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The 3D Structure of Eta Carinae's Nebula: A Definitive Picture from High-Dispersion Near-IR SpectraHigh resolution long-slit spectra obtained with the Phoenix spectrograph on Gemini South provide our most accurate probe of the 3D structure of the Homunculus Nebula around Eta Carinae. Emission from molecular hydrogen at 2.122 microns traces a very thin outer skin, which contains the vast majority of the more than 10 solar masses of material in the nebula. This emission, in turn, yields our first definitive picture of the exact shape of the nebula, plus the latitude dependence of the mass-loss rate, speed, kinetic energy, shell thickness, and other properties associated with Eta Car's 19th century explosion. This will be critical for testing any models for the outburst mechanism. A preliminary analysis suggests that explosion from a critically rotating star was the dominant mechanism that gave rise to both the bipolar shape of the nebula and the production of its equatorial disk. [Fe II] emission in the near IR traces a geometrically thicker but less massive shell found on the inner surface of the H2 skin --- this is either a reverse shock that decelerates Eta Car's wind or a warm PDR. [Fe Ill emission also clarifies the structure of an inner "Little Homunculus" seen previously in HST/STlS spectra. Comparing these two tracers of cool molecular gas and warm partially-ionized gas resolves some significant confusion about the complex structure noted in previous studies.
Document ID
20060012179
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Smith, N.
(Colorado Univ. CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Publication Information
Publication: Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society
Volume: 37
Issue: 4
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: AAS 207th Meeting: Massive Binaries
Location: Washington, DC
Country: United States
Start Date: January 8, 2006
End Date: January 12, 2006
Sponsors: American Astronomical Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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