Physics
Scientific paper
Feb 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007noao.prop..182w&link_type=abstract
NOAO Proposal ID #2007A-0182
Physics
Scientific paper
In early 2002, V838 Monocerotis experienced a series of three consecutive, massive photometric eruptions. Soon after its second outburst, V838 Mon developed a magnificent light echo, whose dynamical evolution has been traced at high resolution by the HST ACS. A wide range of mechanisms have been put forth to explain V838 Mon's enigmatic behavior, including thermonuclear events, stellar mergers, and the swallowing of one or more giant planets. Assessing the origin of the light echo material provides one avenue to differentiate the feasibility of these proposed models. We propose to use Gemini's Michelle to determine the mass and detailed spatial distribution of dust in V838 Mon's inner light echo. Together with Spitzer imaging, which better probes the outer echo region, our Michelle data will help to estimate how much echo dust is circumstellar versus interstellar in origin. Consequently, these data will have an immediate impact on theoretical efforts to explain V838 Mon's eruptions.
Bjorkman Karen S.
Clampin Mark
Wisniewski John P.
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