Models of Bipolar Molecular Outflows

Abstract

This paper reviews various hydrodynamical models proposed for explaining bipolar molecular outflows from young stars. The different possibilities discussed are : wind-driven molecular shells, steady state filled flows, and jet-driven bow shocks. Particular emphasis is placed on comparisons between model predictions and observations of molecular flows. While it appears that jet-driven bow shocks are at the present time the most popular mechanism for explaining molecular outflows, other models have interesting characteristics that might be relevant for at least some objects.