HST Imaging Polarimetry of the Light Echo around V838 Monocerotis

Details HST Imaging Polarimetry of the Light Echo around V838 Monocerotis HST Imaging Polarimetry of the Light Echo around V838 Monocerotis

Jul 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001hst..prop.9587s&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #9587

Computer Science

Hst Proposal Id #9587

Scientific paper

V838 Mon is a completely unanticipated new kind of object: although it has undergone an outburst somewhat similar to that of an extremely slow nova, its spectrum is unique and totally unlike that of any type of nova. Knowledge of its distance and luminosity is crucial in understanding its nature and origin. Remarkably, a rapidly evolving light echo around V838 Mon has been detected from the ground in recent weeks. HST polarimetric imaging over the next few months, as the light echo expands and fades, will provide a direct geometrical distance to this object {because polarization allows us to selectively identify material with a scattering angle of 90 deg, lying in the plane of the sky at the same distance as the star}. The outburst of V838 Mon thus provides a magnificent, unique, and unexpected testbed for the method proposed by Sparks for measuring extragalactic distances using supernova light echoes, which was the primary justification for adding polarimetric capabilities to the Advanced Camera for Surveys. Since the only previous Galactic nova light echoes occurred in 1901 and 1936, this extraordinary combination of circumstances is unlikely to recur during the HST mission.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

HST Imaging Polarimetry of the Light Echo around V838 Monocerotis does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with HST Imaging Polarimetry of the Light Echo around V838 Monocerotis, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HST Imaging Polarimetry of the Light Echo around V838 Monocerotis will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1200863