Theoretical studies of interstellar molecular shocks – V. Solutions for J-type shocks as an initial value problem

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol. 224; no. 2; pp. 403 - 411
• Main Authors: Flower, D. R., Pineau des Forets, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford University Press 01.01.1987; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Interstellar medium (ism) and nebulae in milky way; Stellar systems. Galactic and extragalactic objects and systems. The universe; Magnetohydrodynamics; Initial value problem; Interstellar matter; Shock wave; Interstellar molecule
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/224.2.403

In the presence of a transverse magnetic field, shocks propagating in the interstellar medium may be categorized as (i) jump (J)-type without a precursor, (ii) J-type with a precursor, or (iii) continuous (C)-type. Categories (i) and (iii) have been extensively studied in the literature, but category (ii) has been the subject of only limited study owing to the lack of an efficient numerical method for the computation of the structure of such shocks. A method is presented here which enables solutions for category (ii) shocks to be found from an initial value problem. The method is straightforward to apply and computationally efficient. Results are given for a selection of illustrative models, both excluding and including a network of chemical reactions. The observational relevance of category (ii) shocks is also mentioned.