Submillimeter astronomy and the problem of star formation

Sources that have traditionally been called 'protostars,' because they were strong emitters of infrared radiation embedded in dust clouds, are now recognized to be 'newly formed' stars instead. Recent developments in submillimeter astronomy should permit a redoubling of efforts to find bodies that are the actual predecessors of newly formed stars. This renewed search for true protostars will be aided by advances that have occurred in submillimeter spectroscopy; these will permit an analysis of the physical conditions and chemical constitution of cooler protostellar clouds, and may provide insight into circumstances favoring protostellar collapse.