An early transition to magnetic supercriticality in star formation.

ABSTRACT: Magnetic fields have an important role in the evolution of interstellar medium and star formation^1,2. As the only direct probe of interstellar field strength, credible Zeeman measurements remain sparse owing to the lack of suitable Zeeman probes, particularly for cold, molecular gas³. Here we report the detection of a magnetic field of +3.8 ± 0.3 microgauss through the H I narrow self-absorption (HINSA)^4,5 towards L1544^6,7-a well-studied prototypical prestellar core in an early transition between starless and protostellar phases^8-10 characterized by a high central number density¹¹ and a low central temperature¹². A combined analysis of the Zeeman measurements of quasar H I absorption, H I emission, OH emission and

SUBMITTER: Ching TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8732270 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature