scholarly journals Using Herschel and Planck observations to delineate the role of magnetic fields in molecular cloud structure

2019 ◽  
Vol 629 ◽  
pp. A96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan D. Soler
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Relative Orientation ◽  
Young Stellar Objects ◽  
Circular Statistics ◽  
Stellar Objects ◽  
Submillimeter Wavelengths ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We present a study of the relative orientation between the magnetic field projected onto the plane of sky (B⊥) on scales down to 0.4 pc, inferred from the polarized thermal emission of Galactic dust observed by Planck at 353 GHz, and the distribution of gas column density (NH) structures on scales down to 0.026 pc, derived from the observations by Herschel in submillimeter wavelengths, toward ten nearby (d < 450 pc) molecular clouds. Using the histogram of relative orientation technique in combination with tools from circular statistics, we found that the mean relative orientation between NH and B⊥ toward these regions increases progressively from 0°, where the NH structures lie mostly parallel to B⊥, with increasing NH, in many cases reaching 90°, where the NH structures lie mostly perpendicular to B⊥. We also compared the relative orientation between NH and B⊥ and the distribution of NH, which is characterized by the slope of the tail of the NH probability density functions (PDFs). We found that the slopes of the NH PDF tail are steepest in regions where NH and B⊥ are close to perpendicular. This coupling between the NH distribution and the magnetic field suggests that the magnetic fields play a significant role in structuring the interstellar medium in and around molecular clouds. However, we found no evident correlation between the star formation rates, estimated from the counts of young stellar objects, and the relative orientation between NH and B⊥ in these regions.

Magnetic Fields and Disks in Star-forming Regions

1993 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Wright ◽  
D.K. Aitken ◽  
C.H. Smith ◽  
P.F. Roche
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Transverse Component ◽  
Young Stellar Objects ◽  
Stellar Objects ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Molecular Outflow ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractThe star-formation process is an outstanding and largely unsolved problem in astrophysics. The role of magnetic fields is unclear but is widely considered to be important at all stages of protostellar evolution, from cloud collapse to ZAMS. For example, in some hydromagnetic models, the field may assist in removing angular momentum, thereby driving accretion and perhaps bipolar outflows.Spectropolarimetry between 8 and 13μm provides information on the direction of the transverse component of a magnetic field through the alignment of dust grains. We present results of 8–13μm spectropolarimetric observations of a number of bipolar molecular outflow sources, and compare the field directions observed with the axes of the outflows and putative disk-like structures observed to be associated with some of the objects. There is a strong correlation, though so far with limited statistics, between the magnetic field and disk orientations. We compare our results with magnetic field configurations predicted by current models for hydromagnetically driven winds from the disks around Young Stellar Objects (YSOs). Our results appear to argue against the Pudritz and Norman model and instead seem to support the Uchida and Shibata model.

scholarly journals The relative orientation between the magnetic field and gas density structures in non-gravitating turbulent media

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (4) ◽  
pp. 4785-4792
Author(s):  
Bastian Körtgen ◽  
Juan D Soler
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Relative Orientation ◽  
Local Magnetic Field ◽  
Gas Formation ◽  
Initial Magnetization ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Dynamical Time ◽  
Isothermal Gas ◽  
The Magnetic Field

ABSTRACT Magnetic fields are a dynamically important agent for regulating structure formation in the interstellar medium. The study of the relative orientation between the local magnetic field and gas (column-) density gradient has become a powerful tool to analyse the magnetic field’s impact on the dense gas formation in the Galaxy. In this study, we perform numerical simulations of a non-gravitating, isothermal gas, where the turbulence is driven either solenoidally or compressively. We find that only simulations with an initially strong magnetic field (plasma-β &lt; 1) show a change in the preferential orientation between the magnetic field and isodensity contours, from mostly parallel at low densities to mostly perpendicular at higher densities. Hence, compressive turbulence alone is not capable of inducing the transition observed towards nearby molecular clouds. At the same high initial magnetization, we find that solenoidal modes produce a sharper transition in the relative orientation with increasing density than compressive modes. We further study the time evolution of the relative orientation and find that it remains unchanged by the turbulent forcing after one dynamical time-scale.

scholarly journals Mass Outflows Associated with Young Stellar Objects

1987 ◽  
Vol 115 ◽  
pp. 255-273
Author(s):  
Stephen E. Strom ◽  
Karen M. Strom
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Circumstellar Disks ◽  
Young Stellar Objects ◽  
Molecular Flow ◽  
Birth Process ◽  
Stellar Objects ◽  
Molecular Outflows ◽  
Bolometric Luminosity ◽  
Field Geometry

