A high-resolution study of the slowly contracting, starless core L1544

We present interferometric observations of N2H+ (1-0) in the starless, dens e core L1544 in Taurus. Redshifted self-absorption, indicative of inward mo tions, is found toward the center of an elongated core. The data are fit by a nonspherical model consisting of two isothermal, rotating, centrally con densed layers. Through a hybrid global-individual fit to the spectra, we ma p the variation of infall speed at scales similar to 1400 AU and find value s similar to 0.08 km s(-1) around the core center. The inward motions are s mall in comparison to thermal, rotational, and gravitational speeds but are large enough to suggest that L1544 is very close to forming a star.