HST and spectroscopic observations of the L1551 IRS5 jets (HH154)

¹ ESA Astrophysics Missions Division, Research and Scientific Support Department, ESTEC, PO Box 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, The Netherlands e-mail: malcolm.fridlund@esa.int
² Stockholm Observatory, SCFAB, Roslagstullsbacken 21, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
³ Nordic Optical Telescope, Apartado 474, 38700 Santa Cruz de La Palma Canarias, Spain
⁴ Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, UK

Received: 22 November 2004
Accepted: 16 March 2005

Abstract

We have carried out a thorough optical study of the closest star formation jet. The inner arcminute surrounding the class 0/I binary protostar L1551 IRS5 and its associated jet (HH154) have been observed using the Hubble Space Telescope with the WFPC2 camera, the ESO New Technology Telescope with the EMMI spectrograph and the Nordic Optical Telescope with the ALFOSC spectrograph. This data set is compared to earlier ground based imaging with the aim to study the evolution of this particular jet, and its possible interaction with the molecular material in the bipolar molecular outflow associated with this source. The velocity field of the jet is mapped out. The highest velocities are found in the vicinity of the recently discovered X-ray source emanating from a shock in this jet. The energy radiated by the X-ray source is compatible with these velocities. The Hα and Hβ emission from the jet is used to determine the extinction, which is found to increase inwards in the jet towards the protostar. The extinction towards the X-ray source is consistent with the one determined from the X-ray spectrum.