Origin and Evolution of Stars and Planets
Star Formation and Early Evolution
Task leader: J. F. Gameiro
Our goal is to conduct unbiased, wide field, multi-wavelength observations of galactic
molecular clouds and its young stellar objects (YSO) content in the embedded clusters
(EC) and halo. Studies of the structure and dynamics of ECs and comparing observational results
to the star formation simulations are our focus. Understanding the formation of massive
stars is also a primary theme. We use infrared-mm observations and radiative transfer models
to study candidate massive protostellar objects.
The study of stellar multiplicity of very young stars (low-mass) are pursued with the
goal of understanding how short period binary stars are formed. The team also studies star-disk
interaction and trace the YSO evolution using multi-wavelength spectroscopy, evolutionary
modelling, and correlation studies of the X-ray emission with stellar parameters and accretion
tracers. The spectro-astrometric technique is used to derive magnetospheric properties and constrain
disk size in YSOs.
Collimated mass ejection is an ubiquitous phenomenon is astrophysics from gamma-ray bursts to young
stellar jets. Where do jets originate? Are they stationary structures or intrinsically caused by
instabilities? Our team focuses on these questions by studying jets in young stars where
the jet angular size is larger. Several methods are used (MHD modelling, thermal and chemical
modelling of the material and radiative transfer, high angular resolution observations).
The activities of the team are supported by the following funding projects:
Recent scientific highlights of the team:
