Fragmentation in Molecular Clouds and its connection to the IMF

Details Fragmentation in Molecular Clouds and its connection to the IMF Fragmentation in Molecular Clouds and its connection to the IMF

2009-03-18

arxiv.org/abs/0903.3240v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Galaxy Astrophysics

12 pages, 12 figures and 3 tables. Accepted by MNRAS

Scientific paper

We present an analysis of star-forming gas cores in an SPH simulation of a Giant Molecular Cloud. We identify cores using their deep potential wells. This yields a smoother distribution with clearer boundaries than density. Additionally, this gives an indication of future collapse, as bound potential cores (p-cores) represent the earliest stages of fragmentation in molecular clouds. We find that the mass function of the p-cores resembles the stellar IMF and the observed clump mass function, although p-core masses (~0.7 Msol) are smaller than typical density clumps. The bound p-cores are generally subsonic, have internal substructure, and are only quasi-spherical. We see no evidence of massive bound cores supported by turbulence. We trace the evolution of the p-cores forward in time, and investigate the connection between the original p-core mass and the stellar mass that formed from it. We find that there is a poor correlation, with considerable scatter suggesting accretion onto the core is dependent on more factors than just the initial core mass. During the accretion process the p-cores accrete from beyond the region first bound, highlighting the importance of the core environment to its subsequent evolution.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Fragmentation in Molecular Clouds and its connection to the IMF 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 Fragmentation in Molecular Clouds and its connection to the IMF, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fragmentation in Molecular Clouds and its connection to the IMF will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-647993