NRAO/Socorro Colloquium Series: 12 September 2003

Prof. Alex Lazarian

University of Wisconsin, Madison


MHD Turbulence: Application to Molecular Clouds


Understanding of the dynamics of the magnetized gas is essential for understanding of star formation. Gas in molecular clouds is known to be turbulent. Therefore for quantitative studies of star formation the insight into properties of MHD turbulence is essential. I shall discuss what we currently know about the fundamental properties of MHD turbulence. In particular, I shall dwell upon the issues that are particularly important for molecular cloud dynamics, like the rate of decay of turbulent motion, transfer of energy from souces of turbulence to molecular clouds, and on the effects of neutrals on the turbulent cascade. I shall describe how power spectra and anisotropies of turbulent statistics can provide an important insight of what is actually going on in molecular clouds.






Friday, 12 September 2003
11:00am

Array Operations Center Auditorium

Local Host: Michael Rupen


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