Chandra X-ray Detection of a Shocked Polar Jet in the Symbiotic Mira System Hen 2-104

We report the detection by Chandra's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) of X-ray emission from Hen 2-104, a D-type symbiotic Mira system that sits at the core of an hourglass-shaped bipolar nebula (the "Southern Crab"). The X-ray source is marginally resolved and is displaced 2 arcsec SE of the central symbiotic system, very near the position of an isolated, high-velocity feature detected in visual-wavelength echelle spectroscopy of Hen 2-104. Spectral modeling indicates a temperature in the range 3-9 MK for the X-ray-emitting plasma. These results indicate that the X-ray source arises in shocks along a polar jet (or system of bullets) with a large velocity gradient. Along with R Aqr, Menzel 3, and CH Cyg, Hen 2-104 is the fourth symbiotic Mira system observed by Chandra to show X-ray emission from strong shocks associated with (bi)polar jet or bullet systems.