The following document lists the file abstract/TPRUSTI_BOL_LF.abs
from catalogue VI/111.
A plain copy of the file
(without headers/trailers) may be downloaded.
IRAS data opened completely new possibilities to address the question of bolometric luminosity functions in star forming regions. The IRAS sensitivity limits the studies to objects with L_bol > 0.1 L_sun. With ISO it is possible to reach much lower flux levels. Therefore ISO gives an access to stellar objects of the lowest masses and to brown dwarves. While it is most difficult to resolve the true nature of an individual very low mass object, statistical means can be used to examine the physical nature of a group of low mass stars. We want to use bolometric luminosity function as such a diagnostic tool. We have specifically selected regions claimed to form the lowest mass stars in the solar neighbourhood: Lupus 3 and globules in the Taurus filaments. ISO mapping of these regions at 7, 16 and 60 microns is essential in recovering the bolometric luminosities of the low mass objects. In addition, our three wavelength survey will discover more luminous members which are too embedded to be seen with ground-based facilities. The deduced bolometric luminosity functions can be directly compared with existing theoretical models. This way we can address some of the most basic questions of astrophysics: time scales involved in star formation and initial mass function. It is most important to dedicate survey type time to the closest star forming regions. There is only a limited number of star forming clouds within 150 pc of the Sun. If we want to understand formation of the very lowest mass objects, these are the regions to be observed with ISO.