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Ultraviolet continuum and H/sub 2/ fluorescent emission in Herbig-Haro objects 43 and 47

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184025· OSTI ID:5960801

The results of International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) short-wavelength spectra of the low-excitation Herbig-Haro objects HH 43 and HH 47 are reported. In HH 43 a number of emission lines in the Lyman band of H/sub 2/ from the excited state /sup 1/..sigma../sup +//sub u/, ..nu..' = 1, J' = 4 are observed. The lines are produced by fluorescence from the H Ly..cap alpha.. line which pumps the lower state /sup 1/..sigma../sup +//sub g/, ..nu..'' = 2.J'' = 5 which in turn is excited by a low-velocity shock wave. No evidence of emission from highly ionized gas is present in the UV spectra. Both objects exhibit a UV continuum which peaks in the vicinity of 1500 A and which is probably caused by hydrogen two-photon emission enhanced by collisional excitation in a low-velocity shock.

Research Organization:
Physics Department, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO
OSTI ID:
5960801
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 268:1; ISSN AJLEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English