Near-infrared polarization images of the Orion Nebula

作者:Tamura M*; Kandori R; Kusakabe N; Nakajima Y; Hashimoto J; Nagashima C; Nagata T; Nagayama T; Kimura H; Yamamoto T; Hough J H; Lucas P; Chrysostomou A; Bailey J
来源:Astrophysical Journal, 2006, 649(1): L29-L32.
DOI:10.1086/508168

摘要

Wide-field (similar to 8' x 8') and deep near- infrared (JHK(s) bands) polarization images of the Orion Nebula are presented. These data revealed various circumstellar structures as infrared reflection nebulae (IRNe) around young stellar objects (YSOs), both massive and low-mass. We found the IRN around both IRc2 and BN to be very extensive, suggesting that there might be two extended (> 0.7 pc) bipolar/monopolar IRNe in these sources. We discovered at least 13 smaller scale (similar to 0.01 - 0.1 pc) IRNe around less massive YSOs, including the famous source theta(2) Ori C. We also suggest the presence of many unresolved (< 690 AU) systems around low-mass YSOs and young brown dwarfs showing possible intrinsic polarizations. Wide-field infrared polarimetry is thus demonstrated to be a powerful technique in revealing IRNe and hence potential disk/outflow systems among high-mass to substellar YSOs.