Molecular Clouds as Probes of Milky Way Structure and Interstellar Turbulence

Molecular Clouds as Probes of Milky Way Structure and Interstellar Turbulence PDF Author: Julia Duval
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 536

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Book Description
Abstract: The Galactic Ring Survey, a 13 CO survey of the first quadrant of the Milky Way, is used to probe the spiral structure of the Galaxy and to constrain the formation and turbulent structure of molecular clouds. A sample of 829 molecular clouds has been identified in the Galactic Ring Survey (GRS). Kinematic distances to 750 of these GRS clouds are derived. The Galactic surface mass density of molecular gas is subsequently computed from 13 CO and 12 CO emission detected in the GRS and the University of Massachusetts-Stony Brook surveys. The Galactic distribution of molecular clouds is strongly enhanced along the Scutum-Crux, Sagittarius, and Perseus arms. These molecular data are consistent with a four-arm model of the Galaxy, while the locations of the Scutum-Crux and Perseus arms are consistent with the distribution of the old stellar population inferred from infrared maps. Physical properties of molecular clouds such as size, mass, and density, are also derived in order to compare clouds located inside and outside spiral arms, and to constrain formation models. Molecular clouds located inside inferred spiral arms are found to be more massive, to have higher surface mass densities, and to be more strongly gravitationally bound than inter-arm clouds. This supports cloud formation models involving spiral structure and suggests that molecular clouds must have lifetimes of a few million years. The turbulent structure of molecular clouds is a fundamental component of star formation. The GRS is the first large scale, fully sampled 13 CO survey of the Galaxy allowing the observation of the sub-parsec-scale structure of molecular clouds. Principal Component Analysis applied to both GRS clouds and numerical simulations allows the derivation of turbulent energy spectra over scales ranging from 0.1 pc to 50 pc. The slope of the energy spectrum, E(k), versus the wavenumber, k, obtained for the GRS clouds is consistent with compressible, intermittent turbulence. The slopes and amplitudes of the energy spectra of the clouds are fairly constant over three decades of masses, which indicates that turbulence is driven on large scales by an external, Galactic pool of kinetic energy.

Molecular Clouds as Probes of Milky Way Structure and Interstellar Turbulence

Molecular Clouds as Probes of Milky Way Structure and Interstellar Turbulence PDF Author: Julia Duval
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 536

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Book Description
Abstract: The Galactic Ring Survey, a 13 CO survey of the first quadrant of the Milky Way, is used to probe the spiral structure of the Galaxy and to constrain the formation and turbulent structure of molecular clouds. A sample of 829 molecular clouds has been identified in the Galactic Ring Survey (GRS). Kinematic distances to 750 of these GRS clouds are derived. The Galactic surface mass density of molecular gas is subsequently computed from 13 CO and 12 CO emission detected in the GRS and the University of Massachusetts-Stony Brook surveys. The Galactic distribution of molecular clouds is strongly enhanced along the Scutum-Crux, Sagittarius, and Perseus arms. These molecular data are consistent with a four-arm model of the Galaxy, while the locations of the Scutum-Crux and Perseus arms are consistent with the distribution of the old stellar population inferred from infrared maps. Physical properties of molecular clouds such as size, mass, and density, are also derived in order to compare clouds located inside and outside spiral arms, and to constrain formation models. Molecular clouds located inside inferred spiral arms are found to be more massive, to have higher surface mass densities, and to be more strongly gravitationally bound than inter-arm clouds. This supports cloud formation models involving spiral structure and suggests that molecular clouds must have lifetimes of a few million years. The turbulent structure of molecular clouds is a fundamental component of star formation. The GRS is the first large scale, fully sampled 13 CO survey of the Galaxy allowing the observation of the sub-parsec-scale structure of molecular clouds. Principal Component Analysis applied to both GRS clouds and numerical simulations allows the derivation of turbulent energy spectra over scales ranging from 0.1 pc to 50 pc. The slope of the energy spectrum, E(k), versus the wavenumber, k, obtained for the GRS clouds is consistent with compressible, intermittent turbulence. The slopes and amplitudes of the energy spectra of the clouds are fairly constant over three decades of masses, which indicates that turbulence is driven on large scales by an external, Galactic pool of kinetic energy.

Interstellar Turbulence

Interstellar Turbulence PDF Author: José Franco
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521651318
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
This timely volume presents a series of review articles covering every aspect of interstellar turbulence--from accretion disks, molecular clouds, atomic and ionized media, through to spiral galaxies - based on a major international conference held in Mexico City.With advances in observational techniques and the development of more efficient computer codes and faster computers, research in this area has made spectacular progress in recent years. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the most important developments in observing and modelling turbulent flows in the cosmos. It provides graduate student and researchers with a state-of-the-art summary of observational, theoretical and computational research in interstellar turbulence.

Galactic and Extragalactic Star Formation

Galactic and Extragalactic Star Formation PDF Author: Ralph E. Pudritz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400929730
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 652

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Book Description
Recent advances in the instrumentation used to observe star forming regions in both our own Milky Way and in external galaxies have transformed the subject from a phenomenological pursuit into an increasingly unified, physical science. High resolution centimetre, millimetre, infrared, and optical studies of local star forming clouds have allowed us to probe the physics of star formation down to spatial scales approaching those of the solar system. These developments make it possible to better constrain the basic physical processes underlying star formation itself. At the same time, these new instruments have placed extragalactic studies on a footing detailed enough to allow comparison with star forming regions within our own galaxy. This revolution means that we will soon be able to link the physics of local star forming regions to the global star forming properties of galaxies. The entire structure of this NATO Advanced Study Institute was designed to explore this new view of the subject. This Institute on "Galactic and Extragalactic Star Formation" was held from June 21 -July 4, 1987 at the Conference Centre in the village of Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. The informal atmosphere of this lovely mountain resort stim ulated many valuable scientific exchanges. The Institute was funded by a major grant from NATO Scientific Affairs. Additional financial and I.I1oral assistance was provided by the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) and Mc Master University.

