巨分子云的聚合形成与旋臂结构

本文分析了在巨分子云聚合形成机制下旋臂扰动的影响 .结果表明 ,在巨分子云聚合形成过程中 ,当不考虑恒星形成引起的巨分子云的碎裂时 ,旋臂的存在使分子云在绕星系中心作自转运动时 ,在旋臂区域分子云的密度大大增加而使较多的大质量分子云由于碰撞而形成 ,特别能促使一些质量更大的巨分子云形成 .但当这些聚合形成的大质量分子云走出旋臂区域进入臂间区域时 ,它们又会自动瓦解 .因此在整个星系盘上 ,与没有旋臂扰动情况相比 ,F(M )∝logM的曲线只是相应地往上有一平移 ,而对形成的中间质量的巨分子云的数量基本没有影响     

巨分子云的聚合形成与臂结构

本分析了在巨分子云聚合形成机制下旋臂扰动的影响，结果表明，在巨分子云聚合形成过程中，当不考虑恒星形成引起的巨分子云的破裂时，旋臂的存在使分子云在绕星系中心作自转运动时，在旋臂区域分子云的密度大大增加而使大质量分子云由于碰撞而形成，特别能促使一些质量更大的巨分子云形成。但当这些聚合形成的大质量分子云走出旋臂区域进入臂间区域时，它们又会自动瓦解。因此在整个星系盘上，与没有旋臂扰动情况相比，Ｆ（Ｍ）〈     

巨分子云聚合形成N体模拟中粒子数的效应

通过N体数值模拟以不同粒子数对星系中巨分子云的形成的影响进行了研究。结果表明：在聚合形成机制下，当对不同数目的分子云取相同的平均密度时，基本分子云的有效半径与其相应质量的立方根成正比，巨分子云的碎裂率与模拟基本分子云的数目无关。     

刚体自转在巨分子云的聚合形成中的作用

分析在聚合形成机制下,巨分子云在刚体自转盘中的形成过程。研究结果表明,形成的巨分子云主要由其附近的分子云组成,由于速度弥散的作用,非弹性碰撞才自引力使分子云聚合在一起,以这种方式形成的巨分子云是小质量的,如果较差自转存在这些小质量的巨分子云便有更多的机会聚合在一起形成更大质量的巨分子云,这进一步说明,较差自转在巨分子云的形成中起了很大的积极作用。     

刚体自转在巨分子云的聚合形成中的作用

分析在聚合形成机制下,巨分子云在刚体自转盘中的形成过程．研究结果表明,形成的巨分子云主要由其附近的分子云组成．由于速度弥散的作用,非弹性碰撞和自引力使分子云聚会在一起,以这种方式形成的巨分子云是小质量的．如果较差自转存在,这些小质量的巨分子云便有更多的机会聚合在一起形成更大质量的巨分子云．这进一步说明,较差自转在巨分子云的形成中起了很大的积极作用．     

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).     

巨分子云的寿命

巨分子云的碰撞造成了大质量恒星在碰撞分子云中的形成,这些大质量恒星的形成产生了膨胀的HII区域,从而使巨分于云碎裂成小质量的分子云。这是本文提出的巨分子云碎裂机制。因此巨分子云的寿命也主要由区分子云间的碰撞几率所决定。我们的分析表明,巨分子云的寿命有赖于巨分子云所在的旋涡星系中的不同位置。寿命的最大可能存在区间为8.18×10~7yr与2.45×10~8yr。利用我们提出的机制可以在分子云研究的数值计算与数值模拟中得到应用。     

一种针对MWISP项目分子云团块的3D CNN证认方法

分子云团块是恒星的诞生地. 分子团块的普查和其性质的全面研究将有助于了解恒星的形成乃至星系和宇宙的演化过程. 随着银河画卷计划(MWISP)项目的深入进行, 这类研究方案变得切实可行. 但是项目产生的分子云观测数据是海量的, 因此迫切需要一种能够自动识别和证认分子团块的方法. 目前应用广泛的3维分子云数据处理方法有很多, 典型的包括GaussClumps、ClumpFind、FellWalker、Reinhold等, 但都需要输入多个参数来控制它们的性能, 并且进行反复的参数优化和目测才能得到比较满意的结果. 对于大规模的观测数据, 利用现有方法进行分子团块的证认将是一项耗时耗力的任务. 为了克服传统分子云团块检测算法的局限性, 人工智能(AI)的方法将提供一个很好的解决方案. 提出了一种3D CNN (Convolutional Neural Network)方法, 它可以自动处理3D分子谱线数据, 整个过程分为检出和验证两个步骤. 首先, 通过设置较低阈值使用ClumpFind以检出候选对象, 然后通过训练好的3D CNN模型进行验证. 利用仿真数据所做的一系列的实验结果表明, 该方法的综合表现优于4种传统方法. 将该方法应用于实际的MWISP数据表明, 3D CNN方法的性能也令人满意.     

