Evolution of filamentary molecular clouds in the presence of magnetic fields

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of magnetic fields on the dynamics of magnetized filamentary molecular clouds. We suppose there is a filament with cylindrical symmetry and two components of axial and toroidal magnetic fields. In comparison to previous works, the novelty in the present work involves a similarity solution that does not define a function of the magnetic fields or density. We consider the effect of the magnetic field on the collapse of the filament in both axial and toroidal directions and show that the magnetic field has a braking effect, which means that the increasing intensity of the magnetic field reduces the velocity of collapse. This is consistent with other studies. We find that the magnetic field in the central region tends to be aligned with the filament axis. Also, the magnitude and the direction of the magnetic field depend on the magnitude and direction of the initial magnetic field in the outer region. Moreover, we show that more energy dissipation from the filament causes a rise in the infall velocity.

The Effect of External Magnetic Field on Electron Scale Kelvin–Helmholtz Instability

We use particle-in-cell,fully electromagnetic,plasma kinetic simulation to study the effect of external magnetic field on electron scale Kelvin–Helmholtz instability(ESKHI).The results are applicable to collisionless plasmas when,e.g.,solar wind interacts with planetary magnetospheres or a magnetic field is generated in AGN jets.We find that as in the case of magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)KHI,in the kinetic regime,the presence of an external magnetic field reduces the growth rate of the instability.In the MHD case,there is a known threshold magnetic field for KHI stabilization,while for ESKHI this is to be analytically determined.Without a kinetic analytical expression,we use several numerical simulation runs to establish an empirical dependence of ESKHI growth rate,Γ(B_(0))ω_(pe),on the strength of the applied external magnetic field.We find the best fit is hyperbolic,Γ(B_(0))ω_(pe)=Γ_(0)ω_(pe)/(A+BB_(0)),where Γ_(0) is the ESKHI growth rate without an external magnetic field and B_(0)=B_(0)/B_(MHD)is the ratio of external and two-fluid MHD stability threshold magnetic field,derived here.An analytical theory to back up this growth rate dependence on the external magnetic field is needed.The results suggest that in astrophysical settings where a strong magnetic field pre-exists,the generation of an additional magnetic field by the ESKHI is suppressed,which implies that nature provides a“safety valve”—natural protection not to“over-generate”magnetic field by the ESKHI mechanism.Remarkably,we find that our two-fluid MHD threshold magnetic field is the same(up to a factor √γ_(0))as the DC saturation magnetic field,previously predicted by fully kinetic theory.

Feedback of Efficient Shock Acceleration on Magnetic-field Structure Inside Young Type Ia Supernova Remnants

Using an effective adiabatic index γ_(eff) to mimic the feedback of efficient shock acceleration,we simulate the temporal evolution of a young type Ia supernova remnant (SNR) with two different background magnetic field(BMF) topologies:a uniform and a turbulent BMF.The density distribution and magnetic-field characteristics of our benchmark SNR are studied with two-dimensional cylindrical magnetohydrodynamic simulations.When γ_(eff)is considered,we find that:(1) the two-shock structure shrinks and the downstream magnetic-field orientation is dominated by the Rayleigh–Taylor instability structures;(2) there exists more quasi-radial magnetic fields inside the shocked region;and (3) inside the intershock region,both the quasi-radial magnetic energy density and the total magnetic energy density are enhanced:in the radial direction,with γ_(eff)=1.1,they are amplified about 10–26 times more than those with γ_(eff)=5/3.While in the angular direction,the total magnetic energy densities could be amplified about 350 times more than those with γ_(eff)=5/3,and there are more grid cells within the intershock region where the magnetic energy density is amplified by a factor greater than 100.

The Relative Orientation between Local Magnetic Field and Galactic Plane in Low Latitude Dark Clouds

