A method for molecular-line radiative-transfer computations and its application to a two-dimensional model for the starless core L1544

We present a numerical method and the URAN(IA) computer code for two-dimensional, axially symmetric radiative-transfer computations in molecular lines and spectral modeling. The algorithm is based on Monte Carlo computations of the mean radiation intensity and Accelerated Λ Iterations (ALI) to provide self-consistency between the radiation field and molecular excitation. The code is applied to the structure and kinematic properties of the starless core L1544, which is often considered to be the collapsing core of a molecular cloud. This object has been well studied, but none of the one-dimensional models obtained earlier has been able to provide a self-consistent picture of its structure and kinematics. We show that the spectral features of L1544 can be reproduced in a two-dimensional model in which the cloud has an axial ratio of 2: 1, a mean velocity of contraction (collapse) of V_r～50 m/s, and a rotational velocity of up to V _φ ～ 200 m/s. We construct the model of L1544 based on a continuous transition from an initially homogeneous cloud to the observed configuration. The velocity of the contraction is appreciably lower than is predicted by one-dimensional dynamical models. We discuss the problems of interpreting observed molecular-line profiles and prospects for developing self-consistent models for the chemical and dynamical evolution of molecular clouds.