Exploring the Role of Primary Mass and Star-forming Environment on the Formation of Stellar and Sub-stellar Multiple Systems
Matthew De Furio
University of Texas at Austin


The formation and evolution of stellar and sub-stellar multiple systems is a frequent outcome of the star formation process that impacts planet formation and disk evolution. Previous multiplicity studies of the Galactic field have shown that the mass ratios and separations of the companion population highly depend on primary mass, while other studies in low-density star-forming regions (e.g. Taurus) uncover a significant excess of companions relative to the field population. In this talk, I will discuss our investigation into the role of birth environment on the formation of multiple systems for primary masses = 0.012 - 0.7 Msun and separations down to 10 au using archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data in the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC), a high-mass high-density star-forming region. I will also describe my ongoing efforts to characterize the multiplicity of more common star-forming environments such as intermediate density embedded clusters and present-day low density OB-associations using the HST, Gemini and Keck Observatories. Lastly, I will detail our probe of multiplicity at the low-mass limit of turbulent fragmentation with JWST/NIRCam, targeting nearby Y-dwarfs in the Galactic field and free-floating planetary mass objects in the embedded cluster NGC 2024.

Date: Jeudi, 11 avril 2024
Time: 12:30
Where: Université de Montréal
  Pavillon MIL local A-3521