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

Bok 球体的光学和近红外研究：云距离、结构和磁场配置

• 批准号: 8915606
• 负责人: Dan Clemens
• 金额: $ 6.5万
• 依托单位: Trustees of Boston University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1990
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1990-03-15 至 1992-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=8915606&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Optical; Near; Infrared; Studies; Bok

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.

克莱门斯博士将结合光学和近红外波长的光度和偏振观测，研究小博克球体的径向尘埃分布和磁场结构。 将推断出有关这些小型星际云内质量分布、磁场如何帮助或阻碍新恒星形成以及磁场如何揭示博克球体与其周围环境相互作用的信息。 我们对恒星形成过程细节的理解存在严重差距，涉及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。 我们既不知道恒星形成之前这些分子云核心的基本物理结构，也不知道哪些物理变量对核心进行排序并控制它们的演化。 克莱门斯博士选择了一个小云的样本，这些小云的结构相对简单，不存在活跃、多重或大质量恒星形成的复杂情况。 他有兴趣了解这些博克小球及其内部的恒星形成如何受到嵌入式磁场和大规模气体运动（例如湍流和旋转）的影响。