Prof Patrick Roche

Abstract:

We present high spatial resolution radio and near-infrared hydrogen recombination line observations of the southern massive star forming region G333.6-0.2. The 3.4-cm continuum peak is found slightly offset from the infrared (IR) source. The H90α spectra show for the first time a double-peak profile at some positions. The complex velocity structure may be accounted for by champagne outflows, which may also explain the offset between the radio and IR sources. The 2.17-μm Brγ image and H90α map are combined to construct an extinction map which shows a trend probably set by the blister nature of the H ii region. The total number of Lyman continuum photons in the central 50-arcsec is estimated to be equivalent to that emitted by up to 19 O7V stars. © 2006 RAS.

Abstract:

The core of planetary nebula NGC 6302 is filled with high-excitation photoionized gas at low expansion velocities. It represents a unique astrophysical situation in which to search for hyperfine structure (HFS) in coronal emission lines from highly ionized species. HFS is otherwise blended by thermal or velocity broadening. Spectra containing [Al VI] 3.66 μm 3P2 ← 3P1, obtained with Phoenix on Gemini South at resolving powers of up to 75000, resolve the line into five hyperfine components separated by 20-60 km s-1 as a result of the coupling of the I = 5/2 nuclear spin of 27Al with the total electronic angular momentum J. The isotope 26Al has a different nuclear spin of I = 5, and a different HFS, which allows us to place a 3σ upper limit on the 26Al/27 AI abundance ratio of 1/33. We measure the HFS magnetic dipole coupling constants for [Al VI], and provide the first estimates of the electric quadrupole HFS coupling constants obtained through astronomical observations of an atomic transition. © 2005 RAS.