On column density thresholds and the star formation rate
Jun 24, 201319 pages
Published in:
- Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 444 (2014) 3, 2396-2414
- Published: Nov 1, 2014
e-Print:
- 1306.5714 [astro-ph.GA]
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Abstract: (Oxford University Press)
We present the results of a numerical study designed to address the question of whether there is a column density threshold for star formation within molecular clouds. We have simulated a large number of different clouds, with volume and column densities spanning a wide range of different values, using a state-of-the-art model for the coupled chemical, thermal and dynamical evolution of the gas. We show that star formation is only possible in regions where the mean (area-averaged) column density exceeds 10^21 cm^−2. Within the clouds, we also show that there is a good correlation between the mass of gas above a K-band extinction A_K = 0.8 and the star formation rate (SFR), in agreement with recent observational work. Previously, this relationship has been explained in terms of a correlation between the SFR and the mass in dense gas. However, we find that this correlation is weaker and more time dependent than that between the SFR and the column density. In support of previous studies, we argue that dust shielding is the key process: the true correlation is one between the SFR and the mass in cold, well-shielded gas, and the latter correlates better with the column density than the volume density.Note:
- 18 pages and 14 figures. Submitted to MNRAS
- stars: formation
- ISM: clouds
- ISM: molecules
- galaxies: ISM
References(117)
Figures(21)