Abstract
η Carinae is one of the most extreme cases of a Luminous Blue Variable star. A bipolar nebula of 17″ size surrounds the central object. Even further out, a large amount of filamentary material extends to a distance of 30″ or about 0.3 pc. In this paper we present a detailed kinematic and morphological analysis of some outer filaments in this nebula which we call strings. All strings are extremly long and narrow structures. We identified 5 strings which have sizes of 0.058 to 0.177 pc in length and a width of only 0.002 pc. Using high-resolution longslit echelle spectroscopy it was found that the strings follow a Hubble law with velocities increasing towards larger distances from the star. With these unique properties, high collimation and linear increase of the radial velocity the strings represent a newly found phenomena in the structure and evolution of nebulae around LB Vs. Finally, we show that morphologically similar strings can be found in the planetary nebula NGC 6543, a possible PN-counterpart to this phenomenon.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 467-474 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Astronomy and Astrophysics |
Volume | 349 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1999 |
Keywords
- ISM: bubbles
- ISM: jets and outflows
- Stars: evolution
- Stars: individual: η Car
- Stars: mass-loss
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science