The Formation of Low Mass Stars: Observations

Abstract

In this chapter basic observational knowledge relevant to the formation and early evolution of low mass stars is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on describing: 1) the significance of the initial stellar mass function, 2) the importance of clusters in the scheme of low mass star formation, 3) the physical natures of embedded young stellar objects of low mass and 4) the critical importance of molecular outflows for the physics of star formation and early stellar evolution.