Shell-Like Structures in the ISM: Observation Versus Simulations

The interstellar medium in galaxies is a turbulent environment with a plethora of holes, bubbles and shells. All these shell-like structures are thought to be closely related to the formation, evolution and death of stars. In most cases, they are likely created by the winds of OB stars and supernovae. The material collected along the borders of shells may fragment, become unstable under its own gravity, and create a new generation of stars. This is a variant of triggered star formation referred to as the collect-and-collapse scenario. The aim of our research is to compare numerical simulations of shell-like structures to observations and to search for and investigate regions of triggered star formation in the Milky Way.