Gravitational instability induced by a cloud-cloud collision - The case of head-on collisions between clouds with different sizes and densities

Details Gravitational instability induced by a cloud-cloud collision - The case of head-on collisions between clouds with different sizes and densities Gravitational instability induced by a cloud-cloud collision - The case of head-on collisions between clouds with different sizes and densities

Jun 1992

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992pasj...44..203h&link_type=abstract

Astronomical Society of Japan, Publications (ISSN 0004-6264), vol. 44, no. 3, 1992, p. 203-226.

Statistics

Computation

23

Collisions, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Galactic Evolution, Gravitational Effects, Nebulae, Star Formation, Hydrodynamics, Interstellar Matter, Starburst Galaxies

Scientific paper

In order to investigate star formation triggered by cloud-cloud collisions, axisymmetric numerical hydrodynamic calculations of supersonic, head-on collisions between nonidentical clouds are performed. Using axisymmetric smoothed particle hydrodynamics, the condition of the gravitational instability of clouds is studied. Nonidentical cloud-cloud collisions, that is, collisions between clouds with different sizes and densities, are more frequent in interstellar space. It is assumed that a small cloud is denser than a large cloud, and that both small and large clouds are gravitationally stable before collision. Two types of initial cloud models: hydrostatic equilibrium clouds confined by the external pressure and uniform density clouds are examined. Numerical results show that the large cloud is disrupted due to a bow shock induced by the collision, and that the small cloud is compressed by the shock. The self-gravity is enhanced in the postshock gas of the small cloud and a compact clump is tentatively formed. The case in which this clump becomes gravitationally unstable is described. It is found that the initial mass of a small cloud needed to be gravitationally unstable by the nonidentical collisions is well below the Jeans mass of the initial small clouds. In the hydrostatic cloud model, a nonidentical cloud-cloud collision can more easily induce a gravitational instability than in the uniform cloud model. The important role of nonidentical cloud-cloud collisions in burst star formation in galaxies is discussed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Gravitational instability induced by a cloud-cloud collision - The case of head-on collisions between clouds with different sizes and densities 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 instability induced by a cloud-cloud collision - The case of head-on collisions between clouds with different sizes and densities, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gravitational instability induced by a cloud-cloud collision - The case of head-on collisions between clouds with different sizes and densities will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1523037