Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994mnras.268l..29b&link_type=abstract
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 268, NO. 2/MAY15, P. L29, 1994
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
51
Line: Profiles - Stars: Individual: P Cygni - Stars: Mass-Loss - Ism: Bubbles
Scientific paper
We have obtained images in the [N II] λ6584 line of the nebula around the luminous blue variable star P Cygni, using a 4 arcsec wide occulting strip. A nearly circular inner nebula is found, containing many bright condensations, with angular diameters of 21.4 arcsec in the east-west direction and 23.8 arcsec in the north-south direction. Two fainter outer arcs of [N II] emission are also visible, with angular diameters of 1 and 1.5 arcmin. A high-resolution 4900-9000 Å UES spectrum, obtained at a position 9 arcsec west of P Cygni, shows the [N II] λλ7378, 7412 doublet to be the strongest feature emitted by the nebula. High-resolution long-slit MES spectra were obtained at multiple positions across the bright inner nebula in order to investigate the density, dynamics and age of the nebula. Our [N II] λ6584 spectra show broad velocity components with an overall expansion velocity of 140 km s-1, while our [N II] λ7412 spectra show much narrower velocity components with an overall expansion velocity of only 110 km s-1. Our results are consistent with the narrow [N II] emission originating from dense, mainly neutral knots which are being overtaken by the stellar wind from P Cyg at a relative velocity of 100 km s-1, with the broader irregular [N II] and [S II] emission arising from bow shocks around the knots. This model provides a natural explanation for the larger [N II] expansion velocities compared to those of [N II].
Barlow Michael J.
Drew Janet E.
Massey R. M.
Meaburn John
No associations
LandOfFree
The Shock-Excited P-Cygni Nebula 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 The Shock-Excited P-Cygni Nebula, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Shock-Excited P-Cygni Nebula will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-888436