Young stellar populations in the Milky Way are fundamental to investigate astrophysical processes such as the formation of stars and planetary systems, the formation, evolution and dispersal of star clusters, the structure of the Milky Way, and the evolution of galaxies.

The European mission Gaia and infrared photometric surveys have led to the discovery of widespread young populations that are being studied in detail by large spectroscopic surveys like SDSS V, WEAVE and 4MOST. On the other hand, stellar populations in very massive and dense young clusters located near the galactic center and in the Magellanic Clouds can now be resolved with the JWST and the AO assisted 3D spectrographs on 8-10 m telescopes.

The aim of this special session is to review the most recent results coming from observations of young stars in the Milky Way to build up a homogenous view of the star formation process and answer some outstanding questions in the field:

- How are the properties of stars and planetary systems affected by the star formation environment ?

- What fraction of stars form in dense clusters or loose associations and how do such structures evolve?

- Can we use young stars as tracers of the structure and evolution of the Milky Way?

Programme

This special session will be arranged around three key topics:

• The demographics and dynamics of young stars.
• The effects of environment on star and planet formation.
• Young stars as tracers of the Milky Way properties.

Invited speakers

• Josefa Großschedl(University of Vienna)
• Lorenzo Spina (INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri)
• Eloisa Poggio (OCA, Nice)
• Maria C. Ramirez Tannus (MPIA)

Scientific organisers

• Guido De Marchi (ESA)
• Joel H. Kastner (Rochester Institute of Technology)
• Nuria Miret-Roig (University of Vienna)
• Megan Reiter (Rice University)
• G. Germano Sacco (INAF-Osservatorio di Astrofisico di Arcetri, co-chair)
• Nick Wright (Keele University, co-chair)
• Eleonora Zari (MPIA)

Contact

G. Germano Sacco (giuseppe.sacco @ inaf.it), Nick Wright (n.j.wright @ keele.ac.uk)