The unusual morphology of molecular hydrogen emission in the planetary nebula J900

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (11) References (50) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Unusual Morphology of Molecular Hydrogen Emission in the Planetary Nebular J900 Shupe, D. L. ; Armus, L. ; Matthews, K. ; Soifer, B. T. Abstract We report new high-resolution near-infrared imaging observations of the planetary nebula J900, in broadband J, H, and K, and narrowband 2.122 micrometers (for H2 1-0 S(1)), Brackett-gamma, and continuum filters. The H2 images reveal a remarkable set of outward-extending features not detected in any previous observations of theis object. In the northwest lobe of the inner bipolar region, the H2 emission, Brackett-gamma emission, and underlying continuum are spatially resolved. The relative positions of the peaks of the line emission suggest an ionization front seen edge-on. The continuum emission, apparently located nearer to the central star, is likely due to transiently heated small dust grains. The extended H2 emission features are probably excited either by oblique shocks caused by material ejected from the nebula, or by radiation leaking from holes in the opacity surrounding the ionized shell. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: March 1995 DOI: 10.1086/117350 Bibcode: 1995AJ....109.1173S Keywords: Hydrogen; Infrared Imagery; Morphology; Planetary Nebulae; Stellar Envelopes; Stellar Winds; Vibrational Spectra; Flux Density; Image Analysis; Ionization; Shock Fronts; Spatial Resolution; Stellar Spectrophotometry; Astronomy; PLANETARY NEBULAE: INDIVIDUAL: J900; ISM: JETS AND OUTFLOWS full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (5)