Discovery of X-ray emission from the proto-stellar jet L1551 IRS5 (HH 154)
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We have for the first time detected X-ray emission associated with a proto-stellar jet, on the jet emanating from L1551 IRS5. The IRS5 proto-star is hidden beyond a very large absorbing column density, making the direct observation of the jet's emission possible. The observed X-ray emission is likely associated with the shock ``working surface'', i.e. the interface between the jet and the circumstellar medium. The X-ray luminosity emanating from the jet is moderate, at LX ~ 3 times 10^29 erg/s, a significant fraction of the luminosity normally associated with the coronal emission from young stars. The spectrum of the X-ray emission is compatible with thermal emission from a hot plasma, with T ~ 0.5 MK, fully compatible with the temperature expected (on the basis of the jet's velocity) for the shock front produced by the jet hitting the circumstellar medium.
To appear in "Stellar Coronae in the Chandra and XMM Era", ASP Conference Series in press, F. Favata & J. Drake eds
To appear in "Stellar Coronae in the Chandra and XMM Era", ASP Conference Series in press, F. Favata & J. Drake eds