The role of jets in the formation of planets, stars, and galaxies

TL;DR

This paper reviews the role of astrophysical jets in the formation of planets, stars, and galaxies, highlighting their connection to accretion processes and magnetic torques through theoretical and simulation studies.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of jets in non-relativistic and relativistic systems, integrating theoretical insights and recent simulations to elucidate their role in cosmic formation processes.

Findings

Jets are linked to angular momentum removal in star and black hole formation.

Simulations show jet production in collapsing star-forming cores.

Theoretical models underpin the origin of jets in various astrophysical systems.

Abstract

Astrophysical jets are associated with the formation of young stars of all masses, stellar and massive black holes, and perhaps even with the formation of massive planets. Their role in the formation of planets, stars, and galaxies is increasingly appreciated and probably reflects a deep connection between the accretion flows - by which stars and black holes may be formed - and the efficiency by which magnetic torques can remove angular momentum from such flows. We compare the properties and physics of jets in both non-relativistic and relativistic systems and trace, by means of theoretical argument and numerical simulations, the physical connections between these different phenomena. We discuss the properties of jets from young stars and black holes, give some basic theoretical results that underpin the origin of jets in these systems, and then show results of recent simulations on jet production in collapsing star-forming cores as well as from jets around rotating Kerr black holes.