSOs and contaminate our sample. Two sources of contamination are from UCHII regions and PNe, both of which can be identified from the radio emission emitted by their ionised nebulae. In order to identify UCHII regions and PNe that contaminate our sample we have conducted high resolution radio continuum observations at 3.6 and 6 cm of all southern MYSOs candidates (235° < l < 350°) using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA).