The e-MERLIN Legacy programme
Feedback Processes in Massive Star Formation
Melvin Hoare (University of Leeds, UK) & Wouter Vlemmings (University of Bonn, Germany),
Stuart Lumsden (University of Leeds, UK), Rene Oudmaijer (University of Leeds, UK), James Urquhart (University of Leeds, UK), Phil Diamond (University of Manchester, UK), Cormac Purcell (University of Manchester, UK), Gary Fuller (University of Manchester, UK), Anita Richards (University of Manchester, UK), Gabriele Surcis (University of Bonn, Germany), Henrik Beuther (Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie, Germany), Jagadeep Pandian (Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie, Germany), Jim Jackson (Boston University, USA), Ed Chambers (Boston University, USA), Jill Rathborne (CfA Harvard, USA), Stan Kurtz (UNAM, Mexico), Luis Rodriguez (UNAM, Mexico), Ed Churchwell (University of Wisconsin, USA), Barbara Whitney (Space Science Institute, USA) Claire Chandler (NRAO, USA), Debra Shepherd (NRAO, USA), Huib Jan van Langevelde (JIVE/Sterrewacht Leiden, The Netherlands), Toby Moore (Liverpool JMU, UK), Sergio Molinari (INAF-IFSI Rome, Italy), Antonio Chrysostomou (Joint Astronomy Centre, USA), Mark Thompson (University of Hertfordshire, UK), Janet Drew (University of Hertfordshire, UK), John Richer (University of Cambridge, UK) Sean Dougherty (National Research Council, Canada), Jose-Maria Torrelles (IEEC, Barcelona, Spain), Josep Paredes (University of Barcelona, Spain) Maite Beltran (University of Barcelona, Spain), Riccardo Cesaroni (INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Italy), Luca Moscadelli (INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Italy), Kalle Torstensson (University of Leiden, The Netherlands), Richard Dodson (Observatorio Astronomico Nacional, Spain), Busaba Kramer (NARIT, Thailand), Indra Bains (Swinburne University, Australia), Simon Ellingsen (University of Tasmania, Australia), Michael Burton (University of New South Wales, Australia), Anuj Sarma (DePaul University, USA)
Abstract
We propose a programme of e-MERLIN observations on a large and well-selected sample of massive young stars to address key questions on feedback processes. The sample systematically spans a range of evolutionary stages from sources deeply embedded in infrared dark clouds to mid-IR bright massive young stellar objects. Deep continuum imaging will determine when MHD driven jets turn on and when they give way to radiatively driven disc winds and over what mass range. When the ionizing radiation first breaks out into a hyper-compact H II region we will determine the density distribution and the physical processes that have shaped it. Simultaneously, we will map the 3D magnetic field structure in a number of sources through methanol and excited OH maser polarization. Together these data will test both the physics of the feedback mechanisms and evolutionary models of massive star formation.
