NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0428
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010A-0428 |
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PI: Lori Allen, NOAO, lallen@noao.edu
Address: 950 N. Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
CoI: Tom Megeath, University of Toledo
CoI: Leo Bronfman, University of Chile
CoI: Ron Probst, NOAO
CoI: Sarah Willis, Iowa State University
CoI: Luis Chavarria, University of Chile
CoI: Massimo Marengo, Iowa State University
CoI: Guy Stringfellow, University of Colorado
CoI: John Bally, University of Colorado
CoI: Sean Carey, Spitzer Science Center, Caltech
Title: The Fourth Galactic Quadrant: NEWFIRM Imaging of Southern Massive Star Forming Regions
Abstract:
Empirical scaling laws relating star formation rates to gas surface
density in external galaxies are widely observed, but the underlying
physics of what controls the rate and efficiency of star formation is
not well understood. This is especially true for distant galaxies in
which individual star forming regions, much less individual stars,
cannot be resolved. Massive star forming regions in the 4th quadrant of
our galaxy have the highest far-infrared luminosities, and the highest
star formation efficiencies, in the Galactic disk. They are the local
analogs of the star forming regions which dominate the integrated light
from the spiral arms of external galaxies. We aim to bridge the gap
between what is known about the distribution of young stars, molecular
and ionized gas, and dust in nearby star-forming regions and in other
galaxies, by studying a representative sample of these massive 4th
quadrant star forming regions. NEWFIRM's large field of view is
essential, as it will allow us to map out the stars, gas, and dust over
tens of parsecs in these large star forming complexes.
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 > 2010A-0428 |
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