Spitzer Space Telescope - Archive Research Proposal #50732


Evolution of Star Formation in the Rosette Molecular Cloud 

Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Lada
           Institution: University of Florida

     Technical Contact: Elizabeth Lada, University of Florida

Co-Investigators: 
Jason Ybarra, University of Florida                                   
Bruno Ferreira, University of Florida                                 
Carlos Roman-Zuniga, Calar Alto Observatory                           
Zoltan Balog, University of Arizona                                   
Nadya Gorlova, University of Florida                                  

Science Category: star formation 
Dollars Approved: 100000 

Abstract:
We propose to combine the Spitzer archival IRAC and MIPS observations of the
Rosette Molecular Cloud with our FLAMINGOS near-infared imaging and
spectroscopic observations to study the star and planet forming activity in this
cloud. Combining SPITZER and FLAMINGOS photometry and spectroscopy will allow us
to create a complete census of the youngest stars in the cloud having masses
slightly above the hydrogen burning limit. We will use the combined data base to
determine the total numbers and spatial distribution of the young stars within
the Rosette Molecular cloud and to determine the numbers and frequency
distribution of protostars and sources with circumstellar disks. In particular
we will use this information to investigate whether there is a temporal sequence
of star formation in the Rosette Molecular cloud and whether there is any
evidence for cluster evolution in the cloud, i.e. is the structure and
distribution of the young sources related to their evolutionary state. Our
combined Spitzer infrared imaging and FLAMINGOS spectroscopic survey will
provide a more detailed picture of the numbers, masses, ages and locations of
young embedded stars in the Rosette Molecular Cloud Complex than ever before and
will provide and invaluable database for studies of star and cluster formation
and early evolution.