Star Formation

arXiv (Cornell University)

Abstract

In this chapter, we will cover how stars form from the stellar nurseries that are giant molecular clouds. We will first review the physical processes that compete to regulate star formation. We then review star formation in turbulent, magnetized molecular clouds and the associated statistics giving rise to the star formation rate and the initial mass function of stars. We then present the protostellar stages in detail from an observational perspective. We will primarily discuss low-mass ($<1.5\msun$) stars. Finally, we examine how multiplicity complicates the single-star formation picture. This chapter will focus on star formation at redshift~0

Authors 3

1. Rajika L. Kuruwita

   Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies

   Affiliation as printed

   Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies , Stellar Evolution Theory , Schloß-Wolfsbrunnenweg 35 , 69118 Heidelberg , Germany

2. Łukasz Tychoniec Aachen

   Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University , Leiden Observatory , PO Box 9513 , 2300RA , Leiden , The Netherlands

3. Christoph Federrath

   Australian National University

   Affiliation as printed

   Australian National University , Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics , ACT 2611 , Australia