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Additional constraints on circumstellar disks in the Trapezium ClusterWe discuss the new constraints on the population of compact ionized sources in the Trapezium Cluster thought to arise from the ionization by the central OB stars of circumstellar disks around low-mass pre-main sequence stars. We present new Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Planetary Camera observations of two of these candidate disk sources, resolving extended nebulosity around them. One source shows a small-scale (greater than or approximately = 100 AU) bow-shock structure, previously seen on larger scales by O'Dell et al. We show that the circumstellar disk model is the most likely one for the majority of sources, although is remains plausible that some of the larger objects could be equilibrium globules. We combine the most complete censuses of compact radio sources and stars in the core region to derive the fraction of the stellar population that may be associated with a circumstellar disk. Our estimate of 25%-75% is comparable to that found for pre-main sequence (PMS) stars in the Taurus-Auriga dark clouds, indicating that the dense cluster environment of the Trapezium has not drastically reduced the frequency of disks seen around PMS stars.
Document ID
19950032390
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Stauffer, John R.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA United States)
Prosser, Charles F.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA United States)
Hartmann, Lee
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA United States)
Mccaughrean, Mark J.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Astronomie Heidelberg, Germany)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: The Astronomical Journal
Volume: 108
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0004-6256
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
95A63989
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-26555
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2698
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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