https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-022-03377-0
Review
The SPHERE view of multiple star formation
1
Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, INAF, Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 5, 35122, Padova, Italy
2
Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia Galileo Galilei, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, 35121, Padova, Italy
3
School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, MK7 6AA, Milton Keynes, UK
Received:
18
July
2022
Accepted:
8
October
2022
Published online:
2
November
2022
While a large fraction of the stars are in multiple systems, our understanding of the processes leading to the formation of these systems is still inadequate. Given the large theoretical uncertainties, observation plays a basic role. Here we discuss the contribution of high contrast imaging, and more specifically of the SPHERE instrument at the ESO Very Large Telescope, in this area. SPHERE nicely complements other instruments such as Gaia or ALMA—in detecting and characterizing systems near the peak of the binary distribution with separation and allows to capture snapshots of binary formation within disks that are invaluable for the understanding of disk fragmentation.
© The Author(s) 2022
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