The Star Formation Activity of Molecular Clouds in the Galactic Plane

It is well known that star formation takes place within molecular clouds. However, current observational surveys and investigations usually start by selecting a sample of sites where star formation is ongoing, thus biasing against those clouds and regions with little or no current formation activity. In an attempt to identify samples of clouds both with and without star formation, and to investigate their properties, we present an automated method for associating clouds identified in new 3D CO data with far-IR/sub-mm sources. Given the large number of surveys of the galactic plane currently planned, ongoing or being released, the methods used here may prove instructive in understanding how, where and under what conditions star formation takes place throughout our Galaxy. In addition, this will allow exploration of the properties of star forming regions on a range of spatial scales.