The Close-up View of Massive Star Clusters and their Gas

该提议调查了新形成的大质量恒星团的性质，这些恒星团被认为是我们银河系和许多其他星系历史上很早就形成的大型星星团（所谓的“球状星团”）的类似物。该团队将使用最先进的毫米和亚毫米射电望远镜（如阿塔卡马大型毫米/亚毫米阵列）获取分子线和尘埃连续体数据，以研究这些年轻的大质量星团中的星星形成效率。描述这种效率对于星星团的生存能力，以及星星在星团附近和整个宿主星系的形成过程都有重要的影响。该团队对一个年轻的大质量星团进行的低分辨率初步研究暗示了气体转化为恒星的惊人效率。为了取得进展，该星系团和一个类似的星系团将以最近才能用于南方星系团的高角分辨率和灵敏度进行研究。还将对一个偏北星系团进行低分辨率研究，以便开始在第三个环境中探索这一重要课题。PI将继续其成功的努力，使妇女和其他代表性不足的群体参与其研究。她还将继续公开演讲

This proposal investigates properties of newly formed massive clusters of stars, which are thought to be analogs of the large star clusters (so-called "globular clusters") that formed very early in the history of our Milky Way Galaxy and many other galaxies. The team will acquire molecular-line and dust-continuum data, using the most advanced millimeter and submillimeter radio telescopes such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array, to investigate the star formation efficiency in these young massive clusters. Characterizing this efficiency has important ramifications for a star cluster's survivability, as well as for how star formation will progress near the cluster and throughout its host galaxy. The team's low-resolution pilot study of a young massive cluster hints at a surprisingly efficient conversion of gas into stars. To make progress, that cluster and a similar one will be studied with the high angular resolution and sensitivity that have only recently become available for southerly clusters. A low-resolution study of a northerly cluster will also be undertaken to begin exploring this important topic in a third setting. The PI will continue her successful efforts to involve women and other underrepresented groups in her research. She will also continue to give public talks