Research Interests

My primary areas of research interest are star formation and high angular resolution astronomy. In particular, I use a variety of observational techniques to perform imaging and spectroscopy of the near environment of young stars at the highest resolution obtainable. The interaction of the star with its environment regulates the star formation process and provides the conditions necessary for the growth and evolution of circumstellar disks and, ultimately, planets.Working at the edge of achievable observational performance requires state-of-the-art instrumentation. Click on the  Projects  tab to see some of the hardware initiatives in which I am involved.

About the picture

Three views of T Tauri with increasing spatial resolution in the near infrared emission line of molecular hydrogen.Background image by Don Goldman. Visit his gallery at
astrodonimaging.com

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Currculum Vitae
Tom Herbst Publications