On the Structure and Evolution of Massive Interstellar Clouds

Extract

The evolution of massive clouds is discussed with emphasis on inhomogeneous and heterogeneous nature of the system. We start from the two-phase model of interstellar medium and choose initial conditions of the clouds as being in the vicinity of critical state for gravitational instability. The equilibrium and stability problem for clouds is formulated in terms of polytropic models. Combining this with the thermal and chemical balance problem, we find that, even before the commencement of gravitational collapse, the fragmentation due to thermal instability can occur. The system begins to contract at a rate much slower than free fall, and thereafter, its evolution is governed mainly by collisions between fragments. The collision dynamics of the N-fragment system should be examined carefully by numerical experiments. The general trend to be expected is that the system tends to develop into a core-halo structure, accompanying by sporadic local events of star formation. The core or a clustering of massive fragments near the center could grow up into a favourable formation site of star clusters.