The effect of dust-gas energetics on the star formation process

Andrea Urban

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The origin of the initial mass function has been a puzzle in the field of star formation for many years. In order to get closer to solving this puzzle, we use simulations on the scale of a young cluster to model the effect of young stars on the molecular gas out of which they form. Through the use of simulations and our dust-gas energetics algorithm, we can see how young stars affect their environment and the subsequent birth of stars. We find that including dust-gas energetics has a significant and realistic effect on the mass function.

Date:	Vendredi, le 8 janvier 2010
Heure:	12:30
Lieu:	Université Laval
	Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, local 1661
Contact:	Hugo Martel