Bow Shocks

Here are a few simulations of bow shocks as imaged in the near infrared. The emission is from hydrogen molecules, at a rest wavelength of 2.12 microns. The velocity is inferred from the shifts from this wavelength. Hence we can use model spectroscopy to simulate 'position-velocity' diagrams, which can be compared with the observations. A detailed comparison with observations, in a project led by Chris Davis, has proven enlightening. Below is the same model paraboloidal bow, C-type (i.e. the molecules are excited by the friction with streaming ions), shown moving at three different angles to the line of sight. This supplements the data in our publication. Here is the 1-0 S(1) image and spec. for a bow moving tangentially to us:

Here is the 1-0 S(1) image and spec. for a bow moving at 60 degrees to us:

Here is the 1-0 S(1) image and spec. for a bow moving at 30 degrees to our line of sight:

Last Revised: 2009 November 6th