Schedule Aug 14, 2007
Magnetic Fields in Star Forming Clouds
Richard Crutcher (UIUC)

The role and importance of magnetic fields in the star formation process remains controversial. The most important observable parameter that could resolve this controversy is the mass to magnetic flux ratio, which is proportional to the ratio of column density to magnetic field strength. Magnetic field strengths in the interstellar medium and in molecular clouds have been measured by detection of the Zeeman effect in radio-frequency lines of H I, OH, H2O, and CN. Statistical estimates of field strengths have also been made from the dispersion in position angles of linearly polarized dust emission and absorption. In this talk I will review the current state of the observational data on magnetic field strengths and on mass to flux ratios as functions of the volume density of hydrogen in atomic and molecular clouds and discuss the implications of these results for understanding the role of magnetic fields in star formation. I will also briefly discuss future prospects for resolving the controversial issue of whether magnetic fields are a significant player in the star formation process.

Other video options

To begin viewing slides, click on the first slide below. (Or, view as pdf.)


[01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07] [08] [09] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]

Author entry (protected)