scholarly journals Observational Studies of Pre-Stellar Cores and Infrared Dark Clouds

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S280) ◽  
pp. 19-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Caselli
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Cloud ◽  
Chemical Structure ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Stellar Cluster ◽  
Dark Clouds ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Infrared Dark Clouds

AbstractStars like our Sun and planets like our Earth form in dense regions within interstellar molecular clouds, called pre-stellar cores (PSCs). PSCs provide the initial conditions in the process of star and planet formation. In the past 15 years, detailed observations of (low-mass) PSCs in nearby molecular cloud complexes have allowed us to find that they are cold (T < 10K) and quiescent (molecular line widths are close to thermal), with a chemistry profoundly affected by molecular freeze-out onto dust grains. In these conditions, deuterated molecules flourish, becoming the best tools to unveil the PSC physical and chemical structure. Despite their apparent simplicity, PSCs still offer puzzles to solve and they are far from being completely understood. For example, what is happening to the gas and dust in their nuclei (the future stellar cradles) is still a mystery that awaits for ALMA. Other important questions are: how do different environments and external conditions affect the PSC physical/chemical structure? Are PSCs in high-mass star forming regions similar to the well-known low-mass PSCs? Here I review observational and theoretical work on PSCs in nearby molecular cloud complexes and the ongoing search and study of massive PSCs embedded in infrared dark clouds (IRDCs), which host the initial conditions for stellar cluster and high-mass star formation.

scholarly journals Massive and low-mass protostars in massive “starless” cores

2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. A54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thushara Pillai ◽  
Jens Kauffmann ◽  
Qizhou Zhang ◽  
Patricio Sanhueza ◽  
Silvia Leurini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Detection Limit ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Filamentary Structure ◽  
Dark Clouds ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Infrared Dark Clouds ◽  
Dense Clump

The infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) G11.11−0.12 and G28.34+0.06 are two of the best-studied IRDCs in our Galaxy. These two clouds host clumps at different stages of evolution, including a massive dense clump in both clouds that is dark even at 70 and 100 μm. Such seemingly quiescent massive dense clumps have been speculated to harbor cores that are precursors of high-mass stars and clusters. We observed these two “prestellar” regions at 1 mm with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) with the aim of characterizing the nature of such cores. We show that the clumps fragment into several low- to high-mass cores within the filamentary structure of the enveloping cloud. However, while the overall physical properties of the clump may indicate a starless phase, we find that both regions host multiple outflows. The most massive core though 70 μm dark in both clumps is clearly associated with compact outflows. Such low-luminosity, massive cores are potentially the earliest stage in the evolution of a massive protostar. We also identify several outflow features distributed in the large environment around the most massive core. We infer that these outflows are being powered by young, low-mass protostars whose core mass is below our detection limit. These findings suggest that low-mass protostars have already formed or are coevally formed at the earliest phase of high-mass star formation.

scholarly journals First core properties: from low- to high-mass star formation

2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmita Bhandare ◽  
Rolf Kuiper ◽  
Thomas Henning ◽  
Christian Fendt ◽  
Gabriel-Dominique Marleau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transitions ◽  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Cloud ◽  
Radiation Transport ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Intermediate Mass ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Cloud Core

Aims. In this study, the main goal is to understand the molecular cloud core collapse through the stages of first and second hydrostatic core formation. We investigate the properties of Larsons first and second cores following the evolution of the molecular cloud core until the formation of Larson’s cores. We expand these collapse studies for the first time to span a wide range of initial cloud masses from 0.5 to 100 M⊙. Methods. Understanding the complexity of the numerous physical processes involved in the very early stages of star formation requires detailed thermodynamical modelling in terms of radiation transport and phase transitions. For this we used a realistic gas equation of state via a density- and temperature-dependent adiabatic index and mean molecular weight to model the phase transitions. We used a grey treatment of radiative transfer coupled with hydrodynamics to simulate Larsons collapse in spherical symmetry. Results. We reveal a dependence of a variety of first core properties on the initial cloud mass. The first core radius and mass increase from the low-mass to intermediate-mass regime and decrease from the intermediate-mass to high-mass regime. The lifetime of first cores strongly decreases towards the intermediate- and high-mass regimes. Conclusions. Our studies show the presence of a transition region in the intermediate-mass regime. Low-mass protostars tend to evolve through two distinct stages of formation that are related to the first and second hydrostatic cores. In contrast, in the high-mass star formation regime, collapsing cloud cores rapidly evolve through the first collapse phase and essentially immediately form Larson’s second cores.

