Adaptive Optics Imaging of IRAS 18276-1431: a bipolar pre-planetary nebula with circumstellar "searchlight beams" and "arcs"

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dc.creatorContreras, C. Sanchez
dc.creatorMignant, D. Le
dc.creatorSahai, R.
dc.creatorde Paz, A. Gil
dc.creatorMorris, M.
dc.date2006-10-30
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T10:24:03Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T10:24:03Z
dc.descriptionWe present high-angular resolution images of the post-AGB nebula IRAS18276-1431 (also known as OH17.7-2.0) obtained with the Keck II Adaptive Optics (AO) system in its Natural Guide Star (NGS) mode in the Kp, Lp, and Ms near-infrared bands. We also present supporting optical F606W and F814W HST images as well as interferometric observations of the 12CO(J=1-0), 13CO(J=1-0), and 2.6mm continuum emission with OVRO. The envelope of IRAS18276-1431 displays a clear bipolar morphology in our optical and NIR images with two lobes separated by a dark waist and surrounded by a faint 4.5"x3.4" halo. Our Kp-band image reveals two pairs of radial ``searchlight beams'' emerging from the nebula center and several intersecting, arc-like features. From our CO data we derive a mass of M>0.38[D/3kpc]^2 Msun and an expansion velocity v_exp=17km/s for the molecular envelope. The density in the halo follows a radial power-law proportional to r^-3, which is consistent with a mass-loss rate increasing with time. Analysis of the NIR colors indicates the presence of a compact central source of ~300-500K dust illuminating the nebula in addition to the central star. Modeling of the thermal IR suggests a two-shell structure in the dust envelope: 1) an outer shell with inner and outer radius R_in~1.6E16cm and R_out>~1.25E17cm, dust temperature T_d~105-50K, and a mean mass-loss rate of Mdot~1E-3Msun/yr; and 2) an inner shell with R_in~6.3E14cm, T_dust~500-105K, and Mdot~3E-5Msun/yr. An additional population of big dust grains (radius a>~0.4mm) with T_dust=150-20K and mass M_dust=(0.16-1.6)E-3 [D/3kpc]^2 Msun can account for the observed sub-mm and mm flux excess. The mass of the envelope enclosed within R_out=1.25E17cm derived from SED modeling is ~1[D/3kpc]^2 Msun.
dc.description46 pages, 14 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ. Figures 12 & 13 in low resolution. Full resolution versions are available upon request to the first author
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0610891
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0610891
dc.identifierAstrophys.J.656:1150-1166,2007
dc.identifierdoi:10.1086/510480
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/176050
dc.subjectAstrophysics
dc.titleAdaptive Optics Imaging of IRAS 18276-1431: a bipolar pre-planetary nebula with circumstellar "searchlight beams" and "arcs"
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