Dieter E.A. Nuernberger (European Southern Observatory)

The Galactic starburst region NGC 3603 -- exciting new insights into the formation of high mass stars - Dieter E.A. Nuernberger Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

NGC 3603 -- located in the Carina spiral arm at
a distance of about 7 kpc -- is one of the most
luminous, optically visible HII regions in our
galaxy.
It is powered by a massive cluster of relatively
young ( < 3 Myr) OB stars which is a scaled down
but 7 times closer galactic version of the R 136
cluster, the primary source of excitation in
30 Dor.
In the framework of a systematic multi-wavelength
(from optical to radio wavelengths) study of
NGC 3603 we investigate in unique detail the
interplay between the high mass main sequence
cluster stars and their immediate environment.
In my talk I will shortly summarize important
milestones of our study which enable us to trace
the ongoing star formation processes within
NGC 3603 as well as to search for and to
characterize its youngest generation of stars.