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While a multitude of low- and high-mass star formation sites can be
studied in the solar neighbourhood, these sites cover only a small subset
of all possible star formation modes and environments. In common to all
galactic star formation sites is their relatively uniform metallicity
(degree of enrichment by heavy elements).
Extragalactic star-forming regions offer the unique opportunity to study
star formation at different metallicities. The metallicity and the amount
of dust has a strong impact on the physical and chemical properties of
any star formation site and for extragalactic star fromation sites the
enormous input of energy into the surrounding interstellar medium by the
hot and luminous stars in form of stellar winds or supernovae explosions
can in principle strongly alter the star formation process. |
