Embedded cluster

Embedded stellar clusters or simply embedded clusters (EC) are open clusters that are still surrounded in their progenitor molecular cloud^[1]. They are often areas of active star formation, giving rise to stellar objects that share similar ages and compositions^[2]. Due to the dense material that surrounds the stars, they cannot be observed in visible light but are detectable using other sections of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as the near-infrared and X-rays. Often in these spectra, they may be detected as stellar enhancements above expected galactic background stellar counts.

The sizes of stellar objects born in embedded clusters are distributed according to initial mass function with a universal ratio between low to high mass stars. Many ultra compact HIIs, the precursor to massive protostars, are associated with embedded clusters^[2]. Over time, radiation pressure from the stellar objects will disperse the molecular cloud and give rise to the better known open cluster.

Although many embedded stellar clusters are known to exist, few have specified names. Below is a list of named possible embedded star clusters:

References

^ Lada, Charles J.; Lada, Elizabeth A. (2004), "Embedded clusters in molecular clouds", Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 41: 57–115, arXiv:astro-ph/0301540, doi:10.1146/annurev.astro.41.011802.094844
^ ^a ^b Clerkin, James (2004), 2MASS study of candidate precursors to UCHII regions, Universidade do Porto {{citation}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)

References

Further reading