The Physical Character of the Smallest-Scale Interstellar Structures

Details The Physical Character of the Smallest-Scale Interstellar Structures The Physical Character of the Smallest-Scale Interstellar Structures

Jul 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003hst..prop.9819l&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #9819

Physics

Hst Proposal Id #9819 Ism And Circumstellar Matter

Scientific paper

The origin{s} of interstellar structure recently seen on very small {tens of AU} scales is a puzzle that has inspired a number of possible theoretical interpretations. In particular, fluctuations in density and/or ionization fraction which can arise naturally in a turbulent medium may give rise to the observed structure. We propose to use STIS to accurately measure and compare selected interstellar absorption line profiles toward two binary star systems to test specific predictions of these models. In addition to NaI line profile variations between the stars indicative of structure on scales of 2000 to 5000 AU, one member of each system shows temporal {proper motion induced} variations in one component indicative of structure on scales of 20 AU. Such temporally variable components allow one to explore the structure of the interstellar medium on the smallest scales, and a detailed physical understanding of these structures requires the diagnostic power of the many interstellar species observable in the ultraviolet. By re-observing the HD 32039/40 system we will be able to confirm or invalidate our {turbulence inspired} model for the origin of this particular temporal fluctuation. The HD 36408AB system will allow us to study two locations near the edge of an individual cloud, and provide a new understanding of the surface layers of interstellar clouds.

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