Convective radiation fluid‐dynamics: formation and early evolution of ultra low‐mass objects

The formation process of ultra low‐mass objects is some kind of extension of the star formation process. The physical changes towards lower mass are discussed by investigating the collapse of cloud cores that are modelled as Bonnor‐Ebert spheres. Their collapse is followed by solving the equations of fluid dynamics with radiation and a model of time‐dependent convection that has been calibrated to the Sun. For a sequence of cloud‐cores with 1 to 0.01 solar masses, evolutionary tracks and isochrones are shown in the mass‐radius diagram, the Hertzsprung‐Russel diagram and the effective temperaturesurface gravity or Kiel diagram. The collapse and the early hydrostatic evolution to ages of few Ma are briefly discussed and compared to observations of objects in Upper Scorpius and the low‐mass components of GG Tau. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)