Laboratory Astrophysics

Laboratory Astrophysics PDF Author: Guillermo M. Muñoz Caro
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331990020X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 237

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Book Description
This book focuses on the most recent, relevant, comprehensive and significant aspects in the well-established multidisciplinary field Laboratory Astrophysics. It focuses on astrophysical environments, which include asteroids, comets, the interstellar medium, and circumstellar and circumplanetary regions. Its scope lies between physics and chemistry, since it explores physical properties of the gas, ice, and dust present in those systems, as well as chemical reactions occurring in the gas phase, the bare dust surface, or in the ice bulk and its surface. Each chapter provides the necessary mathematical background to understand the subject, followed by a case study of the corresponding system. The book provides adequate material to help interpret the observations, or the computer models of astrophysical environments. It introduces and describes the use of spectroscopic tools for laboratory astrophysics. This book is mainly addressed to PhD graduates working in this field or observers and modelers searching for information on ice and dust processes.

The Structure and Distribution of Molecular Gas in the Interstellar Medium of the Milky Way

The Structure and Distribution of Molecular Gas in the Interstellar Medium of the Milky Way PDF Author: Ole Marggraf
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 119

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Book Description


Millimeter-Wave Astronomy: Molecular Chemistry & Physics in Space

Millimeter-Wave Astronomy: Molecular Chemistry & Physics in Space PDF Author: W.F. Wall
Publisher: Springer
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 492

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Book Description
This book is unique in containing comprehensive, tutorial articles by recognized experts on almost every aspect of millimeter-wavelength astronomy. These include scientific reviews of topics ranging from the solar system, to studies of the milky way and other galaxies, and finally cosmological studies. Articles on molecular structure and using molecules to probe the dense interstellar medium and star formation give a good overview of these important areas of research. A variety of critical astrophysical topics including molecule formation, shocks, magnetic fields, turbulence, and energetics of the dense interstellar medium are covered. In addition to theory and observation, the volume includes very useful articles on experimental techniques, including antennas, receivers, and spectrometers.

The Interstellar Medium

The Interstellar Medium PDF Author: James Lequeux
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540266933
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 444

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Book Description
Describing interstellar matter in our galaxy in all of its various forms, this book also considers the physical and chemical processes that are occurring within this matter. The first seven chapters present the various components making up the interstellar matter and detail the ways that we are able to study them. The following seven chapters are devoted to the physical, chemical and dynamical processes that control the behaviour of interstellar matter. These include the instabilities and cloud collapse processes that lead to the formation of stars. The last chapter summarizes the transformations that can occur between the different phases of the interstellar medium. Emphasizing methods over results, The Interstellar Medium is written for graduate students, for young astronomers, and also for any researchers who have developed an interest in the interstellar medium.

The Initial Mass Function 50 Years Later

The Initial Mass Function 50 Years Later PDF Author: Edvige Corbelli
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402034075
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 551

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Book Description
Theideatocelebrate50yearsoftheSalpeterIMFoccurredduringtherecent IAU General Assembly in Sydney, Australia. Indeed, it was from Australia that in July 1954 Ed Salpeter submitted his famous paper "The Luminosity Function and Stellar Evolution" with the rst derivation of the empirical stellar IMF. This contribution was to become one of the most famous astrophysics papers of the last 50 years. Here, Ed Salpeter introduced the terms "original mass function" and "original luminosity function", and estimated the pro- bility for the creation of stars of given mass at a particular time, now known as the "Salpeter Initial Mass Function", or IMF. The paper was written at the Australian National University in Canberra on leave of absence from Cornell University (USA) and was published in 1955 as 7 page note in the Astroph- ical Journal Vol. 121, page 161. To celabrate the 50th anniversary of the IMF, along with Ed Salpeter’s 80th birthday, we have organized a special meeting that brought together scientists involved in the empirical determination of this fundamental quantity in a va- ety of astrophysical contexts and other scientists fascinated by the deep imp- cations of the IMF on star formation theories, on the physical conditions of the gas before and after star formation, and on galactic evolution and cosmology. The meeting took place in one of the most beautiful spots of the Tuscan countryside, far from the noise and haste of everyday life.

Molecular Clouds in the Carina Arm

Molecular Clouds in the Carina Arm PDF Author: David Andrew Grabelsky
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Carbon monoxide
Languages : en
Pages : 362

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Book Description


From Cosmological Structures to the Milky Way

From Cosmological Structures to the Milky Way PDF Author: Siegfried Röser
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 3527609121
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
Volume 18 continues the Reviews in Modern Astronomy with twelve invited reviews and highlight contributions which were presented during the International Scientific Conference of the Astronomical Society on the topic "From Cosmological Structures to the Milky Way", held in Prague, Czech Republic, September 20 to 25, 2004. The contributions to the meeting published in this volume discuss, among other subjects, X-ray astronomy, cosmology, star formation and the Galactic Centre.