scholarly journals SiO emission as a probe of cloud–cloud collisions in infrared dark clouds

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (2) ◽  
pp. 1666-1681
Author(s):  
G Cosentino ◽  
I Jiménez-Serra ◽  
J D Henshaw ◽  
P Caselli ◽  
S Viti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Silicon Monoxide ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
H Ii Regions ◽  
Line Profiles ◽  
Stellar Cluster ◽  
Dark Clouds ◽  
Infrared Dark Clouds

ABSTRACT Infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) are very dense and highly extincted regions that host the initial conditions of star and stellar cluster formation. It is crucial to study the kinematics and molecular content of IRDCs to test their formation mechanism and ultimately characterize these initial conditions. We have obtained high-sensitivity Silicon Monoxide, SiO(2–1), emission maps towards the six IRDCs, G018.82–00.28, G019.27+00.07, G028.53–00.25, G028.67+00.13, G038.95–00.47, and G053.11+00.05 (cloud A, B, D, E, I, and J, respectively), using the 30-m antenna at the Instituto de Radioastronomía Millimétrica (IRAM30m). We have investigated the SiO spatial distribution and kinematic structure across the six clouds to look for signatures of cloud–cloud collision events that may have formed the IRDCs and triggered star formation within them. Towards clouds A, B, D, I, and J, we detect spatially compact SiO emission with broad-line profiles that are spatially coincident with massive cores. Towards the IRDCs A and I, we report an additional SiO component that shows narrow-line profiles and that is widespread across quiescent regions. Finally, we do not detect any significant SiO emission towards cloud E. We suggest that the broad and compact SiO emission detected towards the clouds is likely associated with ongoing star formation activity within the IRDCs. However, the additional narrow and widespread SiO emission detected towards cloud A and I may have originated from the collision between the IRDCs and flows of molecular gas pushed towards the clouds by nearby H ii regions.

scholarly journals Infrared Dark Clouds and High-mass Star Formation Activity in Galactic Molecular Clouds

2020 ◽  
Vol 897 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Retes-Romero ◽  
Y. D. Mayya ◽  
A. Luna ◽  
L. Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Dark Clouds ◽  
Star Formation Activity ◽  
Infrared Dark Clouds

Perspectives on star formation: the formation of high-mass stars

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S336) ◽  
pp. 193-200
Author(s):  
Maria T. Beltrán
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Ob Stars ◽  
Dark Clouds ◽  
Infrared Dark Clouds

AbstractThe formation process of high-mass stars has puzzled the astrophysical community for decades from both a theoretical and an observational point of view. Here, we present an overview of the current theories and status of the observational research on this field, outlining the progress achieved in recent years on our knowledge of the initial phases of massive star formation, the fragmentation of cold, infrared-dark clouds, and the evidence for circumstellar accretion disks around OB stars. The role of masers in helping us to understand the mechanism leading to the formation of a high-mass star are also discussed.

scholarly journals The accretion history of high-mass stars: an ArTéMiS pilot study of infrared dark clouds

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (3) ◽  
pp. 3482-3501 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Peretto ◽  
A Rigby ◽  
Ph André ◽  
V Könyves ◽  
G Fuller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Element ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Mass Growth ◽  
Dark Clouds ◽  
History Of ◽  
Infrared Dark Clouds

ABSTRACT The mass growth of protostars is a central element to the determination of fundamental stellar population properties such as the initial mass function. Constraining the accretion history of individual protostars is therefore an important aspect of star formation research. The goal of the study presented here is to determine whether high-mass (proto)stars gain their mass from a compact (&lt;0.1 pc) fixed-mass reservoir of gas, often referred to as dense cores, in which they are embedded, or whether the mass growth of high-mass stars is governed by the dynamical evolution of the parsec-scale clump that typically surrounds them. To achieve this goal, we performed a 350-μm continuum mapping of 11 infrared dark clouds, along side some of their neighbouring clumps, with the ArTéMiS camera on APEX. By identifying about 200 compact ArTéMiS sources, and matching them with Herschel Hi-GAL 70 -μm sources, we have been able to produce mass versus temperature diagrams. We compare the nature (i.e. starless or protostellar) and location of the ArTéMiS sources in these diagrams with modelled evolutionary tracks of both core-fed and clump-fed accretion scenarios. We argue that the latter provide a better agreement with the observed distribution of high-mass star-forming cores. However, a robust and definitive conclusion on the question of the accretion history of high-mass stars requires larger number statistics.

scholarly journals Comparison of Low-Mass and High-Mass Star Formation

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (S315) ◽  
pp. 154-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan C. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Massive Star Formation ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Core Accretion

