Spitzer Space Telescope - General Observer Proposal #60181


Small Clusters Forming in Isolation? CB 34 and CB 58

Principal Investigator: Dawn Peterson
           Institution: Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

     Technical Contact: Dawn Peterson, Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Co-Investigators: 
Lori Allen, SAO                                                       
Robert Gutermuth, Smith College                                       
Tyler Bourke, SAO                                                     

Science Category: star formation 
 Observing Modes: IRAC Post-Cryo Mapping
  Hours Approved: 1.8 

Abstract:
In our previous survey of Bok globules in search of small clusters forming
within these isolated regions, we found evidence in the MIPS data for two small
clusters forming near our original targets. We propose Spitzer IRAC observations
of these small extensions of our current IRAC maps in CB 34 and CB 58 so that we
will have a complete census of the young stellar objects (YSOs) in these
regions. CB 34 appears to be a cluster forming in isolation, whereas CB 58
appears to have the morphology of a bright-rimmed cloud. With these
observations, and combined with existing near-infrared and radio data, we will
measure the star formation efficiency in these Bok globules. In addition, we
will study the role environment plays in star formation by comparing the
properties of YSOs in Bok globules, which are relatively isolated from outside
influences, with bright-rimmed clouds, which are examples of triggered star
formation.