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Magnetogravitationally regulated streamer accretion onto a class 0 protostellar system.
Bo Huang1,2, Josep M Girart1,3, Ian W Stephens4
1Institut de Ciències de l'Espai (ICE-CSIC), Cerdanyola del Vallés, E-08193 Catalonia, Spain.
Science Advances
|May 22, 2026
Summary
Magnetic fields guide gas accretion onto young stars. Observations reveal elongated, magnetically structured streamers channeling material, demonstrating magnetic fields
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Star Formation
- Magnetohydrodynamics
Background:
- Understanding how young stars accrete material from their natal clouds is crucial for star formation theories.
- The role of magnetic fields in regulating accretion processes remains an active area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of magnetic fields on gas accretion onto a young protostellar system.
- To determine if magnetic fields can channel and regulate the flow of material towards forming stars.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations of the triple protostellar system HOPS-182.
- Analyzed the morphology and kinematics of an observed gas accretion streamer.
- Compared gravitational forces with magnetic tension and measured gas rotation relative to the magnetic field.
Main Results:
- Identified an extended accretion streamer, thousands of astronomical units long, feeding material to the protostellar system.
- Observed gas speeds consistent with gravitational free fall along the streamer.
- Demonstrated that the streamer's shape aligns with the local magnetic field, which is strong enough to confine and guide infalling gas.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic fields play a significant role in channeling accretion flows onto young protostars.
- Magnetically structured accretion streamers are efficient mechanisms for delivering material and removing angular momentum during star formation.
- A substantial fraction of protostellar accretion may occur through these magnetically guided streamers.
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