Sub-millimeter wavelength protostellar accretion rate monitoring with AtLAST

TL;DR

This paper proposes using a large ground-based sub-millimeter telescope with a wide field of view to monitor protostellar accretion rates over time, addressing observational challenges in early star formation.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of utilizing the AtLAST telescope for long-term monitoring of protostars' accretion variability, a novel approach in this field.

Findings

Potential to distinguish between burst and steady accretion modes

Enables long-term, large-sample studies of protostellar evolution

Addresses observational limitations in high-extinction regions

Abstract

How a star forms is a fundamental question in astrophysics. In the earliest stages of protostellar evolution high extinction prevents a direct study of the accretion processes and their temporal evolution. Monitoring the variations of the accretion luminosity in a large protostar sample over decades is needed to reveal how protostars accrete -- in major bursts or in a quasi-steady fashion. We here argue that a large ground based sub-millimeter single-dish facility with a wide FoV is required to fulfill this task.