Radio Molecular lines in infrared dark clouds

We have mapped these infrared dark clouds in N_2_H^+^ 1->0, CS 2->1, and C^18^O 1->0 emission using the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory. The maps of the different species often show striking differences in morphologies, indicating differences in evolutionary state and/or the presence of undetected, deeply embedded protostars.

We derive an average mass for these clouds using N_2_H^+^ column densities of >>2500M_{sun}_, a value comparable to that found in previous studies of high-mass star-forming cores using other mass tracers. The line widths of these clouds are typically 2.0-2.9km/s. Based on the fact that they are dark at 8um, compact, and massive, and have large velocity dispersions, we suggest that these clouds may be the precursor sites of intermediate- and high-mass star formation.