Zooming in to Massive Star Birth

We present high resolution (0.2", 1000 AU) 1.3 mm ALMA observations of massive infrared dark cloud clump, G028.37+00.07-C1, thought to harbor the early stages of massive star formation. Using ${\mathrm{N}}_2{\mathrm{D}}^{+}$(3-2) we resolve the previously identified C1-S core, separating the bulk of its emission from two nearby protostellar sources. C1-S is thus identified as a massive ($\sim 50M_{\odot }$), compact ($\sim 0.1$pc diameter) starless core, e.g., with no signs of outflow activity. Being highly deuterated, this is a promising candidate for a pre-stellar core on the verge of collapse. An analysis of its dynamical state indicates a sub-virial velocity dispersion compared to a trans-Alfv'enic turbulent core model. However, virial equilibrium could be achieved with sub-Alfv'enic conditions involving $\sim 2$mG magnetic field strengths.