Star Formation at milli-arcsecond resolution

TL;DR

This paper explores how optical and infrared interferometry can be used at milli-arcsecond resolution to study the small-scale processes involved in star formation, especially for massive stars.

Contribution

It assesses the capabilities of current interferometric instruments, like ESO/VLTI, to probe star formation processes at the smallest observable scales.

Findings

Interferometry enables detailed study of accretion and outflows in star formation.

High-resolution observations reveal structures around massive stars.

Recent interferometric results improve understanding of star formation mechanisms.

Abstract

This chapter discusses the use and possibilities of optical and infrared interferometry to study star formation. The chapter starts with a brief overview of the star formation process and highlights the open questions from an observational point of view. These are found at the smallest scales, as this is, inevitably, where all the action such as accretion and outflows, occurs. We then use basic astrophysical concepts to assess which scales and conditions can be probed with existing interferometric set-ups for which we use the ESO/VLTI instrument suite as example. We will concentrate on the more massive stars observed at high resolution with continuum interferometry. Throughout, some of the most recent interferometric results are used as examples of the various processes discussed.