2026A&A...707A.165A

Context. In the star formation process, the interplay between gravity, turbulence, and magnetic fields is significant, with magnetic fields apparently serving a regulatory function by opposing gravitational collapse. Nonetheless, the extent to which magnetic fields are decisive relative to turbulence and gravity, as well as the specific environments and conditions involved, remains uncertain.
Aims. This study aims to ascertain the role of magnetic fields in the fragmentation of molecular clouds into clumps down to core scales.
Methods. We examined the magnetic field as observed with ALMA at core scales (approximately 10 000 AU/0.05 pc) toward the infrared dark cloud (IRDC) G14.225-0.506, focusing on three regions with shared physical conditions. We juxtaposed these data with prior observations at the hub-filament system scale (approximately 0.1 pc).
Results. Our findings indicate a similar magnetic field strength and fragmentation level between the two hubs. However, distinct magnetic field morphologies have been identified across the three regions where the polarized emission is detected. In region N (i.e., the northern Hub: Hub-N), the large-scale magnetic field, perpendicular to the filamentary structure, persists at smaller scales in the southern half; however, it becomes distorted near the more massive condensations in the northern half. Notably, these condensations exhibit signs of impending collapse, as evidenced by supercritical mass-to-flux values. In the region S (i.e., the southern Hub: Hub-S), the magnetic field is considerably inhomogeneous among the detected condensations and we did not observe a direct correlation between the field morphology and the condensation density. Lastly, in an isolated dust clump located within a southern filament of Hub-N, the magnetic field aligns parallel to the elongated emission, suggesting a transition in the field geometry.
Conclusions. The magnetic field shows a clear evolution with spatial scales. We propose that the most massive condensations detected in Hub-N are undergoing gravitational collapse, as revealed by the relative significance of the magnetic field and gravitational potential (Σ_B) and mass-to-flux ratio. The distortion of the magnetic field could be a response to the flow of material as a result of such a collapse.