Finding the seeds of new stars : an image analysis challenge

Abstract: Finding the seeds of new stars from astronomical data sets can be a challenge since the images are usually complex and large. In this project interstellar clouds in the Milky Way presented in a data set are analysed using digital image analysing to find dense cores - possible seeds of new stars. Different filters are used on the image to create a mask and a threshold is applied in order to obtain the features of interest.The regions left are labeled and a catalog is created containing their basic properties.The properties including area, major and minor axis, centroid coordinates etc. can be used for further research and to obtain a wider knowledge of potential new stars in the Milky Way. The spherical property and mass distribution of the dense cores are presented and from these plots possible seeds of new stars can be filtered out.