Bibcode
Martínez González, M. J.; Asensio Ramos, A.; Manso Sainz, R.; Corradi, R. L. M.; Leone, F.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 574, id.A16, 7 pp.
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2
2015
Journal
Citations
13
Refereed citations
13
Description
We carried out high-sensitivity spectro-polarimetric observations of the
central star of the Red Rectangle protoplanetary nebula with the aim of
constraining the mechanism that gives its biconical shape. The stellar
light of the central binary system is linearly polarised since it is
scattered on the dust particles of the nebula. Surprisingly, the linear
polarisation in the continuum is aligned with one of the spikes of the
biconical outflow. Also, the observed Balmer lines, as well as the Ca ii
K lines, are polarised. These observational constraints are used to
confirm or reject current theoretical models for the shaping mechanism
of the Red Rectangle. We propose that the observed polarisation is not
very likely to be generated by a uniform biconical stellar wind. Also,
the hypothesis of a precessing jet does not completely match
observations since it requires a larger aperture jet than for the
nebula.
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