Barriers to accretion onto massive stars

Eric Keto

Thursday December 6th, 11:20

Accretion in massive star formation is an interesting study because the outward pressure of radiation and ionization are comparable to the inward gravitational force. I show how we can use the simple equations for 1D accretion to compare the inward and outward forces taking into account the pressure of both the direct stellar radiation and reprocessed infrared radiation, the leakage of radiation due to the 2D disk geometry, and the pressure of hot ionized gas in the HII region. Consistent with observations and with our existence as beings reliant on metals, the analysis shows how accretion onto massive star formation is possible although perhaps easier in multiples.