Spitzer Space Telescope - General Observer Proposal #20034


Shocks and Outflows in Young Massive Stars:  The R Mon / HH 39 System

Principal Investigator: Marc Audard
           Institution: Columbia University

Co-Investigators: 
Stephen Skinner, University of Colorado                               
Manuel Guedel, Paul Scherrer Institut                                 
Thierry Lanz, University of Maryland                                  
Frederik Paerels, Columbia University                                 

Science Category: massive stars 
 Observing Modes: IracMap IrsMap IrsStare MipsPhot MipsSed 
  Hours Approved: 4.1 

Abstract:
We propose to use Spitzer's sensitive imaging and spectroscopic
capabilities to undertake a comprehensive infrared study of the
massive young star R Mon and its associated Herbig-Haro object HH 39.
We will reach unprecendeted sensitivities with IRAC to search for
mid-IR emission from R Mon's circumstellar disk, and from its powerful
jets and outflow.  We will obtain the first deep mid-IR image of the
HH 39 complex located 7' North of R Mon with IRAC and MIPS.  We will
search for mid and far-IR emission from shocked material, similar to
that recently detected by IRAC in HH 46/47.  With IRS, we will obtain
the first mid-IR spectra of R Mon's bipolar jet and of several
emission knots in HH 39.  We will also derive the low-resolution SED
of R Mon with MIPS.  Despite its spectacular nature, R Mon has
received little attention in the mid-IR and was never observed by ISO.
This short Spitzer proposal aims at studying in young massive stars
the physical links between accretion disks, outflows and jets, and
shocks in the associated HH objects.  The latter can help us
understand the importance of the mechanical energy input of young
stars for the origin of turbulence in molecular clouds.  The R Mon/HH
39 system is ideal to fulfill our goals.