AbstractI review theoretical models of star formation and how they apply across the stellar mass spectrum. Several distinct theories are under active study for massive star formation, especiallyTurbulent Core Accretion,Competitive AccretionandProtostellar Mergers, leading to distinct observational predictions. These include the types of initial conditions, the structure of infall envelopes, disks and outflows, and the relation of massive star formation to star cluster formation. Even for Core Accretion models, there are several major uncertainties related to the timescale of collapse, the relative importance of different processes for preventing fragmentation in massive cores, and the nature of disks and outflows. I end by discussing some recent observational results that are helping to improve our understanding of these processes.

scholarly journals Quiescent high mass cores in Orion region

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S237) ◽  
pp. 488-488
Author(s):  
T. Velusamy ◽  
D. Li ◽  
P. F. Goldsmith ◽  
W. D. Langer
Keyword(s):  
Initial Conditions ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Mass Size ◽  
Low Mass

Our goal is to study relatively quiescent dense gas cores, isolated from disruptive stars, to understand the initial conditions of massive star formation. Determining their mass, size, dynamical status, and core mass distribution is a starting point to understand the mechanisms for formation, collapse, and the origin of their IMF. We obtained CSO 350 μm, images of quiescent regions in Orion and detected 51 resolved or nearly resolved molecular cores with masses ranging from 0.1 M to 46 M (Li et al. 2006). The mean mass is 9.8 M, which is one order of magnitude higher than that of the resolved cores in low mass star forming regions, such as Taurus. Our sample includes largely thermally unstable cores, which implies that the cores are supported neither by thermal pressure nor by turbulence, and are probably supercritical. They are likely precursors of protostars.

scholarly journals Nitrogen and hydrogen fractionation in high-mass star-forming cores from observations of HCN and HNC

2018 ◽  
Vol 609 ◽  
pp. A129 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Colzi ◽  
F. Fontani ◽  
P. Caselli ◽  
C. Ceccarelli ◽  
P. Hily-Blant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Solar Nebula ◽  
Rotational Transition ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Evolutionary Stage ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Stellar Cluster ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Dense Cores

The ratio between the two stable isotopes of nitrogen, 14N and 15N, is well measured in the terrestrial atmosphere (~272), and for the pre-solar nebula (~441, deduced from the solar wind). Interestingly, some pristine solar system materials show enrichments in 15N with respect to the pre-solar nebula value. However, it is not yet clear if and how these enrichments are linked to the past chemical history because we have only a limited number of measurements in dense star-forming regions. In this respect, dense cores, which are believed to be the precursors of clusters and also contain intermediate- and high-mass stars, are important targets because the solar system was probably born within a rich stellar cluster, and such clusters are formed in high-mass star-forming regions. The number of observations in such high-mass dense cores has remained limited so far. In this work, we show the results of IRAM-30 m observations of the J = 1−0 rotational transition of the molecules HCN and HNC and their 15N-bearing counterparts towards 27 intermediate- and high-mass dense cores that are divided almost equally into three evolutionary categories: high-mass starless cores, high-mass protostellar objects, and ultra-compact Hii regions. We have also observed the DNC(2–1) rotational transition in order to search for a relation between the isotopic ratios D/H and 14N/15N. We derive average 14N/15N ratios of 359 ± 16 in HCN and of 438 ± 21 in HNC, with a dispersion of about 150–200. We find no trend of the 14N/15N ratio with evolutionary stage. This result agrees with what has been found for N2H+ and its isotopologues in the same sources, although the 14N/15N ratios from N2H+ show a higher dispersion than in HCN/HNC, and on average, their uncertainties are larger as well. Moreover, we have found no correlation between D/H and 14N/15N in HNC. These findings indicate that (1) the chemical evolution does not seem to play a role in the fractionation of nitrogen, and that (2) the fractionation of hydrogen and nitrogen in these objects is not related.

scholarly journals Fire from Ice - Massive Star Birth from Infrared Dark Clouds

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S332) ◽  
pp. 139-152
Author(s):  
Jonathan C. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Massive Star Formation ◽  
Dark Clouds ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Infrared Dark Clouds

AbstractI review massive star formation in our Galaxy, focussing on initial conditions in Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs), including the search for massive pre-stellar cores (PSCs), and modeling of later stages of massive protostars, i.e., hot molecular cores (HMCs). I highlight how developments in astrochemistry, coupled with rapidly improving theoretical/computational and observational capabilities are helping to improve our understanding of the complex process of massive star formation.

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