Wave dynamics and star formation in Taurus

The mechanism underlying the formation of cores and larger scale structures in molecular clouds must play a fundamental role in the physics of star formation since young stellar objects are usually found within or very near cores (Myers et al 1987, Beichman et al 1986). The Taurus cloud is an ideal object to study in this regard because of its proximity (160 pc), and because only low mass star formation is presently occurring there. Barnard's …