Chandrasekhar Limit and Implications

• original paper: Chadrasekhar (1931)
• testing the limit: observed white dwarf mass distribution:
  • count histogram from Liebert+ (2005)
  • normalized distribution from Finley+ (1997)
  • density distribution from Kepler+ 2007
• preview of implications: core collapse and Type Ia supernovae

Dynamical Stability of Stars

• response to perturbation
• implications for stars

Star Formation

• fuel for star formation
• molecular clouds observed:
  • all-sky (CO data)
  • Barnard 68 (optical and IR)
  • Orion, nebula: HST optical and zoom, IR
  • M16: Eagle nebula and HST zoom to pillars of creation
• Jeans criterial for gravitational instability