Abstract
The stratified interstellar medium has been known to be subject to the Parker instability, and the instability has been considered as a plausible mechanism for the formation of giant molecular clouds (GMCs). By presenting our recent efforts to understand the instability through linear analyses and numerical simulations, we raise a negative point of view that the Parker instability alone could not form GMCs.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kim, J. and Hong, S.S.: 1998, ApJ 507, 254.
Kim, J., Hong, S.S., Ryu, D. and Jones, T.W.: 1998, ApJ 506, L139.
Kim, J. and Ryu, D.: 2001, ApJ 561, L135.
Kim, J., Ryu, D. and Jones, T.W.: 2001, ApJ 557, 464.
Kim, J., Ryu, D., Jones, T.W. and Hong, S.S.: 1999, ApJ 514, 506.
Mouschovias, T. Ch., Shu, F.H. and Woodward, P.R.: 1974, A&A 33, 73.
Parker, E.N.: 1966, ApJ 145, 811.
Parker, E.N. and Jokipii, J.R.: 2000, ApJ 536, 331.
Ryu, D., Kim, J., Hong, S.S. and Jones, T.W.: 2003, ApJ 589, 338.
Shibata, K. and Matsumoto, R.: 1991, Nature 353, 633.
Shu, F.H.: 1974, A&A 33, 55.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kim, J., Ryu, D. & Hong, S.S. Is the Parker Instability a Viable Mechanism for the Formation of Giant Molecular Clouds?. Astrophysics and Space Science 292, 255–260 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ASTR.0000045024.10113.8b
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ASTR.0000045024.10113.8b