scholarly journals Factories of CO-dark gas: molecular clouds with limited star formation efficiencies by far-ultraviolet feedback

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (4) ◽  
pp. 5061-5075
Author(s):  
Mutsuko Inoguchi ◽  
Takashi Hosokawa ◽  
Shin Mineshige ◽  
Jeong-Gyu Kim
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Cloud Properties ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
H Ii Region ◽  
Chemical States ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Far Ultraviolet

ABSTRACT The star formation in molecular clouds is inefficient. The ionizing extreme-ultraviolet radiation (hν ≥ 13.6 eV) from young clusters has been considered as a primary feedback effect to limit the star formation efficiency (SFE). Here, we focus on the effects of stellar far-ultraviolet (FUV) radiation (6 eV ≤ hν ≤ 13.6 eV) during the cloud disruption stage. The FUV radiation may further reduce the SFE via photoelectric heating, and it also affects the chemical states of the gas that is not converted to stars (‘cloud remnants’) via photodissociation of molecules. We have developed a one-dimensional semi-analytical model that follows the evolution of both the thermal and chemical structure of a photodissociation region (PDR) during the dynamical expansion of an H ii region. We investigate how the FUV feedback limits the SFE, supposing that the star formation is quenched in the PDR where the temperature is above a threshold value (e.g. 100 K). Our model predicts that the FUV feedback contributes to reduce the SFEs for massive (Mcl ≳ 105 M⊙) clouds with low surface densities ($\Sigma _{\rm cl}\lesssim 100~{\rm M}_\odot \, {\rm pc}^{-2}$). Moreover, we show that a large part of the H2 molecular gas contained in the cloud remnants should be ‘CO-dark’ under the FUV feedback for a wide range of cloud properties. Therefore, the dispersed molecular clouds are potential factories of CO-dark gas, which returns into the cycle of the interstellar medium.

scholarly journals Disruption of giant molecular clouds and formation of bound star clusters under the influence of momentum stellar feedback

2019 ◽  
Vol 487 (1) ◽  
pp. 364-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Li ◽  
Mark Vogelsberger ◽  
Federico Marinacci ◽  
Oleg Y Gnedin
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Giant Molecular Clouds ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Stellar Feedback ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Gas Removal ◽  
Formation Efficiency ◽  
Stellar Density

Abstract Energetic feedback from star clusters plays a pivotal role in shaping the dynamical evolution of giant molecular clouds (GMCs). To study the effects of stellar feedback on the star formation efficiency of the clouds and the dynamical response of embedded star clusters, we perform a suite of isolated GMC simulations with star formation and momentum feedback subgrid models using the moving-mesh hydrodynamics code Arepo. The properties of our simulated GMCs span a wide range of initial mass, radius, and velocity configurations. We find that the ratio of the final stellar mass to the total cloud mass, ϵint, scales strongly with the initial cloud surface density and momentum feedback strength. This correlation is explained by an analytic model that considers force balancing between gravity and momentum feedback. For all simulated GMCs, the stellar density profiles are systematically steeper than that of the gas at the epochs of the peaks of star formation, suggesting a centrally concentrated stellar distribution. We also find that star clusters are always in a sub-virial state with a virial parameter ∼0.6 prior to gas expulsion. Both the sub-virial dynamical state and steeper stellar density profiles prevent clusters from dispersal during the gas removal phase of their evolution. The final cluster bound fraction is a continuously increasing function of ϵint. GMCs with star formation efficiency smaller than 0.5 are still able to form clusters with large bound fractions.

scholarly journals Triggered high-mass star formation in the H ii region W 28 A2: A cloud–cloud collision scenario

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsuhiro Hayashi ◽  
Satoshi Yoshiike ◽  
Rei Enokiya ◽  
Shinji Fujita ◽  
Rin Yamada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Intensity Ratio ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Infrared Emission ◽  
Radio Continuum ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Continuum Emission ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
H Ii Region

Abstract We report on a study of the high-mass star formation in the H ii region W 28 A2 by investigating the molecular clouds that extend over ∼5–10 pc from the exciting stars using the 12CO and 13CO (J = 1–0) and 12CO (J = 2–1) data taken by NANTEN2 and Mopra observations. These molecular clouds consist of three velocity components with CO intensity peaks at VLSR ∼ −4 km s−1, 9 km s−1, and 16 km s−1. The highest CO intensity is detected at VLSR ∼ 9 km s−1, where the high-mass stars with spectral types O6.5–B0.5 are embedded. We found bridging features connecting these clouds toward the directions of the exciting sources. Comparisons of the gas distributions with the radio continuum emission and 8 μm infrared emission show spatial coincidence/anti-coincidence, suggesting physical associations between the gas and the exciting sources. The 12CO J = 2–1 to 1–0 intensity ratio shows a high value (≳0.8) toward the exciting sources for the −4 km s−1 and +9 km s−1 clouds, possibly due to heating by the high-mass stars, whereas the intensity ratio at the CO intensity peak (VLSR ∼ 9 km s−1) decreases to ∼0.6, suggesting self absorption by the dense gas in the near side of the +9 km s−1 cloud. We found partly complementary gas distributions between the −4 km s−1 and +9 km s−1 clouds, and the −4 km s−1 and +16 km s−1 clouds. The exciting sources are located toward the overlapping region in the −4 km s−1 and +9 km s−1 clouds. Similar gas properties are found in the Galactic massive star clusters RCW 38 and NGC 6334, where an early stage of cloud collision to trigger the star formation is suggested. Based on these results, we discuss the possibility of the formation of high-mass stars in the W 28 A2 region being triggered by cloud–cloud collision.

