1,554 research outputs found
Which Stars are Ionizing the Orion Nebula ?
The common assumption that Theta-1-Ori C is the dominant ionizing source for
the Orion Nebula is critically examined. This assumption underlies much of the
existing analysis of the nebula. In this paper we establish through comparison
of the relative strengths of emission lines with expectations from Cloudy
models and through the direction of the bright edges of proplyds that
Theta-2-Ori-A, which lies beyond the Bright Bar, also plays an important role.
Theta-1-Ori-C does dominate ionization in the inner part of the Orion Nebula,
but outside of the Bright Bar as far as the southeast boundary of the Extended
Orion Nebula, Theta-2-Ori-A is the dominant source. In addition to identifying
the ionizing star in sample regions, we were able to locate those portions of
the nebula in 3-D. This analysis illustrates the power of MUSE spectral imaging
observations in identifying sources of ionization in extended regions.Comment: 7 pages with 5 figure
Studies of NGC 6720 with Calibrated HST WFC3 Emission-Line Filter Images--II:Physical Conditions
We have performed a detailed analysis of the electron temperature and density
in the the Ring Nebula using the calibrated HST WFC3 images described in the
preceding paper. The electron temperature (Te) determined from [N II] and [O
III] rises slightly and monotonically towards the central star. The observed
equivalent width (EW) in the central region indicates that Te rises as high as
13000 K. In contrast, the low EW's in the outer regions are largely due to
scattered diffuse Galactic radiation by dust. The images allowed determination
of unprecedented small scale variations in Te. These variations indicate that
the mean square area temperature fluctuations are significantly higher than
expected from simple photoionization. The power producing these fluctuations
occurs at scales of less than 3.5E15 cm. This scale length provides a strong
restriction on the mechanism causing the large t^2 values observed.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa
Strong variability of the coronal line region in NGC 5548
We present the second extensive study of the coronal line variability in an
active galaxy. Our data set for the well-studied Seyfert galaxy NGC 5548
consists of five epochs of quasi-simultaneous optical and near-infrared
spectroscopy spanning a period of about five years and three epochs of X-ray
spectroscopy overlapping in time with it. Whereas the broad emission lines and
hot dust emission varied only moderately, the coronal lines varied strongly.
However, the observed high variability is mainly due to a flux decrease. Using
the optical [FeVII] and X-ray OVII emission lines we estimate that the coronal
line gas has a relatively low density of n~10^3/cm^3 and a relatively high
ionisation parameter of log U~1. The resultant distance of the coronal line gas
from the ionising source of about eight light years places this region well
beyond the hot inner face of the dusty torus. These results imply that the
coronal line region is an independent entity. We find again support for the
X-ray heated wind scenario of Pier & Voit; the increased ionising radiation
that heats the dusty torus also increases the cooling efficiency of the coronal
line gas, most likely due to a stronger adiabatic expansion. The much stronger
coronal line variability of NGC 5548 relative to that of NGC 4151 can also be
explained within this picture. NGC 5548 has much stronger coronal lines
relative to the low ionisation lines than NGC 4151 indicating a stronger wind,
in which case a stronger adiabatic expansion of the gas and so fading of the
line emission is expected.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures; accepted for publication in MNRAS. arXiv admin
note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1501.0292
Studies of NGC 6720 with Calibrated HST WFC3 Emission-Line Filter Images--III:Tangential Motions using AstroDrizzle Images
We have been able to compare with astrometric precision AstroDrizzle
processed images of NGC 6720 (the Ring Nebula) made using two cameras on the
Hubble Space Telescope. The time difference of the observations was 12.925 yrs.
This large time-base allowed determination of tangential velocities of features
within this classic planetary nebula. Individual features were measured in [N
II] images as were the dark knots seen in silhouette against background nebular
[O III] emission. An image magnification and matching technique was also used
to test the accuracy of the usual assumption of homologous expansion. We found
that homologous expansion does apply, but the rate of expansion is greater
along the major axis of the nebula, which is intrinsically larger than the
minor axis.
We find that the dark knots expand more slowly that the nebular gas, that the
distance to the nebula is 720 pc +/-30%, and the dynamic age of the Ring Nebula
is about 4000 yrs. The dynamic age is in agreement with the position of the
central star on theoretical curves for stars collapsing from the peak of the
Asymptotic Giant Branch to being white dwarfs
Hydrogen Two-Photon Continuum Emission from the Horseshoe Filament in NGC 1275
Far ultraviolet emission has been detected from a knot of Halpha emission in
the Horseshoe filament, far out in the NGC 1275 nebula. The flux detected
relative to the brightness of the Halpha line in the same spatial region is
very close to that expected from Hydrogen two-photon continuum emission in the
particle heating model of Ferland et al. (2009) if reddening internal to the
filaments is taken into account. We find no need to invoke other sources of far
ultraviolet emission such as hot stars or emission lines from CIV in
intermediate temperature gas to explain these data.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
The Curious Conundrum Regarding Sulfur Abundances In Planetary Nebulae
Sulfur abundances derived from optical emission line measurements and
ionization correction factors in planetary nebulae are systematically lower
than expected for the objects' metallicities. We have carefully considered a
large range of explanations for this "sulfur anomaly", including: (1)
correlations between the size of the sulfur deficit and numerous nebular and
central star properties; (2) ionization correction factors which under-correct
for unobserved ions; (3) effects of dielectronic recombination on the sulfur
ionization balance; (4) sequestering of S into dust and/or molecules; and (5)
excessive destruction of S or production of O by AGB stars. It appears that all
but the second scenario can be ruled out. However, we find evidence that the
sulfur deficit is generally reduced but not eliminated when S^+3 abundances
determined directly from IR measurements are used in place of the customary
sulfur ionization correction factor. We tentatively conclude that the sulfur
anomaly is caused by the inability of commonly used ICFs to properly correct
for populations of ionization stages higher than S^+2.Comment: 40 pages, 14 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in the
Astrophysical Journa
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