The energetics and mass structure of regions of star formation: S201

Theoretical predictions about dust and gas in star-forming regions are tested by observing a 4-arcmin region surrounding the radio continuum source in S201. The object was mapped in two far-infrared wavelengths and found to show significant extended emission. Under the assumption that the molecular gas is heated solely via thermal coupling with the dust, the volume density was mapped in S201. The ratios of infrared optical depth to CO column density were calculated for a number of positions in the source. Near the centre of the cloud the values are found to be in good agreement with other determinations for regions with lower column density. In addition, the observations suggest significant molecular destruction in the outer parts of the object. (author)