The fundamental properties of optical and molecular outflows associated with young stellar objects are reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on a discussion of new results concerning outflow energetics, collimating structures and the relationship between outflow properties and the magnetic field geometry characterizing their host molecular clouds. IRAS observations of YSO mass outflows reveal extended far-IR emission associated with high velocity molecular gas; in the case of L1551 IRS5, the luminosity of the extended emission is ∼10 times the mechanical luminosity inferred from observation of the molecular flow (and thus ≳0.1 the bolometric luminosity of the YSO driving the outflow). Circumstellar disks of size ∼100 au appear to be a common, if not certain outcome of the stellar birth process for stars of ∼1M⊙. In a few cases, it has been possible to resolve disk-like structures associated with YSO outflow sources. In such cases, the disk axes appear to lie along the direction of molecular outflows or stellar jets. The mass outflows (and by inference, the axes of circumstellar disks) show a remarkable tendency to align along the direction of the magnetic fields which thread their host molecular clouds. This suggests that the cloud magnetic field must play an important role in determining the flattening (and perhaps the rotation) of protostellar structures.

scholarly journals SK 1: A possible case of triggered star formation in perseus

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S237) ◽  
pp. 217-221
Author(s):  
Miriam Rengel ◽  
Klaus Hodapp ◽  
Jochen Eislöffel
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Young Stellar Objects ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Dust Shell ◽  
Stellar Objects ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Suitable Target

AbstractAccording to a triggered star formation scenario (e.g. Martin-Pintado & Cernicharo 1987) outflows powered by young stellar objects shape the molecular clouds, can dig cavities, and trigger new star formation. NGC 1333 is an active site of low- and intermediate star formation in Perseus and is a suggested site of self-regulated star formation (Norman & Silk 1980). Therefore it is a suitable target for a study of triggered star formation (e.g. Sandell & Knee 2001, SK1). On the other hand, continuum sub-mm observations of star forming regions can detect dust thermal emission of embedded sources (which drive outflows), and further detailed structures.Within the framework of our wide-field mapping of star formation regions in the Perseus and Orion molecular clouds using SCUBA at 850 and 450 μm, we mapped NCG 1333 with an area of around 14′× 21′. The maps show more structure than the previous maps of the region observed in sub-mm. We have unveiled the known embedded SK 1 source (in the dust shell of the SSV 13 ridge) and detailed structure of the region, among some other young protostars.In agreement with the SK 1 observations, our map of the region shows lumpy filaments and shells/cavities that seem to be created by outflows. The measured mass of SK 1 (~0.07 M) is much less than its virial mass (~0.2-1 M). Our observations support the idea of SK 1 as an event triggered by outflow-driven shells in NGC 1333 (induced by an increase in gas pressure and density due to radiation pressure from the stellar winds that have presumably created the dust shell). This kind of evidences provides a more thorough understanding of the star formation regulation processes.

scholarly journals Magnetic Field Evolution in Neutron Star Crusts: Beyond the Hall Effect

Symmetry ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Konstantinos N. Gourgouliatos ◽  
Davide De Grandis ◽  
Andrei Igoshev
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Hall Effect ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Ohmic Dissipation ◽  
Field Evolution ◽  
The Universe ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Maxwell Stresses

Neutron stars host the strongest magnetic fields that we know of in the Universe. Their magnetic fields are the main means of generating their radiation, either magnetospheric or through the crust. Moreover, the evolution of the magnetic field has been intimately related to explosive events of magnetars, which host strong magnetic fields, and their persistent thermal emission. The evolution of the magnetic field in the crusts of neutron stars has been described within the framework of the Hall effect and Ohmic dissipation. Yet, this description is limited by the fact that the Maxwell stresses exerted on the crusts of strongly magnetised neutron stars may lead to failure and temperature variations. In the former case, a failed crust does not completely fulfil the necessary conditions for the Hall effect. In the latter, the variations of temperature are strongly related to the magnetic field evolution. Finally, sharp gradients of the star’s temperature may activate battery terms and alter the magnetic field structure, especially in weakly magnetised neutron stars. In this review, we discuss the recent progress made on these effects. We argue that these phenomena are likely to provide novel insight into our understanding of neutron stars and their observable properties.

Observations of magnetic fields in star-forming clouds

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (A30) ◽  
pp. 101-101
Author(s):  
Juan D. Soler
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
Under Construction ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractThis review examines observations of magnetic fields in molecular clouds, that is, at spatial scales ranging from tens to tenths of parsecs and densities up to hundreds of particles per cubic centimetre. I will briefly summarize the techniques for observing and mapping magnetic fields in molecular clouds. I will review important examples of observational results obtained using each technique and their implications for our understanding of the role of the magnetic field in molecular cloud formation and evolution. Finally, I will briefly discuss the prospects for advances in our observational capabilities with telescopes and instruments now beginning operation or under construction.

scholarly journals From parallel to perpendicular – On the orientation of magnetic fields in molecular clouds

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (4) ◽  
pp. 4196-4212 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Seifried ◽  
S Walch ◽  
M Weis ◽  
S Reissl ◽  
J D Soler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Field Strength ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Flux Ratio ◽  
Critical Value ◽  
Relative Orientation ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Initial Field ◽  
The Magnetic Field

