Mapping and characterizing magnetic fields in the Rho Ophiuchus-A molecular cloud with SOFIA/HAWC$+$

TL;DR

This study maps magnetic fields in the rho Ophiuchus-A cloud using SOFIA/HAWC+ data, revealing well-ordered fields that support the cloud against gravity and influence star formation processes.

Contribution

First detailed polarization mapping of rho Ophiuchus-A at FIR wavelengths, quantifying magnetic field strength and morphology, and analyzing their role in cloud support and star formation.

Findings

Magnetic fields are well-ordered and mainly perpendicular to the cloud ridge.

Field strengths range from 0.2 to 2.5 mG, strongest at dense cores.

The cloud is magnetically sub-critical and supported by strong B-fields.

Abstract

(abridged) Together with gravity, turbulence, and stellar feedback, magnetic fields (B-fields) are thought to play a critical role in the evolution of molecular clouds and star formation processes. We aim to map the morphology and measure the strength of B-fields of the nearby molecular cloud, rho Ophiuchus-A ($\rho$ Oph-A), and then to understand the role of B-fields in regulating star formation and shaping the cloud. We have analyzed the far-infrared (FIR) polarization of thermal dust emission observed by SOFIA/HAWC$+$ at 89 and 154 $\mu$m toward the densest part of $\rho$ Oph-A, which is irradiated by the nearby B3/4 star, Oph-S1. The cloud exhibits well-ordered B-fields with magnetic orientations mainly perpendicular to the ridge of the cloud toward the densest region and B-field strengths are in the range of 0.2-2.5 mG, using the Davis-Chandrasekhar-Fermi method. The B-fields are strongest at the densest part of the cloud, which is associated with the starless core SM1, and decreases toward the outskirts of the cloud. By calculating the map of the mass-to-flux ratio, Alfv\'en Mach number, and plasma $\beta$ parameter in $\rho$ Oph-A, we find that the cloud is predominantly magnetically sub-critical, sub-Alfv\'enic, which implies that the cloud is supported by strong B-fields that dominate over gravity, turbulence, and thermal gas energy. Measured B-field strengths at two densest subregions using other methods that account for the compressible mode are relatively lower than that measured with the DCF method but do not significantly change our conclusions on the roles of B-fields relative to gravity and turbulence on star formation. A virial analysis suggests that the cloud is gravitationally unbound. We find that B-fields are sufficiently strong to support the cloud against radiative feedback and to regulate the shape of the cloud.