2004/01/15 by P. J. Huggins, C. Muthu, R. Bachiller +2
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Circumstellar envelope #Emission spectrum #Envelope (radar) #High resolution #Line (geometry) #Millimeter #Molecular cloud #Nebula #Orion Nebula #Spectral line #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20034139
published as Astron.Astrophys. 414 (2004) 581-589 · Astronomy & Astrophysics in press
arxiv created 2004/01/15 · openalex publication_date 2004/01/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We report high resolution (1´´–2´´) imaging of the CO 2–1 line and the millimeter continuum in the proto-planetary nebula He 3-1475. The observations reveal the presence of a massive (~ ) envelope of molecular gas around the origin of the remarkable bipolar jet system seen in optical images with the HST. The CO kinematics are well modeled by an expanding, bi-conical envelope: the prominent, high-velocity () wings seen in single-dish CO spectra arise where the sides of the bi-cones are projected along the line of sight. The continuum is detected at 1.3 mm and 2.6 mm and is due to thermal emission from warm ( K) circumstellar dust. The structure, kinematics, and expansion time of the envelope provide strong evidence for entrainment of the molecular gas by the high velocity jets. The observations support an evolutionary scenario in which a period of enhanced mass loss by the central star is followed by the development of the bipolar jets which burst through the molecular envelope. The jet-envelope interactions play a crucial role in shaping the subsequent ionized nebula.