The ejection of low mass clumps during star formation

Author(s)
Shantanu Basu, Eduard Vorobiev, Alexander L. DeSouza
Abstract

Modeling of the self-consistent formation and evolution of disks as a result of prestellar core collapse reveals an intense early phase of recurrent gravitational instability and clump formation. These clumps generally migrate inward due to gravitational interaction with trailing spiral arms, and can be absorbed into the central object. However, in situations of multiple clump formation, gravitational scattering of clumps can result in the ejection of a low mass clump. These clumps can then give rise to free-floating low mass stars, brown dwarfs, or even giant planets. Detailed modeling of this process in the context of present-day star formation reveals that these clumps start out essentially as Larson first cores and grow subsequently by accretion. In the context of Pop III star formation, preliminary indications are that the disk clumps may also be of low mass. This mechanism of clump formation and possible ejection provides a channel for the formation of low mass objects in the first generation of stars.

Organisation(s)
Department of Astrophysics
External organisation(s)
University of Western Ontario, Southern Federal University
Volume
1480
Pages
63-66
No. of pages
4
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4754329
Publication date
2012
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103004 Astrophysics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Physics and Astronomy
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/1ac99622-5c43-44e7-baca-6ca953c82f20