Mass-Stripping Analysis of an Interstellar Cloud by a Supernova Shock |
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Authors: | J. F. Hansen H. F. Robey A. R. Miles R. I. Klein |
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Affiliation: | (1) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA;(2) Department of Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA |
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Abstract: | The interaction of supernova shocks and interstellar clouds is an important astrophysical phenomenon since it can result in stellar and planetary formation. Our experiments attempt to simulate this mass-loading as it occurs when a shock passes through interstellar clouds. We drive a strong shock using the Omega laser (∼5kJ)into a foam-filled cylinder with an embedded Al sphere(diameterD=120 μm) simulating an interstellar cloud. The density ratio between Al and foamis∼9. We have previously reported on the interaction between shock and cloud, the ensuing Kelvin-Helmholtz and Widnall instabilities, and the rapid stripping of all mass from the cloud. We now present a theory that explains the rapid mass-stripping. The theory combines (1) the integral momentum equations for a viscous boundary layer, (2) the equations for a potential flow past a sphere, (3) Spalding's law of the wall for turbulent boundary layers, and (4) the skin friction coefficient for a turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate. The theory gives as its final result the mass stripped from a sphere in a turbulent high Reynolds number flow, and it agrees very well with our experimental observations. |
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Keywords: | Shock Interstellar Cloud Turbulent Turbulence Mass-loading Star formation |
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