KINEMATICS OF THE ORION TRAPEZIUM BASED ON DIFFRACTO-ASTROMETRY AND HISTORICAL DATA

Abstract

Using the novel Diffracto-Astrometry technique, we analyze 44 Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 images of the Orion Trapezium (OT) taken over a span of 12 yr (1995-2007). We measure the relative positions of the six brighter OT components (A-F) and supplement these results with measurements of the relative separations and position angles taken from the literature, thus extending our analysis time base to ~200 yr. For every pair of components we find the relative rate of separation as well as the temporal rate of change of their position angles, which enable us to determine the relative kinematics of the system. Component E shows a velocity larger than the OT's escape velocity, thus confirming that it is escaping from the gravitational pull of this system.