HST/ACS H-alpha Imaging of the Carina Nebula: Outflow Activity Traced by Irradiated Herbig-Haro Jets

TL;DR

This study uses HST/ACS H-alpha imaging to discover and analyze 21 new Herbig-Haro jets in the Carina Nebula, revealing active star formation in small globules and interactions with massive star feedback.

Contribution

First HST/ACS H-alpha survey of Carina identifying new HH jets and candidate jets, providing insights into protostellar outflows and star formation near massive stars.

Findings

Discovered 21 new HH jets and 17 candidates.

Jet mass-loss rates range from 8e-9 to 1e-6 Msun/yr.

Jets are active even in small globules and are shaped by stellar winds.

Abstract

We report the discovery of new Herbig-Haro (HH) jets in the Carina Nebula, and we discuss the protostellar outflow activity of a young OB association. These are the first results of an HST/ACS H-alpha imaging survey of Carina. Adding to the one previously known example (HH666), we detect 21 new HH jets, plus 17 new candidate jets, ranging in length from 0.005 to 3 pc. We derive jet mass-loss rates ranging from 8e-9 to 1e-6 Msun/yr, but a comparison to the distribution of jet mass-loss rates in Orion suggests that we may be missing a large fraction of the jets below 1e-8 Msun/yr. A key qualitative result is that even some of the smallest dark globules with sizes of 0.01pc are active sites of ongoing star formation because we see HH jets emerging from them, and that these offer potential analogs to the cradle of our Solar System because of their proximity to dozens of imminent supernovae that will enrich them with radioactive nuclides like 60Fe. HST images reveal proplyd structures in the core of the Tr14 cluster, only 0.1-0.2 pc from several O-type stars. Many examples of bent jets serve as "wind socks"; strong photoevaporative flows can shape the jets, competing with the direct winds and radiation from massive stars. Finally, even allowing for a large number of jets that may escape detection, we find that HH jets are negligible to the global turbulence of the surrounding region, which is driven by massive star feedback.