Impact of Mass Supply on Core Formation in Turbulent Molecular Cloud

Shingo Nozaki  (Kyushu University)

Understanding how pre-stellar cores form within interstellar molecular clouds is crucial to reveal stellar mass determination mechanisms. This study aims to investigate the formation of pre-stellar cores in various molecular clouds, focusing on the role of turbulence. Using three-dimensional hydrodynamics simulations with three million passive tracer particles, we explored pre-stellar core formation in parts of molecular clouds. Analytical techniques are applied to the simulation data to identify pre-stellar cores and assess their gravitational bound states. The results indicate that in weak turbulence environments, pre-stellar cores are gravitationally bound. In contrast, strong turbulence results in unbound cores. This suggests that the level of turbulence in molecular clouds plays a critical role in the processes leading to the formation of pre-stellar cores.