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Diffuse Molecular Gas in the Cygnus X Star Forming Region and its Effect on the Star Formation Law

  • Author / Creator
    Green, Kaylie
  • Observations of star forming regions in our Milky Way show that there are two different forms of molecular gas: bright star forming molecular clouds and large diffuse clouds. What is not yet known is the difference in physical properties between these two types of molecular gas and the contribution of these diffuse clouds to the star formation efficiency in our galaxy. In this thesis I identify physical properties of low surface brightness gas in the nearby star forming regions of Cygnus X and W80, and explore the presence of these diffuse clouds as solutions to the increased efficiency of star formation observed in local clouds. I find that these low surface brightness clouds do not contribute in a significant way to the total molecular gas mass of the region. I also find that the method used for tracing star formation has a larger effect on the calculation of large scale star formation rate than previously thought.

  • Subjects / Keywords
  • Graduation date
    Fall 2015
  • Type of Item
    Thesis
  • Degree
    Master of Science
  • DOI
    https://doi.org/10.7939/R3F47H26X
  • License
    This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.