Kinematics and Ultraviolet to Infrared Morphology of the Inner Homunculus of η Carinae

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

46

Stars: Circumstellar Matter, Stars: Individual: Constellation Name: Η Carinae, Ultraviolet: Stars

Scientific paper

We present the first ultraviolet and optical images of η Car and its circumstellar Homunculus nebula, obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys/High Resolution Camera (ACS/HRC) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Compared to those at visual wavelengths, UV images reveal excess emission 0.1"-0.6" from the central source along the minor axis that may emanate from the outer parts of η Car's nonspherical stellar wind, which dominates the UV flux from η Car. The UV emission fills the cavity inside a dust torus measured from infrared (IR) data; within 0.2" of the star the UV emission projects a morphology reminiscent of the IR torus, but it is a factor of 10 smaller. This ``little torus'' seen in the UV may be related to the ``Little Homunculus'' discovered recently, signifying recurrent mass ejections with the same geometry. Finally, we reexamine the kinematics of nebular condensations near the star (Weigelt objects C and D) in HST images and spectra obtained over the past decade. We measure heliocentric velocities slower than previous estimates, and from proper motions we derive an ejection date of 1908+/-12 yr, assuming linear motion. However, because of radiative acceleration, these objects may have been ejected earlier-perhaps during the 1890 outburst of η Car.
Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Kinematics and Ultraviolet to Infrared Morphology of the Inner Homunculus of η Carinae 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 Kinematics and Ultraviolet to Infrared Morphology of the Inner Homunculus of η Carinae, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Kinematics and Ultraviolet to Infrared Morphology of the Inner Homunculus of η Carinae will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1386790

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.