The JCMT BISTRO Survey: Evidence for Pinched Magnetic Fields in Quiescent Filaments of NGC 1333

Abstract We investigate the internal 3D magnetic structure of dense interstellar filaments within NGC 1333 using polarization data at 850 μ m from B -fields In STar-forming Region Observations survey James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. Theoretical models predict that field lines in a filament will tend to be dragged radially inward (i.e., pinched) toward central axis due filament’s self-gravity. study cross-sectional profiles total intensity ( I ) and polarized (PI) dust emission four segments unaffected by local star formation are expected retain pristine structure. find filaments’ FWHMs PI not same as those , with two being appreciably narrower (FWHM ratio ≃0.7–0.8) one segment wider ≃1.3). The fraction P do show minimum spine filament, which is line an anticorrelation between normally seen molecular clouds protostellar cores. Dust grain alignment variation density cannot reproduce observed distribution. demonstrate numerically magnetohydrostatic equilibrium have differing relative widths depending on viewing angle. variations FWHM ratios therefore consistent pinched structures inside filaments, especially if they magnetically near-critical or supercritical.