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Nonlinear development and observational consequences of wardle C-shock instabilities

Mac Low, M.-M., Smith, M.D. (1997) Nonlinear development and observational consequences of wardle C-shock instabilities. Astrophysical Journal, 491 (2 P.1). pp. 596-614. ISSN 0004-637X. (doi:10.1086/304981) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:50155)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/304981

Abstract

We compute the nonlinear development of the instabilities in C-shocks first described by Wardle, using a version of the ZEUS code modified to include a semi-implicit treatment of ambipolar diffusion. We find that, in three dimensions, thin sheets form parallel to the shock velocity and perpendicular to the magnetic field lines. High-resolution, two-dimensional models show that the sheets are confined by the Brandenburg & Zweibel ambipolar diffusion singularity, forcing them to numerically unresolvable thinness. Hot and cold regions form around these filaments, disrupting the uniform temperature structure characteristic of a steady-state C-shock. This filamentary region steadily grows as the shock progresses. We compare steady-state to unstable C-shocks, showing excitation diagrams, images, line ratios, and line profiles for molecular hydrogen lines visible in the K band with the Infrared Space Observatory and with NICMOS on the Hubble Space Telescope.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1086/304981
Uncontrolled keywords: Diffusion, Instabilities, ISM: general, MHD, Shock waves
Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy > QB460 Astrophysics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Giles Tarver
Date Deposited: 11 Aug 2015 10:36 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:20 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/50155 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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