The dynamics and physical structures in the cores of molecular clouds are important because they are key ingredients for understanding the clouds and their physical and chemical evolution. Dr. Helene Dickel will investigate the velocity, temperature, and density fields of interstellar clouds by comparing observed intensity profiles of different transitions of molecular species with theoretical profiles calculated from the transfer of radiation through a model cloud. Dr. Dickel will be looking for unique signatures in the profiles which either point to a particular dynamical situation or by their existence (or absence) can place bounds on a particular range of cloud parameters.
