Investigation of the structure of molecular cloud filaments

该项目涉及数据简化、数据分析和建模/解释的结合，使用赫歇尔空间天文台上的PACS和SPIRE fir -亚毫米相机以及詹姆斯·克拉克·麦克斯韦望远镜上的SCUBA-2亚毫米相机的数据，对附近的恒星形成分子云进行空间分辨多波段观测。数据将使用最初在卡迪夫开发的新的PPMAP程序进行分析，将多波段尘埃强度观测分解为不同温度和尘埃发射率指数下物质发射的成分，结果将用于解析和研究恒星形成细丝的内部结构。附近的金牛座和蛇夫座分子云将被详细研究，细丝的特性，如特征半径、温度和尘埃发射率曲线，以及单位长度的质量，将被推导出来，并与细丝中的恒星形成活动联系起来，这些活动由图中检测到的恒星前和原恒星核心证明。该项目还涉及制订和记录执行PPMAP方案的适当方法，并处理该方案产生的数据集。这将使PPMAP技术和方案的更普遍的效用和操作得到优化，澄清其使用的最佳参数和顺序，并确定可能适用于不同种类的观测和源类型的限制和缺陷。这项工作是一个涉及卡迪夫大学和国际同事的合作项目的一部分。

The project involves a combination of data reduction and data analysis and modelling/interpretation using spatially resolved multi-band observations of nearby star-forming molecular clouds using data from the PACS and SPIRE FIR-submillimetre cameras on board the Herschel Space Observatory and the SCUBA-2 submillimetre camera on the James Clerk Maxwell telescope. Data will be analysed using the new PPMAP routine, initially developed at Cardiff, to decompose multi-band dust intensity observations into components emitted by material at different temperatures and dust emissivity indices, and the results will be used to resolve and study the internal structure of star-forming filaments. The nearby, and thus well-resolved, Taurus and Ophiuchus molecular clouds will be studied in detail, and filament properties such as characteristic radius, temperature and dust emissivity profiles, and mass per unit length will be derived and linked to the star-formation activity in the filaments as evidenced by prestellar and protostellar cores detected in the maps. The project also involves developing and documenting the appropriate methds for implementing the PPMAP programme and dealing with the data-sets that it produces. This will enable the more general utility and operation of the PPMAP technique and programme to be optimised, clarifying the optimum parameters and sequences for its use, and identifying constraints and pitfalls that may apply for different kinds of observations and source types. The work is part of a collaborative programme involving colleagues at Cardiff and internationally.