Turbulence in the Interstellar Medium: Energetics and Driving Mechanisms

Abstract

Interstellar turbulence is expected to dissipate quickly in the absence of continuous energy input. I examine the energy available for driving the turbulence from six likely mechanisms: magnetorotational instability, gravitational instability, protostellar outflows, H II region expansion, stellar winds, and supernovae. I conclude that supernovae contribute far more energy than the other mechanisms, and so form the most likely drving mechanism.