The Magnetized Environment of the W3(H2O) Protostars

Details The Magnetized Environment of the W3(H2O) Protostars The Magnetized Environment of the W3(H2O) Protostars

2012-04-17

arxiv.org/abs/1204.3849v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Galaxy Astrophysics

16 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters

Scientific paper

We present the first interferometric polarization map of the W3(OH) massive star-forming region observed with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) at 878 mum with an angular resolution of 1.5 (about 3 \times 10 AU). Polarization is detected in the W3(H2O) hot core, an extended emission structure in the north-west of W3(H2O), and part of the W3(OH) ultracompact HII region. The W3(H2O) hot core is known to be associated with a synchrotron jet along the east-west direction. In this core, the inferred magnetic field orientation is well aligned with the synchrotron jet and close to the plane of sky. Using the Chandrasekhar-Fermi method with the observed dispersion in polarization angle, we estimate a plane-of-sky magnetic field strength of 17.0 mG. Combined with water maser Zeeman measurements, the total magnetic field strength is estimated to be 17.1 mG, comparable to the field strength estimated from the synchrotron model. The magnetic field energy dominates over turbulence in this core. In addition, the depolarization effect is discerned in both SMA and JCMT measurements. Despite the great difference in angular resolutions and map extents, the polarization percentage shows a similar power-law dependence with the beam averaged column density. We suggest that the column density may be an important factor to consider when interpreting the depolarization effect.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Magnetized Environment of the W3(H2O) Protostars 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 Magnetized Environment of the W3(H2O) Protostars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Magnetized Environment of the W3(H2O) Protostars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-290454