Open AccessA simple model for H 2 line profiles in bow shocks
Author(s) -
Schultz A. S. B.,
Burton M. G.,
Brand P. W. J. L.
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2005.08871.x
Subject(s) - physics , bow shock (aerodynamics) , outflow , bow wave , astrophysics , line (geometry) , shock wave , hydrogen line , dissociation (chemistry) , shock (circulatory) , computational physics , mechanics , plasma , galaxy , geometry , solar wind , meteorology , nuclear physics , medicine , chemistry , mathematics
We present a model for empirically reproducing line profiles of molecular hydrogen emission in bow shocks. The model takes into account bow velocity, dissociation limit, a cooling function, viewing angle, bow shape and a limited form of extinction. Our results show that both geometrical factors and shock physics can significantly affect the profile morphology. In a companion paper we will apply this model to Fabry–Perot observations of bow shocks in the Orion BN–KL outflow.