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At least 199 records · Page 11

Multiple circumstellar shells and radiation pressure on grains in the outflows from late-type giants

It is pointed out that mass loss from red giants and supergiants is sometimes as high as 0.0001 solar mass per year. This mass loss represents a major source of new interstellar matter. The present investigation is concerned with the phenomena involved in stellar mass loss, taking into account a comparison of currently available observations with plausible models. The case of the extended circumstellar envelope around IRC +10216 is considered. In observations about mass loss from circumstellar shells, it is sometimes found that the P Cygni profiles are split into two or more sharp, distinct components. The question is considered whether such narrow separate components can be understood in terms of the radiation pressure model. A grain growth model is discussed along with outflow velocity, radiation pressure, and mass loss rates. The models are compared with observations from Alpha Orionis, Mira, and IRC +10216. It is concluded that a hybrid model for the mass loss from some late-type stars seems appropriate. Under certain conditions, outflow speeds of 10 to 20 km/s can be understood.

Jura, M.↗

An infrared study of the bi-polar outflow region GGD 12-15

Infrared observations from 1 to 100 microns are presented for the region associated with a bipolar CO outflow source near the nebulous objects GGD 12 to 15. A luminous far-infrared source was found associated with a radio-continuum source in the area. This object appears to be a compact HII region around a nearly main-sequence BO star. A faint 20 micron source was also discovered at the position of an H2O maser 3O deg northwest of the HII region. This object appears to be associated with but not coincident with a 2 micron reflection nebula. This structure serves as evidence for a non-spherically symmetric, possibly disk-like dust distribution around the exciting star for the maser. This object probably powers the bi-polar CO outflow although its luminosity is less than 10% that of the star which excites the compact HII region. A number of other 2 micron sources found in the area are probably members of a recently formed cluster.

Harvey, P. M.↗

Enhanced ion outflows measured by the DE 1 high altitude plasma instrument in the dayside plasmasphere during the recovery phase

Ion flow velocities both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field, and including the effects of spacecraft charging and spacecraft velocity, have been measured during the recovery phase of two large magnetic storms on October 14 and 21 of 1981. These measurements were made both inside and outside the plasmasphere and indicate unreported yet substantial outflows of ions within the dayside plasmasphere (October 14). Combined data from instruments on board the Dynamics Explorer satellite, including the high altitude plasma instrument, the energetic ion composition spectrometer, the retarding ion mass spectrometer, and the plasma wave instrument, indicate that these ions are most likely dominantly O(+) at energies at least as low as 5 eV. The nightside pass (October 21), which occurred during the recovery phase of a similar storm, showed no plasmaspheric outflows. The results indicate that a large contribution to the outflux into the dayside plasmasphere during the recovery period is due to E greater than 5 eV ions.

Menietti, J. D.↗

An infrared study of the bipolar outflow region GGD 12-15

Infrared observations from 1 to 100 microns are presented for the region associated with a bipolar CO outflow source near the nebulous objects GGD 12 to 15. A luminous far-infrared source was found associated with a radio-continuum source in the area. This object appears to be a compact HII region around a nearly main-sequence BO star. A faint 20 micron source was also discovered at the position of an H2O maser 30 deg northwest of the HII region. This object appears to be associated with but not coincident with a 2 micron reflection nebula. This structure serves as evidence for a non-spherically symmetric, possibly disk-like dust distribution around the exciting star for the maser. This object probably powers the bi-polar CO outflow although its luminosity is less than 10 percent that of the star which excites the compact HII region. A number of other 2 micron sources found in the area are probably members of a recently formed cluster.

Harvey, P. M.↗

Mass outflows from young stellar objects

The process of mass loss from young stellar objects is examined in a review of recent observational investigations and theoretical models. Consideration is given to the interaction of the stellar wind with surrounding molecular clouds, the high degree of collimation seen in some embedded objects, alignment of outflows from stars embedded in the same cloud complex, initially isotropic and intrinsically anisotropic models of mass outflow, and the kinds of observations needed to determine the actual mechanisms involved.

Strom, S. E.↗

Jovian ionospheric conductivity and magnetospheric plasma outflow - Voyager 1

Using magnetic field and plasma data from the Voyager 1 inbound encounter, local values are derived for the mass outflow rate and the radial bulk velocity in the dayside Jovian magnetosphere, and for the height-integrated Pedersen conductivity of the Jovian ionosphere. These values, accurate within a factor of 2, are compatible with previous order-of-magnitude estimates of these quantities. The results suggest that the shape of the plasma sheet is more complicated than previously suspected. A search for evidence of enhanced plasma outflow in the active sector was inconclusive.

