Cool Stars 14 - Submitted Abstract # 99
This version created on 05 October 2006

Observations of Massive Young Clusters with the Great Observatories


Scott Wolk, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Tyler Bourke, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Bradley Spitzbart, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Elaine Winston, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
S. Thomas Megeath, University of Toledo

The combination of spatial and spectral coverage allow us to use
Chandra, Spitzer and HST to the study regions of massive star
formation which have been inaccessible even from the ground until the
last decade.  We survey the state of our understanding by discussing
data from 3 moderately massive star forming regions.  In order of
increasing distance and mass we start with NGC 1579, centered on the
Be star LkHa101 We have used the X-ray data to demonstrate that the
distance of the cluster is about 700  pc, in stark contrast to several
recent distance estimates of less than 400  pc.  The Spitzer data
provide supporting evidence by demonstrating the cluster membership is
inconsistent with the nearer distance.  RCW 108 is a complex star
forming region.  The NIR and X-ray data indicate the existence of
several distinct episodes of star formation continuing through the
current epoch.  The data supports the hypothesis that previously
extant density enhancements within a cold cloud are pushed to collapse
by the ram pressure from the winds of nearby young star.  NGC 281 is a
somewhat more massive and complex region.  We have found evidence of
high temperature plasma expanding away from the Eastern complex and
triggering the active star formation in the molecular cloud to the
west.

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