Collapse Candidates among the BOK Globules

Abstract

A survey in the C<SUP>18</SUP>O J = 2 → 1 line toward Bok globules detected emission in 27 of them. Maps of the C<SUP>18</SUP>O line located maxima of column density within 34" of IRAS sources in 12 globules. Emission in the H<SUB>2</SUB>CO J<SUB>K-1-K1</SUB> = 3<SUB>12</SUB> → 2<SUB>11</SUB> line was detected toward nine of these 12 globules indicating high volume density. Three of these sources have kinematic signatures consistent with collapse, as confirmed by detailed source modeling. Uncertainties in the distances make a definitive judgment about collapse difficult at this time, but we consider CB 244, CB 54, and CB 3 to be candidates for collapse. Among the three, CB 244 is the best example of low-mass star formation; CB 54 has the least convincing evidence for collapse but is worthy of further investigation; and CB 3 most likely represents intermediate-mass star formation.