The Structure of the Bipolar Jet in the Red Rectangle
Joshua Thomas
University of Toledo
In this presentation we will discuss the analysis of optical spectra,
which were acquired with the ARCES echelle spectrograph (R = 38,000) on
the 3.5-m telescope at the Apache Point Observatory. We will examine the
H-alpha profile in each of these observations in order to determine the
geometry and velocity structure of the previously discovered bipolar jet,
which originates from the secondary star of HD 44179 located at the centre
of the Red Rectangle nebula. Using a 3D geometric model we are able to
determine the orbital coverage during which the jet occults the primary
star. During the occultation, part of the H-alpha line profile appears in
absorption. The velocity structure of the jet was determined by modelling
the absorption line profile using the Sobolev approximation for each
orbital phase during which we have observations. The results indicate the
presence of a wide angle jet, likely responsible for observed biconical
structure of the outer nebula. Furthermore, we were able to determine a
likely velocity structure and rule out several others. We find that the
jet is comprised of low-density, high-velocity, central region and a
higher-density, lower-velocity, conical shell.
Date: | Jeudi, le 14 mars 2013 |
Heure: | 11:30 |
Lieu: | Université de Montréal |
| Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, local D-460 |
Contact: | Noel Richardson |
|