Star Formation & Molecular Astrophysics at the U of C.

 

Spitzer Space telescope image of star Formation in the Rho Ophiuchus Molecular cloud - Image from ASA/JPL-Caltech/L. Allen (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)

What Do We Do?

Basically, what we do is to try to understand how stars and planets form.  To do this we spend a lot of time studying the Interstellar Medium (ISM) - the gas and dust in between the stars.  Why study space gas & dust?  Mainly because it is this material which, ultimately, collapses under the force of gravity and BECOMES new stars.  You can’t possible hope to understand star and planet formation if you don’t understand the material from which they are formed. 


For more information....read on!


  1. • What is the Interstellar Medium?

  2. • How do stars and planets form?

  3. • How often are stars born?

  4. • Why use Infrared and Radio light?

  5. • Infrared & Radio light???  That’s crazy talk!

  6. • Why do protostars give off Infrared and Radio light anyways?

Last Updated: January 9, 2018

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