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The Magellanic Clouds Survey: a Bridge to Nearby Galaxies

Apr, 2009
8 pages
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Abstract: (arXiv)
We outline to the community the value of a Magellanic Clouds Survey that consists of three components: I) a complete-area, high resolution, multi-band UV-near-IR broadband survey/ II) a narrowband survey in 7 key nebular filters to cover a statistically significant sample of representative HII regions and a large-area, contiguous survey of the diffuse, warm ISM/ and III) a comprehensive FUV spectroscopic survey of 1300 early-type stars. The science areas enabled by such a dataset are as follows: A) assessment of massive star feedback in both HII regions and the diffuse, warm ISM/ B) completion of a comprehensive study of the 30 Doradus giant extragalactic HII region (GEHR)/ C) development and quantitative parameterization of stellar clustering properties/ D) extensive FUV studies of early-type stellar atmospheres and their energy distributions/ and E) similarly extensive FUV absorption-line studies of molecular cloud structure and ISM extinction properties. These data will also allow a number of additional studies relating to the underlying stellar populations.
  • [1]
    What is the Nature of the interrelation between the formation, Evolution and destruction of massive stars and the energization of the DWIM? How does the formation of massive stars in a particular locale affect and dictate the subsequent star formation across that region?
    • [2]
      What is the fundamental difference between starburst star formation and the more common disk modes we see in disk star forming regions in our own Galaxy? What causes the several orders of magnitude increase in star formation efficiency as well as the almost instantaneous formation of thousands of stars at once?
      • [3]
        What is the correct density and velocity Structure associated with the stellar winds from massive stars? How does inhomogeneity and clumping in these winds affect the transfer of energy and material to the ISM and the process of recycling of material from the stellar to the gas phase for the next generation of stars?
        • [4]
          What are the global processes that govern the assembly and Evolution of giant molecular clouds? Since these nurseries host the most dominant modes of star formation in galaxies, we need to understand the Nature of their formation and development if we are to understand the underlying process of stellar assembly. Area of Unusual Discovery Potential for the Next Decade While the Science program in this paper have defined a loose set of specifications (see