Evaporation and Condensation Processes of Giant Molecular Clouds in a Hot Plasma

Abstract

2d hydrodynamical simulations are performed to examine the evaporation and condensation processes of giant molecular clouds in the hot phase of the interstellar medium. The evolution of cold and dense clouds is calculated in the subsonic stream of a hot tenuous plasma. Our code includes self-gravity, heating and cooling processes and heat conduction by electrons. Significant differences occur between simulations with and without heat conduction.