Magnetic Fields in the Formation of Massive Stars

Abstract

Stellar Hourglass Figure Star-forming clouds are thought to be supported against gravity by ordered interstellar magnetic fields, which are strong enough to slow gravitation collapse but too weak to prevent it. Girart et al. (p. 1408 ) measured polarized radio waves from dust particles around a forming massive star, which reveal an hourglass shape. The data imply that a magnetic field strength dominates over turbulence—the telltale signs of magnetically controlled star formation. These conditions mimic those found in low-mass star-forming regions, suggesting that the magnetic field plays an important role in star formation, irrespective of differences in mass.