The Formation of Very Massive Stars

Abstract

In this chapter I review theoretical models for the formation of very massive stars. After a brief overview of some relevant observations, I spend the bulk of the chapter describing two possible routes to the formation of very massive stars: formation via gas accretion, and formation via collisions between smaller stars. For direct accretion, I discuss the problems of how interstellar gas may be prevented from fragmenting so that it is available for incorporation into a single very massive star, and I discuss the problems presented for massive star formation by feedback in the form of radiation pressure, photoionization, and stellar winds. For collision, I discuss several mechanisms by which stars might be induced to collide, and I discuss what sorts of environments are required to enable each of these mechanisms to function. I then compare the direct accretion and collision scenarios, and discuss possible observational signatures that could be used to distinguish between them. Finally, I come to the question of whether the process of star formation sets any upper limits on the masses of stars that can form.

36 pages, 7 figures, review to appear as a chapter in "Very Massive Stars in the Local Universe" (Ed. J S Vink); fixed a missing citation / copyright acknowledgement, no other changes from previous version

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Cited by in corpus (13)

• The Role of Magnetic Fields in Protostellar Outflows and Star Formation
• ALMA-IMF I -- Investigating the origin of stellar masses: Introduction to the Large Program and first results
• ALMA-IMF VI -- Investigating the origin of stellar masses: Core mass function evolution in the W43-MM2&MM3 mini-starburst
• Far-infrared observations of a massive cluster forming in the Monoceros R2 filament hub
• ALMA-IMF. VII. First release of the full spectral line cubes: Core kinematics traced by DCN J=(3-2)
• Physical and chemical complexity in high-mass star-forming regions with ALMA. I. Overview and evolutionary trends of physical properties
• The sharp ALMA view of infall and outflow in the massive protocluster G31.41+0.31
• On the origin of very massive stars around NGC 3603
• The physical and chemical structure of high-mass star-forming regions. Unraveling chemical complexity with the NOEMA large program "CORE"
• Evolution of magnetized hub-filament systems: Comparing the observed properties of W3(OH), W3 Main, and S 106
• CHemical Evolution in MassIve star-forming COres (CHEMICO). I. Evolution of the temperature structure
• Shape Analysis of HII Regions -- II. Synthetic Observations
• Effect of dust rotational disruption by radiative torques on radiation pressure feedback from massive protostars