A solution to the radiation pressure problem in the formation of massive stars

Abstract

We review our recent studies demonstrating that the radiation pressure problem in the formation of massive stars can be circumvented via an anisotropy of the thermal radiation field. Such an anisotropy naturally establishes with the formation of a circumstellar disk. The required angular momentum transport within the disk can be provided by developing gravitational torques. Radiative Rayleigh- Taylor instabilities in the cavity regions – as previously suggested in the literature – are not required and are shown to be unlikely in the context of massive star formation.