The Plaskett Lecture: Star Formation in the Perseus Molecular Cloud

Large-scale surveys of the Perseus molecular cloud have provided many clues as to the processes occurring during star formation. Here, analysis of both column density maps and kinematic data (maps and pointed data) are discussed and compared with predictions from simulations. Results include a column density threshold for the formation of dense star-forming cores and that the dense cores are quiescent within their local environment, while the molecular cloud as a whole has turbulent motions that are dominated by large-scale modes. Some of these results have already been used to constrain models of star formation, and the others can be included as future tests of the models. The next few years of star formation research promises to provide exciting advances to the field, particularly with the Gould Belt Legacy Surveys in progress at several facilities, including the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT).