At the Chaos and Star Formation conference, Enrique Vázquez Semadeni, a researcher at the UNAM Institute of Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics, discussed the formation of stars, molecular gas clouds, chaos, and turbulence in the interstellar medium. He emphasized that stars are born from clouds of molecular gas rich in elements like hydrogen and carbon monoxide. His team focuses on studying turbulence and chaos in space using numerical simulations to analyze fluid dynamics in turbulent environments.
During his presentation, Vázquez Semadeni highlighted two theories regarding star formation: one suggests that molecular clouds are in balance between gravity and turbulence, while the other proposes that clouds collapse quickly due to the formation of stars. He explained that this slow process is crucial for star formation as it allows for the accumulation of mass within these clouds.
The researcher also mentioned the Orion cloud as a prime example, being the closest to Earth at 1,500 light years away. Stars form as a ball of gas through gravitational collapse and internal reactions that lead to nuclear fusion, generating heat and energy. Turbulence plays a vital role in shaping these processes by providing insights into the formation and destruction of molecular clouds in star formation.
In summary, Vázquez Semadeni’s research sheds light on the complex mechanisms governing star formation and evolution within molecular clouds while emphasizing the importance of understanding turbulence and chaos in shaping our universe.