Toward Understanding the Formation of Molecular Clouds

Based on a comparison of similar colour indices we investigate the effects of luminosity and metallicity that influence the Strömgren and Vilnius photometric quantities for different spectral types. We notice significant differences for similar indices, apparently due to small deviations of central wavelengths and band-widths of the filters. For the G-K type stars of moderate luminosity we interpret the difference introduced by v and X pass-bands as an log g effect, reflecting the presence of H&;K Ca II stellar lines in these spectral types. We discuss a possible influence of the H&;K Ca II lines on the luminosities derived from the Vilnius classification diagrams.     

星系中巨分子云的形成与演化

星系中的巨分子云(GMCs)是恒星形成的主要区域,因此它的形成和演化对于星系的演化是至关重要的。本文中将介绍分子云的基本特性、分子云之间的碰撞和巨分子云的形成、碎裂和寿命以及其他环境因素,如旋臂扰动、较差自转等在巨分子云的形成和演化中的作用。同时也探讨在采用数值模拟研究巨分子云演化时所取分子云数目的影响。     

Formation of a Fractal Structure of Giant Molecular Clouds in the Galaxy

Observations show that molecular clouds in the interstellar medium are fractals with a dimensionality close to 2.35. A model for the formation of clouds from cloudlets ejected from stars is examined in this paper. It is shown that the motion of cloudlets in the interstellar medium is described by a model of generalized brownian motion, so that the resulting clouds should have a fractal structure. We examine the hypothesis that the fractal dimensionality of a cloud is completely determined by the way the mass of the cloudlets varies. The generalized brownian motion of an ensemble of particles is described as a random process with a time dependent parameter. The relationship among the growth of the cloudlet mass, the properties of the process by which the cloudlets move, and the fractal dimensionality of the structures resulting from this process is examined. It is shown that the fractal dimensionality of the formed clouds corresponds to the natural aggregation of mass assuming random cloudlet collisions.     

Dynamical Molecular Regions in Interstellar Clouds

Work on three problems concerning the chemistry and dynamics of star forming fregions is addressed. Most of the work was done in collaboration with David A. Williams. A chemical model of core D ofTMC-1 is described; it is consistent with that dense core having evolved to its present physical state in the last 10⁵years. Slow-mode wave excitation by the nonlinear evolution of fast-mode waves is examined as a possible mechanism for the production of structures, including densecores, in molecular sources. Sufficient atomic hydrogen may be present at the births of some dense cores that the radiative association of O with H is important in the initiation of the gas phase chemistry. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cosmic Ray Acceleration Inside Molecular Clouds

Acceleration of charged particles by neutral gas turbulence in giant molecular clouds is considered. The gamma-ray emission from these clouds is estimated. It is shown that molecular clouds can be the counterparts of some of unidentified sources.     

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．     

Velocities of Magneto-Elastic and Magneto-Electron Waves in Dark Molecular Clouds

We present analytic and numerical estimates for group velocity of wave motions in two models of cold interstellar medium presumably constituting the interior of cores of magnetically supported dark molecular clouds. Namely, in the model of gas-based ferrocolloidal soft matter and in the model of noncompensated electron magnetoplasma. The predictions of these models are given in juxtaposition with data on recent Zeeman measurements of the molecular linewidths detected from dark central regions of star-forming interstellar clouds.     

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.     

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     

Formation of Small-Scale Condensations in the Molecular Clouds via Thermal Instability

A systematic study of the linear thermal instability of a self-gravitating magnetic molecular cloud is carried out for the case when the unperturbed background is subject to local expansion or contraction. We consider the ambipolar diffusion, or ion-neutral friction on the perturbed states. In this way, we obtain a non-dimensional characteristic equation that reduces to the prior characteristic equation in the non-gravitating stationary background. By parametric manipulation of this characteristic equation, we conclude that there are, not only oblate condensation forming solutions, but also prolate solutions according to local expansion or contraction of the background. We obtain the conditions for existence of the Field lengths that thermal instability in the molecular clouds can occur. If these conditions establish, small-scale condensations in the form of spherical, oblate, or prolate shape may be produced via thermal instability.     

分子云磁场与尘埃导致的偏振

磁场对分子云及其中的恒星的形成和演化起到重要的作用.分子云磁场的探测方法主要是谱线塞曼效应、尘埃热辐射的偏振,以及谱线的线偏振观测.利用谱线的塞曼效应可以直接测量视线方向的磁场强度.尘埃热辐射偏振可以有效地示踪磁场方向在天球上的分布.分子云内部的磁场会受到不同物理过程的影响.高分辨率观测可以研究磁场扰动的细节,低分辨率观测可以得到分子云甚至银河系大尺度磁场的宏观信息.只有多波段的观测才能全面地认识分子云磁场与各种物理过程的联系.该文对分子云尘埃热辐射偏振的观测情况做了调研,总结了分子云大尺度磁场的研究现状和发展前景.     

