NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0255
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0255 |
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PI: Patrick Hartigan, Rice University, hartigan@sparky.rice.edu
Address: Physics Department, 6100 S Main, Houston, TX 77005, USA
CoI: Ilse Cleeves, Rice University
Title: Young Stars in the Cygnus OB2 Association
Abstract:
Cygnus OB2 is by far the dominant region of massive star formation
within 2-3 kpc of the Sun, but its stellar content is almost completely
unknown owing to large amounts of visual extinction. Using NEWFIRM last
fall we surveyed a large area of over two square degrees centered on the
main cluster of O and B stars, and found the central part of the cluster
to be teeming with at least several hundred, and probably over a
thousand stars with near-IR excesses typical of circumstellar disks.
With this proposal we aim to begin the process of acquiring spectral
types for the entire sample of IR-excess and X-ray bright stars. This
census will lead to masses, ages, and accretion rates for each object.
With over 100 O stars, Cyg OB2 dwarfs the young clusters in Orion, and
promises to provide a truly unique large sample of young stars that can
address many of the major outstanding questions of star formation, such
as IMF variations, binarity, triggering, mass segregation, accretion
history, and disk evolution in a statistically significant way.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0255 |
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