NGC2023的NH_3谱线观测

以NH_3转动—反演谱线NH_3(1.1);NH_3(2.2)观测了分子云NGC2023。谱线呈现的超精细结构有利于分子云物理参量的导出。 再次确认恒星HD37903为NGC2023的唯一能量激发源。灼热的尘埃是分子激发的中介。 经分析,判断星位于分子云表面,与Zuckerman提出的起泡(Blister)模型相似。若HD37903诞生于NGC2023,则该星生存时间已长到足以将分子云驱于0.1pc之外。 NGC2023中可能存在密度相对高的团块(Clump)。     

对59个北天EGO天体方向上的分子云~(12)COJ=2-1和J=3-2频谱观测研究

为了研究有大质量恒星形成的分子云与其它分子云之间的差异,对北天的59个作为大质量恒星形成区的Spitzer延展绿色天体(Extended Green Objects,简称EGOs)视线方向进行了分子云~(12)CO J=2-1和J=3-2频谱观测,并与文献中对同一批天体方向观测得到的~(12)CO J=1-0频谱数据合并进行分析.对与EGO天体成协的分子云(简称EGO分子云)和其它non-EGO分子云进行了CO多跃迁谱线强度和宽度的统计比较分析.在数据统计的基础上,讨论了这两类分子云的气体温度分布、密度分布、速度场分布对观测数据统计特征的影响.分析结果表明,直接决定是否有大质量恒星形成的关键因素可能并不是巨分子云的质量是否足够大,而是巨分子云的引力塌缩程度足否充分(即分子云团块的体积填充因子是否足够大).     

W40中分子云的能量交换过程

本文对W40(G28.8 3.5)中分子云的主要能量交换过程进行了研究。利用~(12)CO、~(13)CO分子谱线及红外观测资料,估算了W40中分子云的基本物理参数,并进而计算了它的气体冷却率、气体加热率、尘埃冷却率和尘埃加热率。并且通过对计算结果的分析,讨论了W40中分子云的气体、尘埃及嵌入红外源三者之间的能量制约关系。     

W31分子云C18O(J=1-0)的新观测

利用紫金山天文台青海站的13.7 m射电望远镜首次对W31分子云西北部区域中不同速度成份的分子云进行了C18O(J=1-0)的成图观测与研究,观测范围为16′×25′,观测波束间隔为1'.对不同视向速度的分子云分开进行处理,在成图范围内新观测到3个C18O分子云团块,发现它们均属于较年轻的稳定分子云.根据谱线辐射温度(T*R)和半宽(△V),利用LTE方法计算了每个被测团块的物理参数,讨论了该区域的团块分布、HII区、脉泽源与恒星形成的关系.     

近红外偏振观测在恒星形成研究中的应用

近红外偏振是研究恒星形成的有效工具.该文介绍了近红外偏振器的工作原理,然后分几个方面介绍了近红外偏振在恒星形成研究中的应用.红外反射云能很好地示踪年轻星天体及分子外流,通过分析偏振矢量的方法确定红外反射云的偏振对称中心,从而确定它的照亮源;偏振波长相关曲线包含了年轻星天体的星周物质的很多信息;年轻星的分子外流导致了红外反射云的形成,因此红外反射云的照亮源通常与年轻星天体成协,并是分子外流的驱动源;一些年轻星天体埋藏得很深,一般在近红外波段无法直接探测到,人们称之为深埋源,通过分析偏振矢量的方法可以找到深埋源;一般认为比较年轻的年轻星天体都是有尘埃盘的,尘埃盘的存在会导致它的偏振形态出现偏振盘,偏振盘町以用来研究尘埃盘;恒星形成区里成员星的偏振主要是由尘埃的二色性消光产生的,这样偏振方向会平行于致使尘埃排列的磁场的方向,从而能够揭示磁场的结构.最后进行了总结,并论述了中远红外偏振研究的优势和意义.     

