Topic
Star formation
About: Star formation is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 37405 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1808161 citations. The topic is also known as: astrogenesis.
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2,529 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review progress over the past decade in observations of large-scale star formation, with a focus on the interface between extragalactic and Galactic studies.
Abstract: We review progress over the past decade in observations of large-scale star formation, with a focus on the interface between extragalactic and Galactic studies. Methods of measuring gas contents and star-formation rates are discussed, and updated prescriptions for calculating star-formation rates are provided. We review relations between star formation and gas on scales ranging from entire galaxies to individual molecular clouds.
2,525 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an overall theoretical framework and the observations that motivate it are outlined, outlining the key dynamical processes involved in star formation, including turbulence, magnetic fields, and self-gravity.
Abstract: We review current understanding of star formation, outlining an overall theoretical framework and the observations that motivate it. A conception of star formation has emerged in which turbulence plays a dual role, both creating overdensities to initiate gravitational contraction or collapse, and countering the effects of gravity in these overdense regions. The key dynamical processes involved in star formation—turbulence, magnetic fields, and self-gravity— are highly nonlinear and multidimensional. Physical arguments are used to identify and explain the features and scalings involved in star formation, and results from numerical simulations are used to quantify these effects. We divide star formation into large-scale and small-scale regimes and review each in turn. Large scales range from galaxies to giant molecular clouds (GMCs) and their substructures. Important problems include how GMCs form and evolve, what determines the star formation rate (SFR), and what determines the initial mass function (IMF). Small scales range from dense cores to the protostellar systems they beget. We discuss formation of both low- and high-mass stars, including ongoing accretion. The development of winds and outflows is increasingly well understood, as are the mechanisms governing angular momentum transport in disks. Although outstanding questions remain, the framework is now in place to build a comprehensive theory of star formation that will be tested by the next generation of telescopes.
2,522 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it is argued that a convective dynamo can also generate a very strong dipole field after the merger of a neutron star binary, but only if the merged star survives for as long as about 10-100 ms.
Abstract: It is proposed that the main observational signature of magnetars, high-field neutron stars, is gamma-ray bursts powered by their vast reservoirs of magnetic energy. If they acquire large recoils, most magnetars are unbound from the Galaxy or reside in an extended, weakly bound Galactic corona. There is evidence that the soft gamma repeaters are young magnetars. It is argued that a convective dynamo can also generate a very strong dipole field after the merger of a neutron star binary, but only if the merged star survives for as long as about 10-100 ms. Several mechanisms which could impart a large recoil to these stars at birth, sufficient to escape from the Galactic disk, are discussed.
2,482 citations
TL;DR: Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) as mentioned in this paper performed the first space UV sky survey, including imaging and grism surveys in two bands (1350-1750 and 1750-2750?).
Abstract: We give an overview of the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), a NASA Explorer Mission launched on 2003 April 28. GALEX is performing the first space UV sky survey, including imaging and grism surveys in two bands (1350-1750 and 1750-2750 ?). The surveys include an all-sky imaging survey (mAB 20.5), a medium imaging survey of 1000 deg2 (mAB 23), a deep imaging survey of 100 deg2 (mAB 25), and a nearby galaxy survey. Spectroscopic (slitless) grism surveys (R = 100-200) are underway with various depths and sky coverage. Many targets overlap existing or planned surveys in other bands. We will use the measured UV properties of local galaxies, along with corollary observations, to calibrate the relationship of the UV and global star formation rate in local galaxies. We will apply this calibration to distant galaxies discovered in the deep imaging and spectroscopic surveys to map the history of star formation in the universe over the redshift range 0 < z < 2 and probe the physical drivers of star formation in galaxies. The GALEX mission includes a guest investigator program, supporting the wide variety of programs made possible by the first UV sky survey.
2,410 citations