Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 imaging of XZ Tauri: Time evolution of a Herbig-Haro bow shock

  • John E. Krist
  • , Karl R. Stapelfeldt
  • , Christopher J. Burrows
  • , J. Jeff Hester
  • , Alan M. Watson
  • , Gilda E. Ballester
  • , John T. Clarke
  • , David Crisp
  • , Robin W. Evans
  • , John S. Gallagher
  • , Richard E. Griffiths
  • , John G. Hoessel
  • , Jon A. Holtzman
  • , Jeremy R. Mould
  • , Paul A. Scowen
  • , John T. Trauger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report observations of dramatic morphological changes in the extremely young Herbig-Haro object ejected by the pre-main-sequence binary XZ Tauri. Hubble Space Telescope images taken in 1995 showed a filled bubble of emission nebulosity extending 4″ north-northeast of the system in the direction of a previously known jet. New images obtained in 1998 show that the bubble has undergone a remarkable transition into a limb-brightened structure as it continues its motion away from the binary. The new images suggest that we may be witnessing the initial formation of the postshock cooling zone in a newly emerging Herbig-Haro bow shock system, probably accompanied by significant temporal evolution in the nebula's emission line spectrum.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L35-L38
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume515
Issue number1 PART 2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 10 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Binaries: close
  • Circumstellar matter
  • ISM: jets and outflows
  • Stars: individual (XZ Tauri)
  • stars: pre-main-sequence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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