Beyond the Veil: Hidden Stars in Molecular Clouds

Breanna Crompvoets, University of Victoria

Summary

The study of star formation relies upon precise and thorough observations, as does much of astronomy. Breanna will be talking about how, with the recent advancements that have culminated in the James Webb Space Telescope, our understanding of how stars form is changing. It has been well-established that only 3-6% of the total material in a molecular cloud (the birthplace of stars) goes on to form stars, and we have even based much of our modelling on these numbers. Yet, these numbers are driven by observations from space telescopes which operate at much lower sensitivity and resolution than Webb. When we use Webb observations, we find many more young stars than ever before, completely upending our current understandings of how stars form.

bio

Breanna is a passionate astronomer dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the universe through research and scientific outreach. Currently pursuing a PhD in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Victoria, Breanna focuses on analyzing data from the James Webb Space Telescope to study Galactic star-forming regions, aiming to deepen our understanding of the processes driving stellar birth. Beyond academia, Breanna is an aspiring outreach writer, crafting poetry that strives to capture the awe and wonder of astronomy, with a vision to reshape public perceptions of the cosmos. Through her research and outreach efforts, Breanna seeks to inspire curiosity and foster a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the universe.