Submm and MIR Imaging of Protostellar Clusters

Abstract

The detection of protostars is achieved most efficiently at submm wavelengths. With the advent of large bolometer arrays, groups and clusters of protostellar sources become more and more frequent. The physical state of the new sources, however, remains often uncertain due to the absence of data shortward of 350 μm. Recent 10 and 20 μm imaging seem to be able to close this gap and gives more insight into the properties, the morphology and the age of these youngest stellar objects. The present paper gives some examples of newly discovered multiple submm sources, shows the potential of complementary MIR imaging and discusses how future VLT data may contribute to the study of earliest stellar evolution.