红外暗云中分子气体团块的性质研究

利用¹²CO(1-0)、¹³CO(1-0)与C¹⁸O(1-0)分子谱线成图观测数据,并结合ATLASGAL (The APEX(Atacama Pathfinder Experiment) Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy)尘埃连续谱巡天观测结果详细地研究了9个红外暗云(Infrared Dark Clouds, IRDCs)中团块的物理性质与运动学特征.给出了红外暗云的速度区间,以及在红外暗云所对应的Spitzer (Spitzer Space Telescope) 8μm辐射背景上叠加了与红外暗云轮廓基本吻合的¹³CO和C¹⁸O积分强度分布图. 9个红外暗云中有8个呈纤维状结构.在这些红外暗云中共找出51个致密团块,质量偏大的团块大部分聚集在红外暗云的枢纽位置.质量统计直方图中表现出明显的双峰结构,进一步证实纤维状分子云物质输送的图景.¹²CO(1-0)计算所得的典型激发温度T_ex...     

一个大质量恒星形成复合体的动力学性质

恒星形成于分子云之中, 分子外向流是恒星形成正在进行的重要动力学特征, 也是研究和认识恒星形成的重要契入点. 利用紫金山天文台青海观测站德令哈13.7m毫米波望远镜, 采用5种分子谱线探针(包括¹²CO、¹³CO、C¹⁸O、HCO$^+$ $J=1-0$和CS $J=2-1$, J为角动量量子数), 对一个包含IRAS 19230+1506、IRAS 19232+1504和G050.3179--00.4186这3个源的大质量恒星形成复合体进行了成图观测研究. 通过对以上分子谱线数据并结合红外波段巡天数据的分析, 在这3个源中首次探测到了分子外向流活动, 并确定了分子外向流的中心驱动源. 最后对这3个源进行了分子外向流相关物理量参数的计算, 分析了这些物理量参数之间的关系, 结果表明分子外向流的性质与中心驱动源的性质息息相关.     

Is the Parker Instability a Viable Mechanism for the Formation of Giant Molecular Clouds?

The stratified interstellar medium has been known to be subject to the Parker instability, and the instability has been considered as a plausible mechanism for the formation of giant molecular clouds (GMCs). By presenting our recent efforts to understand the instability through linear analyses and numerical simulations, we raise a negative point of view that the Parker instability alone could not form GMCs.     

Molecular Cloud Formation in Disk Galaxies: The Case of M33

We present results from the BIMA survey of ¹²CO(1→0)emission from M33. The survey resolves this emission into individualobjects making this study the first unbiased, complete census of giantmolecular clouds (GMCs) in a spiral galaxy. The GMCs are clearlyassociated with dense atomic gas, suggesting formation from the HI. Moreover, high resolution observations of these clouds show thatthey appear the same as Milky Way GMCs when viewed through the sameobservational filters. The GMCs show significantly less angularmomentum than predicted by simple formation theories, suggesting theimportance of magnetohydrodynamic effects in their formation.     

Observations of molecular clouds in nearby galaxies with ALMA

We present recent results of the observations of giant molecular clouds in nearby galaxies with the Nobeyama 45 m telescope and Millimeter Array. We give some brief comments about observations of GMCs in nearby galaxies with ALMA.     

Gravitational interactions between globular and open clusters: an introduction

Historically, it has been assumed that globular and open clusters never interact. However, recent evidence suggests that: globular clusters passing through the disk may be able to perturb giant molecular clouds (GMCs) triggering formation of open clusters and some old open clusters may be linked to accreted globulars. Here, we further explore the existence of possible dynamical connections between globular and open clusters, and realize that the most obvious link must be in the form of gravitational interactions. If open clusters are born out of GMCs, they have to move in similar orbits. If we accept that globulars can interact with GMCs, triggering star formation, it follows that globular and open clusters must also interact. Consistently, theoretical arguments as well as observational evidence, show that globular and open clusters certainly are interacting populations and their interactions are far more common than usually thought, especially for objects part of the bulge/disk. Monte Carlo calculations confirm that conclusion. Globular clusters seem capable of not only inducing formation of open clusters but, more often, their demise. Relatively frequent high speed cluster encounters or cluster harassment may also cause, on the long-term, slow erosion and tidal truncation on the globulars involved. The disputed object FSR 1767 (2MASS-GC04) may be, statistically speaking, the best example of an ongoing interaction.     

