Parallel Alignments between Magnetic Fields and Dense Structures in the Central Molecular Zone

Pan, X ORCID: 0000-0003-1337-9059, Zhang, Q ORCID: 0000-0003-2384-6589, Qiu, K ORCID: 0000-0002-5093-5088, Paré, DM ORCID: 0000-0002-5811-0136, Chuss, DT ORCID: 0000-0003-0016-0533, Butterfield, NO ORCID: 0000-0002-4013-6469, Tress, RG ORCID: 0000-0002-9483-7164, Sormani, MC ORCID: 0000-0001-6113-6241, Tang, Y ORCID: 0000-0002-6581-3307, Longmore, SN ORCID: 0000-0001-6353-0170 and Pillai, T ORCID: 0000-0003-2133-4862 (2025) Parallel Alignments between Magnetic Fields and Dense Structures in the Central Molecular Zone. Astrophysical Journal, 991 (2). p. 156. ISSN 0004-637X

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Abstract

The recent Far-Infrared Polarimetric Large-Area Central Molecular Zone Exploration (FIREPLACE) survey with SOFIA has mapped plane-of-sky magnetic field orientations within the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of the Milky Way. Applying the Histogram of Relative Orientations analysis to the FIREPLACE data, we find that the relative orientation between magnetic fields and column density structures is random in low-density regions ( 2 × 1 0 22 ≲ N H 2 ≲ 1 0 23 cm − 2 ) but becomes preferentially parallel in high-density regions (≳1023 cm−2). This trend is in contrast with that of the nearby molecular clouds, where the relative orientation transitions from parallel to perpendicular with increasing column densities. However, the relative orientation varies between individual CMZ clouds. Comparisons with magnetohydrodynamic simulations specific to the CMZ conditions suggest that the observed parallel alignment is intrinsic, rather than artifacts caused by the projection effect. The origin of this parallel configuration may arise from the fact that most dense structures in the CMZ are not self-gravitating, as they are in supervirial states, except for the ministarburst region Sgr B2. These findings are consistent with the low star formation efficiency observed in the CMZ compared to that in the Galactic disk.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	5101 Astronomical Sciences; 51 Physical Sciences; 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences; 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics; 0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural); Astronomy & Astrophysics; 5101 Astronomical sciences; 5107 Particle and high energy physics; 5109 Space sciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy Q Science > QC Physics
Divisions:	Astrophysics Research Institute
Publisher:	American Astronomical Society
Date of acceptance:	4 August 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	8 October 2025
Date Deposited:	08 Oct 2025 09:30
Last Modified:	08 Oct 2025 09:45
DOI or ID number:	10.3847/1538-4357/adf8c7
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27294

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