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| EPoS Contribution |
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Multi-wavelength study of Massive Star Forming regions
Luis Chavarria Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, US | |
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We are conducting a study over nine regions of high-mass star formation and prominent photo-dissociation regions (PDR's) to investigate their content and structure. The observations include Spitzer/IRAC and IRS observations, ground-based optical and NIR imaging, and optical spectra of objects and locations in the molecular clouds. The objective of the study is to have a better understanding of the processes involved in high mass star formation by determining the characteristics of the stars detected in these regions, by studying the massive young stars, their interaction with the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM) and investigating the properties of the ISM in which these stars form.
We present Spitzer, ground-based optical and NIR imaging data and optical spectroscopy of 2 of our regions; AFGL4029 and S255. We will determine the properties of the constituent stars using 1-8 um infrared spectral energy distributions. We will investigate the spatial distributions and surface densities of Class 0/I and Class II objects, and the evidence for a low-surface density "distributed" mode of star formation surrounding or underlying the rich clusters. Using optical spectral types, we will place stars in the HR diagram and examine the disk properties as a function of stellar age and mass. Finally, we will attempt to constrain the high mass end of the IMF in these regions and determine of they are different or the same. | |