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Infrared Studies of Massive Star Formation

Infrared Studies of Massive Star Formation. by Claudia Knez. Outline. What is star formation? Why study the star formation using infrared radiation and not visible light? Why SOFIA is important for our observations?. Star Formation.

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Infrared Studies of Massive Star Formation

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  1. Infrared Studies of Massive Star Formation by Claudia Knez

  2. Outline • What is star formation? • Why study the star formation using infrared radiation and not visible light? • Why SOFIA is important for our observations?

  3. Star Formation • Large clouds of cold, dense gas (molecular clouds) collapse to form stars. • Cold gas means temperature T~10–50 K 0 oC = 273 K • Stars of different masses form in these regions. • Massive stars do not form in isolation. • As the clouds collapse and stars begin to form, the temperature of the gas and dust rises.

  4. From Stars to Planets • Chemical studies in star forming regions reveal the composition of the gas. • Planets form from gas around stars. • Comets have similar composition as the interstellar medium. • Are organic molecules common in star forming regions?

  5. Dust • At low temperatures, the gas freezes onto dust grains. • Chemical reactions occurs on the surface of grains. • As gas is heated by protostars, the ice is evaporated from the dust grains.

  6. Gas • Newly evaporated molecules such as acetylene, C2H2, and methane, CH4, are observed. • These and other complex organic molecules are seen towards protostars. • The molecules necessary for life seem to be COMMON!

  7. Why Study Protostars in the Infrared? • Gas around forming stars is dense and it traps light from protostars. • The gas and dust heat up and re-emit the light at longer wavelength (infrared and radio). • Molecules along the line of sight absorb the light and create an absorption spectrum. • Visible light does not get through the cloud!

  8. Absorption Spectrum Absorption spectrum Continuum spectrum Emission spectrum

  9. Challenge of Infrared Astronomy EARTH’SATMOSPHERE ! !

  10. Infrared Water Vapor Image

  11. Hurricane in Infrared

  12. Fish at Depth

  13. Earth’s atmosphere at 16.7 microns

  14. Earth’s Atmosphere at 11.9 microns

  15. Absorbers in Atmosphere • Main absorbers in the atmosphere are: • Water • Carbon dioxide • Ozone • Other absorbers include: • Methane

  16. Space Observatory SOFIA Ground telescope

  17. SOFIA • SOFIA will fly above most of the troposphere • Absorption by most atmospheric molecules will be decreased. • The study of molecules such as water and methane will be possible! Telescope

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