Hairston, M. R.↗

Optical manifestations of mass outflows from young stars - At atlas of CCD images of Herbig-Haro objects

An attempt is made to provide deep CCD images suitable for tracing the shock-excited and scattered-light components characterizing extended Herbig-Haro complexes. Tabular data include astrometric positions for all stars, shock-excited emission knots, prominent scattered-light patches, as well as an identification for all H-alpha emission objects within the CCD images. It is concluded that: (1) optical outflows are not always accompanied by molecular flows, (2) optical outflows show a higher degree of collimation than their molecular counterparts, and (3) the Herbig-Haro phenomenon is not restricted to low-mass young stellar objects.

Strom, K. M.↗

Chemical condensation in the outflowing matter from the proto-sun and its application to meteorites

A novel model for solar nebula is proposed which is based on the observations of nebular disks around young solar-type stars in their T Tauri phase and the evidence that these disks formed from the material condensed from the outflowing gases from these stars. The model makes it possible to calculate the mass and the angular momentum. From these, parameters and the known photospheric temperature of T Tauri stars, the characteristic features of the nebula (such as radial extent, thickness, and temperature and pressure profiles) can be calculated. The model accounts very well for meteoritic mineralogy. It is suggested that chemical condensation took place in the outflowing matter from the protosun and that the solar nebula formed from this condensed material. The model also accounts for the formation of ices in the outer solar system and for planetary composition.

Trivedi, B. M. P.↗

The detection of high-velocity outflows from M8E-IR

A high-resolution (0.059/cm) M band (4.6 micron) spectrum of the embedded young stellar object M8E-IR is presented and discussed. The spectrum shows strong absorption to large blueshifts in the rotational lines of the fundamental vibrational band, v = 1-0, of CO. The absorption is interpreted as being due to gas near to, and flowing from, the central object. The outflowing gas is warm (95-330 K) and consists of discrete velocity components with the very high velocities of 90, 130, 150, and 160 km/s. On the basis of a simple model, it is estimated that the observed outflows are less than 100 yr old.

Mitchell, George F.↗

Neutral stellar winds that drive bipolar outflows in low-mass protostars

The Arecibo radio telescope at the 21-cm line of atomic hydrogen has been used to detect a neutral atomic wind in the bipolar flow source HH 7-11. An atomic mass of about 0.015 solar associated with the rapidly flowing gas is deduced. The stellar mass-loss rate is roughly 3 x 10 to the -6th solar mass/yr if the crossing time of the decelerating wind is 5000 yr. The excess emission in the H I line core gives a total duration of the outflow of about 70,000 yr. A detailed analysis of the H I line shape yields a reasonable deceleration rate for the atomic wind if the stellar wind continuously entrains ambient molecular gas as it propagates from the protostar. A stellar wind with the described characteristics and a terminal velocity of 170 km/s would be more than sufficient to drive the known extended CO bipolar outflow in HH 7-11.

Lizano, Susana↗

Discovery of very high velocity outflow in V Hydra - Wind from an accretion disk in a binary?

High-resolution observations of lines from the CO v = 1-0 vibration-rotation band at 4.6 microns, taken with the FTS/KPNO 4-m telescope, are reported for the carbon-rich red giant V Hydra, which is surrounded by an extended expanding molecular envelope resulting from extensive mass loss. The spectrum shows, in addition to the expected absorption at the outflow velocity of the envelope, absorption extending up to 120 km/s bluewards of the stellar velocity. A comparison of the spectrum observed at two epochs shows that the high-velocity absorption features change with time. It is suggested that the observed high-velocity features in V Hydra arise in a high-velocity polar outflow from an accretion disk in a binary system, as proposed in the mass-loss model for bipolar envelopes by Morris (1988).

Sahai, R.↗

Quantitative parametrization of energetic ionospheric ion outflow

Upflowing ionospheric ion (UFI) data from the DE 1 energetic ion composition spectrometer, acquired from near the maximum to the minimum of solar cycle 21, were used to determine the UFI outflow rate as a function of geomagnetic and solar activity conditions. Its solar and magnetic dependences were parameterized empiricaly. It was found that the ion outflow rate increases exponentially with Kp by a factor of 20 for O(+) and 4 for H(+) from Kp = 0 to 6.