scholarly journals Stochastic modelling of star-formation histories II: star-formation variability from molecular clouds and gas inflow

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (1) ◽  
pp. 698-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandro Tacchella ◽  
John C Forbes ◽  
Neven Caplar
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Star Formation ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Inflow Rate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Galaxy

ABSTRACT A key uncertainty in galaxy evolution is the physics regulating star formation, ranging from small-scale processes related to the life-cycle of molecular clouds within galaxies to large-scale processes such as gas accretion on to galaxies. We study the imprint of such processes on the time-variability of star formation with an analytical approach tracking the gas mass of galaxies (‘regulator model’). Specifically, we quantify the strength of the fluctuation in the star-formation rate (SFR) on different time-scales, i.e. the power spectral density (PSD) of the star-formation history, and connect it to gas inflow and the life-cycle of molecular clouds. We show that in the general case the PSD of the SFR has three breaks, corresponding to the correlation time of the inflow rate, the equilibrium time-scale of the gas reservoir of the galaxy, and the average lifetime of individual molecular clouds. On long and intermediate time-scales (relative to the dynamical time-scale of the galaxy), the PSD is typically set by the variability of the inflow rate and the interplay between outflows and gas depletion. On short time-scales, the PSD shows an additional component related to the life-cycle of molecular clouds, which can be described by a damped random walk with a power-law slope of β ≈ 2 at high frequencies with a break near the average cloud lifetime. We discuss star-formation ‘burstiness’ in a wide range of galaxy regimes, study the evolution of galaxies about the main sequence ridgeline, and explore the applicability of our method for understanding the star-formation process on cloud-scale from galaxy-integrated measurements.

scholarly journals A dynamically young, gravitationally stable network of filaments in Orion B

2019 ◽  
Vol 624 ◽  
pp. A113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan H. Orkisz ◽  
Nicolas Peretto ◽  
Jérôme Pety ◽  
Maryvonne Gerin ◽  
François Levrier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Dense Cores ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Filament Networks ◽  
Formation Efficiency ◽  
Stable Network ◽  
Comprehensive Study

Context. Filaments are a key step on the path that leads from molecular clouds to star formation. However, their characteristics, for instance their width, are heavily debated and the exact processes that lead to their formation and fragmentation into dense cores still remain to be fully understood. Aims. We aim at characterising the mass, kinematics, and stability against gravitational collapse of a statistically significant sample of filaments in the Orion B molecular cloud, which is renown for its very low star formation efficiency. Methods. We characterised the gas column densities and kinematics over a field of 1.9 deg2, using C18O (J = 1−0) data from the IRAM 30 m large programme ORION-B at angular and spectral resolutions of 23.5″ and 49.5 kHz, respectively. Using two different Hessian-based filters, we extracted and compared two filamentary networks, each containing over 100 filaments. Results. Independent of the extraction method, the filament networks have consistent characteristics. The filaments have widths of ~0.12 ± 0.04 pc and show a wide range of linear (~1−100 M⊙ pc−1) and volume densities (~2 × 103−2 × 105 cm−3). Compared to previous studies, the filament population is dominated by low-density, thermally sub-critical structures, suggesting that most of the identified filaments are not collapsing to form stars. In fact, only ~1% of the Orion B cloud mass covered by our observations can be found in super-critical, star-forming filaments, explaining the low star formation efficiency of the region. The velocity profiles observed across the filaments show quiescence in the centre and coherency in the plane of the sky, even though these profiles are mostly supersonic. Conclusions. The filaments in Orion B apparently belong to a continuum which contains a few elements comparable to already studied star-forming filaments, for example in the IC 5146, Aquila or Taurus regions, as well as many lower density, gravitationally unbound structures. This comprehensive study of the Orion B filaments shows that the mass fraction in super-critical filaments is a key factor in determining star formation efficiency.

scholarly journals Masers in SGR B2: Sites of Star-Forming Regions

1987 ◽  
Vol 115 ◽  
pp. 161-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Whiteoak ◽  
F. F. Gardner ◽  
J. R. Forster ◽  
P. Palmer ◽  
V. Pankonin
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Cloud ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
H Ii Region ◽  
Cloud Complex

H2CO and OH masers in the H II-region/molecular-cloud complex Sgr B2 have been observed with the VLA and combined with other observations of OH and H2O masers. It is found that groups of the masers and compact continuum components are located along a north-south line extending across the complex. The overall alignment suggests that star formation is being triggered by a single large-scale event such as an interaction between molecular clouds.

scholarly journals Giant Molecular Clouds and Cluster Formation

2002 ◽  
Vol 207 ◽  
pp. 499-504
Author(s):  
Mónica Rubio
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Cloud ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Present Knowledge ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Giant Molecular Clouds ◽  
Cloud Properties

We will review the present knowledge of molecular cloud properties and its relation to star formation. We will discuss the evidence for cluster formation associated with giant molecular clouds, and will concentrate on recent results in our Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds.

scholarly journals How does metallicity affect the gas and dust properties of galaxies?