ABSTRACT We present synthetic dust polarization maps of simulated molecular clouds with the goal to systematically explore the origin of the relative orientation of the magnetic field ($\mathbf {B}$) with respect to the cloud sub-structure identified in density (n; 3D) and column density (N; 2D). The polarization maps are generated with the radiative transfer code polaris, which includes self-consistently calculated efficiencies for radiative torque alignment. The molecular clouds are formed in two sets of 3D magnetohydrodynamical simulations: (i) in colliding flows (CF), and (ii) in the SILCC-Zoom simulations. In 3D, for the CF simulations with an initial field strength below ∼5 μG, $\mathbf {B}$ is oriented either parallel or randomly with respect to the n-structures. For CF runs with stronger initial fields as well as all SILCC-Zoom simulations, which have an initial field strength of 3 μG, a flip from parallel to perpendicular orientation occurs at high densities of $n_\rm {trans}\, \simeq$ 102–103 cm−3. We suggest that this flip happens if the cloud’s mass-to-flux ratio, μ, is close to or below the critical value of 1. This corresponds to a field strength around 3–5 μG, close to the Galactic average. In 2D, we use the method of Projected Rayleigh Statistics (PRS) to study the relative orientation of $\mathbf {B}$. If present, the flip in orientation occurs in the projected maps at $N_\rm {trans}\, \simeq$ 1021 − 21.5 cm−2. This value is similar to the observed transition value from sub- to supercritical magnetic fields in the interstellar medium. However, projection effects can strongly reduce the predictive power of the PRS method: Depending on the considered cloud or line-of-sight, the projected maps of the SILCC-Zoom simulations do not always show the flip, although it is expected given the 3D morphology. Such projection effects can explain the variety of recently observed field configurations, in particular within a single cloud. Finally, we do not find a correlation between the observed orientation of $\mathbf {B}$ and the N-PDF.

scholarly journals Magnetic fields and the dynamics of molecular clouds

1991 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
J. L. Puget
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Star Formation ◽  
Velocity Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Transverse Waves ◽  
Analytical Approximations ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Magnetic fields are believed to play an important role in the star formation process. Correlations in the velocity field in molecular filaments are indicative of dynamical interactions between clouds and parts within a cloud. The magnetic field is a likely candidate as the vector of such interactions. Perturbations of the field at large scales can feed the velocity dispersion within condensations at small scale. This mechanism is discussed in the framework of two simple analytical approximations describing transverse waves fed into plane parallel slabs.

scholarly journals Distance, magnetic field, and kinematics of the filamentary cloud LDN 1157

2020 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
pp. A133
Author(s):  
Ekta Sharma ◽  
Maheswar Gopinathan ◽  
Archana Soam ◽  
Chang Won Lee ◽  
Shinyoung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Galactic Plane ◽  
Young Stellar Objects ◽  
Kinematic Structure ◽  
Single Filament ◽  
Stellar Objects ◽  
Density Peaks ◽  
Field Geometry ◽  
Cloud Complex ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Context. LDN 1157 is one of several clouds that are situated in the cloud complex LDN 1147/1158. The cloud presents a coma-shaped morphology with a well-collimated bipolar outflow emanating from a Class 0 protostar, LDN 1157-mm, that resides deep inside the cloud. Aims. The main goals of this work are (a) mapping the intercloud magnetic field (ICMF) geometry of the region surrounding LDN 1157 to investigate its relationship with the cloud morphology, outflow direction, and core magnetic field (CMF) geometry inferred from the millimeter- and submillimeter polarization results from the literature, and (b) to investigate the kinematic structure of the cloud. Methods. We carried out optical (R-band) polarization observations of the stars projected on the cloud to map the parsec-scale magnetic field geometry. We made spectroscopic observations of the entire cloud in the 12CO, C18O, and N2H+ (J = 1–0) lines to investigate its kinematic structure. Results. We obtained a distance of 340 ± 3 pc to the LDN 1147/1158, complex based on the Gaia DR2 parallaxes and proper motion values of the three young stellar objects (YSOs) associated with the complex. A single filament of ~1.2 pc in length (traced by the Filfinder algorithm) and ~0.09 pc in width (estimated using the Radfil algorithm) is found to run throughout the coma-shaped cloud. Based on the relationships between the ICMF, CMF, filament orientations, outflow direction, and the hourglass morphology of the magnetic field, it is likely that the magnetic field played an important role in the star formation process in LDN 1157. LDN 1157-mm is embedded in one of the two high-density peaks detected using the Clumpfind algorithm. The two detected clumps lie on the filament and show a blue-red asymmetry in the 12CO line. The C18O emission is well correlated with the filament and presents a coherent structure in velocity space. Combining the proper motions of the YSOs and the radial velocity of LDN 1147/1158 and an another complex, LDN 1172/1174, that is situated ~2° east of it, we found that the two complexes are moving collectively toward the Galactic plane. The filamentary morphology of the east-west segment of LDN 1157 may have formed as a result of mass lost by ablation through interaction of the moving cloud with the ambient interstellar medium.

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