Large-Scale Gravitational Instability in the Formation of GMCS

Two models of molecular cloud in disk galaxies are proposed to investigate the formation of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) under the gravitational instability and random collision using PP(Particle–Particle) simulation. Having analysed simulation outputs of the two models and comparing them with observation, we are able to draw some general conclusions, the most significant ones of which are: 1) Similar to results obtained previously, the gravitational instability can make small clouds form large clouds faster than random collision. 2) The differential rotation in gravitational instability model plays a positive role in agglomeration of molecular clouds. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hierarchical star formation in M33: properties of the star-forming regions

Star formation within galaxies occurs on multiple scales, from spiral structure, to OB associations, to individual star clusters, and often as substructure within these clusters. This multitude of scales calls for objective methods to find and classify star-forming regions, regardless of spatial size. To this end, we present an analysis of star-forming groups in the Local Group spiral galaxy M33, based on a new implementation of the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) method. Unlike previous studies, which limited themselves to a single spatial scale, we study star-forming structures from the effective resolution limit (～20 pc) to kpc scales. Once the groups have been identified, we study their properties, such as their size and luminosity distributions, and compare these with studies of young star clusters and giant molecular clouds (GMCs). We find evidence for a continuum of star-forming group sizes, which extends into the star cluster spatial-scale regime. We do not find a characteristic scale for OB associations, unlike that found in previous studies, and we suggest that the appearance of such a scale was caused by spatial resolution and selection effects. The luminosity function of the groups is found to be well represented by a power law with an index of ?2, as has also been found for the luminosity and mass functions of young star clusters, as well as for the mass function of GMCs. Additionally, the groups follow a similar mass-radius relation as GMCs. The size distribution of the groups is best described by a log-normal distribution, the peak of which is controlled by the spatial scale probed and the minimum number of sources used to define a group. We show that within a hierarchical distribution, if a scale is selected to find structure, the resulting size distribution will have a log-normal distribution. We find an abrupt drop of the number of groups outside a galactic radius of ～4 kpc (although individual high-mass stars are found beyond this limit), suggesting a change in the structure of the star-forming interstellar medium, possibly reflected in the lack of GMCs beyond this radius. Finally, we find that the spatial distribution of H?ii regions, GMCs, and star-forming groups are all highly correlated.     

On the origin of double main-sequence turn-offs in star clusters of the Magellanic Clouds

Recent observational studies of intermediate-age star clusters (SCs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) have reported that a significant number of these objects show double main-sequence turn-offs (DMSTOs) in their colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). One plausible explanation for the origin of these DMSTOs is that the SCs are composed of two different stellar populations with age differences of ∼300 Myr. Based on analytical methods and numerical simulations, we explore a new scenario in which SCs interact and merge with star-forming giant molecular clouds (GMCs) to form new composite SCs with two distinct component populations. In this new scenario, the possible age differences between the two different stellar populations responsible for the DMSTOs are due largely to secondary star formation within GMCs interacting and merging with already-existing SCs in the LMC disc. The total gas masses being converted into new stars (i.e. the second generation of stars) during GMC-SC interaction and merging can be comparable to or larger than the masses of the original SCs (i.e. the first generation of stars) in this scenario. Our simulations show that the spatial distributions of new stars in composite SCs formed from GMC-SC merging are more compact than those of stars initially in the SCs. We discuss both advantages and disadvantages of the new scenario in explaining fundamental properties of SCs with DMSTOs in the LMC and in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We also discuss the merits of various alternative scenarios for the origin of the DMSTOs.     

Supernova remnants and the spiral structure of the Galaxy

A set of unit clouds of 10⁴ M randomly distributed between 3 and 7 kpc radii, move under the general gravitation of the galactic disk and their mutual gravitation. When the clouds collide they form loose aggregates or giant molecular clouds (GMC). Star formation rate is assumed to be proportional to the mass of the GMC. The more massive stars formed soon turn into supernovae, which in turn break up the GMC back into the unit clouds. After some 350 Myr a steady state is reached, in which the GMCs have a mass spectrum of gradient −1.6, and has the mass-radius relation M ∞ R², both in agreement with the observations. From our simulation we find there should be 775 ± 12 supernova remnants in our galaxy. The existence of spiral arms does not increase the production rate of supernova remnants, but it does make the GMCs to concentrate around them.