In this work,we study the magnetic field morphology of selected star-forming clouds spread over the galactic latitude(b)range−10°to 10°.The polarimetric observations of clouds CB24,CB27 and CB188 are conducted to study the magnetic field geometry of those clouds using the 104 cm Sampurnanand Telescope(ST)located at ARIES,Manora Peak,Nainital,India.These observations are combined with those of 14 further low latitude clouds available in the literature.Most of these clouds are located within a distance range 140–500 pc except for CB3(∼2500 pc),CB34(∼1500 pc),CB39(∼1500 pc)and CB60(∼1500 pc).Analyzing the polarimetric data of 17 clouds,we find that the alignment between the envelope magnetic field(θ^(env)_(B))and galactic plane(GP)(θGP)of the low-latitude clouds varies with their galactic longitudes(l).We observe a strong correlation between the longitude(l)and the offset(θ_(off)=|θ^(env)_(B)-θ_(GP))which shows that θ^(env)_(B) is parallel to the GP when the clouds are situated in the region 115°<l<250°.However,θ^(env)_(B) has its own local deflection irrespective of the orientation of θGP when the clouds are at l<100°and l>250°.To check the consistency of our results,the stellar polarization data available in the Heiles catalog are overlaid on the DSS image of the clouds having mean polarization vector of field stars.The results are almost consistent with the Heiles data.A systematic discussion is presented in the paper.The effect of turbulence in the cloud is also studied which may play an important role in causing the misalignment phenomenon observed between θ^(env)_(B) and θ_(GP).We have used Herschel(Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.)SPIRE 500μm and SCUBA 850μm dust continuum emission maps in our work to understand the density structure of the clouds.

Milestones in the Observations of Cosmic Magnetic Fields

Magnetic fields are observed everywhere in the universe. In this review, we concentrate on the observational aspects of the magnetic fields of Galactic and extragalactic objects. Readers can follow the milestones in the observations of cosmic magnetic fields obtained from the most important tracers of magnetic fields, namely, the star-light polarization, the Zeeman effect, the rotation measures (RMs, hereafter) of extragalactic radio sources, the pulsar RMs, radio polarization observations, as well as the newly implemented sub-mm and mm polarization capabilities. The magnetic field of the Galaxy was first discovered in 1949 by optical polarization observations. The local magnetic fields within one or two kpc have been well delineated by starlight polarization data. The polarization observations of diffuse Galactic radio background emission in 1962 confirmed unequivocally the existence of a Galactic magnetic field. The bulk of the present information about the magnetic fields in the Galaxy comes from analysis of rotation measures of extragalactic radio sources and pulsars, which can be used to construct the 3-D magnetic field structure in the Galactic halo and Galactic disk. Radio synchrotron spurs in the Galactic center show a poloidal field, and the polarization mapping of dust emission and Zeeman observation in the central molecular zone reveal a toroidal magnetic field parallel to the Galactic plane. For nearby galaxies, both optical polarization and multifrequency radio polarization data clearly show the large-scale magnetic field following the spiral arms or dust lanes. For more distant objects, radio polarization is the only approach available to show the magnetic fields in the jets or lobes of radio galaxies or quasars. Clusters of galaxies also contain widely distributed magnetic fields, which are reflected by radio halos or the RM distribution of background objects. The intergalactic space could have been magnetized by outflows or galactic superwinds even in the early universe. The Zeeman effect and polarization of sub-mm and mm emission can be used for the study of magnetic fields in some Galactic molecular clouds but it is observed only at high intensity. Both approaches together can clearly show the role that magnetic fields play in star formation and cloud structure, which in principle would be analogous to galaxy formation from protogalactic clouds. The origin of the cosmic magnetic fields is an active field of research. A primordial magnetic field has not been as yet directly detected, but itsexistence must be considered to give the seed field necessary for many amplification processes that have been developed. Possibly, the magnetic fields were generated in protogalactic plasma clouds by the dynamo process, and maintained again by the dynamo after galaxies were formed.

The Role of Magnetic Fields in Triggered Star Formation of RCW 120

We report on the near-infrared polarimetric observations of RCW 120 with the 1.4 m IRSF telescope.The starlight polarization of the background stars reveals for the first time the magnetic field of RCW 120.The global magnetic field of RCW 120 is along the direction of 20°,parallel to the Galactic plane.The field strength on the plane of the sky is 100 ± 26 μG.The magnetic field around the eastern shell shows evidence of compression by the H Ⅱ region.The external pressure(turbulent pressure+ magnetic pressure) and the gas density of the ambient cloud are minimum along the direction where RCW 120 breaks out,which explains the observed elongation of RCW 120.The dynamical age of RCW 120,depending on the magnetic field strength,is~1.6 Myr for field strength of100 μG,older than the hydrodynamic estimates.In direction perpendicular to the magnetic field,the density contrast of the western shell is greatly reduced by the strong magnetic field.The strong magnetic field in general reduces the efficiency of triggered star formation,in comparison with the hydrodynamic estimates.Triggered star formation via the "collect and collapse" mechanism could occur in the direction along the magnetic field.Core formation efficiency(CFE) is found to be higher in the southern and eastern shells of RCW 120 than in the infrared dark cloud receiving little influence from the H Ⅱ region,suggesting increase in the CFE related to triggering from ionization feedback.