Yau, A. W.↗

The bipolar molecular outflow of V645 Cygni

A map is presented of the CO J = 3-2 line emission from the cloud associated with V645 Cygni. Line wings extending to 15 km/s on either side of the central velocity can be attributed to a bipolar outflow over a region 1 arcmin in angular extent. The redshifted and blueshifted emission peaks are separated by 20 arcsecs along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the polarization vector of the visible light. The outflow is of relatively low velocity, low mass, and low mechanical luminosity.

Schulz, A.↗

Nuclear outflow from the edge-on galaxy NGC 3628

New evidence is presented for collimated outflow from a starburst nucleus in the edge-on galaxy NGC 3628. A plume of X-ray emission along the minor axis of this galaxy is suggested by the distribution of counts in the softer energy channels of the Einstein Observatory IPC. Plumes of H-alpha emission are visible in a CCD image of the southern minor axis region, at a position angle consistent with that of the X-ray plume, while extended, possibly filamentary, H-alpha emission is visible in the north. Optical spectroscopy along the northern minor axis clearly detects line emission, with line ratios of H-alpha, N II, and S II changing from those characteristic of normal H II regions near the nucleus, to a low-ionization state, consistent with shock heating, farther out. All this evidence, and the IR and radio continuum properties of this galaxy, make NGC 3628 another member of the growing class of galaxies with starburst nuclear activity and outflowing winds, to which NGC 253 and M82 already belong.

Fabbiano, G.↗

Sublimating comets as the source of nucleation seeds for grain condensation in the gas outflow from AGB stars

A growing amount of observational and theoretical evidence suggests that most main sequence stars are surrounded by disks of cometary material. The dust production by comets in such disks is investigated when the central stars evolve up the red giant and asymptotic giant branch (AGB). Once released, the dust is ablated and accelerated by the gas outflow and the fragments become the seeds necessary for condensation of the gas. The origin of the requisite seeds has presented a well known problem for classical nucleation theory. This model is consistent with the dust production observed in M giants and supergiants (which have increasing luminosities) and the fact that earlier supergiants and most WR stars (whose luminosities are unchanging) do not have significant dust clouds even though they have significant stellar winds. Another consequence of the model is that the spatial distribution of the dust does not, in general, coincide with that of the gas outflow, in contrast to the conventional condensation model. A further prediction is that the condensation radius is greater that that predicted by conventional theory which is in agreement with IR interferometry measurements of alpha-Ori.

Whitmire, D. P.↗

A second outflow from L1551/IRS 5?

The detection of previously unreported high-velocity emission in the L1551 moleculaar cloud is reported. This emission may represent high-velocity molecular gas deflected out of the IRS 5 outflow or may indeed represent another independent outflow whose origin is IRS 5 or L1551NE. This region is revealed to be far more complex than previously suspected.

Moriarty-Schieven, G. H.↗

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon optical properties and contribution to the acceleration of stellar outflows

The optical constants of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules (benzene, pyrene, pentacene, and coronene) are determined from their measured laboratory absorption spectra. The Planck mean of the radiation pressure cross section is computed for each molecule and for amorphous carbon (AC) grains, and semiempirically estimated for large PAH molecules up to 400 carbon atoms. Assuming that PAHs are present in carbon-rich stellar outflows, the radiation pressure forces acting on them are calculated and compared with the radiation forces on AC particles. The results show that PAHs possess very different optical properties from AC grains. Small PAHs may experience an 'inverse greenhouse' effect in the inner part of the envelope, as they decouple from the gas close to the photosphere. The radiation pressure force on PAHs is always much less than the force at work on AC grains, and PAH molecules do not affect significantly the dynamics of the outflow.

Cherchneff, Isabelle↗

Flood routing of the Maja outflow across Xanthe Terra

The object is to trace a single flood crest through the Maja outflow system and to evaluate the effects of topography on ponding and multiple channel routing. Maja Valles provides a good model because it has a single source and a well defined channel system. The 1500 km long Maja Valles originates in Juventae Chasma. The outflow system stretches 1100 km northward along the Lunae Planum/Xanthe Terra boundary, then eastward across the Xanthe Terra highlands. It descends to Chryse Planitia where it extends northeastward toward the middle of the basin. It is concluded that flood routing through multiple channels and retardation in local impoundments are responsible for breakup of the initial flood crest and the formation of multiple flood crests. Recombined flow near the mouths of these canyons results in an extended flow regime and multiple flood surges. As a result of ponding along the flood course, depositional sites are localized and renewed erosion downstream (from ponded sites) results in sediment source areas not greatly removed from depositional sites.

Dehon, R. A.↗