A Kinematic Survey of Dense Cores in the Pipe Nebula: Probing the Origin of Dense Cores and the Stellar IMF

We propose to conduct a C18O and CS molecular line survey of 100 cores within the Pipe Nebula. We intend to use this survey to determine the dynamical status of the dense cores within this extremely young cloud.The proposed observations will be combined with the results of two major infrared surveys that we have recently obtained for this region using the Spitzer Space Telescope (IRAC and MIPS) and ground-based,wide-field, near-infrared (extinction) observations. The combination of the infrared and molecular-line observations will provide significant constraints for understanding both the origin of dense cores and the stellar IMF.