NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001B-0088
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001B-0088 |
|
PI: Takao Doi, Rice University, tdoi@ems.jsc.nasa.gov
Address: MS-61, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77251, USA
CoI: Patrick Hartigan, Rice University
CoI: C. Robert O'Dell, Vanderbilt University
Title: Deciphering the Orion Nebula by Velocity Mapping
Abstract:
The Orion Nebula (M42)is the closest region of star formation that
involves massive stars. As such, it presents the best opportunity for
studying the interaction of O-star winds and low-mass-star jets and
winds with the ambient material. It is important to understand these
interactions since they strongly affect the conditions in the nebula
(which is a fundamental reference point in the study of the evolution of
abundances in the Milky Way Galaxy) and can be used to derive the
properties of the outflowing material. Since outflow seems to be an
integral (and perhaps necessary) part of the formation of low mass
stars, M42 presents the best opportunity to characterize these outflows
in a group of stars of well defined distance and age. There has been a
continuous stream of investigations which have resulted in both a
fundamentally new model for the object and identification of new types
of problems which may have significant impact on basic issues like the
elemental abundance of the region. Our intent is to complete the
mapping of the velocities in the central region of the nebula in lines
sampling the three major emission layers. We are doing this at a
spatial and velocity resolution exceeding all previous attempts, with
the velocity improvement being a factor of five better than previously
done, thus allowing us to probe the motions of the nebula at the
fundamental limit set by the inherent line widths. This observing
program builds on a substantial body of knowledge accummulated over the
last decade through observations with the Coude Feed at KPNO, the
Rutgers Fabry-Perot at CTIO, KeckI HIRES, and two-epoch images with the
HST and a fraction of the program executed in January and October, 2000.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001B-0088 |
|