Infrared cluster
An infrared cluster is a type of star cluster only visible in infrared light. Prominent examples include the Quintuplet Cluster, Arches Cluster and central star cluster of RCW 38. Other nebulae that contain infrared clusters include Sh 2-4, Sh 2-16, Sh 2-17, and Sh 2-20.
Properties
[edit]Clusters become infrared clusters when all visible light is obscured by gas and dust, usually in areas of high star formation. An example of a place these conditions are common is the Carina Nebula, where as many as twelve may exist.[1] Nine have been identified in the Rosette Nebula.[2] Due to only being visible in infrared light, spectroscopy is nearly impossible. This also makes measuring the movement, and identifying features within an infrared cluster difficult or impossible.[3] Infrared clusters are generally smaller than open clusters. This can be explained by the tidal forces in the dense regions infrared clusters are locating being strong enough to rip apart said clusters before they become as massive as older examples of clusters in less dense regions of space.[2] Infrared clusters can contain protostars, and protoplanetary discs.[4]
Observational history
[edit]Observation of infrared clusters was impossible until Infrared astronomy had become advanced enough to properly detect and study them, in the 1990s.[2] One of the earliest discovered was the Quintuplet Cluster in 1983.[5] In 2002, a catalogue of Infrared clusters was assembled. 189 true clusters were identified, and 87 further stellar associations were included.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ Hägele, G. F.; Albacete Colombo, J. F.; Barbá, R. H.; Bosch, G. L. (2004). "G287.84-0.82: An infrared star cluster in the Carina nebula". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 355 (4): 1237–1243. arXiv:astro-ph/0410185. Bibcode:2004MNRAS.355.1237H. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08403.x.
- 1 2 3 4 Bica, E.; Dutra, C. M.; Barbuy, B. (January 2003). "A Catalogue of infrared star clusters and stellar groups". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 397 (1): 177–180. arXiv:astro-ph/0210302. Bibcode:2003A&A...397..177B. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20021479.
- ↑ Xue, Xirui; Wei, Daozhi; Huang, Shucai (2024). "Infrared cluster target detection based on Facet kernel and adaptive distance regularization level set". Infrared Physics & Technology. 136 105044. Bibcode:2024InPhT.13605044X. doi:10.1016/j.infrared.2023.105044.
- ↑ Barsony, M. (1991). "The LkHα 101 infrared cluster". Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana. 62: 725. Bibcode:1991MmSAI..62..725B.
- ↑ Kobayashi, Yukiyasu; Okuda, Haruyuki; Sato, Shuji; Jugaku, Jun; Dyck, H. Melvin (25 March 1983). "Infrared Polarization in the Direction to the Galactic Center". Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan. 35 (1): 101–112. doi:10.1093/pasj/35.1.101.
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