Talk abstract

The stellar initial mass function has been shown to be determined by the form of the prestellar core mass function. In this paper we present the latest results from Herschel and SCUBA2 of observations of prestellar cores. We explore the link between prestellar cores and Class 0 protostellar cores. We study the physical parameters of the cores, including their masses and radial density profiles. We present the first attempt at an evolutionary diagram for prestellar cores. Finally, we explore the link between prestellar cores and lower density CO cores to search for the origin of the prestellar core mass function.