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Title:
Resolving the Massive Binary Wind Interaction Of Eta Carinae with HST/STIS
Authors:
Gull, Theodore R.; Nielsen, K.; Corcoran, M.; Hillier, J.; Madura, T.; Hamaguchi, K.; Kober, G.; Owocki, S.; Russell, C.; Okazaki, A.; Weis, K.; Stahl, O.
Affiliation:
AA(NASA/GSFC/ASD), AB(Catholic University), AC(USRA), AD(Univ of Pittsburgh), AE(Univ of Delaware), AF(Univ of Maryland, Baltimore County), AG(Catholic University), AH(Univ of Delaware), AI(Univ of Delaware), AJ(Hokkai-Gakuen University, Japan), AK(Ruhr University Bochum, Germany), AL(Landessternwarte Koenigsstuhl, Germany)
Publication:
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #213, #408.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.205
Publication Date:
01/2009
Origin:
AAS
Bibliographic Code:
2009AAS...21340803G

Abstract

We have resolved the outer structures of the massive binary interacting wind of Eta Carinae using the HST/STIS. They extend as much as 0.7" (1600AU} and are highly distorted due to the very elliptical orbit of the binary system. Observations conducted from 1998.0 to 2004.3 show spatial and temporal variations consistent with a massive, low excitation wind, seen by spatially resolved, velocity-broadened [Fe II], and a high excitation extended wind interaction region, seen by[Fe III], in the shape of a distorted paraboloid. The highly excited [Fe III] structure is visible for 90% of the 5.5-year period, but disappears as periastron occurs along with the drop of X-Rays as seen by RXTE. Some components appear in [Fe II] emission across the months long minimum. We will discuss the apparent differences between the bowshock orientation derived from the RXTE light curve and these structures seen by HST/STIS. Monitoring the temporal variations with phase using high spatial resolution with appropriate spectral dispersions proves to be a valuable tool for understanding massive wind interactions.
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