Formation of Twisted Elephant Trunks in the Rosette Nebula
New observations show that dark elephant trunks in the Rosette nebula are often built up by thin filaments. In several of the trunks the filaments seem to form a twisted pattern. This pattern is hard to reconcile with current theory. We propose a new model for the formation of twisted elephant trunk...
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| Published in: | Astrophysics and space science Vol. 280; no. 4; pp. 405 - 412 |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Dordrecht
Springer Nature B.V
01-01-2002
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | New observations show that dark elephant trunks in the Rosette nebula are often built up by thin filaments. In several of the trunks the filaments seem to form a twisted pattern. This pattern is hard to reconcile with current theory. We propose a new model for the formation of twisted elephant trunks in which electromagnetic forces play an important role. The model considers the behaviour of a twisted magnetic filament in a molecular cloud, where a cluster of hot stars has been recently born. As a result of stellar winds, and radiation pressure, electromagnetic forces, and inertia forces part of the filament can develop into a double helix pointing towards the stars. The double helix represents the twisted elephant trunk. A simple analogy experiment visualizes and supports the trunk model.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT] |
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| Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 |
| ISSN: | 0004-640X 1572-946X 1572-946X |
| DOI: | 10.1023/A:1015602423235 |