Protostellar accretion and ejection with JWST and beyond

Studies of the formation of Sun-like stars are critical to understanding how the Solar system emerged and how life originated. Low-mass stars like our Sun form from the gravitational collapse of interstellar clouds of gas and dust, forming a protostar surrounded by a rotating disk and remnant envelope of cloud material. The protostar assembles most of its final mass in the first ~100,000 years by accretion of infalling gas from the disk and envelope. Simultaneously, powerful high-velocity jets and slower, wide-angle gas outflows are observed propagating perpendicular to the disk and far from the protostar. The ejection of gas in the jet and outflows is hypothesized to originate in the disk and play a key role in regulating accretion, and thus, the final outcome of the star formation process.

The James Webb Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of star formation. This workshop will gather experts to discuss the latest JWST findings on protostellar accretion and ejection processes. Discussions will cover a wide range of topics, including:

• protostellar accretion in the youngest objects
• outflows and jets from protostars, shock models, launching mechanism
• molecular emission from the embedded disks
• inks to ice observations, planet formation, disk evolution

Workshop aims to:

• Consolidate Knowledge: Synthesize the wealth of information from JWST observations.
• Chart a Roadmap: Develop a strategic plan for future JWST research on protostars, addressing key challenges and maximizing the telescope's capabilities.
• Foster Collaboration: Create a platform for experts, observers, and theorists to exchange ideas and initiate collaborative projects.
• Inspire Future Research: Stimulate the development of innovative observing proposals and theoretical models that will advance our understanding of star formation.