Dynamical Star-Forming Gas Interaction Witnessed by ALMA
| Science
Dynamical interaction of star-forming gas was found in a star-forming region by observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). This is a remarkable observation result that disproves a conventional assumption that sun-like stars are formed by slow contraction of gas clouds.
A research team led by Kazuki Tokuda and Toshikazu Onishi at Osaka Prefecture University conducted ALMA observations of a high-density gas cloud called MC27/L1521F in the constellation Taurus. From past observation results, it was confirmed that MC27 hosts a new-born star. And by this observation the research team found a new starless high-density core, which is considered to be very close to the initial stage of star formation, right next to the new-born star. Also, the research team detected an arc-shaped gas cloud around MC27 which is assumed to be formed by dynamic gravitational interaction of two or more gas cores. Such dynamical kinematics of star formation which was newly found by this observation will be a key factor in understanding star formation process starting from gas clouds.
These observation results were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters (June 11, 2014) as Tokuda et al. "ALMA Observations of a High-density Core in Taurus: Dynamical Gas Interaction at the Possible Site of a Multiple Star Formation".
For details, see Press Release: Dynamical Star-Forming Gas Interaction Witnessed by ALMA.