The aim of this proposal is to study how the interstellar medium (ISM) changes due to the process of star formation. To do this we intend to perform a spectral survey with PACS and HIFI, scanning along gradients of increasing temperature, density and star formation activity e.g. from the edge of a star forming region to its centre, making sure to include regions of different levels of star formation activity and different clump/core density. In this way we will be able to directly relate the changes in the ISM to star formation activity.This proposal is complementary to a GT1 proposal ongoing on the same regions with the SPIRE FTS.
Herschel was launched on 14 May 2009! It is the fourth cornerstone mission in the ESA science programme. With a 3.5 m Cassegrain telescope it is the largest space telescope ever launched. It is performing photometry and spectroscopy in approximately the 55-671 µm range, bridging the gap between earlier infrared space missions and groundbased facilities.
European Space Agency, pestalozzi et al., 2013, 'Tracing the evolution of the interstellar medium from molecular clouds to stars', SPG v14.2.0, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-qrezj2w
