TWO-STAGE FRAGMENTATION FOR CLUSTER FORMATION: ANALYTICAL MODEL AND OBSERVATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Journal Article · Mon Dec 10 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/761/1/67· OSTI ID:22140022

Bailey, Nicole D.; Basu, Shantanu ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7 (Canada)

Linear analysis of the formation of protostellar cores in planar magnetic interstellar clouds shows that molecular clouds exhibit a preferred length scale for collapse that depends on the mass-to-flux ratio and neutral-ion collision time within the cloud. We extend this linear analysis to the context of clustered star formation. By combining the results of the linear analysis with a realistic ionization profile for the cloud, we find that a molecular cloud may evolve through two fragmentation events in the evolution toward the formation of stars. Our model suggests that the initial fragmentation into clumps occurs for a transcritical cloud on parsec scales while the second fragmentation can occur for transcritical and supercritical cores on subparsec scales. Comparison of our results with several star-forming regions (Perseus, Taurus, Pipe Nebula) shows support for a two-stage fragmentation model.

• OSTI ID: 22140022
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 761, Issue 1; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
ASTRONOMY
ASTROPHYSICS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIFFUSION
FRAGMENTATION
GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
ION COLLISIONS
IONIZATION
LENGTH
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MASS
NEBULAE
PROTOSTARS
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS