Molecular Line Profiles from Contracting Dense Cores

Details Molecular Line Profiles from Contracting Dense Cores Molecular Line Profiles from Contracting Dense Cores

2010-05-25

arxiv.org/abs/1005.4693v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

accepted by MNRAS

Scientific paper

We recently proposed that molecular cloud dense cores undergo a prolonged period of quasi-static contraction prior to true collapse. This theory could explain the observation that many starless cores exhibit, through their spectral line profiles, signs of inward motion. We now use our model, together with a publicly available radiative transfer code, to determine the emission from three commonly used species - N2H+, CS, and HCN. A representative dense core of 3 Msun that has been contracting for 1 Myr has line profiles that qualitatively match the observed ones. In particular, optically thick lines have about the right degree of blue-red asymmetry, the empirical hallmark of contraction. The J=2-1 rotational transition of CS only attains the correct type of profile if the species is centrally depleted, as has been suggested by previous studies. These results support the idea that a slow, but accelerating, contraction leads to protostellar collapse. In the future, the kind of analysis presented here can be used to assign ages to individual starless cores.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Molecular Line Profiles from Contracting Dense Cores does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Molecular Line Profiles from Contracting Dense Cores, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Molecular Line Profiles from Contracting Dense Cores will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-604567