Project description DEENESFRITPL Study investigates processes of star formation Star formation unfolds in stages, starting from the gradual transition of massive clouds and ending in star assembly. Funded by the European Research Council, the CSF project will study the conversion of diffuse gas into stars by using advanced radio and millimetre-wave interferometers: the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI). The 225-hour THOR programme at the VLA investigates cloud formation, atomic-to-molecular gas conversion and feedback processes back to the interstellar medium. The 300-hour CORE programme at the PdBI examines gas clump fragmentation, accretion disc and outflow formation, and gas infall rates. By studying all spatial scales – from molecular clouds to individual massive cores – CSF will significantly enhance our understanding of star formation processes. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Star Formation is a hierarchical process from the build-up of large clouds to the assembly of stars. This ERC project aims at studying the multi-scale processes of this conversion from diffuse gas to stars. The fundamental data are provided by two PI-led large observing programs at two of the most advanced radio and mm interferometers, the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI). This combined approach is designed to address outstanding key questions in the field of cloud and star formation.The 225 hours THOR program at the VLA investigates the cloud formation and conversion of atomic to molecular gas, as well as feedback processes back to the interstellar medium (ISM). To reach these goals, THOR observes the Milky Way in atomic HI, molecular OH, and cm continuum and radio recombination lines tracing the ionized components of the ISM. At smaller spatial scales, the 300 hours PdBI project CORE will study the fragmentation of the gas clumps to form clusters, the formation of accretion disks and outflows, and the gas infall rates as proxy for the accretion rates. Therefore, assisted by Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations, we will investigate a sample of high-mass star-forming regions at the highest spatial resolution of 0.2'' to dissect the physical processes during the assembly of the highest mass stars. The core aim of this ERC project is to study all spatial scales from molecular clouds to individual massive cores. This will be a decisive step in the understanding of the conversion of gas and dust into stars. Through his decade-long expertise and leadership in star/cloud formation, the PI is uniquely positioned to advance the field significantly. The surveys at the heart of the program are extremely computing and work intensive accumulating data in the 100 TByte regime. This proposals asks for a strong core group of three postdocs and one PhD student to conduct the project and fully exploit the scientific results. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencescelestial mechanics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-CoG-2014 - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-CoG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Host institution MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Net EU contribution € 1 616 050,00 Address HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8 80539 Munchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 616 050,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Germany Net EU contribution € 1 616 050,00 Address HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8 80539 Munchen See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 616 050,00
