The Evolution of Protostars: Insights from Ten Years of Infrared Surveys with Spitzer and Herschel

Author(s)

M. M. Dunham, Amelia M. Stutz, Lori E. Allen, N. J., II Evans, W.J. Fischer, S. T. Megeath, P. C. Myers, S. S. R. Offner, C. A. Poteet, J. J. Tobin, E. I. Vorobyov

Abstract

Stars form from the gravitational collapse of dense molecular cloud

cores. In the protostellar phase, mass accretes from the core onto a

protostar, likely through an accretion disk; and it is during this phase

that the initial masses of stars and the initial conditions for planet

formation are set. Over the past decade, new observational capabilities

provided by the Spitzer Space Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory

have enabled wide-field surveys of entire star-forming clouds with

unprecedented sensitivity, resolution, and infrared wavelength coverage.

We review resulting advances in the field, focusing both on the

observations themselves and the constraints they place on theoretical

models of star formation and protostellar evolution. We also emphasize

open questions and outline new directions needed to further advance the

field.

Organisation(s)

Department of Astrophysics

External organisation(s)

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, University of Texas, Austin, University of Toledo, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, National Radio Astronomy Observatory Socorro, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, Yale University, Southern Federal University

Pages

195-218

DOI

https://doi.org/10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816531240-ch009

Publication date

2014

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103004 Astrophysics

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/fd1acd83-5059-427c-9e69-03885b0d37fa