Star formation in cloud cores -- simulations and observations of dense molecular cores and the formation of solar mass stars

Understand

Star formation is inefficient.

• Recent advances in numerical simulations and theoretical models of molecular clouds show that the combined effects of interstellar turbulence, magnetic fields and stellar feedback can explain the low efficiency of star formation.
• The star formation rate is highly sensitive to the driving mode of the turbulence.
• Solenoidal driving may be more important in the Central Molecular Zone, compared to more compressive driving agents in spiral-am clouds.