Advances in understanding young high-mass stars using optical interferometry

TL;DR

Optical interferometry has significantly advanced our understanding of high-mass star formation by providing detailed infrared observations of their complex accretion environments, although a complete picture remains to be established.

Contribution

This paper reviews recent observational results from optical interferometry on high-mass star formation and discusses future prospects for the field.

Findings

High-resolution infrared imaging reveals complex accretion structures.

Interferometry constrains models of massive star growth.

Future instruments will further clarify star formation processes.

Abstract

The closest examples of high-mass star birth occurs in deeply embedded environments at kiloparsec distances. Although much progress has been made, an observationally validated picture of the dominant processes which allows the central hydrostatic object to grow in mass has yet to be established. The observational technique of optical interferometry has demonstrated its potential in the field of high-mass star formation by delivering a milli-arcsecond infrared view on the complex accretion environment. We provide an overview of the scientific results obtained with multi-aperture telescope arrays and briefly discuss future instruments and their anticipated impact on our understanding of massive young stellar objects.