The Large and Small Scale Structures of Dust in the Star-Forming Perseus Molecular Cloud

Details The Large and Small Scale Structures of Dust in the Star-Forming Perseus Molecular Cloud The Large and Small Scale Structures of Dust in the Star-Forming Perseus Molecular Cloud

2006-02-03

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0602089v2

Astrophys.J.646:1009-1023,2006

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

38 pages, 12 figures, accepted by Astrophysical Journal slight changes to original due to a slight 3" error in the coordinates

Scientific paper

10.1086/503193

We present an analysis of ~3.5 square degrees of submillimetre continuum and extinction data of the Perseus molecular cloud. We identify 58 clumps in the submillimetre map and we identify 39 structures (`cores') and 11 associations of structures (`super cores') in the extinction map. The cumulative mass distributions of the submillimetre clumps and extinction cores have steep slopes (alpha ~ 2 and 1.5 - 2 respectively), steeper than the Salpeter IMF (alpha = 1.35), while the distribution of extinction super cores has a shallow slope (alpha ~ 1). Most of the submillimetre clumps are well fit by stable Bonnor-Ebert spheres with 10K < T < 19K and 5.5 < log_10(P_ext/k) < 6.0. The clumps are found only in the highest column density regions (A_V > 5 - 7 mag), although Bonnor-Ebert models suggest that we should have been able to detect them at lower column densities if they exist. These observations provide a stronger case for an extinction threshold than that found in analysis of less sensitive observations of the Ophiuchus molecular cloud. The relationship between submillimetre clumps and their parent extinction core has been analyzed. The submillimetre clumps tend to lie offset from the larger extinction peaks, suggesting the clumps formed via an external triggering event, consistent with previous observations.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Large and Small Scale Structures of Dust in the Star-Forming Perseus Molecular Cloud 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 The Large and Small Scale Structures of Dust in the Star-Forming Perseus Molecular Cloud, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Large and Small Scale Structures of Dust in the Star-Forming Perseus Molecular Cloud will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-699085