Optical and Near - Infrared Studies of Bok Globules: Cloud Distances, Structures, and Magnetic Field Configurations

克莱门斯博士将使用光学和近红外波长的光度和偏振观测相结合的方法研究小博克球状体的径向尘埃分布和磁场结构。这些信息将推断出这些小星际云内的质量分布，磁场如何帮助或阻碍新恒星的形成，以及磁场如何揭示博克球状体与周围环境的相互作用。在我们对恒星形成过程细节的理解中，一个严重的差距涉及到我们对恒星形成开始之前分子云中存在的物理条件的了解。在恒星形成之前，我们既不知道这些分子云核心的基本物理结构，也不知道哪些物理变量决定了这些核心并将控制它们的演化。克莱门斯博士选择了一组结构相对简单的小云团，它们不会因活跃的、多重的或大质量的恒星形成而变得复杂。他感兴趣的是了解这些博克球和其中的恒星形成是如何受到嵌入磁场和大规模气体运动（如湍流和旋转）的影响的。

Dr. Clemens will study the radial dust distributions and magnetic field configurations of small Bok globules using a combination of photometric and polarimetric observations at optical and near- infrared wavelengths. Information will be deduced about the distribution of mass within these small interstellar clouds, how magnetic fields either help or hinder the formation of new stars, and how the magnetic fields reveal the interaction of the Bok globules with their surroundings. A serious gap in our understanding of the details of the star formation process involves our knowledge of the physical conditions existing in molecular clouds just prior to the onset of star formation. We know neither the basic physical structures of the cores of these molecular clouds before stars form, nor which physical variables have ordered the cores and will control their evolution. Dr. Clemens has chosen a sample of small clouds which are relatively simple structures, uncomplicated by active, multiple, or massive star formation. He is interested in understanding how these Bok globules and star formation within them is affected by embedded magnetic fields and large scale gas motions, such as turbulence and rotation.