Techniques of mm/sub-mm Interferometry in Star Formation

Abstract

Since the earliest stages of star formation occur deep in clouds of gas and dust, they are hidden from optical view. Nevertheless, infrared and millimeter wavelength observations over the last twenty years have enabled increasingly detailed studies of the processes involved in stellar birth. High resolution, aperture synthesis imaging of the millimeter-wave radiation from dust and molecular gas in star-forming clouds has proven particularly effective. On the other hand, there can be pitfalls to be avoided in the use of mm/sub-mm interferometry techniques. Here, we consider what has been learned from currently-operating mm interferometers and the potential of the next generation of arrays.

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