CO Core Candidates in the Gemini Molecular Cloud

TL;DR

This study maps the Gemini molecular cloud, identifying 36 potential starless cores with specific physical properties, providing insights into early star formation stages.

Contribution

It reports the detection and characterization of 36 core candidates in the Gemini cloud using CO isotopologue observations, highlighting their properties and transient nature.

Findings

36 core candidates identified with characteristic diameter of 0.25 pc

Core temperatures around 7.9 K and line widths of 0.54 km/s

C$^{18}$O emission was not detected in the region

Abstract

We present observations of a 4 squared degree area toward the Gemini cloud obtained using J = 1-0 transitions of $^{12}$CO, $^{13}$CO and C$^{18}$O. No C$^{18}$O emission was detected. This region is composed of 36 core candidates of $^{13}$CO. These core candidates have a characteristic diameter of 0.25 pc, excitation temperatures of 7.9 K, line width of 0.54 km s$^{-1}$ and a mean mass of 1.4 M$_{\sun}$. They are likely to be starless core candidates, or transient structures, which probably disperse after $\sim$10$^6$ yr.