Abstract
The globular molecular cloud B335 contains a single, deeply embedded, far-infrared source. Recent observations of H2CO and CS lines toward this source provide direct kinematic evidence for collapse. Both the intensity and detailed shape of the line profiles match those expected from inside-out collapse inside a radius of 0.036 pc. The collapse began about 1.5×105yr ago, similar to the onset of the outflow. The mass accretion rate is about 10 times the outflow rate, and about 0.4 Msun should have now accumulated in the star and disk. Because B335 rotates only very slowly, any disk would still be very small (about 3 AU). The accretion luminosity should be adequate to power the observed luminosity. Consequently, the author believes that B335 is indeed a collapsing protostar. The author has also studied six Herbig Ae/Be stars (intermediate-mass pre-main-sequence stars) in the far-infrared. All six had been previously modeled as systems containing only stars and disks, but he finds extended far-infrared emission around five of the six, implying the presence of an envelope, as well as a disk, around the stars.
