Conditions for the formation of massive stars

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165503· OSTI ID:5619150

Wolfire, M G; Cassinelli, J P

Upper limits on the masses of stars that can form are reexamined and models for the inflow of matter through cocoons around stars of 60, 100, and 200 solar masses are calculated. Consideration is given to the general conditions that must hold at the inner and outer boundaries of a protostellar cocoon; limits on the dust-to-gas ratios and mass inflow rates that will permit inflow onto very massive stars are determined. It is found that inflow can occur if intermediate-sized grains (0.05-0.25 micron) are missing from the initial gas/dust mixture. The existence of massive stars in certain locations in galaxies indicates that preconditioning of the interstellar medium by shocks or turbulence is necessary for massive star formation. 63 references.

• Research Organization: Washburn Observatory, Madison, WI
• OSTI ID: 5619150
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 319; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC DUST
COSMIC GASES
DUSTS
FLUIDS
GASES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
LIMITING VALUES
MASS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PROTOSTARS
SHOCK WAVES
SPACE
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS