IR Variability During a Shell Ejection of Eta Carinae

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

Every 5.5 years, η Carinae experiences a dramatic ``spectroscopic event'' when high-excitation lines in its UV, optical, and IR spectrum disappear, and its hard X-ray and radio continuum flux crash. This periodicity has been attributed to a very eccentric binary system with a shell ejection occurring at periastron. Mid-IR images and spectra with T-ReCS are needed to measure changes in the current bolometric luminosity and to trace dust formation episodes. This will provide a direct estimate of the mass ejected. Near-IR emission lines trace related changes in the post-event wind and ionization changes in the circumstellar environment needed to test specific models for the cause of η Car's variability as it recovers from its recent ``event''. High resolution near-IR spectra with GNIRS will continue the important work of HST/STIS, investigating changes in the direct and reflected spectrum of the stellar wind, and ionization changes in the nebula. The complex kinematic structure of η Car's ejecta also holds important clues to its mass ejection history, and is essential for interpreting other data. Phoenix can provide a unique kinematic map of the complex density and time-variable ionization structure of η Car's nebula, which is our best example of the pre-explosion environment of very massive stars.

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

IR Variability During a Shell Ejection of Eta 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 IR Variability During a Shell Ejection of Eta Carinae, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and IR Variability During a Shell Ejection of Eta Carinae will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1722130

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