Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds: Regulators of Star Formation

Telemachos Ch. Mouschovias

doi:10.1007/BFb0119504

Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds: Regulators of Star Formation

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Observations of magnetic fields in the molecular cloud Barnard 1 are compared with theoretical predictions, and the key elements of a scenario for star formation in magnetic clouds are summarized. New quantitative results are presented which necessitate qualitative changes in current ideas concerning star formation in molecular clouds and, more specifically, in the notion that stellar masses are determined via the onset of energetic stellar winds that reverse the infall of the envelopes. The role of ambipolar diffusion in star formation is assessed, and new expressions for the ambipolar diffusion time scale in cloud cores, including the effect of thermal pressure, for both quasi-static and dynamical contraction of cloud cores are obtained and used for studying the reduction of the flux-to-mass ratio by ambipolar diffusion.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	The Physics and Chemistry of Interstellar Molecular Clouds mm and Sub-mm Observations in Astrophysics
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of a Symposium Held at Zermatt, Switzerland, 22-25 September 1988 to Commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the University of Cologne and the 20th Anniversary of the Gornergrat Observatory
Editors	G Winnewisser, J T Armstrong
Publisher	Springer
Pages	297–312
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0119504
State	Published - Jan 1989

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Physics
Volume	331
ISSN (Print)	0075-8450
ISSN (Electronic)	1616-6361

Keywords

Gravitational Collapse
Interstellar Magnetic Fields
Interstellar Matter
Molecular Clouds
Star Formation
Ambipolar Diffusion
Angular Momentum
Stellar Mass
Stellar Winds
Astrophysics

Online availability

10.1007/BFb0119504

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Mouschovias, T. C. (1989). Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds: Regulators of Star Formation. In G. Winnewisser, & J. T. Armstrong (Eds.), The Physics and Chemistry of Interstellar Molecular Clouds mm and Sub-mm Observations in Astrophysics: Proceedings of a Symposium Held at Zermatt, Switzerland, 22-25 September 1988 to Commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the University of Cologne and the 20th Anniversary of the Gornergrat Observatory (pp. 297–312). (Lecture Notes in Physics; Vol. 331). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0119504

Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds: Regulators of Star Formation. / Mouschovias, Telemachos Ch.
The Physics and Chemistry of Interstellar Molecular Clouds mm and Sub-mm Observations in Astrophysics: Proceedings of a Symposium Held at Zermatt, Switzerland, 22-25 September 1988 to Commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the University of Cologne and the 20th Anniversary of the Gornergrat Observatory. ed. / G Winnewisser; J T Armstrong. Springer, 1989. p. 297–312 (Lecture Notes in Physics; Vol. 331).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Mouschovias, TC 1989, Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds: Regulators of Star Formation. in G Winnewisser & JT Armstrong (eds), The Physics and Chemistry of Interstellar Molecular Clouds mm and Sub-mm Observations in Astrophysics: Proceedings of a Symposium Held at Zermatt, Switzerland, 22-25 September 1988 to Commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the University of Cologne and the 20th Anniversary of the Gornergrat Observatory. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol. 331, Springer, pp. 297–312. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0119504

Mouschovias TC. Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds: Regulators of Star Formation. In Winnewisser G, Armstrong JT, editors, The Physics and Chemistry of Interstellar Molecular Clouds mm and Sub-mm Observations in Astrophysics: Proceedings of a Symposium Held at Zermatt, Switzerland, 22-25 September 1988 to Commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the University of Cologne and the 20th Anniversary of the Gornergrat Observatory. Springer. 1989. p. 297–312. (Lecture Notes in Physics). doi: 10.1007/BFb0119504

Mouschovias, Telemachos Ch. / Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds: Regulators of Star Formation. The Physics and Chemistry of Interstellar Molecular Clouds mm and Sub-mm Observations in Astrophysics: Proceedings of a Symposium Held at Zermatt, Switzerland, 22-25 September 1988 to Commemorate the 600th Anniversary of the University of Cologne and the 20th Anniversary of the Gornergrat Observatory. editor / G Winnewisser ; J T Armstrong. Springer, 1989. pp. 297–312 (Lecture Notes in Physics).

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abstract = "Observations of magnetic fields in the molecular cloud Barnard 1 are compared with theoretical predictions, and the key elements of a scenario for star formation in magnetic clouds are summarized. New quantitative results are presented which necessitate qualitative changes in current ideas concerning star formation in molecular clouds and, more specifically, in the notion that stellar masses are determined via the onset of energetic stellar winds that reverse the infall of the envelopes. The role of ambipolar diffusion in star formation is assessed, and new expressions for the ambipolar diffusion time scale in cloud cores, including the effect of thermal pressure, for both quasi-static and dynamical contraction of cloud cores are obtained and used for studying the reduction of the flux-to-mass ratio by ambipolar diffusion.",

keywords = "Gravitational Collapse, Interstellar Magnetic Fields, Interstellar Matter, Molecular Clouds, Star Formation, Ambipolar Diffusion, Angular Momentum, Stellar Mass, Stellar Winds, Astrophysics",

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AB - Observations of magnetic fields in the molecular cloud Barnard 1 are compared with theoretical predictions, and the key elements of a scenario for star formation in magnetic clouds are summarized. New quantitative results are presented which necessitate qualitative changes in current ideas concerning star formation in molecular clouds and, more specifically, in the notion that stellar masses are determined via the onset of energetic stellar winds that reverse the infall of the envelopes. The role of ambipolar diffusion in star formation is assessed, and new expressions for the ambipolar diffusion time scale in cloud cores, including the effect of thermal pressure, for both quasi-static and dynamical contraction of cloud cores are obtained and used for studying the reduction of the flux-to-mass ratio by ambipolar diffusion.

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KW - Angular Momentum

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KW - Stellar Winds

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Magnetic Fields in Molecular Clouds: Regulators of Star Formation

Abstract

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Keywords

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