Wu, B, Tan, JC, Nakamura, F et al. (3 more authors) (2017) GMC Collisions as Triggers of Star Formation. II. 3D Turbulent, Magnetized Simulations. Astrophysical Journal, 835 (2). 137. pp. 1-23. ISSN 0004-637X
Abstract
We investigate giant molecular cloud (GMCs) collisions and their ability to induce gravitational instability and thus star formation. This mechanism may be a major driver of star formation activity in galactic disks. We carry out a series of three dimensional, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) simulations to study how cloud collisions trigger formation of dense filaments and clumps. Heating and cooling functions are implemented based on photo-dissociation region (PDR) models that span the atomic to molecular transition and can return detailed diagnostic information. The clouds are initialized with supersonic turbulence and a range of magnetic field strengths and orientations. Collisions at various velocities and impact parameters are investigated. Comparing and contrasting colliding and non-colliding cases, we characterize morphologies of dense gas, magnetic field structure, cloud kinematic signatures, and cloud dynamics. We present key observational diagnostics of cloud collisions, especially: relative orientations between magnetic fields and density structures, like filaments; 13CO(J=2-1), 13CO(J=3-2), and 12CO(J=8-7) integrated intensity maps and spectra; and cloud virial parameters. We compare these results to observed Galactic clouds.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017, The American Astronomical Society. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | ISM: clouds; ISM: kinematics and dynamics; ISM: lines and bands; ISM: magnetic fields; ISM: structure; methods: numerical |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Physics and Astronomy (Leeds) > Astrophysics (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 23 Nov 2016 15:32 |
Last Modified: | 18 Jul 2017 16:15 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/835/2/137 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Astronomical Society |
Identification Number: | 10.3847/1538-4357/835/2/137 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:108078 |