1. The Wasp-Waist Nebula: VLA NH3 Observations of the Molecular Core Envelope in a Unique Class 0 Protostellar System
Jennifer Wiseman (GSFC), Mary Barsony (SSI & SFSU), & Raghvendra Sahai (JPL)
The Wasp-Waist Nebula’s dramatic bipolar, hour-glass shape, seen in light scattered off of the cavity walls excavated by the outflow, is evident in the Spitzer IRAC image above (courtesy of D. Ciardi/Caltech).
Integrated NH3(1,1) emission of the dense, protostellar envelope’s gas, as mapped with the VLA. Contour levels begin at 16 mJy/beam•km s-1, and increase by steps of 16 mJy/beam•km s-1
A unique characteristic of this isolated protostar is that its infall envelope is readily visible in absorption against the PAH emission of the cloud, as seen in the Spitzer IRAC 8.0 mm image above. Contours of the NH3(1,1) emission detected by the VLA are overlaid. The resemblance of the mophology of the gas emission to the dust absorption of the envelope is striking.
Spitzer IRS (Infrared Spectrometer) scan-mapping of the central 2.25' x 1' of the Wasp-Waist Nebula reveals the S-shaped outflow in the lowest rotational transitions of the H2 molecule [1], as distinct from the bipolar cavity, seen in scattered light, and so evident in the IRAC images. Contours of the NH3(1,1) emission detected by the VLA are overlaid, and show how the envelope gas cradles the outflow cavities.
Background Image Credit: J. Wiseman