scholarly journals On the compressive nature of turbulence driven by ionizing feedback in the pillars of the Carina Nebula

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (2) ◽  
pp. 1721-1740
Author(s):  
Shyam H Menon ◽  
Christoph Federrath ◽  
Pamela Klaassen ◽  
Rolf Kuiper ◽  
Megan Reiter
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Driving Mode ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Neutral Gas ◽  
Carina Nebula ◽  
Spiral Arm

ABSTRACT The ionizing radiation of massive stars sculpts the surrounding neutral gas into pillar-like structures. Direct signatures of star formation through outflows and jets are observed in these structures, typically at their tips. Recent numerical simulations have suggested that this star formation could potentially be triggered by photoionizing radiation, driving compressive modes of turbulence in the pillars. In this study, we use recent high-resolution ALMA observations of 12CO, 13CO, and C18O, J = 2 − 1 emission to test this hypothesis for pillars in the Carina Nebula. We analyse column density and intensity-weighted velocity maps, and subtract any large-scale bulk motions in the plane of the sky to isolate the turbulent motions. We then reconstruct the dominant turbulence driving mode in the pillars, by computing the turbulence driving parameter b, characterized by the relation $\sigma _{\rho /\rho _0} = b \mathcal {M}$ between the standard deviation of the density contrast $\sigma _{\rho /\rho _0}$ (with gas density ρ and its average ρ0) and the turbulent Mach number $\mathcal {M}$. We find values of b ∼ 0.7–1.0 for most of the pillars, suggesting that predominantly compressive modes of turbulence are driven in the pillars by the ionizing radiation from nearby massive stars. We find that this range of b values can produce star formation rates in the pillars that are a factor ∼3 greater than with b ∼ 0.5, a typical average value of b for spiral-arm molecular clouds. Our results provide further evidence for the potential triggering of star formation in pillars through compressive turbulent motions.

scholarly journals On the turbulence driving mode of expanding H ii regions

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (4) ◽  
pp. 4643-4656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyam H Menon ◽  
Christoph Federrath ◽  
Rolf Kuiper
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Parameter Analysis ◽  
Ionization Front ◽  
H Ii Regions ◽  
Driving Mode ◽  
Neutral Gas ◽  
Natural Mixture ◽  
Hydrodynamical Simulations

Abstract We investigate the turbulence driving mode of ionizing radiation from massive stars on the surrounding interstellar medium. We run hydrodynamical simulations of a turbulent cloud impinged by a plane-parallel ionization front. We find that the ionizing radiation forms pillars of neutral gas reminiscent of those seen in observations. We quantify the driving mode of the turbulence in the neutral gas by calculating the driving parameter b, which is characterized by the relation $\sigma _s^2 = \ln ({1+b^2\mathcal {M}^2})$ between the variance of the logarithmic density contrast $\sigma _s^2$ [where s = ln (ρ/ρ0) with the gas density ρ and its average ρ0], and the turbulent Mach number $\mathcal {M}$. Previous works have shown that b ∼ 1/3 indicates solenoidal (divergence-free) driving and b ∼ 1 indicates compressive (curl-free) driving, with b ∼ 1 producing up to ten times higher star formation rates than b ∼ 1/3. The time variation of b in our study allows us to infer that ionizing radiation is inherently a compressive turbulence driving source, with a time-averaged b ∼ 0.76 ± 0.08. We also investigate the value of b of the pillars, where star formation is expected to occur, and find that the pillars are characterized by a natural mixture of both solenoidal and compressive turbulent modes (b ∼ 0.4) when they form, and later evolve into a more compressive turbulent state with b ∼ 0.5–0.6. A virial parameter analysis of the pillar regions supports this conclusion. This indicates that ionizing radiation from massive stars may be able to trigger star formation by producing predominately compressive turbulent gas in the pillars.

scholarly journals Evolved massive stars in W33 and in GMC G23.3 − 0.3

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (S316) ◽  
pp. 167-168
Author(s):  
M. Messineo ◽  
J. S. Clark ◽  
D. F. Figer ◽  
K. M. Menten ◽  
R.-P. Kudritzki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Molecular Complexes ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Precise Information ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Distributions ◽  
Formation History ◽  
History Of

