High-resolution studies of young molecular outflow sources
Gerd Weigelt, Thomas Preibisch, Dieter Schertl, Yuri Y. Balega,
Michael D. Smith
European Southern Observatory Workshop on:
The Origins of Stars and Planets: The VLT View
ESO Astrophysics Symposia, XXVII (2002)
Abstract
The VLT/VLTI will allow the observation of young molecular outflows
(e.g. R Mon or Mon R2) with unprecedented angular resolution.
One of our goals is the study of the inner region of outflows and
the interaction of the outflows with the circumstellar material.
We may then be able to explain how the outflows were generated and
how they have evolved. This will significantly contribute to the
understanding of the phenomenon of protostellar outflows. As an
example, we present K'-band bispectrum speckle interferometry images
of the the deeply embedded young stellar object S140 IRS 1.
Diffraction-limited resolution of 76 mas (~ 70 AU) and a dynamical
range of more than 8 magnitudes were achieved with the SAO 6 m
telescope.
Our image of S140 reveals a wealth of previously unseen
complex structures. In addition to a very
clumpy feature pointing from the central source to the south-east,
we find several arc-like structures north-east of IRS 1 and extended
diffuse emission south of IRS 1. The diffuse structures around
IRS 1 seem to trace the interaction of energetic outflows from
IRS 1 with the circumstellar material. In combination with
molecular line emission maps from the literature, our image provides
evidence for the presence of two distinct bipolar outflow systems.
A system of three arc-like structures north-east of IRS 1
suggests directional variability of the outflow, perhaps caused by
the precession of a jet- or wind-driven outflow. We discuss the
implications for the nature of the central source.
For more detailed information see our A&A paper.
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