An Empirical Model for Protostellar Collapse

Whitworth, Anthony Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1178-5486 and Ward-Thompson, Derek W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1140-2761 2001. An Empirical Model for Protostellar Collapse. Astrophysical Journal 547 , pp. 317-322. 10.1086/318373

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Abstract

We propose a new analytic model for the initial conditions of protostellar collapse in relatively isolated regions of star formation. The model is nonmagnetic and is based on a Plummer-like radial density profile as its initial condition. It fits: the observed density profiles of prestellar cores and class 0 protostars; recent observations in prestellar cores of roughly constant contraction velocities over a wide range of radii; and the lifetimes and accretion rates derived for class 0 and class I protostars. However, the model is very simple, having in effect only two free parameters, so it should provide a useful framework for interpreting observations of prestellar cores and protostars and for calculations of radiation transport and time-dependent chemistry. As an example, we model the prestellar core L1544.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Physics and Astronomy
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy Q Science > QC Physics
Uncontrolled Keywords:	ISM: clouds; ISM: individual (L1544); stars: formation
ISSN:	0004-637X
Last Modified:	17 Oct 2022 08:58
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/1651

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