Star Formation in the Galaxy

Abstract

Star formation in the Galaxy occurs on different spatial scales from single star formation events in Bok Globules to the formation of OB associations and star clusters. We review recent observations of Bok Globules and relate them to the dense NH3 cores observed in dark clouds. Recent work on the Chamaeleon I dark cloud supports quasi-static subcritical collapse models for low mass star formation. This cloud is a typical region of low mass star formation similar to the Taurus-Auriga clouds; star formation has continued in the cloud for ",107 yr, the most massive embedded stars have masses of "'2M0, and the cloud appears to be magnetically supported in its long dimension.