Simulation Study of Dust-Scattered Far-Ultraviolet Emission in the Orion-Eridanus Superbubble

TL;DR

This study uses dust scattering simulations to analyze far-ultraviolet observations of the Orion-Eridanus Superbubble, estimating dust properties and spatial distribution, revealing dust layers and shells relative to the superbubble.

Contribution

First detailed dust scattering simulation for Orion-Eridanus Superbubble estimating dust properties and spatial structure from UV data.

Findings

Estimated dust albedo of 0.43 and g-factor of 0.45.

Dust layer located about 110 pc in front of the superbubble.

A thin dust shell surrounds the hot gas cavities at 70-90 pc.

Abstract

We present the results of dust scattering simulations carried out for the Orion Eridanus Superbubble region by comparing them with observations made in the far-ultraviolet. The albedo and the phase function asymmetry factor (g-factor) of interstellar grains were estimated, as were the distance and thickness of the dust layers. The results are as follows: 0.43$^{+0.02}_{-0.04}$ for the albedo and 0.45$^{+0.2}_{-0.2}$ for the g-factor, in good agreement with previous determinations and theoretical predictions. The distance of the assumed single dust layer, modeled for the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, was estimated to be ~110 pc and the thickness ranged from ~130 at the core to ~50 pc at the boundary for the region of the present interest, implying that the dust cloud is located in front of the superbubble. The simulation result also indicates that a thin (~10 pc) dust shell surrounds the inner X-ray cavities of hot gas at a distance of ~70-90 pc.