Taming the TuRMoiL of Cloud-Wind Interactions

Galactic outflows are ubiquitous throughout the universe and play a critical role in shaping galaxy evolution. Observations have firmly established that outflows are inherently multiphase (i.e. they are composed of co-moving colder and hotter gas). The origin of this multiphase structure remains a significant unsolved problem in astrophysics. The conventional explanation dictates that supernovae launch hot supersonic winds that subsequently accelerate cool clouds that are encountered as the winds propagate out of a galaxy. However, numerical hydrodynamic simulations have established that there are problems with this picture of cloud acceleration; turbulent mixing commonly destroys clouds before they can be accelerated. In this talk, I will describe a mechanism for cloud-acceleration called TRML (turbulent radiative mixing layer) entrainment. I will highlight the turbulent properties that arise in these interactions and highlight potential observational signatures. I will also focus on the requirements for a cloud to survive through this mechanism.