Accretion--ejection phenomena from young stars

Abstract

In the current paradigm of star formation magnetic fields play a very central role. Indeed, they probably help or even channel the initial gravitational collapse of the parent molecular cloud. But their most spectacular effect is certainly the production of ubiquitous, powerful, bipolar self-collimated jets. Also, in the last decade, evidence has come that in such systems a magnetosphere links the protostar to its surrounding accretion disc. I will first briefly review the magnetohydrodynamic models of jets from young stars. Then, I will discuss some constraints on the magnetospheric interaction since accretion must proceed despite strong stellar magnetic fields. Finally, I will introduce the "Reconnection X-wind" scenario that leads to episodic jet formation with efficient removal of protostellar angular momentum.