The spatial distribution of excited H_2_ in T Tau: a molecular outflow in a young binary system.
Abstract
Strong extended emission from molecular hydrogen in the v=1->0S(1) transition is mapped around T Tau. In addition, the v=2->1S(1) line is detected close to the star. The ratio of the two transitions is consistent with an excitation process in which both fluorescence by stellar ultraviolet radiation and collisions in a warm, dense medium play a role. The morphology is interpreted as emission from a molecular outflow which appears to wiggle as a result of the fact that T Tau is a binary system seen almost pole-on. It is shown that an outflow with a small opening angle can reproduce the observed extended emission. From compadson with previous studies it is argued that the molecular outflow originates from T Tau S, the infrared component. The presented model constrains the orientation and geometry of the system.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- July 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994A&A...287L..25V
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Hydrogen Clouds;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Molecular Clouds;
- Molecular Excitation;
- Outlet Flow;
- Spatial Distribution;
- Stellar Systems;
- T Tauri Stars;
- Emission;
- Infrared Spectra;
- Morphology;
- Star Formation;
- Stellar Mass Ejection;
- Stellar Models;
- Astronomy;
- STARS: T TAUD;
- STARS: PRE-MAIN-SEQUENCE;
- STARS: FORMATION;
- STARS: BINARIES;
- ISM: JETS AND OUTFLOWS;
- ISM: MOLECULES