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M.R. Meyer (Steward Observatory), J. R. Najita (NOAO), T.P. Greene (NASA-Ames), J. Bally (U. Colorado)
The Next Generation Space Telescope will be a powerful instrument for studying star and planet formation. Together with a team of collaborators (the NGST Star and Planet Formation Study Group), we have been investigating a variety of programs that would take unique advantage of the capabilities offered by a large-aperture, infrared-optimized, space-based telescope in a low-background orbit. Our investigations have focussed on three main themes: i) the physics of collapse and the initial stages of star formation; ii) the evolution of circumstellar disks and planet formation; and iii) the energetics and evolution of the interstellar medium. We have outlined five programs for inclusion in the Design Reference Mission for NGST which cover these areas of research. In this contribution, we will outline these programs and indicate how the science goals impact the prioritization of instrument capabilities. In addition to the core mission requirements of imaging and low-resolution spectroscopy from 1-5 \mum, we argue strongly for extension of the wavelength coverage into the mid-IR.