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Far-infrared spectroscopy across the asymmetric bipolar outflows from Cepheus A and L 1448

Froebrich, Dirk, Smith, Michael D., Eisloffel, J. (2002) Far-infrared spectroscopy across the asymmetric bipolar outflows from Cepheus A and L 1448. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 385 (1). pp. 239-256. ISSN 0004-6361. (doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20020134) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:49664)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
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Abstract

Bipolar outflows are driven from protostars within molecular cores. They drive into molecular clouds, generating shock waves whose molecular emission lines have been observed in the infrared with ISO. We present spectroscopic data for seven locations within two asymmetric outflows, Cepheus A and L 1448, in order to test the shock physics and shock dynamics. Here, we simultaneously interpret the CO and H2 data sets which are generated by shocked gas, radiating at temperatures from 300 to 2000 K. We find that large-scale spatial variations in the excitation are absent across both outflows and that the excitation is low everywhere. Planar shock models are inconsistent with the data sets. Models with configurations or ensembles of shocks, in the form of bow shocks or supersonic turbulence, are consistent. This solves the previously reported problem that the CO abundances were anomalously high. Cool gas is dominant, from which we infer bow shocks with flanks more extended than for paraboloids. As a consequence, the atomic oxygen abundances must be quite low. J-type bow models require implausibly long wings. C-type physics is thus favoured. The density and the ratio of molecules to atoms are constrained by the CO/H2 flux levels as well as the H2 vibrational level distributions. Other C-shock parameters, such as the magnetic field strength, ion fraction and speed, are not tightly constrained. The total shock powers are derived and are comparable to the mechanical outflow luminosities for both outflows, consistent with the outflows being momentum-driven.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1051/0004-6361:20020134
Uncontrolled keywords: ISM: jets and outflows, ISM: kinematics and dynamics, ISM: molecules, Molecular processes, Shock waves, Stars: mass-loss, Magnetic field effects, Shock waves, Spectroscopic analysis, Turbulence, Bipolar outflows, Astrophysics
Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy > QB460 Astrophysics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Giles Tarver
Date Deposited: 23 Jul 2015 09:38 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 11:33 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/49664 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Froebrich, Dirk.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Smith, Michael D..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4289-5952
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