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arXiv · 1510.06444

Next Generation Very Large Array Memo No. 6, Science Working Group 1: The Cradle of Life

Andrea Isella·Charles L. H. Hull·Arielle Moullet·Roberto Galván-Madrid·Doug Johnstone·Luca Ricci·John Tobin·Leonardo Testi·Maite Beltran·Joseph Lazio·Andrew Siemion·Hauyu Baobab Liu·Fujun Du·Karin I. Öberg·Ted Bergin·Paola Caselli·Tyler Bourke·Chris Carilli·Laura Perez·Bryan Butler·Imke de Pater·Chunhua Qi·Mark Hofstadter·Raphael Moreno·David Alexander·Jonathan Williams·Paul Goldsmith·Mark Wyatt·Laurent Loinard·James Di Francesco·David Wilner·Peter Schilke·Adam Ginsburg·Álvaro Sánchez-Monge·Qizhou Zhang·Henrik Beuther
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Abstract

This paper discusses compelling science cases for a future long-baseline interferometer operating at millimeter and centimeter wavelengths, like the proposed Next Generation Vary Large Array (ngVLA). We report on the activities of the Cradle of Life science working group, which focused on the formation of low- and high-mass stars, the formation of planets and evolution of protoplanetary disks, the physical and compositional study of Solar System bodies, and the possible detection of radio signals from extraterrestrial civilizations. We propose 19 scientific projects based on the current specification of the ngVLA. Five of them are highlighted as possible Key Science Projects: (1) Resolving the density structure and dynamics of the youngest HII regions and high-mass protostellar jets, (2) Unveiling binary/multiple protostars at higher resolution, (3) Mapping planet formation regions in nearby disks on scales down to 1 AU, (4) Studying the formation of complex molecules, and (5) Deep atmospheric mapping of giant planets in the Solar System. For each of these projects, we discuss the scientific importance and feasibility. The results presented here should be considered as the beginning of a more in-depth analysis of the science enabled by such a facility, and are by no means complete or exhaustive.

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Andrea Isella, Charles L. H. Hull, Arielle Moullet, Roberto Galván-Madrid, Doug Johnstone, Luca Ricci, John Tobin, Leonardo Testi, Maite Beltran, Joseph Lazio, Andrew Siemion, Hauyu Baobab Liu, Fujun Du, Karin I. Öberg, Ted Bergin, Paola Caselli, Tyler Bourke, Chris Carilli, Laura Perez, Bryan Butler, Imke de Pater, Chunhua Qi, Mark Hofstadter, Raphael Moreno, David Alexander, Jonathan Williams, Paul Goldsmith, Mark Wyatt, Laurent Loinard, James Di Francesco, David Wilner, Peter Schilke, Adam Ginsburg, Álvaro Sánchez-Monge, Qizhou Zhang, Henrik Beuther. 2015-10-21. Next Generation Very Large Array Memo No. 6, Science Working Group 1: The Cradle of Life. https://arxiv.org/abs/1510.06444

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