NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0180
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0180 |
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PI: Christopher Wright, UNSW at the Australian Defence Force Academy, c.wright@adfa.edu.au
Address: School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, UNSW@ADFA, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
CoI: Charles Telesco, University of Florida
CoI: Robert Smith, UNSW@ADFA
CoI: Chris Packham, University of Florida
Title: Magnetic fields toward massive Young Stellar Objects
Abstract:
Magnetic fields are central in star and planet formation models. Their
importance extends from controlling the initial cloud collapse, to extracting
angular momentum by driving and collimating bipolar outflows, to
re-distributing angular momentum from the inner to outer disk in the final
stages of disk accretion and planet growth. Yet observational constraints on
the magnetic field configuration far from the central star - e.g. within the
disk and outflow - are rare. Thus, we will observe the magnetic field toward
several young stars using Michelle's imaging polarimetry mode. For all
targets pre-existing, non-imaging mid-IR spectropolarimetry shows two
magnetic field components, originating respectively from polarized emission
by warm dust and dichroic absorption by cold dust. In all cases one of the
magnetic field components lies along the outflow direction. The question
however arises as to whether the magnetic field is actually driving the
outflow via one of the hydromagnetic mechanisms proposed in the literature,
or whether the outflow is merely being steered along the ambient field
direction. Mid-IR imaging polarimetry will resolve this ambiguity, providing
a unique insight into understanding the magnetic field structure around young
stars.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0180 |
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