How does a strong surrounding magnetic field influence the evolution of a supernova remnant?

We simulate the evolution of supernova remnants(SNRs) in a strong magnetic field. Usually,supernovae explode in a normal interstellar medium with magnetic field of no more than 50 μG, which has been well studied. However, the surrounding magnetic field will be much stronger in some situations, such as in a galactic center. Therefore, we try to explore these situations. The simulations show that a strong magnetic field of 1 mG will align the motion of ejecta in a way similar to a jet. The ejecta propagating perpendicularly to the magnetic field will be reflected and generate a strong reverse shock. When the reverse shock converges in the explosion center, it will more or less flow along the central magnetic field. Finally,most of the ejecta will propagate parallel to the magnetic field.

The Magnetic Field Effect on Planetary Nebulae

In our previous work on the 3-dimensional dynamical structure of planetary nebulae the effect of magnetic field was not considered. Recently Jordan et al. have directly detected magnetic fields in the central stars of some planetary nebulae. This discovery supports the hypothesis that the non-spherical shape of most planetary nebulae is caused by magnetic fields in AGB stars. In this study we focus on the role of initially weak toroidal magnetic fields embedded in a stellar wind in altering the shape of the PN. We found that magnetic pressure is probably influential on the observed shape of most PNe.

The Galactic halo magnetic field revisited

Recently, Sun et al. published new Galactic 3D-models of magnetic fields in the disk and halo of the Milky Way and the distribution of cosmic-ray electron density by taking into account the thermal electron density model NE2001 by Cordes ＆ Lazio. The models successfully reproduce observed continuum and polarization all-sky maps and the distribution of rotation measures of extragalactic sources across the sky. However, the model parameters obtained for the Galactic halo, although reproducing the observations, seem physically unreasonable： the magnetic field needs to be significantly stronger in the Galactic halo than in the plane and the cosmic-ray distribution must be truncated at about 1 kpc to avoid excessive synchrotron emission from the halo. The reason for these unrealistic parameters was the low scale-height of the warm thermal gas of about 1 kpc adopted in the NE2001 model. However, this scale- height seemed reasonable and was well studied by numerous investigations. Recently, the scale-height of the warm gas in the Galaxy was revised by Gaensler et al. to about 1.8 kpc, by showing that the 1 kpc scale-height results from a systematic bias in the analysis of pulsar data. This implies a higher thermal electron density in the Galactic halo, which in turn reduces the halo magnetic field strength to account for the observed rotation measures of extragalactic sources. We slightly modified the NE2001 model according to the new scale-height and revised the Sun et al. model parameters accordingly： the strength of the regular halo magnetic field is now 2 μG or lower, and the physically unrealistic cutoff in z for the cosmic-ray electron density is removed. The simulations based on the revised 3D-models reproduce all-sky observations as before.

The comparison of H_2CO(1_(10)–1_(11)),C^(18)O(1–0) and the continuum towards molecular clouds

We present large scale observations of C^18O （1-0） towards four massive star forming regions： MON R2, S156, DR17/L906 and M17/M18. The transitions of H2CO （110-111）, C^18O （1-0） and the 6cm continuum are compared in these four regions. Our analysis of the observations and the results of the Non-LTE model shows that the brightness temperature of the formaldehyde absorption line is strongest in a background continuum temperature range of about 3 - 8 K. The excitation of the H2CO absorption line is affected by strong background continuum emission. From a comparison of H2CO and C^18O maps, we found that the extent of H2CO absorption is broader than that of C^18O emission in the four regions. Except for the DR17 region, the maximum in H2CO absorption is located at the same position as the C^18O peak. A good correlation between intensities and widths of H2CO absorption and C^18O emission lines indicates that the H2CO absorption line can trace the dense, warm regions of a molecular cloud. We find that N（H2CO） is well correlated with N（ C^18O） in the four regions and that the average ratio of column densities is （N（H2CO）/N（ClSO）） ～0.03.

CO Clouds around SNR G21.8-0.6 and G32.8-0.1

We made the first CO（1-0） mapping to SNR G21.8-0.6 and SNR G32.8-0.1, both associated with OH 1720MHz maser. Based on the morphological correspondence and velocity and position agreement between the radio remnant and the CO clouds, we tentatively identify the clouds that are respectively interacting with the two SNRs.