AbstractWe conducted infrared spectroscopic observations of bright stars in the direction of the molecular clouds W33 and GMC G23.3 − 0.3. We compared stellar spectro-photometric distances with parallactic distances to these regions, and we were able to assess the association of the detected massive stars with these molecular complexes. The spatial and temporal distributions of the detected stars enabled us to locate sources of ionizing radiation and to gather precise information on the star formation history of these clouds. The studied clouds present different distributions of massive stars.

scholarly journals Gas and Dust in M33

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S277) ◽  
pp. 63-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Braine ◽  
P. Gratier ◽  
C. Kramer ◽  
B. Mookerjea ◽  
M. Xilouris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Luminosity Function ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Dust Emission ◽  
Emission Lines ◽  
Neutral Gas ◽  
Dust Temperature ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Co Emission

AbstractWe present results from the Herschel and IRAM projects to map M33 in the dust continuum and main emission lines, particularly C[II] and CO. The temperature of the cool dust decreases with distance from the center of M33 from ~25K to ~13K. The CO emission generally follows the dust temperature and the overall dust emission. However, about 1/6 of the molecular clouds are not associated with massive stars, such that about 1/6th the lifetime of an entity identifiable as a molecular cloud is in a pre-star formation state. These clouds are less CO-bright than those with massive stars. The largest sample of molecular clouds currently available for an external galaxy shows that the cloud CO luminosity function, usually viewed as the cloud H2 mass, steepens with radius such that smaller clouds are more numerous in the outer parts. The observations of the C[II] line with Herschel indicate that the C[II] emission traces on-going star formation rather than the neutral gas. This identification will be tested via velocity-resolved Herschel/HIFI C[II] spectra in the near future.

scholarly journals Star Formation

1989 ◽  
Vol 120 ◽  
pp. 56-67
Author(s):  
Francesco Palla
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Strong Tendency ◽  
Fractal Nature ◽  
Power Law Distribution ◽  
Complex Series ◽  
Whole Process

Judging from the poster that the Organizing Committee has selected to announce the celebration of Guido Munch Jubilee, one can easily conclude that the main characteristics of the process of star formation as emerged in recent years through the combined efforts of multiwavelengths studies of molecular clouds, were already known, here in Granada, several centuries ago to the masters who built and enriched the enigmatic palace of the Alhambra. As we can appreciate from a quick inspection of the picture, it is rather obvious to infer that stars are the byproduct of a quite complex series of phenomena, each connected to, and somewhat dependent on, the others. Also, stars do not form in isolation, but rather in clusters or associations, with a strong tendency for the largest ones, also the most massive ones, to sit in the middle of the distribution. Moreover, smaller and less massive stars outnumber their massive counterparts, apparently obeying a power-law distribution. Finally, but with the benefit of doubt, it appears that the idea that the whole process reflects an intrinsic fractal nature was also put forward at the time. With this background in mind, let us now turn to the new emerging aspects of the study of star formation.

scholarly journals Dusty magnetohydrodynamics in star-forming regions

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 569-578
Author(s):  
S. VAN LOO ◽  
S. A. E. G. FALLE ◽  
T. W. HARTQUIST ◽  
O. HAVNES ◽  
G. E. MORFILL
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Number Density ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Neutral Gas ◽  
Gas Phase Ions ◽  
Fractional Ionization ◽  
Magnetohydrodynamic Models ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractStar formation occurs in dark molecular regions where the number density of hydrogen nuclei nH exceeds 104 cm−3 and the fractional ionization is 10−7 or less. Dust grains with sizes ranging up to tenths of microns and perhaps down to tens of nanometers contain just less than 1% of the mass. Recombination on grains is important for the removal of gas-phase ions, which are produced by cosmic rays penetrating the dark regions. Collisions of neutrals with charged grains contribute significantly to the coupling of the magnetic field to the neutral gas. Consequently, the dynamics of the grains must be included in the magnetohydrodynamic models of large-scale collapse, the evolution of waves and the structures of shocks important in star formation.

scholarly journals Head-on collisions: how to bring large quantities of gas out of inner disks

2004 ◽  
Vol 217 ◽  
pp. 420-421
Author(s):  
Jonathan Braine ◽  
U. Lisenfeld ◽  
P.-A. Duc
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Intergalactic Medium ◽  
Spiral Galaxies ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Hii Region ◽  
Neutral Gas ◽  
Dense Cores ◽  
Clear Cases ◽  
Formation Efficiency

