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| Paper: |
On the Complex Structure of Interstellar Clouds |
| Volume: |
417, Submillimeter Astrophysics and Technology: A Symposium Honoring Thomas G. Phillips |
| Page: |
11 |
| Authors: |
Stutzki, J. |
| Abstract: |
Stars form out of interstellar clouds and hence understanding their structure is an important step towards the long term fundamental goal of understanding the star formation efficiency and initial mass function and their dependence on physical parameters of the cloud environment. Being far away from reaching this long-term goal, we discuss our present state of knowledge on the characteristics of the structure of instellar clouds and the implication of this fractal structure for their observable line emission. Applying a model of a UV-penetrated, clumpy cloud with structural characteristics consistent with those observed, we can successfully explain the large scale emission in the major cooling lines of the ISM as observed by COBE. |
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