Collapse of interstellar molecular clouds

In this paper we systematically investigate the length and time scales of an interstellar molecular cloud for collapse under the influence of self-gravity, magnetic field and Coriolis forces. We used Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations in linearized form in order to explore the dynamical evolution of perturbations. We found that both the Lorentz force and the Coriolis force support the cloud against self contraction, i.e., they introduce stabilizing effect against gravitational instability. Of the two cloud types with the same physical size, only those threaded by an interstellar magnetic field without rotation or those rotating without magnetic field will survive against gravitational collapse