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Submillimetre observations of externally irradiated low-mass protostellar envelopes show that the gas temperature in the envelopes is dominated by the external irradiation. Detailed studies of the protostar IRS7B in Corona Australis also show that the chemistry is strongly affected by the irradiation, depleting the abundances of complex organic molecules.

With the advances in high angular resolution (sub)millimeter observations of low-mass protostars, windows of opportunities are opening up for very detailed studies of the molecular structure of star forming regions on wide range of spatial scales. Deeply embedded protostars provide an important laboratory to study the chemistry of star formation – providing the link between dense regions in molecular clouds from which stars are formed, i.e., the initial conditions and the end product in terms of, e.g., disk and planet formation. High angular resolution observations at (sub)millimeter wavelengths provide an important tool for studying the chemical composition of such low-mass protostars. They for example constrain the spatial molecular abundance variations – and can thereby identify which species are useful tracers of different components of the protostars at different evolutionary stages. In this review I discuss the possibilities and limitations of using high angular resolution (sub)millimeter interferometric observations for studying the chemical evolution of low-mass protostars – with a particular keen eye toward near-future ALMA observations.

Submillimeter observations with ALMA will be the essential next step in our understanding of how stars and planets form. Key projects range from detailed imaging of the collapse of pre-stellar cores and measuring the accretion rate of matter onto deeply embedded protostars, to unravelling the chemistry and dynamics of high-mass star-forming clusters and high-spatial resolution studies of protoplanetary disks down to the 1 AU scale.

We present our most recent results from an ongoing study of the Class 0 source Barnard 1c in Perseus. This source is of particular interest because it exhibits evidence of strong alignment of grains all the way to the core's centre, which is contrary to all other low-mass protostellar cores observed to date. Our goal is to clarify the source of poor alignment in other sources by identifying the source of strong alignment in B1c. A central cavity has been identified in N sub(2)H super(+) emission; its anticorrelation with C super(18)O emission suggests that heating in the centre has released CO from grain mantles, in turn destroying N sub(2)H super(+). We present sensitivity-limited, high spatial resolution polarimetry data from the SubMillimeter Array and discuss the potential implications of these data.

We present our most recent results from an ongoing study of the Class 0 source Barnard 1c in Perseus. This source is of particular interest because it exhibits evidence of strong alignment of grains all the way to the core’s centre, which is contrary to all other low-mass protostellar cores observed to date. Our goal is to clarify the source of poor alignment in other sources by identifying the source of strong alignment in B1c. A central cavity has been identified in N 2 H + emission; its anticorrelation with C 18 O emission suggests that heating in the centre has released CO from grain mantles, in turn destroying N 2 H + . We present sensitivity-limited, high spatial resolution polarimetry data from the SubMillimeter Array and discuss the potential implications of these data.

Submillimeter observations are a key for answering many of the big questions in modern-day astrophysics, such as how stars and planets form, how galaxies evolve, and how material cycles through stars and the interstellar medium. With the upcoming large submillimeter facilities ALMA and Herschel a new window will open to study these questions. ARTIST is a project funded in context of the European ASTRONET program with the aim of developing a next generation model suite for comprehensive multi-dimensional radiative transfer calculations of the dust and line emission, as well as their polarization, to help interpret observations with these groundbreaking facilities.

If the human influence on the atmosphere proceeds unchanged it may result in climate changes for Denmark, with an annual average temperature rise of about 3°C by the end of the next century precipitation may increase by 10-15%, and the relative sea-level rise between 30 and 50 cm. The immediate consequences for Denmark within the next century may be so modest, that they can be managed through planned adjustment, supported by technological development. A possible exception is the natural ecosystems, where climate change may be too rapid for the adjustment of some animal and plant species; this may cause temporary instability and changes in the composition of species. Denmark is ecologically, politically, and economically a small open system. Development in the rest of the world may therefore be decisive. Greenland and the Faroe Islands, where completely different conditions prevail, are not included in the evaluations in this paper.