Towards Understanding the Launching of Protostellar Outflows: An Adaptive Optics Assisted Spectroscopic Invesitgation of Classical T Tauri Stars

Project Information

TOUCHSTONES

Grant agreement ID: 235955

Project closed

Start date 1 June 2009

End date 31 May 2011

Funded under

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost No data

EU contribution € 157 279,59

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITE JOSEPH FOURIER GRENOBLE 1
France

Objective

The phenomenon of mass outflow from young stellar objects is arguably the most spectacular stage in the formation of a star. Much is known of the large-scale manifestations of outflows and of their interactions with their parent molecular clouds. However, in comparison, little is still understood of the precise mechanism by which outflows are launched and of the exact connection between outflow and accretion. The overall objective of this project is to provide observational constraints to jet launching models. The term ``jet" refers to the collimated, relatively fast outflow, seen close to the source. The outflow will become less collimated with distance and often has a wide molecular component. Few studies providing useful constraints exist, so this project will be the first investigation of a large number of objects. Thus for the first time the type of statistical study that is critically required will be completed. The Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Grenoble (LAOG) is the ideal place to carry out this work. Astronomers based at LAOG are leading the field in both observations and modelling of the jet launch region of young stars. It is proposed that spectro-images of a large sample of classical T Tauri star (CTTS) jets, will be obtained using integral field spectroscopy (IFS) and analysed using state of the art techniques. To maximise the angular resolution of the observations adaptive optics (AO) will be utilised. The proposed observations will allow the morphology, kinematics, excitation conditions and mass outflow/infall rates, of the jets to be probed. Comparisons will be made with sophisticated jet launching models currently being developed at LAOG. As the jet launch region of CTTSs is relatively easy to access (using state of the art observing techniques), CTTSs can be used as touchstones for the study of jet launching.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › physical sciences › optics › spectroscopy

Keywords

• Astrophysics
• High Angular Resolution Observations
• Jet Launching
• Model Constraints
• Physical sciences
• Protostellar Jets
• Star Formation

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITE JOSEPH FOURIER GRENOBLE 1

• EU contribution: € 157 279,59
• Address: Avenue Centrale, Domaine Universitaire 621 ; 38041 GRENOBLE ; France
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Administrative Contact: Leslie Hollett (Ms.)
• Total cost: No data