Simulated ALMA observations of collapsing low-mass dense cores

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to identify first hydrostatic core candidates using ALMA dust continuum observations, analyzing various configurations to optimize detection of features like pseudo-disks and outflows influenced by magnetic fields.

Contribution

It introduces a strategy for identifying FHSC candidates through simulated ALMA observations and evaluates optimal configurations for detecting magnetic field effects.

Findings

Certain ALMA configurations best detect pseudo-disks and outflows.

Magnetic fields influence emission patterns, indicating their presence.

Pure hydrodynamical models cannot reproduce observed features.

Abstract

We present a possible identification strategy for first hydrostatic core (FHSC) candidates and make predictions of ALMA dust continuum emission maps from these objects. We analyze the results given by the different bands and array configurations and identify which combinations of the two represent our best chance of solving the fragmentation issue in these objects. If the magnetic field is playing a role, the emission pattern will show evidence of a pseudo-disk and even of a magnetically driven outflow, which pure hydrodynamical calculations cannot reproduce.