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Key Project on Massive Star Formation: Unraveling the Mysteries of Astrophysics

This e-MERLIN key project, led by researchers including Melvin Hoare, Jim Jackson, and others, explores the complexities of massive star formation and its fundamental role in astrophysics. By investigating processes such as accretion physics and outflow dynamics, the project seeks to answer pivotal questions related to the initial mass function and stellar evolution. Utilizing extensive survey data across various wavelengths, the initiative aims to enhance our understanding of massive young stellar objects, H II regions, and other phenomena linked to the evolution of galaxies.

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Key Project on Massive Star Formation: Unraveling the Mysteries of Astrophysics

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  1. School of Physics & Astronomy FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS & PHYSICAL SCIENCES e-MERLIN Key Project on Massive Star Formation Melvin Hoare Jim Jackson (Boston University) Gary Fuller (University of Manchester) Janet Drew (Imperial College London)

  2. Why Massive Star Formation? • Underpins much of astrophysics • Pop III & Primeval galaxies • Starbursts • Galaxy evolution • Feedback, Superwinds, Chemical evolution • Extreme environments • SNe, GRBs • NS, BH Gemini Observatory - GMOS Team

  3. Key Unsolved Questions • What determines the upper IMF? • Accretion physics? • Outflow physics? • Evolutionary scheme?

  4. Accretion Physics • Magnetically/turbulently controlled collapse or triggering? IRAM 30m 13CO 1-0 map Spitzer 8mm image Krumholz et al. (2005)

  5. Outflow Physics • Radiation or magnetically driven winds and outflows? X-wind (Shu et al. 1997) or disk wind (Ouyed et al. 2003) Drew et al. (1998); Proga (2000)

  6. Outflow Physics • Bipolar or cometary at the onset of the H II region phase NGC 7538 IRS 1

  7. Evolutionary Scheme Massive pre-stellar core Inactive IR Dark Cloud Active IR Dark Cloud Methanol masers Hot molecular core Massive young stellar object Water masers Hyper-compact H II region Ultra-compact H II region OB cluster

  8. Context • Exploitation of Galactic Plane surveys at a range of wavelengths – many UK led • Build on discoveries made with MERLIN and the VLA • Currently only a few bright/nearby examples of the later stages have been studied

  9. Equatorial Winds and Jets Blue/red contours 8/22 GHz VLA map Image: SMA 850mm dust continuum MERLIN 5 GHz 0.1" (image) 2mm speckle 0.2" (contours) Patel et al. (2005) Hoare (2002)

  10. Galactic Plane Surveys

  11. Key Project Sample • Well selected sub-samples from the surveys that cover a range of masses and evolutionary stages UCHIIs Transition objects? MYSOs HMCs/IRDCs

  12. Key Project Outline • Active IR Dark Clouds from GLIMPSE/MIPSGAL/GRS • Methanol maser sources from Arecibo/MMB • Massive YSOs from Red MSX Source survey • Herbig Be stars from IPHAS • UCHII regions from CORNISH survey • Distance limited samples (e.g. < 7 kpc) to preserve physical spatial resolution

  13. Key Project Outline • 20/40 from each category for full/half tracks at 4-8 GHz • 1/16th BW on the methanol maser 6.7 GHz line • Including Lovell gives 2-3 mJy/beam noise level • 1000 hours in total

  14. Why Key Project? • Avoid piecemeal approach through PI programmes • Good sample selection only way to unlock evolutionary trends • Builds co-operation between Galactic Plane survey teams • Pools expertise within these teams • Will answer key questions • Onset of wind and H II region phases • Driving mechanisms

  15. Low-Mass YSO Key Project WFPC2 NICMOS VLA 8 GHz

  16. Stellar Jets • Key tests of MHD driving mechanisms Shang et al. (2002; 2004) 6/1.5 AU resolution at 140 pc

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