High-resolution images of the L1551 molecular outflow. II. Structure and kinematics

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166662· OSTI ID:7051670

Moriarty-Schieven, G H; Snell, R L

Complete maps of the high-velocity (C-12)O emission in the L1551 bipolar molecular outflow are presented along with a (C-13)O map of the entire L1551 molecular cloud. The molecular wind has been swept into a thin shell which completely surrounds a cavity now mostly devoid of molecular gas. The shell at the ends of the outflow is progressing through the cloud, and has broken out of the cloud at one position where the molecular wind is being reaccelerated. Optical depth measurements of the high-velocity emission show that limb brightening is stronger than previously suspected and that the mass of outflowing molecular gas may be nearly one-tenth of the mass of the entire cloud. The energy within the outflow is greater than the total energy within the cloud, and there is sufficient momentum within the outflow to significantly disrupt the cloud. 30 references.

• Research Organization: Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, Amherst, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7051670
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 332; 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
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CARBON COMPOUNDS
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CARBON OXIDES
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FLUID FLOW
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INTERSTELLAR SPACE
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NEBULAE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROTOSTARS
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STELLAR WINDS