Interaction of supernova remnants with interstellar clouds

• Applicant: Dr. Udo Ziegler
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2010 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 165336121

Cloud compression by external shocks is believed to be an important triggering mechanism for star formation in the interstellar medium. Yet, the physics of shockcloud interactions is still far from being completely understood. Past work on the problem often ignored crucial physical processes or relied on too restrictive assumptions concerning the geometric setup. For instance, there is no research to date which explores the complex interplay between radiative cooling, magnetic fields, and (anisotropic) thermal conduction in a three-dimensional model. In this project we intend to bridge this gap by performing such sophisticated simulations applying our NIRVANA code in massively-parallel mode. The use of adaptive mesh refinement techniques will be a key ingredient in order to adequately resolve both the shock front and details of the cloud structure emanating from the shock impact. We consider clouds struck by a spherical supernova remnant as an attempt to model more realistically the pre-stage of shock-induced star formation by a nearby exploding star than planar shock scenarios can do. We investigate the importance of the mentioned physical processes for different cloud distances from the blast wave origin corresponding to different evolutionary stages of the remnant at the time it collides with the cloud. With this study, we expect to gain improved insight under which conditions shock-triggered star formation may become possible.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Dr. Hans Zinnecker