Open AccessMass‐loaded jet models of fast low‐ionization features in planetary nebulae
Author(s) -
Redman M. P.,
Dyson J. E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02238.x
Subject(s) - physics , planetary nebula , envelope (radar) , jet (fluid) , astrophysics , supersonic speed , ionization , range (aeronautics) , astronomy , momentum (technical analysis) , stars , ion , mechanics , aerospace engineering , radar , finance , quantum mechanics , engineering , economics
We propose that the fast low‐ionization features (FLIERS) observed in some planetary nebulae are recombination zones behind stationary supersonic recombination fronts produced in mass‐loaded jets. The main physical characteristics can be reproduced by jets with opening angles of a few degrees and momentum fluxes of ∼ 10 28 g cm s ‐2 , which mass‐load from embedded clumps in the nebular envelope. Very simple considerations based on inferred clump masses imply that the nebular envelope contains ∼ 600‐60, 000 clumps. Although this range is wide, it is not incompatible with clump numbers estimated from observational data.