The magnetic fields in the ophiuchus and taurus molecular clouds

T. H. Troland, R. M. Crutcher, A. A. Goodman, C. Heiles, I. Kazès, P. C. Myers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

We discuss the significance of previously published OH Zeeman effect measurements of the magnetic field in the p Oph cloud (L1688) and also a new OH Zeeman effect measurement for the dark cloud core TMC-1C, the latter obtained with the Arecibo telescope. Results for both of these clouds, like previously published OH Zeeman results for other dark clouds, show that the line-of-sight field strength |B|≤ 10 μG. The p Oph cloud is significantly higher in column density than other clouds studied, and recent H I Zeeman effect observations have revealed B ≈ +10 μG in the H I self-absorption region in front of the cloud. The low values of B derived from the OH Zeeman effect may indicate that OH poorly samples the dense gas in the ρ Oph cloud, or else that the cloud is in a state of supercritical collapse. The TMC-1C cloud core may have formed via ambipolar diffusion in a manner similar to recent modeling of dark cloud Barnard 1.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)302-307
Number of pages6
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume471
Issue number1 PART I
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • ISM: Clouds
  • ISM: Individual (rho ophiuchi, taurus)
  • ISM: Magnetic fields ISM: Molecules
  • Polarization
  • Stars: Formation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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