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (S315) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne C. Madden ◽  
Diane Cormier ◽  
Aurélie Rémy-Ruyer
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Ionized Gas ◽  
Active Star ◽  
Multiphase Structure ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Self Consistent ◽  
Low Metallicity

AbstractComparison of the ISM properties of a wide range of metal poor galaxies with normal metal-rich galaxies reveals striking differences. We find that the combination of the low dust abundance and the active star formation results in a very porous ISM filled with hard photons, heating the dust in dwarf galaxies to overall higher temperatures than their metal-rich counterparts. This results in photodissociation of molecular clouds to greater depths, leaving relatively large PDR envelopes and difficult-to-detect CO cores. From detailed modeling of the low-metallicity ISM, we find significant fractions of CO-dark H2 - a reservoir of molecular gas not traced by CO, but present in the [CII] and [CI]-emitting envelopes. Self-consistent analyses of the neutral and ionized gas diagnostics along with the dust SED is the necessary way forward in uncovering the multiphase structure of galaxies.

Photoelectron transport and associated Far Ultraviolet emissions: Model simulation and comparison with observations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Liang ◽  
Dmytro Sydorenko ◽  
Eric Donovan ◽  
Robert Rankin
Keyword(s):  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Transport Effects ◽  
Ultraviolet Emissions ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Model Platform ◽  
Far Ultraviolet ◽  
Auroral Imaging ◽  
Interhemispheric Transport ◽  
The Magnetic Field

<p>Photoelectrons are produced by solar Extreme Ultraviolet radiation and contribute significantly to the ionization and heat balances in planetary upper atmospheres. They are also the source of dayglow emissions, whose intensities may become comparable to weak or moderate dayside auroras. Proper modeling of photoelectrons and dayglow components is desirable for global auroral imaging, one of the core objectives of the SMILE mission. In many previous studies and model simulations, the transport effects of photoelectrons are neglected, so that the photoelectron distribution is controlled by a balance between local production and energy degradation. However, photoelectrons, when generated, can move along the magnetic field line. In particular, some of the photoelectrons may precipitate into the conjugate dark hemisphere and induce auroral-like emissions there, which was reported in realistic observations [Kil et al., 2020]. As a part of the SMILE Ultraviolet imager (UVI) model platform, we have recently developed an auroral/dayglow model that takes into account the interhemispheric transport of photoelectrons and/or secondary electrons, as well as their interaction with the ionosphere/thermosphere. In this study, we report the model simulation of the photoelectron generation and transport, and their induced UV emissions in both the dayside and nightside atmosphere. The simulation results are found to be in reasonable agreement with the realistic SSUSI/GUVI observations.</p>

scholarly journals The Resolved Properties of Extragalactic Giant Molecular Clouds

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S255) ◽  
pp. 274-277
Author(s):  
Alberto D. Bolatto ◽  
Adam K. Leroy ◽  
Erik Rosolowsky ◽  
Fabian Walter ◽  
Leo Blitz
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Conversion Factor ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Far Infrared ◽  
Infrared Analysis ◽  
Giant Molecular Clouds ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractGiant molecular clouds (GMCs) are the major reservoirs of molecular gas in galaxies, and the starting point for star formation. As such, their properties play a key role in setting the initial conditions for the formation of stars. We present a comprehensive combined inteferometric/single-dish study of the resolved GMC properties in a number of extragalactic systems, including both normal and dwarf galaxies. We find that the extragalactic GMC properties measured across a wide range of environments, characterized by the Larson relations, are to first order remarkably compatible with those in the Milky Way. Using these data to investigate trends due to galaxy metallicity, we find that: 1) these measurements are not in accord with simple expectations from photoionization-regulated star formation theory; 2) there is no trend in the virial CO-to-H2conversion factor on the spatial scales studied; and 3) there are measurable departures from the Galactic Larson relations in the Small Magellanic Cloud — the object with the lowest metallicity in the sample — where GMCs have velocity dispersions that are too small for their sizes. We will discuss the stability of these clouds in the light of our recent far-infrared analysis of this galaxy, and will contrast the results of the virial and far-infrared studies on the issue of the CO-to-H2conversion factor and what they tell us about the structure of molecular clouds in primitive galaxies.

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