Angular Momentum and the Formation of Massive Stars
Abstract
Recent studies of the distribution of rotation speeds, N(vsini) among O and B stars show that massive stars located in bound clusters have a higher mean rotation speed and a paucity of slowly rotating stars when compared with their analogs in unbound associations and among field stars. Cluster-forming molecular clouds are characterized by higher surface density and higher turbulent speeds. If higher turbulent speeds are also characteristic of the initial conditions of individual star-forming cores, then the resulting higher time-averaged accretion rates offer a plausible explanation for the higher rotation speeds.
- Publication:
-
Massive Star Formation: Observations Confront Theory
- Pub Date:
- May 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008ASPC..387...86W