The SPHERE view of multiple star formation

TL;DR

This paper discusses how the SPHERE instrument at the ESO VLT enhances our understanding of multiple star formation by detecting and characterizing binary systems and observing disk fragmentation, complementing other observational techniques.

Contribution

It highlights the role of high contrast imaging with SPHERE in advancing the study of multiple star formation, especially in observing systems near the peak of the separation distribution.

Findings

SPHERE effectively detects close binary systems.

SPHERE captures snapshots of disk fragmentation.

Complementary to Gaia and ALMA observations.

Abstract

While a large fraction of the stars are in multiple systems, our understanding of the processes leading to the formation of these systems is still inadequate. Given the large theoretical uncertainties, observation plays a basic role. Here we discuss the contribution of high contrast imaging, and more specifically of the SPHERE instrument at the ESO Very Large Telescope, in this area. SPHERE nicely complements other techniques - in particular those exploiting Gaia and ALMA - in detecting and characterising systems near the peak of the distribution with separation and allows to capture snapshots of binary formation within disks that are invaluable for the understanding of disk fragmentation.