Contents of: VI/111/./abstract/DWARDTHO_PRESTELL.abs

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==> In this proposal, more time is being requested for DWARDTHO.PREPROT
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We propose to carry out ISOPHOT observations of a number of molecular cloud
cores, which we have studied in the submm. We discovered submillimetre
continuum emission from these cores for the first time. On the basis of our
submillimetre observations we hypothesised that these cores are pre-stellar
in nature, at an earlier evolutionary stage than the Class 0 protostar stage.
We proposed to observe these with PHOT in the first round of ISO applications,
and obtained Priority 1 status from OTAC for our proposal. These observations
have been taken by ISO, but we have not yet received the data. We now wish
to observe more cores in a different cloud region, namely Taurus, as our
original source list were all in and around the Ophiuchus cloud region.
The scientific aim of this proposal is then to compare different molecular
cloud regions to test whether the manner in which pre-stellar cores evolve
to protostars varies from cloud to cloud. We already have evidence, from
submm bolometer array data taken at IRAM, that the Taurus and Ophiuchus
regions represent different modes of star formation. In the case of Ophiuchus
we see probable clustered star formation, whereas Taurus is at best an open
cluster in the process of forming, or more likely an unbound association.
We wish to test models of how pre-stellar cores evolve, to discern what
effect the environment has on the manner of this evolution. ISO presents a
unique opportunity to test the specific predictions of models of ambipolar
diffusion in low-mass star-forming regions such as these. In a parallel
programme we are applying for SCUBA time to observe these cores in the submm.
When the ISOPHOT observations are combined with our existing submm
observations and our planned SCUBA observations, we will be able to test the
detailed predictions of the different models of star formation and determine
which, if any, is correct. For instance, our initial study has already shown
that the power-law radial density profile of the standard model is incorrect.