Tracking the Evolution of the Homunculus and Outer Debris in Eta Carinae

Details Tracking the Evolution of the Homunculus and Outer Debris in Eta Carinae Tracking the Evolution of the Homunculus and Outer Debris in Eta Carinae

Jul 1999

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999hst..prop.8178m&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #8178

Physics

Hst Proposal Id #8178 Stellar Ejecta

Scientific paper

We request Cycle 8 and Cycle 10 WFPC2 images of Eta Carinae in order to track the expansion of high-velocity material ejected during one or more giant outbursts of the central supermassive star. These images will increase the time baseline from 2 to 6 years of high-resolution Planetary Camera data for measuring proper motions and monitoring photometric changes in the debris field. Assuming a distance to Eta of ~ 2300 pc, we will be able to trace transverse motions of the debris of ltsim 20 km s^-1 with the full 6 year time baseline. PC1 images in red and blue continuum filters will be used to track the expansion of the dusty bipolar lobes of Eta's ``Homunculus'' and equatorial skirt of ejecta. WF3 emission-line images will be used to trace motions of the outer debris field ~ 10'' - 40'' from the central star. This investigation will resolve the recent controversy surrounding the kinematic ages of the Homunculus lobes versus the equatorial skirt; whether or not these structures are co-eval has enormous implications for models of the outburst that created the Homunculus. We also can uniquely address issues of hydrodynamic expansion and wind-wind interactions through a time series of exposures of this textbook bipolar system. Because many groups around the world who are working on different facets of Eta Carinae will be interested in these images, we waive the proprietary rights to the dataset in order to maximize its usage.

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