Magnetic Effects in Global Star Formation
arXiv:0804.2278
Abstract
I review the effects of magnetic fields on star formation in galaxies. This includes the effects of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) at galactic scales, magneto-Jeans and swing instabilities, Parker instabilities, and the effects of magnetic fields on the evolution of supernova-driven turbulence. I argue that currently turbulent support by the MRI appears likely to be the most important of these processes to regulating star formation.
8 pages, for publication in Rev Mex Astron Astrof Conf Series proceedings of Magnetic Fields in the Universe II, eds. A. Esquivel, J. Franco, G. Garcia-Segura, A. Lazarian & A. Raga