The systemic velocity of eta Carinae

Nathan Smith

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.07943.x

The systemic velocity of eta Carinae

Nathan Smith

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

High-resolution spectra of molecular hydrogen in the Homunculus nebula allow for the first direct measurement of the systemic velocity of η Carinae. Near-infrared long-slit data for H₂ 1-0 S(1) λ21218 obtained with the Phoenix spectrometer on the Gemini South telescope give V _sys = -8.1 ± 1 km s^-1 (heliocentric), or V _LSR = -19.7 ± 1 km s^-1, from the average of the near and far sides of the Homunculus. This measurement considerably improves the precision for the value of -7 ± 10 km s^-1 inferred from neighbouring O-type stars in the Carina nebula. New near-infrared spectra also provide a high-resolution line profile of [Fe II] λ16435 emission from gas condensations known as the Weigelt objects without contamination from the central star, revealing a line shape with complex kinematic structure. Previously, uncertainty in the kinematics of the Weigelt knots was dominated by the adopted systemic velocity of η Car.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	L15-L18
Journal	Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume	351
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.07943.x
State	Published - Jun 11 2004
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Circumstellar matter
Stars: individual: η Car

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.07943.x

Cite this

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abstract = "High-resolution spectra of molecular hydrogen in the Homunculus nebula allow for the first direct measurement of the systemic velocity of η Carinae. Near-infrared long-slit data for H2 1-0 S(1) λ21218 obtained with the Phoenix spectrometer on the Gemini South telescope give V sys = -8.1 ± 1 km s-1 (heliocentric), or V LSR = -19.7 ± 1 km s-1, from the average of the near and far sides of the Homunculus. This measurement considerably improves the precision for the value of -7 ± 10 km s-1 inferred from neighbouring O-type stars in the Carina nebula. New near-infrared spectra also provide a high-resolution line profile of [Fe II] λ16435 emission from gas condensations known as the Weigelt objects without contamination from the central star, revealing a line shape with complex kinematic structure. Previously, uncertainty in the kinematics of the Weigelt knots was dominated by the adopted systemic velocity of η Car.",

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N2 - High-resolution spectra of molecular hydrogen in the Homunculus nebula allow for the first direct measurement of the systemic velocity of η Carinae. Near-infrared long-slit data for H2 1-0 S(1) λ21218 obtained with the Phoenix spectrometer on the Gemini South telescope give V sys = -8.1 ± 1 km s-1 (heliocentric), or V LSR = -19.7 ± 1 km s-1, from the average of the near and far sides of the Homunculus. This measurement considerably improves the precision for the value of -7 ± 10 km s-1 inferred from neighbouring O-type stars in the Carina nebula. New near-infrared spectra also provide a high-resolution line profile of [Fe II] λ16435 emission from gas condensations known as the Weigelt objects without contamination from the central star, revealing a line shape with complex kinematic structure. Previously, uncertainty in the kinematics of the Weigelt knots was dominated by the adopted systemic velocity of η Car.

AB - High-resolution spectra of molecular hydrogen in the Homunculus nebula allow for the first direct measurement of the systemic velocity of η Carinae. Near-infrared long-slit data for H2 1-0 S(1) λ21218 obtained with the Phoenix spectrometer on the Gemini South telescope give V sys = -8.1 ± 1 km s-1 (heliocentric), or V LSR = -19.7 ± 1 km s-1, from the average of the near and far sides of the Homunculus. This measurement considerably improves the precision for the value of -7 ± 10 km s-1 inferred from neighbouring O-type stars in the Carina nebula. New near-infrared spectra also provide a high-resolution line profile of [Fe II] λ16435 emission from gas condensations known as the Weigelt objects without contamination from the central star, revealing a line shape with complex kinematic structure. Previously, uncertainty in the kinematics of the Weigelt knots was dominated by the adopted systemic velocity of η Car.

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KW - Stars: individual: η Car

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The systemic velocity of eta Carinae

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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