Prof. Eric Feigelson (Penn State University and UNSW/ADFA)

A Tour of Star Formation with Chandra - Prof. Eric Feigelson Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

While star formation regions are usually studied at long wavelengths,
they are also significant emitters of high energy X-rays. Past studies
have shown mainly magnetic flares from low mass young stars and
emission from the inner regions of OB stellar winds. The recently
launched Chandra X-ray Observatory provides unique high-resolution
imaging, spectroscopy and timing data which reveal a wealth of new
information on star forming regions. We detect for the first time
X-rays from Herbig-Haro object shocks, flares from young brown dwarfs,
and large-scale hot plasma in HII regions. This talk gives a tour of
Chandra results of star forming regions starting with the nearby L 1551
and NGC 1333 clouds, proceeding to the rich Orion Nebula Cluster, on to
the Rosette and M 17 HII regions, the complex starburst in the Galactic
Center and its extensions in starburst galaxies. The findings raise a
wealth of astrophysical issues involving magnetic processes (magnetic
reconnection flaring, dynamos in fully convective stars), shock processes
(HH jet and OB wind termination shocks) and nuclear processes
(spallogenesis in protoplanetary disks).