Poster abstract
NGC604 at the NIR: searching the new generation of stars
Abstract
We present a Near Infrared photometric study focused on the location and characterization of the new born stellar content of NGC 604.
NGC 604 in M33, together with 30 Doradus in the LMC, are the most outstanding massive star formation regions in the Local Group. The study and understanding of these regions provide clues to the still unknown issues and open questions about star formation in general and particularly about high mass star formation.
NGC 604 has been the target of many important studies during the past few decades, from which is known that the Giant HII Region of NGC 604 is ionized by more than 200 OB stars immerse in complex environment with a puzzling geometry and dynamics. Many WR and RSG were identified within its stellar population where there are also signs of active star formation.
Our contribution to the knowledge of NGC 604 stellar content and its environment is in the NIR wavelength range. NIR observations constitute an important source of information specially in star formation regions, and is not yet fully explored in NGC 604. By means of NIR images taking with Gemini-NIRI in JHKs and BrG, PaB, and H2 we characterized the young stellar content of NGC 604, finding that almost 20\% of the field sources exhibit intrinsic IR excess. We ascertained the location of these objects, which points to the places were star formation processes are taking place. This study will be followed with new spectroscopic observations to disentangling the real nature of some of these sources.
NGC 604 in M33, together with 30 Doradus in the LMC, are the most outstanding massive star formation regions in the Local Group. The study and understanding of these regions provide clues to the still unknown issues and open questions about star formation in general and particularly about high mass star formation.
NGC 604 has been the target of many important studies during the past few decades, from which is known that the Giant HII Region of NGC 604 is ionized by more than 200 OB stars immerse in complex environment with a puzzling geometry and dynamics. Many WR and RSG were identified within its stellar population where there are also signs of active star formation.
Our contribution to the knowledge of NGC 604 stellar content and its environment is in the NIR wavelength range. NIR observations constitute an important source of information specially in star formation regions, and is not yet fully explored in NGC 604. By means of NIR images taking with Gemini-NIRI in JHKs and BrG, PaB, and H2 we characterized the young stellar content of NGC 604, finding that almost 20\% of the field sources exhibit intrinsic IR excess. We ascertained the location of these objects, which points to the places were star formation processes are taking place. This study will be followed with new spectroscopic observations to disentangling the real nature of some of these sources.