Gravitational torques and star formation

Details Gravitational torques and star formation Gravitational torques and star formation

Jan 1984

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1984mnras.206..197l&link_type=abstract

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (ISSN 0035-8711), vol. 206, Jan. 1, 1984, p. 197-207.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

133

Angular Momentum, Gravitational Collapse, Protostars, Star Formation, Stellar Gravitation, Torque, Binary Stars, Gravitational Effects, Momentum Transfer, Stellar Rotation, Systems Stability, Temperature Distribution

Scientific paper

Any irregularities that occur in the structure of a collapsing cloud will produce non-radial gravitational forces and, if such irregularities are sheared by differential rotation into trailing spiral features of large amplitude, the associated gravitational torques will transfer angular momentum outward on an orbital time-scale. Even if no redistribution of angular momentum occurs during the collapse and a flattened disc-like configuration is formed, such a disc will be a fragile structure at best, and with realistic initial conditions it will be highly unstable to the development of trailing spiral density enhancements. Thus it seems inescapable that in a realistic collapsing cloud there will sooner or later occur rapid outward transfer of angular momentum by gravitational torques. The only stable outcome of the collapse will then be a system in which most of the mass is in a central star or binary system, and less than half remains in a disc around the star; less than one-quarter can remain in a disc with the size of our Solar System.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Gravitational torques and star formation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Gravitational torques and star formation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gravitational torques and star formation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-937644