Oxygen isotopic ratios toward molecular clouds in the Galactic disk

We present our observations of the J = 1-0 rotation transitions in molecular isotopes C^18O and C^17O toward a sample of molecular clouds with different galactocentric distances, using the Delingha 13.7 m（DLH 13.7 m） telescope, administered by Purple Mountain Observatory, and its 9-beam SIS receiver.Complementary observations toward several sources with large galactocentric distance are obtained with the IRAM 30 m and Mopra 22 m telescopes. C^18O/C^17O abundance ratios reflecting the ^（18）O/^（17）O isotope ratios are obtained from integrated intensity ratios of C^18O and C^17O. We derived the ratio value for 13 sources covering a galactocentric distance range of 3 kpc to 16 kpc. In combination with our mapping results that provide a ratio value of 3.01±0.14 in the Galactic center region, it shows that the abundance ratio tends to increase with galactocentric distance, i.e., it supports a radial gradient along the Galactic disk for the abundance ratio. This is consistent with the inside-out formation scenario of our Galaxy. However, our results may suffer from small samples with large galactocentric distance. Combining our data with multitransition lines of C^18O and C^17O will be helpful for constraining opacities and abundances and further confirming the Galactic radial gradient shown by the isotope ratio ^（18）O/^（17）O.

Radiation-driven implosion in the Cepheus B molecular cloud

We analyze large scale mapping observations of the molecular lines in the ^12CO（J= 2-1）,^12CO（J=3-2）,^13CO（J=2-1）,and ^13CO（J=3-2） transition emissions toward the Cepheus B molecular cloud with the KOSMA 3mtelescope. The integrated intensity map of the ^12CO （J = 2 - 1） transition has shown a structure with a compact core and a compact ridge extended to the north-west of the core. The cloud is surrounded by an optically bright rim, where the radiation-driven implosion （RDI） may greatly change the gas properties. The intensities of the CO （J = 3 - 2） transition are higher than those of the CO （J = 2 - 1） transition along the rim area. We find characteristic RDI structure in position-velocity diagrams. Non-LTE large velocity gradient （LVG） model analysis shows that the density and temperature at the edge are higher than that in the center. Our results provide evidences that an RDI is taking place in the Cepheus B molecular cloud.

A survey of CO and its isotope lines for possible cloud-cloud collision candidates

In the 12CO （J=1-0） survey of 1331 cold 1RAS sources, 214 sources show profiles with multiple peaks and are selected as cloud-cloud collision candidates. In January 2005, 201 sources were detected with 12CO（1-0）, 13CO（1-0）, and c18O（1-0） emissions by the 13.7 m telescope at Purple Mount Observatory. This is the first survey of CO and its isotope lines directed toward possible cloud-cloud collision regions. According to the statistics of the 201 sources in the Galactic distribution, the 201 sources show a similar distribution to the parent sample （1331 cold IRAS sources）. These sources are located over a wide range of Galactocentric distances, and are partly associated with the star forming region. Based on preliminary criteria which describe the spectral properties of the possible cloud-cloud collision region, the 201 sources are classified into four types by the fit of the spectral profiles between the optically thick and thin lines toward each source. The survey is focused on possible cloud-cloud collision regions, and gives some evidence to help us with selecting the target region. We will continue the process of mapping and studying multi-wavelength observations for the selected region in the future.

Non-similar collapse of singular isothermal spherical molecular cloud cores with nonzero initial velocities

Theoretically, stars formed from the collapse of cores in molecular clouds. Historically, the core had been assumed to be a singular isothermal sphere （SIS）, and the collapse had been investigated in a self-similar manner. When the rotation and magnetic fields lead to non-symmetric collapse, a spheroidal shape may occur. Here, the result of the centrifugal force and magnetic field gradient is assumed to be in the normal direction to the rotational axis, and its components are supposed to be a fraction β of the local gravitational force. In this research, a collapsing SIS core is considered to find the importance that the parameter β plays in the oblateness of the mass shells, which are the crests of the expansion waves. We apply the Adomian decomposition method to solve the system of nonlinear partial differential equations because the collapse does not occur in a spherically symmetric and self-similar man- ner. In this way, we obtain a semi-analytical relation for the mass infall rate M of the shells in the envelope. Near the rotational axis, M˙ decreases with the increase of the non-dimensional radius ξ, while a direct relation is observed between M˙ and ξ in the equatorial regions. Also, the values of M˙ in the polar regions are greater than their equatorial values, and this difference occurs more often at smaller values of ξ. Overall, the results show that before reaching the crest of the expansion wave, the visible shape of the molecular cloud cores can evolve into oblate spheroids. The ratio of major to minor axes of oblate cores increases when increasing the parameter β, and its value can approach the observed elongated shapes of cores in the maps of molecular clouds, such as those in Taurus and Perseus.

