Magnetic Fields in the Pillars of Creation

Due to dust grain alignment with magnetic fields, dust polarization observations of far-infrared emission from cold molecular clouds are often used to trace magnetic fields, allowing a probe of the effects of magnetic fields on the star formation process. We present inferred magnetic field maps of the Pillars of Creation region within the larger M16 emission nebula, derived from dust polarization data in the 89 and 154 μm continuum using the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy/High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera. We derive magnetic field strength estimates using the Davis–Chandrasekhar–Fermi method. We compare the polarization and magnetic field strengths to column densities and dust continuum intensities across the region to build a coherent picture of the relationship between star-forming activity and magnetic fields in the region. The projected magnetic field strengths derived are in the range of ∼50–130 μG, which is typical for clouds of similar n(H2), i.e., molecular hydrogen volume density on the order of 104–105 cm−3. We conclude that star formation occurs in the finger tips when the magnetic fields are too weak to prevent radial collapse due to gravity but strong enough to oppose OB stellar radiation pressure, while in the base of the fingers the magnetic fields hinder mass accretion and consequently star formation. We also support an initial weak-field model (<50 μG) with subsequent strengthening through realignment and compression, resulting in a dynamically important magnetic field.