原子模型对散射偏振理论轮廓的影响

太阳磁场的诊断是太阳物理研究中非常重要的一部分.斯托克斯参量I、Q、U和V可以用来完整描述偏振光的信息,对观测得到的斯托克斯光谱进行反演可以诊断太阳磁场的信息.近几十年来,塞曼效应成为磁场诊断的主要手段,利用塞曼效应使谱线产生的分裂可以诊断强度达到几百高斯的强磁场,但是在太阳宁静区中存在大量强度小于100 Gs的弱磁场,对于弱磁场可以利用汉勒效应来诊断,应用汉勒效应诊断弱磁场一直是磁场诊断的主要内容之一,需要对偏振的产生机制有更完整的理解.文章的主要内容是研究在采用不同原子模型的假设下,由散射产生的谱线轮廓的区别,以及在存在磁场时,不同原子模型谱线的汉勒效应的区别.以中性镁为研究对象,选取了7能级、4能级和2能级原子模型,分别研究了这几个原子模型对散射偏振和汉勒效应的影响.发现2能级原子模型和多能级(7能级和4能级)原子模型产生的谱线的偏振度有很大的区别,并且在2能级原子模型假设下b_4线不存在下能级的汉勒效应,但是在多能级的原子模型下b_4线仍存在下能级的汉勒效应.对比7能级原子模型和4能级原子模型,谱线的偏振度只有很小的变化,汉勒效应的表现也基本相同.主要结论如下:在利用中性镁b 3线的线偏振轮廓Q/I反演磁场时,至少需要采用4个能级的原子模型.这主要依赖于谱线形成区域的原子的能级分布,原子能级占有数多的能级在研究中是必须考虑的.     

若干恒星形成区的^12CO（J=1—0）与^13CO（J=1—0）观测

首次利用紫金山天文台青海观测站13.7m毫米波射电望远镜对若干分子云与恒星形成区的~(12)CO(J=1—0)和~(13)CO(J=1—0)分子辐射进行了观测,得到了各自中心位置的谱线轮廓。作为一个实例本文将介绍如何通过对分子云~(12)CO(J=1—0)和~(13)CO(J=1—0)谱线的综合分析与计算得到云中的物理参数。     

星际分子云平均寿命的研究

本文叙述一项分子云平均寿命的实测研究结果。采用分子云的云-云碰撞生长模型,从~(13)CO的银道面(l=27°.85-40°,b=0°)观测资料得出的分子云的质量谱导出了星际分子云平均寿命的下限,其值为1×10~9年。     

暗分子云L1211核的物理参数

利用对暗分子云L1211的C^18O（J＝1－0）分子发射谱线的首次观测，计算得到了它的核的物理参数，结果表明间分子云处在维里平衡状态下所得到的核的质量要大于暗分子云处在局部热动平衡状态下所得到的核的质量。同时，暗分子云处在维里平衡状态下所得到的外流力要大于暗分子云处在局部热动平衡状态下所得到的外流力。但是如何恰当地选择N（C^18O）／N（H2）的值，则上述两种质量和两种外流力之间是彼此相互一致的。     

斯托克斯参数与天体向量磁场测量

现有的天体磁场测量方法主要根据磁场敏感谱线的塞曼效应,而解释观测资料的理论基础是斯托克斯(Stokes)参数的形成及其转移方程的求解。近年来,为了观测太阳的向量磁场和精细结构磁场,仪器技术和理论分析都得到迅速发展,这突出表现在斯托克斯偏振量度学的诞生。本文对这些情况作扼要的综合介绍。     

SMA observations of the magnetic fields around a low-mass protostellar system

Observations of the submillimeter polarized dust emission is an important tool to study the role of the magnetic fields in the evolutions of molecular clouds and in the star formation processes. The Submillimeter Array (SMA) is the first imaging submillimeter interferometer. The installation of quarter wave plates in front of the 345 GHz receivers has allowed to carry out polarimetric observations. We present high angular resolution 345 GHz SMA observations of polarized dust emission towards the low-mass protostellar system NGC 1333 IRAS 4A. We show that in this system the observed magnetic field morphology is in agreement with the standard theoretical models of formation of low-mass stars in magnetized molecular clouds at scales of a few hundred AU; gravity has overcome magnetic support and the magnetic field traces a clear hourglass shape. The magnetic field is substantially more important than turbulence in the evolution of the system and the initial misalignment of the magnetic and spin axes may have been important in the formation of the binary system.     

Fragmentation and Structure Formation

I present an overview of the hierarchy of structures existing in the interstellar medium (ISM) and the possible mechanisms that cause the fragmentation of one level into the next, with the formation of stars as its last step. Within this framework, I then give an overview of the contributions to this session. Numerical work addresses, at the largest scales, the shaping and formation of structures in the ISM through turbulence driven by stellar energy injection, and the resulting star formation rate as a function of mean density. At the scales of molecular clouds, results comparing observational and numerical data on the density and velocity structure of turbulence-produced cores, as well as their mass spectra, are summarized, together with existing theories of core and star formation controlled by the turbulence. Observationally, an attempt to discriminate between the standard and turbulent models of star formation is presented, finding inconclusive results, but suggesting that both turbulence and the magnetic field are dynamically important in molecular clouds and their cores. Finally, various determinations of the magnetic field strength and geometry are also presented.     

