IRAS 04302+2247: Butterfly star in Taurus!

Conference item

We present near infrared observations of IRAS 04302+2247, a Class I protostar in the Taurus-Auriga molecular cloud complex whose equatorial plane is inclined precisely edge-on to the line of sight (i = 90 degrees +/- 4 degrees). This system displays a unique quadrupolar morphology, which had not been previously predicted in any simulations of a single protostar. We use the Monte Carlo method to tailor a model to our imaging and polarimetric data, and we explain the quadrupolar structure in terms of a dusty jet or outflow which lies perpendicular to the equatorial plane. We constrain the circumstellar structure to the form of an equatorially condensed envelope with a concave bipolar cavity. The circumstellar disk is not seen, which requires that it is physically thin. With its convenient orientation and proximity (d = 140pc) this system should yield many insights into the Class I phase of evolution.

Authors: Lucas, P; Roche, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: STAR FORMATION NEAR AND FAR - SEVENTH ASTROPHYSICS CONFERENCE
• Issue: 393
• Pages: 125-128
• Publication date: 1997-01-01
• Event title: 7th Annual October Astrophysics Conference on Star Formation, Near and Far
• ISSN: 0094-243X
• ISBN: 1563966786