2004/07/01 by M. A. Guerrero, Martin A. Guerrero, You‐Hua Chu +3 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astronomical and nuclear sciences #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Axis of symmetry #Bipolar outflow #Classical mechanics #Conical surface #Ellipse #Geometry #Kinematics #Mechanics #Nebula #Outflow #Physics #Star formation #Stars #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/423909
To be published in the October issue of The Astronomical Journal. 16 pages, 10 figures. For full resolution figures, send requests to the Author [email protected]
arxiv created 2004/07/01 · openalex publication_date 2004/10/01 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The nebula Menzel 3 (Mz 3) has arguably the most complex bipolar morphology, consisting of three nested pairs of bipolar lobes and an equatorial ellipse. Its three pairs of bipolar lobes share the same axis of symmetry but have very different opening angles and morphologies: the innermost pair of bipolar lobes shows closed-lobe morphology, whereas the other two have open lobes with cylindrical and conical shapes, respectively. We have carried out high-dispersion spectroscopic observations of Mz 3 and detected distinct kinematic properties among the different morphological components. The expansion characteristics of the two outer pairs of lobes suggest that they originated in an explosive event, whereas the innermost pair of lobes resulted from the interaction of a fast wind with the surrounding material. The equatorial ellipse is associated with a fast equatorial outflow, which is unique among bipolar nebulae. The dynamical ages of the different structures in Mz 3 suggest episodic bipolar ejections, and the distinct morphologies and kinematics among these different structures reveal fundamental changes in the system between these episodic ejections.