We present a detailed analysis of the X-ray emission from the largest H II region complex in the Local Group, 30 Doradus. Applying a new maximum entropy deconvolution algorithm to the Einstein Observatory data, we find striking correlations among the X-ray, radio, and optical morphologies of the region, with X-ray-emitting bubbles filling cavities surrounded by Ha shells and coextensive diffuse X-ray and radio continuum ennssion from throughout the region. The total X-ray luminosity in the 0.16-3.5 keV band from an area within 160 pc of the central cluster R136 is ~ 2 x 10^37^ ergs s^-1^. The temperature of the X-ray-emitting gas is ~ 5 x 10^6^ K. This coronal component has a total thermal energy of ~ 3 x 10^52^ ergs and appears to occupy most of the interstellar volume in the region. We comment briefly on the positive feedback between massive star formation and a high-pressure interstellar medium and speculate as to the origin of the 30 Doradus complex.
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Wang et al. (1991) studied this question.