GBT20A-322

Characterizing the Internal Velocity Fields of Star-forming Cores with GBT-Argus

Abstract

The internal velocity structure within dense cores plays a crucial role in providing the initial conditions for star formation, but has not been well characterized because of instrument limitations. Building on our successful pilot study, we propose to capitalize on the unique capabilities of GBT-Argus to survey the kinematics of all starless and Class 0 protostellar cores in Perseus down to ~0.01 pc scales with <0.05 km/s velocity resolution using the widely-used dense gas tracer N2H+. Our aim is to address a key open question in star formation: the origin and distribution of angular momenta of star-forming cores. Observationally determining the core angular momentum is a pre-requisite for understanding the formation and diversity of protostellar disks and binary/multiple systems. Our pilot study demonstrated the ability of GBT-Argus for studying dense core velocity structure, and enabled the development of the necessary data reduction and analysis tools. A parallel theory program to understand core kinematics through numerical simulations is also in place. By characterizing the detailed kinematics of more than 100 cores, this GBT Large Program will address the angular momentum question with a statistically broad sample and provide many opportunities for ancillary science by the star formation community worldwide.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Che-Yu Chen *	Maryland, University of; Virginia, University of; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Anika Schmiedeke	Green Bank Observatory
Dave Frayer	Green Bank Observatory
Rachel Friesen	Toronto, University of
Jialu Li	Maryland, University of
Andy Harris	Maryland, University of
How-Huan Chen	Texas at Austin, University of
John Tobin	National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Leslie Looney	Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of
Lee Mundy	Maryland, University of
Ka Ho Lam	Virginia, University of
Eve Ostriker	Maryland, University of
Tien-Hao Hsieh	Academia Sinica; National Tsing Hua University
Sarah Church	Stanford University
Jaime Pineda	Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
Stella Offner	Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian; Massachusetts at Amherst, University of; Texas at Austin, University of
Zhi-Yun Li	Virginia, University of

* indicates the PI