The formation of stars and star clusters is an ongoing and fundamental process that shapes the structure of galaxies. Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, offers a unique testbed that allows us to understand the conditions under which young stars and clusters form, evolve, and disperse.

Our knowledge of the census and distribution of young stars and star clusters in the Milky Way has improved significantly during the last few years, which is largely attributed to the precise astrometry from ESA's Gaia space mission. The combination of Gaia data with large spectroscopic surveys (e.g., APOGEE, GALAH, RAVE, Gaia-ESO, LAMOST) and innovative machine learning tools has caused a renaissance in studies of the Milky Way's young stars and clusters. This includes the identification of new clusters and associations, and also the general identification of young stars (pre-main-sequence and OB stars) and their 3D distribution in the Milky Way. However, there are still remaining challenges (e.g., age estimates, connection of young stars to the ISM, accurate 3D space motions, completeness at the low-mass end, the role of feedback), which have attracted a vibrant and rich community that is working in this field of research.

In this Symposium, we will discuss the latest updates and revelations that have improved our comprehension of how stars and star clusters form and evolve. This includes different observational strategies (photometry, astrometry, spectroscopy, radial velocities, UV, X-rays), clustering tools, and theoretical investigations (models, simulations) of star formation, cluster formation and evolution, and upcoming surveys and data releases, including Gaia DR4, the first ever LSST data release, WEAVE, MOONS, SDSS-V, 4MOST, WST, VISIONS, JWST, and eROSITA.

Programme

The final program will be designed after receiving abstract submissions.
We will tackle topics related to young stars and clusters, and their evolution, e.g.:

• Morphology, dynamics, and dispersal of young open clusters.
• Interaction of young clusters and the ISM (feedback from massive stars, bubbles)
• Triggered star formation. Star formation propagation. Build up of OB associations.
• Star formation history in the Milky Way.
• Young clusters and star-forming regions in other galaxies.
• Age determination methods. How well do we know cluster ages?
• Observations of young stars and clusters at different wavelengths.
• Models/Simulations of the formation and evolution of open clusters, whole OB associations, or families of clusters.
• Chemical abundance patterns in families of clusters.
• Cluster selection methods. Completeness and biases.
• Multiples and Binaries in star clusters and star-forming regions. Their influence on cluster properties.

Invited speakers

REVIEW Talks

• Alison Sills (McMaster University, Ontario, CA) - Theoretical investigations of open cluster formation and evolution
• Katia Biazzo (INAF Rome, IT) - Spectra and chemistry of young stars and clusters
• Angela Adamo (Uni Stockholm, SE) - Observations of extra-galactic star-forming regions and young stellar clusters
• Cameren Swiggum (Uni Vienna, AT) - Open cluster census in the Milky Way; cluster morphology, dynamics, and evolution
• Ahmad Ali (Uni Cologne, DE) - Feedback from massive stars in star-forming environments and OB associations in Milky-Way-like galaxies
• TBA

Scientific organisers

• Josefa Großschedl (Chair; ASU Praha, CZ)
• Emily Hunt (Co-Chair; MPIA Heidelberg, DE)
• Eleonora Zari (Uni Firenze, IT)
• Friedrich Anders (ICCUB Uni Barcelona, ES)
• Nick Wright (Uni Keele, UK)
• Alfred Castro-Ginard (FQA Uni Barcelona, ES)
• Núria Miret-Roig (Uni Barcelona, ES)
• Germano Sacco (INAF Arcetri, IT)

Contact

Josefa Großschedl (grossschedl [at] asu.cas.cz)
Emily Hunt (emhunt [at] mpia.de)