Galaxy centers are the hubs of activity that drive galaxy evolution, from supermassive black holes to feedback from dense stellar clusters. While the bulk of our Milky Way Galaxy is a prime example of present epoch “normal” star formation, our galaxy’s center has gas properties that are more reminiscent of star formation during its cosmic peak. In our research group, the Milky Way Laboratory, we capitalize on both the “normal” and “extreme” star formation in our own cosmic backyard in order to resolve the interplay of physical processes in detail. In this talk, I will discuss efforts to measure how stars gain their mass and how the star formation process may vary across the Galaxy. In our galaxy’s central molecular zone, the process of star formation is complicated by constant gas inflow, high levels of turbulence, and more. I will present both simulations and observations toward this region that aim to understand the role of the gas inflow, the 3-D geometry of the region, properties of the gas, and incipient star formation.

Speaker: Cara Battersby (University of Connecticut)

All 2024 Spring Colloquium talks are held on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM. This colloquium is hosted by STScI and will be held as an in-person and virtual event.

You may join in person at STScI’s John N. Bahcall Auditorium or virtually on STScI's Live Science Events Facebookpage.

Please direct questions or comments to contact above. The 2024 Spring Colloquium Committee members are: Joel Green (STScI), Matilde Mingozzi (STScI), Nashwan Sabti (JHU), Kevin Schlaufman (JHU), Ethan Vishniac (JHU), John Wu (STScI).