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| Paper: |
IRC+10216’s Innermost Envelope — The eSMA’S View |
| Volume: |
417, Submillimeter Astrophysics and Technology: A Symposium Honoring Thomas G. Phillips |
| Page: |
301 |
| Authors: |
Shinnaga, H.; Young, K. H.; Tilanus, R. P. J.; Chamberlin, R.; Gurwell, M. A.; Wilner, D.; Hughes, A. M.; Yoshida, H.; Peng, R.; Force, B.; Friberg, P.; Bottinelli, S.; van Dishoeck, E. F.; Phillips, T. G. |
| Abstract: |
We used the Extended Submillimeter Array (eSMA) in its most extended
configuration to investigate the innermost
circumstellar envelope (CSE)
of IRC+10216 where acceleration of gas and dust due to strong stellar radiation
is taking place. We imaged the CSE using HCN and other molecular lines with a
beam size of 0.22×0.46 arcsec, deeply into the very inner edge
(∼15 R*) of the envelope where the expansion velocity is
only ∼3 km s−1. HCN maser components are spatially resolved
for the first time on an astronomical object. We identified two discrete
regions in the envelope: a region with a radius of ≤ 15R*,
where molecular species have just formed and the gas has begun to be
accelerated, and a shell region with a radius of ∼23 R∗.
These two regions may have emerged because the size distribution of the dust
particles are significantly different in these regions. The position angle
of the most copious mass loss direction was found to be ∼120 ± 10
degrees. In this paper, we summarize some of the highlights of this
observational study.
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