A Study of the Molecular Cloud S64 with Multiple Lines of CO Isotopes

We report on a study of the molecular cloud S64 with observations at millimeter wavelengths of multiple molecular lines of CO isotopes. A weak outflow is found, and its physical parameters are estimated. The departure of the core of S64 from the S64 HII region indicates that there are still other star formation activities in that region.

New Continuum Observations of the Andromeda galaxy M31 with FAST

We present a new total intensity image of M31 at 1.248 GHz,observed with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio telescope(FAST)with an angular resolution of 4'and a sensitivity of about 16 mK.The new FAST image clearly reveals weak emission outside the ring due to its high sensitivity on large-scale structures.We derive a scale length of 2.7 kpc for the cosmic ray electrons and find that the cosmic ray electrons propagate mainly through diffusion by comparing the scale length at 4.8 GHz.The spectral index of the total intensity varies along the ring,which can be attributed to the variation of the spectra of synchrotron emission.This variation is likely caused by the change of star formation rates along the ring.We find that the azimuthal profile of the non-thermal emission can be interpreted by an axisymmetric large-scale magnetic field with varying pitch angle along the ring,indicating a complicated magnetic field configuration in M31.

射电源法拉第旋率观测效应的模拟研究

由于受射电望远镜分辨率的限制,观测视线方向上可能有多源重叠现象.观测目标源的法拉第旋率(rotation measure,RM)及偏振角(polarization angle,PA)的测量值就会受到方向束内其它背景射电源的影响.通过模拟研究发现,背景射电源对目标源偏振参量测量的干扰形式与干扰源的RM值有关.只运用两三个波长的偏振观测数据拟合所得的RM结果并不可靠.正确测量目标源RM需要对多波段Stokes参量Q和U的测量值进行拟合.

A Detailed Study on the Equal Arrival Time Surface Effect in Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows

Due to the relativistic motion of gamma-ray burst remnant and its deceleration in the circumburst medium, the equal arrival time surfaces at any moment are not spherical, rather, they are distorted ellipsoids. This will leave some imprints in the afterglows. We study the effect of equal arrival time surfaces numerically for various circumstances, i.e., isotropic fireballs, collimated jets, density jumps and energy injection events. For each case, a direct comparison is made between including and not including the effect. For isotropic fireballs and jets viewed on axis, the effect slightly hardens the spectra and postpones the peak time of the afterglows, but does not change the shapes of the spectra and light curves significantly. In the cases of a density jump or an energy injection, the effect smears out the variations in the afterglows markedly.

Analysis of the Distribution,Rotation and Scale Characteristics of Solar Wind Switchbacks:Comparison between the First and Second Encounters of Parker Solar Probe

The S-shaped magnetic structure in the solar wind formed by the twisting of magnetic field lines is called a switchback,whose main characteristics are the reversal of the magnetic field and the significant increase in the solar wind radial velocity.We identify 242 switchbacks during the first two encounters of Parker Solar Probe.Statistics methods are applied to analyze the distribution and the rotation angle and direction of the magnetic field rotation of the switchbacks.The diameter of switchbacks is estimated with a minimum variance analysis(MVA)method based on the assumption of a cylindrical magnetic tube.We also make a comparison between switchbacks from inside and the boundary of coronal holes.The main conclusions are as follows:(1)the rotation angles of switchbacks observed during the first encounter seem larger than those of the switchbacks observed during the second encounter in general;(2)the tangential component of the velocity inside the switchbacks tends to be more positive(westward)than in the ambient solar wind;(3)switchbacks are more likely to rotate clockwise than counterclockwise,and the number of switchbacks with clockwise rotation is 1.48 and 2.65 times those with counterclockwise rotation during the first and second encounters,respectively;(4)the diameter of switchbacks is about 10;km on average and across five orders of magnitude(10^(3)–10^(7)km).