Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2009-03-03
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
White paper submitted to the Decadal Review (Panel 1: Planetary Systems and Star Formation)
Scientific paper
Multi-epoch radio-interferometric observations of young stellar objects can be used to measure their displacement over the celestial sphere with a level of accuracy that currently cannot be attained at any other wavelength. In particular, the accuracy achieved using carefully calibrated, phase-referenced observations with Very Long Baseline Interferometers such as NRAO's Very Long Baseline Array is better than 50 micro-arcseconds. This is sufficient to measure the trigonometric parallax and the proper motion of any radio-emitting young star within several hundred parsecs of the Sun with an accuracy better than a few percent. Using that technique, the mean distances to Taurus, Ophiuchus, Perseus and Orion have already been measured to unprecedented accuracy. With improved telescopes and equipment, the distance to all star-forming regions within 1 kpc of the Sun and beyond, as well as their internal structure and dynamics could be determined. This would significantly improve our ability to compare the observational properties of young stellar objects with theoretical predictions, and would have a major impact on our understanding of low-mass star-formation.
Loinard Laurent
Mioduszewski Amy J.
Rodriguez Luis F.
No associations
LandOfFree
The space distribution of nearby star-forming regions does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The space distribution of nearby star-forming regions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The space distribution of nearby star-forming regions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-368395