Computer simulations of the formation of massive protostars

Abstract

SUMMARY We report computer simulations of massive protostar formation. The transformation of interstellar gas into protostellar gas occurs in the shocked layer of dense gas which forms where two subclouds of a giant molecular cloud collide supersonically. Because of radiative cooling, the shock compression is strong. Portions of the compressed gas become gravitationally unstable and collapse. The resulting protostars are rotationally supported discs with well-defined accretion surfaces, masses between 1 and 20 M