What Drives Star Formation?

Current theoretical models for what drives star formation (especially low-mass star formation) are: (1) magnetic support of self-gravitating clouds with ambipolar diffusion removing support in cores and triggering collapse and (2) compressible turbulence forming self-gravitating clumps that collapse as soon as the turbulent cascade produces insufficient turbulent support. Observations of magnetic fields can distinguish between these two models because of different predictions in three areas: (1) magnetic field morphology, (2) the scaling of field strength with density and non-thermal velocities, and (3) the mass to magnetic flux ratio, M/Φ. We first discuss the techniques and limitations of methods for observing magnetic fields in star formation regions, then describe results for the L1544 prestellar core as an exemplar of the observational results. Application of the three tests leads to the following conclusions. The observational data show that both magnetic fields and turbulence are important in molecular cloud physics. Field lines are generally regular rather than chaotic, implying strong field strengths. But fields are not aligned with the minor axes of oblate spheroidal clouds, suggesting that turbulence is important. Field strengths appear to scale with non-thermal velocity widths, suggesting a significant turbulent support of clouds. Giant Molecular Clouds (GMCs) require mass accumulation over sufficiently large volumes that they would likely have an approximately critical M/Φ. Yet H I clouds are observed to be highly subcritical. If self-gravitating (molecular) clouds form with the subcritical M/Φ of H I clouds, the molecular clouds will be subcritical. However, the observations of molecular cloud cores suggest that they are approximately critical, with no direct evidence for subcritical molecular clouds or cloud envelopes. Hence, the observations remain inconclusive in deciding between the two extreme-case models of what drives star formation. What is needed to further advance our understanding of the role of magnetic fields in the star formation process are additional high sensitivity surveys of magnetic field strengths and other cloud properties in order to further refine the assessment of the importance of magnetic fields in molecular cores and envelopes.     

Is the Kolmogoroff model applicable to large-scale turbulence?

We discuss the difficulties encountered when the Heisenberg-Kolmogoroff model for turbulence is applied to the large-scale turbulence in: (A) molecular clouds (specifically the velocity vs size relationship) and (B) stars (specifically, the estimate of convective fluxes).A new model for large-scale turbulence is, therefore, needed.     

First wavelet analysis of emission line variations in Wolf-Rayet stars

The quantification of stochastic substructures seen propagating away from the centers of emission lines of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars is extended using the powerful, objective technique of wavelet analysis. Results for the substructures in one WR star so far show that the scaling laws between (a) flux and velocity dispersion and (b) lifetime and flux, combined with (c) their mass spectrum, strongly support the hypothesis that we are seeing the high mass tail-end distribution of full-scale supersonic compressible turbulence in the winds. This turbulence sets in beyond a critical radius from the star and shows remarkable similarity to the hierarchy of cloudlets seen in giant molecular clouds and other components of the ISM.The velocity dispersion is larger on average for substructures (interpreted as density enhanced turbulent eddies) propagating towards or away from the observer, suggesting that the turbulence is anisotropic. This is not surprising, since the most likely force which drives the windand the ensuing turbulence alike, radiation pressure, is directed outwards in all directions from the star. It is likely that a similar kind of turbulence prevails in the winds of all hot stars, of which those of WR stars are the most extreme.The consequences of clumping in winds are numerous. One of the most important is the necessary reduction in the estimate of the mass-loss rates compared to smooth outflow models.     

Formation of stars and planets: the role of magnetic fields

Star formation is thought to be triggered by gravitational collapse of the dense cores of molecular clouds. Angular momentum conservation during the collapse results in the progressive increase of the centrifugal force, which eventually halts the inflow of material and leads to the development of a central mass surrounded by a disc. In the presence of an angular momentum transport mechanism, mass accretion onto the central object proceeds through this disc, and it is believed that this is how stars typically gain most of their mass. However, the mechanisms responsible for this transport of angular momentum are not well understood. Although the gravitational field of a companion star or even gravitational instabilities (particularly in massive discs) may play a role, the most general mechanisms are turbulence viscosity driven by the magnetorotational instability (MRI), and outflows accelerated centrifugally from the surfaces of the disc. Both processes are powered by the action of magnetic fields and are, in turn, likely to strongly affect the structure, dynamics, evolutionary path and planet-forming capabilities of their host discs. The weak ionisation of protostellar discs, however, may prevent the magnetic field from effectively coupling to the gas and shear and driving these processes. Here I examine the viability and properties of these magnetically-driven processes in protostellar discs. The results indicate that, despite the weak ionisation, the magnetic field is able to couple to the gas and shear for fluid conditions thought to be satisfied over a wide range of radii in these discs.     

