Infrared Imaging of Embedded Clusters: Constraints for Star and Planet Formation

Author(s)
Charles J. Lada, Elizabeth A. Lada, August A. Muench, Karl E. Haisch, João Alves
Abstract

Since its implementation slightly more than a decade ago, astronomical

imaging with near-infrared array detectors has matured into an important

tool for star and planet formation studies. In this paper we briefly

describe three areas of investigation where infrared imaging plays a

major role in advancing the understanding of star and planet formation.

We highlight recent findings derived from imaging studies of embedded

clusters in local star formation regions which concern: 1) the spatial

distributions of young stellar objects, 2) the nature of the IMF, and 3)

the frequency and evolution of circumstellar disks. The significance of

embedded clusters as laboratories for star formation research is

illustrated by each of these examples.

Organisation(s)
Department of Astrophysics
External organisation(s)
University of Florida, Gainesville, European Southern Observatory (Germany), National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Pages
155-170
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/10856518_20
Publication date
2002
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103004 Astrophysics
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/08921cf0-e909-4b5d-9bf5-597e5d502dd6