Contraction and fragmentation of magnetized rotating clouds and formation of binary systems

Kohji Tomisaka, Masahiro N. Machida, Tomoaki Matsumoto

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1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Using three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) nested-grid simulations, the fragmentation of a rotating magnetized molecular cloud core is studied. An isothermal rotating magnetized cylindrical cloud in hydrostatic balance is considered. We studied non-axisymmetric evolution of the cloud. It is found that non-axisymmetry hardly evolves in the early phase, but it begins to grow after the gas contracts and forms a thin disk. The disk formation and thus growth of non-axisymmetric perturbation are strongly promoted by rotation and magnetic field strength. We found two types of fragmentations: fragmentation from a ring and that from a bar. These two types of fragmentations occur in thin adiabatic cores with the thickness being smaller than 1/4 of the radial size. For the fragments to survive, they should be formed in a heavily elongated barred core or a flat round disk. In the models showing fragmentation, outflows from respective fragments are found as well as that driven by the rotating bar or the disk.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)309-316
Number of pages8
JournalAstrophysics and Space Science
Volume292
Issue number1-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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