We present a quantitative atlas and catalog of dark clouds derived by using the optical database “Digitized Sky Survey I”. Applying a traditional star-count technique to 1043 plates contained in the database, we produced an $A_V$ map covering the entire region in the galactic latitude range $\vert b\vert \le 40^\circ$. The map was drawn at two different angular resolutions of $6'$ and $18'$, and is shown in detail in a series of figures in this paper. Based on the $A_V$ map, we identified 2448 dark clouds and 2841 clumps located inside them. Some physical parameters, such as the position, extent, and optical extinction, were measured for each of the clouds and clumps. We also searched for counterparts among already known dark clouds in the literature. The catalog of dark clouds presented in this paper lists the cloud parameters as well as the counterparts.

We present high-resolution, H-band, imaging observations, collected with Subaru/HiCIAO, of the scattered light from the transitional disk around SAO 206462 (HD 135344B). Although previous submm imagery suggested the existence of the dust-depleted cavity at r ≤ 46 AU, our observations reveal the presence of scattered light components as close as 0. ′′ 2 (∼ 28 AU) from the star. Moreover, we have discovered two small-scale spiral structures lying within 0. ′′ 5 (∼ 70 AU). We present models for the spiral structures using the spiral density wave theory, and derive a disk aspect ratio of h ∼ 0.1, which is consistent with previous sub-mm observations. This model can potentially give estimates of the temperature and rotation profiles of the disk based on dynamical processes, independently from sub-mm observations. It also predicts the evolution of the spiral structures, which can be observable on timescales of 10-20 years, providing conclusive tests of the model. While we cannot uniquely identify the origin of these spirals, planets embedded in the disk may be capable of exciting the observed morphology. Assuming that this is the case, we can make predictions on the locations and, possibly, the masses of the unseen planets. Such planets may be detected by future multi-wavelengths observations.

-On the basis of near-infrared imaging observations, we derived visual extinction (A V ) distribution toward ten Bok globules through measurements of both the color excess (E H−K ) and the stellar density at J, H, and K s (star count). Radial column density profiles for each globule were analyzed with the Bonnor-Ebert sphere model. Using the data of our ten globules and four globules in the literature, we investigated the stability of globules on the basis of ξ max , which characterizes the Bonnor-Ebert sphere as well as the stability of the equilibrium state against the gravitational collapse. We found that more than half of starless globules are located near the critical state (ξ max = 6.5 ± 2). Thus, we suggest that a nearly critical Bonnor-Ebert sphere characterizes the typical density structure of starless globules. Remaining starless globules show clearly unstable states (ξ max > 10). Since unstable equilibrium states are not long maintained, we expect that these globules are on the way to gravitational collapse or that they are stabilized by non-thermal support. It was also found that all the starforming globules show unstable solutions of ξ max > 10, which is consistent with the fact that they have started gravitational collapse. We investigated the evolution of a collapsing gas sphere whose initial condition is a nearly critical Bonnor-Ebert sphere. We found that the column density profiles of the collapsing sphere mimic those of the static Bonnor-Ebert spheres in unstable equilibrium. The collapsing gas sphere resembles marginally unstable Bonnor-Ebert spheres for a long time. We found that the frequency distribution of ξ max for the observed starless globules is consistent with that from model calculations of the collapsing sphere. In addition to the near-infrared observations, we carried out radio molecular line observations (C 18 O and N 2 H + ) toward the same ten globules. We confirmed that most of the globules are dominated by thermal support. The line width of each globule was used to estimate the cloud temperature including the contribution from turbulence, with which we estimated the distance to the globules from the Bonnor-Ebert model fitting.Subject headings: ISM: clouds -dust, extinction -ISM: globules -stars: formation * Recently, a low luminosity protostar was discovered toward the globule Lynds 1014, which is known to accompany no IRAS point sources, using the Spitzer Space Telescope (Young et al. 2004). Though Spitzer data are useful to clarify whether globules contain protostars or not, Spitzer data is available only for one source, CB 131, among the "IRAS-less" globules in Table 1. We briefly checked mid-infrared data of the Spitzer telescope toward CB 131 and found that there is no protostar candidates near the center of the globule. Though a source is located near the globule †

We present the first near-IR scattered light detection of the transitional disk associated with the Herbig Ae star MWC 758 using data obtained as part of the Strategic Exploration of Exoplanets and Disks with Subaru, and 1.1µm HST/NICMOS data. While sub-millimeter studies suggested there is a dustdepleted cavity with r=0. ′′ 35, we find scattered light as close as 0.1 ′′ (20-28 AU) from the star, with no visible cavity at H, K', or K s . We find two small-scaled spiral structures which asymmetrically shadow the outer disk. We model one of the spirals using spiral density wave theory, and derive a disk aspect ratio of h∼0.18, indicating a dynamically warm disk. If the spiral pattern is excited by a perturber, we estimate its mass to be 5 +3 −4 M J , in the range where planet filtration models predict accretion continuing onto the star. Using a combination of non-redundant aperture masking data at L ′ and angular differential imaging with Locally Optimized Combination of Images at K ′ and K s , we exclude stellar or massive brown dwarf companions within 300 mas of the Herbig Ae star, and all but planetary mass companions exterior to 0. ′′ 5. We reach 5-σ contrasts limiting companions to planetary masses, 3-4 M J at 1. ′′ 0 and 2 M J at 1. ′′ 55 using the COND models. Collectively, these data strengthen the case for MWC 758 already being a young planetary system. Subject headings: circumstellar matter instrumentation: high angular resolution polarization planetary systems: protoplanetary disks stars: individual (MWC 758) waves