http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
Earliest Stages of Massive Clustered Star Formation: Fragmentation of Infrared Dark Clouds
XX, 145 p. 37 illus., 23 illus. in color. online resource.
This thesis presents an in-depth, high-resolution observational study on the very beginning of the formation process: the fragmentation of dense molecular clouds known as infrared dark clouds (IRDCs). Using the Submillimeter Array (SMA) and Very Large Array (VLA) radio interferometers, the author has discovered a common picture of hierarchical fragmentation that challenges some of the leading theoretical models and suggests a new, observation-driven understanding of how massive star formation in clustered environments may begin: it is initiated by the hierarchical fragmentation of a dense filament from 10 pc down to 0.01 pc, and the stellar mass buildup is simultaneously fed by hierarchical accretion at similar scales. The new scenario points out the importance of turbulence and filamentary structure, which are now receiving increasing attention and further tests from both observers and theorists.
Scientific background -- An Infrared Point Source Survey -- The “Dragon” Nebula G28.34+0.06 -- The “Snake” Nebula G11.11–0.12 -- The Infrared Dark Cloud G30.88+0.13 -- A New Evolutionary Picture.
Springer Theses, Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research