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Abstract The dynamics of star-forming gas can be affected by many physical processes, such as turbulence, gravity, supernova explosions, and magnetic fields. In this paper, we investigate several nearby star-forming regions (Orion, Upper Sco, Taurus, and Perseus) for kinematic imprints of these influences on the newly formed stars. Using Gaia DR3 astrometry and APOGEE DR17 radial velocities, we compute first-order velocity structure functions (VSFs) of young stars in galactic Cartesian coordinates in both 6D (3D positions and 3D velocities) and 4D (3D positions and each 1D velocity) to identify signatures of turbulence and anisotropic motion. We also construct 3D and 1D radial velocity profiles to identify coherent expansion trends, and compare stellar proper motions to plane-of-sky magnetic field orientations in Taurus and Perseus. We find that the VSFs are mildly anisotropic, with slightly different amplitudes, slopes, or features in different directions in several groups, but in general, they are all consistent with Larson’s Relation at intermediate length scales, especially in less compact groups. In several cases, the VSFs exhibit features suggestive of local energy injection from supernovae. Radial velocity profiles reveal clear anisotropic expansion in multiple groups, with the most extreme cases corresponding to those with the most anisotropic VSFs. In Perseus, we find that the motions of young stars are preferentially perpendicular to the local magnetic field. We find multiple, overlapping causes in each group for the observed kinematics. Our findings support that young stars remember more than just the turbulent state of their natal clouds.
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Turbulence in Milky Way Star-forming Regions Traced by Young Stars and Gas
Abstract The interstellar medium (ISM) is turbulent over vast scales and in various phases. In this paper, we study turbulence with different tracers in four nearby star-forming regions: Orion, Ophiuchus, Perseus, and Taurus. We combine the APOGEE-2 and Gaia surveys to obtain the full six-dimensional measurements of positions and velocities of young stars in these regions. The velocity structure functions (VSFs) of the stars show a universal scaling of turbulence. We also obtain Hαgas kinematics in these four regions from the Wisconsin H-Alpha Mapper. The VSFs of the Hαare more diverse compared to those of stars. In regions with recent supernova activities, they show characteristics of local energy injections and higher amplitudes compared to the VSFs of stars and of CO from the literature. Such difference in amplitude of the VSFs can be explained by the different energy and momentum transport from supernovae into different phases of the ISM, thus resulting in higher levels of turbulence in the warm ionized phase traced by Hα. In regions without recent supernova activities, the VSFs of young stars, Hα, and CO are generally consistent, indicating well-coupled turbulence between different phases. Within individual regions, the brighter parts of the Hαgas tend to have a higher level of turbulence than the low-emission parts. Our findings support a complex picture of the Milky Way ISM, where turbulence can be driven at different scales and inject energy unevenly into different phases.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2107735
- PAR ID:
- 10486215
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.3847
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Volume:
- 934
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 0004-637X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: Article No. 7
- Size(s):
- Article No. 7
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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