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Rolf Kuiper, Hubert Klahr, Henrik Beuther & Thomas Henning

Radiation pressure feedback in the formation of massive stars

(Volume 80 - Année 2011)
Article
Open Access

Abstract

We investigate the radiation pressure feedback in the formation of massive stars in 1, 2, and 3D radiation hydrodynamics simulations of the collapse of massive pre-stellar cores. In contrast to previous research, we consider frequency dependent stellar radiation feedback, resolve the dust sublimation front in the vicinity of the forming star down to 1.27 AU, compute the evolution for several 105 yrs covering the whole accretion phase of the forming star, and perform a comprehensive survey of the parameter space. The most fundamental result is that the formation of a massive accretion disk in slowly rotating cores preserves a high anisotropy in the radiation field. The thermal radiation escapes through the optically thin atmosphere, effectively diminishing the radiation pressure feedback onto the accretion flow. Gravitational torques in the self-gravitating disk drive a sufficiently high accretion rate to overcome the residual radiation pressure. Simultaneously, the radiation pressure launches an outflow in the bipolar direction, which grows in angle with time and releases a substantial fraction of the initial core mass from the star-disk system. Summarized, for an initial core mass of 60, 120, 240, and 480 Mo these mechanisms allow the star to grow up to 28.2, 56.5, 92.6, and at least 137.2 Mo respectively.

To cite this article

Rolf Kuiper, Hubert Klahr, Henrik Beuther & Thomas Henning, «Radiation pressure feedback in the formation of massive stars», Bulletin de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liège [En ligne], Volume 80 - Année 2011, 211 - 216 URL : https://popups.ulg.ac.be/0037-9565/index.php?id=2686.

About: Rolf Kuiper

Argelander Institute for Astronomy, Bonn University, Auf dem Hügel 71, D-53121 Bonn, Germany, and Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany

About: Hubert Klahr

Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany

About: Henrik Beuther

Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany

About: Thomas Henning

Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany