Solar system-sized condensations in the Orion Nebula

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165648· OSTI ID:5776564

Churchwell, E; Wood, D O.S.; Felli, M; Massi, M

New observations of 22 ultracompact radio sources toward the Trapezium cluster and toward the core of the Kleinmann-Low nebula are reported. The diameters of the sources range from less than 3.7 x 10 to the 14th cm to about 3.4 x 10 to the 15th cm. Their emission measures are typically greater than 10 to the 8th pc/cm exp 6, their electron densities are greater than or equal to 10 to the 6th/cu cm, and most are optically thin at 2 cm. Fifteen are associated with stars. Two interpretations for the optically visible nebular condensations are discussed. They may be dense, molecular globules embedded in the diffuse H II region with envelopes ionized by the Trapezium stars, or they may be low-mass, premain-sequence stars whose accretion disks are slowly being evaporated by the Trapezium stars. Properties and mass-loss rates are derived for the objects not associated with visible stars. 39 references.

• Research Organization: Washburn Observatory, Madison, WI; Arcetri Osservatorio Astrofisico, Florence, Italy
• OSTI ID: 5776564
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 321; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CLASSIFICATION
COORDINATES
COSMIC GASES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON DENSITY
FLUIDS
GASES
H2 REGIONS
HYDROGEN IONS
IONS
NEBULAE
PROTOSTARS
RADIATIONS
SIZE
STAR CLUSTERS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
VISIBLE RADIATION