Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 1990
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1990apj...365l..73y&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 365, Dec. 20, 1990, p. L73-L76.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
75
Infrared Sources (Astronomy), Molecular Clouds, Pre-Main Sequence Stars, Star Formation, Astronomical Photometry, Infrared Astronomy Satellite, Interstellar Matter, Stellar Luminosity, Stellar Mass
Scientific paper
A large sample of optically selected, small molecular clouds (Bok globules) has been probed using IRAS coadded images to search for associated young stellar objects. The IRAS images were examined for point sources located within the boundaries of the optical and infrared extents of 248 clouds. A total of 57 of the globules (23 percent of the sample) show evidence for associated point sources. From a comparison of the 12- and 25-micron fluxes of these objects, a distribution of spectral indices consistent with the presence of circumstellar dust is found. Similar analysis of other point sources within the IRAS images, but far from the globule boundaries, shows only normal stellar spectral indices. All young stars more massive than 0.7 solar masses were likely found. However, extrapolation of a Miller-Scalo (1979) initial mass function to the hydrogen-burning limit indicates that only about 20 percent of the total number of stars were found. It is therefore likely that almost every Bok globule harbors a young star. The inferred star formation efficiency is about 6 percent, again based on the Miller-Scalo initial mass function. Interestingly, this is the best test in 43 years of the conjecture made by Bok, that dust globules could represent the earliest stage of star formation. His conjecture was correct.
Clemens Dan P.
Yun Joao Lin
No associations
LandOfFree
Star formation in small globules - Bart BOK was correct 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 Star formation in small globules - Bart BOK was correct, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Star formation in small globules - Bart BOK was correct will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1629686