Embedded clusters as laboratories of star formations
by
Arjan Bik(Stockholm University)
→
Europe/Stockholm
FA31
FA31
Description
Massive stars are typically observed to form in clustered environments, with
morphologies ranging from very dense, centrally concentrated starburst
clusters to loose associations. These associations and clusters are
morphologically and dynamically different. It is not clear if these
differences arise from different initial conditions in the star formation
process or environmental effects, like triggered star formation. We have
started a large observational campaign to derive the star formation history
of several massive star formation complexes in order to reconstruct the star
formation mechanisms. Based on the several regions we have analysed, I will
demonstrate that near-infrared spectroscopy and photometry using LBT and
VLT, combined with a large suite of multi-wavelength observations allow us
to obtain a detailed picture of the stellar clusters and their stellar
populations. The near-infrared visible stellar population is typically a few
Myr old, but mid-IR and (sub) mm data reveal more deeply embedded and
younger star forming regions in the vincinity. Different stellar
populations are found in many embedded clusters, suggesting that the star
formation history is much more complex than a single star formation event. I
will discuss the subject of age spread in embedded clusters and present a
case we we do find evidence of age spread and compare it to other clusters
where no age spread has been found.
