Massive Star Formation and the Proper Motions of the OMC-1 Molecular Hydrogen Fingers

Details Massive Star Formation and the Proper Motions of the OMC-1 Molecular Hydrogen Fingers Massive Star Formation and the Proper Motions of the OMC-1 Molecular Hydrogen Fingers

Jul 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005hst..prop10620c&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #10620

Physics

Optics

Hst Proposal Id #10620 Star Formation

Scientific paper

The Orion Molecular Cloud OMC-1 is by far the nearest region of massive star formation, and as such provides a laboratory for studying massive star formation with unprecedented detail. Using NICMOS, eight years ago our group discovered unique molecular hydrogen 'fingers' emanating from the IRc2 area. We propose new NICMOS imaging of the same region to compare with our earlier results. This will determine spatial motions to 3 AU/year. Using the two data sets, we will: 1} bound the age range of the features and thus address whether all the molecular hydrogen features were produced in a single event - such as an explosion or a stellar merger - or in multiple events/steady outflow; 2} limit the location of the outflow source{s}, which remain to be identified despite sub-arcsecond imaging at thermal infrared wavelengths; and 3} characterize inhomogeneities on the 100 AU scale. Together these findings will significantly constrain how massive star formation proceeds in OMC-1. NICMOS achieves the highest quality, near-infrared images for diffuse objects in crowded regions. Because of the complexity of the OMC-1 region, and the difficulty in using Adaptive Optics to measure small position shifts for diffuse, low contrast objects, these high precision proper motion measurements require the stable PSF, high Strehl ratio, and low response in the PSF wings which HST/NICMOS uniquely provides.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Massive Star Formation and the Proper Motions of the OMC-1 Molecular Hydrogen Fingers 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 Massive Star Formation and the Proper Motions of the OMC-1 Molecular Hydrogen Fingers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Massive Star Formation and the Proper Motions of the OMC-1 Molecular Hydrogen Fingers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1250397