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S.J. Wolk (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA), J. Alves (ESO), T.L. Bourke, R. Smith (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
Taking advantage of Chandra's unique capabilities, we examine the youngest, most embedded, massive star cluster studied to date in X-rays: RCW 38. The immediate goals of this project are the identification of the embedded Pre-main sequence (PMS) stellar population, the investigation of the X-ray properties of the individual class 0-III sources (~10 class 0 & I protostars) and the derivation of a X-ray luminosity function (XLF) for an extremely young (~0.5 Myr) massive cluster. We will derive the gas-to-dust ratio and its variations towards hundreds of lines of sight across the cluster. Complementary near infrared data already taken with the VLT, which probe approximately the same cloud depths, allow an unique multi-wavelength description of a massive star formation episode and its consequences to the surrounding interstellar medium.
Support for this program comes from the Chandra X-ray Center under NASA Contract NAS8-39073.
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The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: swolk@cfa.harvard.edu