The formation of stars is one of the most important events that shape the physical, chemical, and dynamical properties of their host galaxy. Stars form in the densest parts of molecular clouds (interstellar clouds of molecules and dust). Due to the high extinction of optical light by dust grains mixed with the gas, the birth of stars must be studied at infrared and longer wavelengths (in the millimetre and centimetre domain) that can penetrate clouds.

The mechanism that regulates the evolution of molecular clouds and the star formation process is still under debate. There are two main proposed scenarios to explain the formation of stars:

• The quasi-static star formation scenario, where magnetic fields and turbulence control the dynamics and evolution of molecular clouds through a slow contraction of gas and dust.

The dynamic star formation scenario, where turbulence is the main agent controlling both the evolution of molecular clouds and the formation of stars through a fast contraction of gas and dust. It is within this context that the study of the properties of magnetic fields and their influence on the dynamics of molecular clouds is a key issue in the star formation research field.