Why a Single-Star Model Cannot Explain the Bipolar Nebula of Eta Carinae

Abstract

I examine the angular momentum evolution during the 1837-1856 Great Eruption of the massive star Eta Carinae. I find that the new estimate of the mass blown during that eruption implies that the envelope of Eta Car substantially spun-down during the 20 years eruption. Single-star models, most of which require the envelope to rotate close to the break-up velocity, cannot account for the bipolar nebula (the Homunculus) formed from matter expelled in that eruption. The kinetic energy and momentum of the Homunculus further constrains single-star models. I discuss how Eta Car can fit into a unified model for the formation of bipolar lobes where two oppositely ejected jets inflate two lobes (or bubbles). These jets are blown by an accretion disk, which requires stellar companions in the case of bipolar nebulae around stellar objects.

ApJ, in press. New references and segments were added

References in corpus (3)

• Direct measurement of the size and shape of the present-day stellar wind of Eta Carinae
• Nitrogen and Oxygen Abundance Variations in the Outer Ejecta of Eta Carinae: Evidence for Recent Chemical Enrichment
• Gas Dynamical Simulations of the Large and Little Homunculus Nebulae of Eta Carinae

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