Head-on collisions of spiral galaxies can bring large quantities of gas out of spiral disks and into the intergalactic medium. Only two clear cases (UGC 12914/5 and UGC 813/6) of such collisions are known (Condon et al. 1993, 2002) and in both cases several 109 M⊙ of neutral gas is found in the bridge between the two galaxies which are now separating. About half of the gas is molecular. The gas, atomic or molecular, is brought out by collisions between clouds, which then acquire an intermediate velocity and end up between the galaxies. The bridges contain no old stars and in each case only one HII region despite the large masses of molecular gas, such that the star formation efficiency is very low in the bridges. The collisions occurred 20 – 50 million years ago, much greater than the collapse time for dense cores. We (Braine et al. 2003, 2004) show that collisions between molecular clouds, and not only between atomic gas clouds, bring gas into the bridges. It is not currently known whether the galaxies and bridges are bound or whether they will continue to separate, releasing several 109 M⊙ of neutral gas into the intergalactic medium.

scholarly journals Formation of Giant Molecular Clouds by Coagulation of Small Molecular Clouds in a Spiral Gravitational Potential

1987 ◽  
Vol 115 ◽  
pp. 541-543
Author(s):  
Kohji Tomisaka
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Time Evolution ◽  
Gravitational Potential ◽  
Formation Process ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Spiral Structure ◽  
Giant Molecular Clouds ◽  
Short Lifetime ◽  
Spiral Arm

The formation process of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) is investigated from the standpoint of the coagulation theory of molecular clouds. Small clouds collide with each other and grow to become massive ones. Ultimately they form GMCs with a finite lifetime. The occurrence of star formation in a GMC destroys it and consequently small clouds are formed again. We study the time evolution of the clouds which move through a spiral gravitational potential by an N-body simulation. Then the ensemble of clouds responds to the spiral potential and forms a spiral structure similar to that produced by hydrodynamical galactic shock. It is shown that GMCs are formed in the spiral arm region by collisions between clouds. The distribution of GMCs indicates their short lifetime, of the order of a few times 107 years.

Twinkle little stars: Massive stars are quenched in strong magnetic fields

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (A30) ◽  
pp. 118-118
Author(s):  
Fatemeh S. Tabatabaei ◽  
M. Almudena Prieto ◽  
Juan A. Fernández-Ontiveros
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Radio Continuum ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Massive Star Formation ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Formation Efficiency

AbstractThe role of the magnetic fields in the formation and quenching of stars with different mass is unknown. We studied the energy balance and the star formation efficiency in a sample of molecular clouds in the central kpc region of NGC 1097, known to be highly magnetized. Combining the full polarization VLA/radio continuum observations with the HST/Hα, Paα and the SMA/CO lines observations, we separated the thermal and non-thermal synchrotron emission and compared the magnetic, turbulent, and thermal pressures. Most of the molecular clouds are magnetically supported against gravitational collapse needed to form cores of massive stars. The massive star formation efficiency of the clouds also drops with the magnetic field strength, while it is uncorrelated with turbulence (Tabatabaei et al. 2018). The inefficiency of the massive star formation and the low-mass stellar population in the center of NGC 1097 can be explained in the following steps: I) Magnetic fields supporting the molecular clouds prevent the collapse of gas to densities needed to form massive stars. II) These clouds can then be fragmented into smaller pieces due to e.g., stellar feedback, non-linear perturbations and instabilities leading to local, small-scale diffusion of the magnetic fields. III) Self-gravity overcomes and the smaller clouds seed the cores of the low-mass stars.

scholarly journals Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds

2004 ◽  
Vol 221 ◽  
pp. 83-96
Author(s):  
Tyler L. Bourke ◽  
Alyssa A. Goodman
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Observational Data ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Protoplanetary Disks ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Dense Cores

Magnetic fields are believed to play an important role in the evolution of molecular clouds, from their large scale structure to dense cores, protostellar envelopes, and protoplanetary disks. How important is unclear, and whether magnetic fields are the dominant force driving star formation at any scale is also unclear. In this review we examine the observational data which address these questions, with particular emphasis on high angular resolution observations. Unfortunately the data do not clarify the situation. It is clear that the fields are important, but to what degree we don't yet know. Observations to date have been limited by the sensitivity of available telescopes and instrumentation. In the future ALMA and the SKA in particular should provide great advances in observational studies of magnetic fields, and we discuss which observations are most desirable when they become available.

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