星系中分子气体与恒星形成的研究进展

星系中气体转化为恒星的过程决定了星系的结构和演化,因此研究恒星形成最直接的原料——分子气体的含量、分子气体形成恒星的规律以及会受哪些物理机制的影响,对于理解星系的形成和演化具有重要意义。近年来,随着观测技术和设备(尤其是射电望远镜)的发展,天文学家可以在不同尺度上探测到越来越多星系的多种分子多种能级跃迁的谱线。首先,介绍了探测分子气体的多种方法和新的发现;然后基于CO巡天数据和致密分子气体数据,分别在统计上讨论了分子气体分布及分子气体含量与恒星形成率之间的紧密关系,并与小尺度上的恒星形成理论进行了比较;最后,结合影响星系演化的物理过程,讨论活动星系核、星系形态以及星系所处环境对分子气体的影响。     

Arm and Interarm Star Formation in Spiral Galaxies

We present an outline of our study of the effects of star formation on the different components of the interstellar medium in the discs of spiral galaxies, both globally and as a function of arm and interarm environment. We are in the process of obtaining images of 57 spiral galaxies at low inclinations, and analysing them to study the distribution of recent massive star formation, old stars, young stars, gas and dust. We will dissect the images into arm and interarm regions and compare and contrast the morphology and scale lengths within these regions inH_α, HI, the near infrared, optical and (where available) CO. Modelling will show how the scale lengths are affected by star formation, how this differs between arms and interarms, and whether the Schmidt Law varies from the global values in the arm and interarm regions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High-Resolution Acta Observations of the Circumnuclear Molecular Clouds of Ngc 4945

Transitions of HCN, HCO⁺ and HNC have been observed in the nuclear region of the nearby edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 4945 with the Compact Array of the Australia Telescope during the commissioning phase of the new 3-mm system. The collection and reduction of the observations is described in this paper, and the distribution of the HNC and HCO⁺ emission is discussed. Comparison of the ATCA observations with single dish spectra from the SEST suggests that there is a compact component to the emission seen in both spectra, and a diffuse component seen only in the SEST spectra. Absorption against the nuclear continuum is seen in HCO⁺, suggesting the presence of dense gas in front of the nucleus.     

Spectroscopic Observations of the Star Formation Regions in Nearby Galaxies

In recent years the number of worldwide 8∼10 m-class ground-based telescopes is continually increased, the 4 m-diameter or smaller telescopes have become the small and medium-sized telescopes. In order to obtain some noticeable scientific results by using these existing small and medium-sized telescopes, we have to consider very carefully what we can do, and what we can not. For this reason, the Time Allocation Committee of the 2.16 m telescope of the National Astronomical observatories of China (NAOC) has decided to support some key projects since 2013. The long-term project “Spectroscopic Observations of the Star Formation Regions in Nearby Galaxies” proposed by us is one of three key projects, it is supported by the committee with 30 dark/grey nights in each of three years.     

Cosmological Evolution of Supergiant Star-Forming Clouds

We present the results of very high resolution CDM simulations of galaxy formation designed to follow the formation and evolution of self-gravitating, supergiant star-forming clouds. We find that the mass spectrum of these clouds is identical to that of globular clusters and GMCs; dN/dM ∝ M ^-1.7 ± 0.1. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

棒对旋涡星系中央恒星形成的作用

使用了目前最大的棒旋星系样本之一,着重于研究旋涡星系中央的比恒星形成率(sSFR)和棒结构的关系。我们用1g sSFR=-11 a~(-1)作为星系宁静态和活跃态的分界,统计对比了棒旋星系和非棒旋星系中央的sSFR,发现相对于非棒旋星系,棒旋星系处于中央宁静态的比重更大,而在中央活跃态其恒星形成活动更剧烈。为消除星系样本恒星质量差异对星系中央sSFR统计结果的影响,获得控制样本,使棒旋星系和非棒旋星系具有相同的恒星质量分布。随后发现这两类星系在中央宁静态中的统计差异消失,而在中央活跃态棒旋星系的恒星形成活动依旧相对剧烈,尤其体现在长棒星系中。这说明棒结构对旋涡星系中央的恒星形成起到促进作用,且作用效果与棒的长短相关。     

Molecular Clouds Toward a New OB Association in Pup-CMa

We have mapped 16 molecular clouds toward a new OB association in the Pup-CMa region to derive their physical properties. The observations were carried out in the ¹²CO (J = 1 – 0) line with the Southern millimetre-wave Telescope at Cerro Tololo, Chile. Distances have been determined kinematically using the rotation curve of Brand with R_⊙ = 8.5 kpc and V_⊙ = 220 km/s. Masses have been derived adopting a CO luminosity to H₂ conversion factor X = 3.8 . 10²⁰ molecules cm^-2 (K km/s)^-1. The observed mean radial velocity of the clouds is comparable with the mean radial velocity of stars composing an OB association in Pup-CMa; it is in favor of the close connection of clouds with these stars. __________ Published in Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 491–501 (October–December, 2005).     

Magnetic Fields in Star-Forming Regions: Theoretical Aspects

We review the basic theoretical elements leading to our current understanding of the role of magnetic fields in the process of star formation. In particular, we concentrate on: (i) the relevance of the mass-to-flux ratio for the stability of molecular clouds; (ii) the consequences of magnetic flux leakage for the evolution of cloud cores; (iii) the phase of anisotropic dynamical collapse following the formation of strongly peaked density distributions; (iv) the mechanism of magnetic braking as a possible solution to the angular momentum problem in star formation.     

Ultra-Compact H II Regions

This article reviews how observations of dense molecular gas can help us understand the dynamics and evolution of ultra-compact H II (UCHII) regions. Particular attention is paid to the cometary objects, which it is argued are likely to be the dominant class. Thermal molecular lines in emission and absorption are considered as well as the mainly dynamical information from masers. Most of the UCHII regions studied at high resolution have hot cores ahead them which makes interpretation of molecular observations much more complex. Significant support for the champagne flow model for cometary regions can been seen, adding to the evidence from studies of the ionised gas. How the prevalence of cometary objects may fit into a triggered, sequential picture of massive star formation is outlined.