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Numerical simulations of the great eruption of eta Carinae from the 1840s I. Revisiting the explosion scenario

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Author(s):
Gonzalez, R. F. ; Zapata, L. A. ; Raga, A. C. ; Canto, J. ; Velazquez, P. F. ; de Gouveia Dal Pino, E. M.
Total Authors: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: Astronomy & Astrophysics; v. 659, p. 6-pg., 2022-03-22.
Abstract

In this work, we present new 2D hydrodynamical simulations of the major eruption of eta Car in the 1840s, which resulted in the formation of a bipolar nebula that is commonly known as the large Homunculus. In our numerical models, we have included the high-speed component of 10 000 km s(-1), which was detected in recent observations, providing direct evidence of an explosive event. Here, we investigate whether such a violent explosion is able to explain both the shape and the dynamical evolution of eta Car's nebula. As in our previous work, we have assumed a two-stage scenario for eta Car's eruption: a slow outflow phase for a few decades before the eruption, followed by the explosive event. From the collision of these outflow phases, the large Homunculus is produced. Our numerical simulations show that such a scenario does not resemble some of the observed physical features and the expansion of the nebula. Notwithstanding, we also explore other injection parameters (mass-loss rate and ejection velocity) for these outflow phases. In particular, we find that an explosion with an intermediate speed of 1000 km s(-1) is able to reproduce the morphology and the kinematical age of the large Homunculus. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/10559-5 - Investigation of high energy and plasma astrophysics phenomena: theory, numerical simulations, observations, and instrument development for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA)
Grantee:Elisabete Maria de Gouveia Dal Pino
Support Opportunities: Special Projects