Accretion discs, low-mass protostars and planets: probing the impact of magnetic fields on stellar formation

J.-F. Donati, M. M. Jardine, S. G. Gregory, J. Bouvier, C. Dougados, F. Ménard

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Whereas the understanding of most phases of stellar evolution made considerable progress throughout the whole of the twentieth century, stellar formation remained rather enigmatic and poorly constrained by observations until about three decades ago, when major discoveries (e.g., that protostars are often associated with highly collimated jets) revolutionized the field. At this time, it became increasingly clearer that magnetic fields were playing a major role at all stages of stellar formation. We describe herein a quick overview of the main breakthroughs that observations and theoretical modelling yielded for our understanding of how stars (and their planetary systems) are formed and on how much these new worlds are shaped by the presence of magnetic fields, either those pervading the interstellar medium and threading molecular clouds or those produced through dynamo processes in the convective envelopes of protostars or in the accretion discs from which they feed.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationStellar Magnetism
Subtitle of host publicationEAS Publications Series
EditorsC. Neiner, J.-P. Zahn
PublisherEDP Sciences
Pages133-151
Number of pages19
Volume39
ISBN (Print)9782759804832
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

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