Optical and far-IR studies have been conducted on 14, high galactic latitude clouds with comet-like or filamentary appearances. Their physical characteristics are deduced and found to be comparable to those of small, low-mass molecular clouds found in the solar neighborhood in recent CO and HI surveys. The morphologies of 5 of the clouds are found to be consistent with objects moving supersonically through the interstellar medium. These clouds are also active in forming B-type stars in their nuclei where the dynamic pressures are expected to be highest. The filamentary clouds have shapes consistent with sub-sonic, low Reynolds number hydrodynamics, a feature they may share with the Draco molecular cloud. A simple qualitative scenario is also presented, describing a possible evolutionary link among these clouds as a population.
Subject Headings: infrared: sources - interstellar: clouds - stars: formation
There is no particular style for the second major element of the research paper. Just remember these simple rules:
First, keep it simple and concise. No one will read an Abstract that is itself a mini-essay. The purpose of the abstract is to announce the bottom line of your work: What did you study, and what did you find?.
A search through the literature shows some very brief Abstracts such as:
"Observed laboratory frequencies for H2COCH2 and the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants derived therefrom are listed" (The Astrophysical Journal Letters, vol. 189, p. L145)
and
"Filamentary nebulosity has been found at the position of the radio supernova remnant PKS 1209-51/52." (The Astrophysical Journal Letters, vol. 192, p. L111).
But on occasion, some authors feel they need to write several hundred words to cover all of the bases in a lengthy piece of research. Try to remember that this may be the only thing that the majority of astronomers ever read about youur research. They will skip your paper and read someone elses if the Title and the Abstract do not sound interesting. So, keep them short and flashy!
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