Chains of dense cores in the Taurus L1495/B213 complex

Abstract

Context. Cloud fragmentation into dense cores is a critical step in the process of star formation. A number of recent observations show that it is connected to the filamentary structure of the gas, but the processes responsible for core formation remain mysterious. Aims. We studied the kinematics and spatial distribution of the dense gas in the L1495/B213 filamentary region of the Taurus molecular cloud with the goal of understanding the mechanism of core formation. Methods. We mapped the densest regions of L1495/B213 in N 2 H + (1-0) and C 18 O(2-1) with the IRAM 30 m telescope, and complemented these data with archival dust-continuum observations from the Herschel Space Observatory.