On the role of magnetic fields in star formation

Magnetic fields are observed in star forming regions. However simulations of the late stages of star formation that do not include magnetic fields provide a good fit to the properties of young stars including the initial mass function (IMF) and the multiplicity. We argue here that the simulations that do include magnetic fields are unable to capture the correct physics, in particular the high value of the magnetic Prandtl number, and the low value of the magnetic diffusivity. The artificially high (numerical and uncontrolled) magnetic diffusivity leads to a large magnetic flux pervading the star forming region. We argue further that in reality the dynamics of high magnetic Prandtl number turbulence may lead to local regions of magnetic energy dissipation through reconnection, meaning that the regions of molecular clouds which are forming stars might be essentially free of magnetic fields. Thus the simulations that ignore magnetic fields on the scales on which the properties of stellar masses, stellar multiplicities and planet-forming discs are determined, may be closer to reality than those which include magnetic fields, but can only do so in an unrealistic parameter regime.     

Hypersonic Swizzle Sticks: Protostellar Turbulence, Outflows and Fossil Outflow Cavities

The expected lifetimes for molecular clouds has become a topic of considerable debate as numerical simulations have shown that MHD turbulence, the nominal means of support for clouds against self-gravity, will decay on short timescales. Thus it appears that either molecular clouds are transient features or they are resupplied with turbulent energy through some means. Jets and molecular outflows are recognized as a ubiquitous phenomena associated with star formation. Stars however form not isolation but in clusters of different density and composion. The ubiquity and high density of outflows from young stars in clusters make them an intriguing candidate for the source of turbulence energy in molecular clouds. In this contribution we present new studies, both observational and theoretical, which address the issue of jet/outflow interactions and their abilityto drive turbulent flows in molecular clouds. Our studies focus on scales associated with young star forming clusters. In particular we first show that direct collisions between active outflows are not effective at stirring the ambient medium. We then show that fossil cavities from “extinct” outflows may provide the missing link in terms of transferring momentum and energy to the cloud.     

Two Models of Magnetic Support for Photoevaporated Molecular Clouds

The thermal pressure inside molecular clouds is insufficient for maintaining the pressure balance at an ablation front at the cloud surface illuminated by nearby UV stars. Most probably, the required stiffness is provided by the magnetic pressure. After surveying existing models of this type, we concentrate on two of them: the model of a quasi-homogeneous magnetic field and the recently proposed model of a “magnetostatic turbulence”. We discuss observational consequences of the two models, in particular, the structure and the strength of the magnetic field inside the cloud and in the ionized outflow. We comment on the possible role of reconnection events and their observational signatures. We mention laboratory experiments where the most significant features of the models can be tested.     

Magnetic field model for slowly rotating CP-stars. γEqu= HD201601

A magnetic field model is constructed for the extremely slow rotator γEqu based on measurements of its magnetic field over many years and using the “magnetic charge” method. An analysis of γEqu and of all the data accumulated up to the present on the magnetic field parameters of chemically peculiar stars leads to some interesting conclusions, of which the main ones are: the fact that the axis of rotation and the dipole axis are not parallel in γEqu and the other slowly rotating magnetic stars which we have studied previously is one of the signs that the braking of CP stars does not involve the participation of the magnetic field as they evolve “to the main sequence.” The axes of the magnetic field dipole in slow rotators are oriented arbitrarily with respect to their axes of rotation. The substantial photometric activity of these CP stars also argues against these axes being close. The well-known absence of sufficiently strong magnetic fields in the Ae/Be Herbig stars also presents difficulties for the hypothesis of “magnetic braking” in the “pre-main sequence” stages of evolution. The inverse relation between the average surface magnetic field Bs and the rotation period P is yet another fact in conflict with the idea that the magnetic field is involved in the braking of CP stars. We believe that angular momentum loss involving the magnetic field can hardly have taken place during evolution immediately prior “to the main sequence,” rather the slow rotation of CP stars most likely originates from protostellar clouds with low angular momentum. Some of the slowly rotating stars have a central dipole magnetic field configuration, while others have a displaced dipole configuration, where the displacement can be toward the positive or the negative magnetic pole. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 251–262 (May 2006).