An ultraviolet study of high velocity interstellar lines in the Carina Nebula.

Abstract

An analysis in light of high-resolution IUE observations is presented for the interstellar absorption lines in the spectra of stars within the Carina Nebula, where complex and high-velocity profiles are known to exist from Ca II data. The high-velocity structure is found to be most pronounced in the low-ionization UV lines, and several new components with velocities higher than those seen optically are revealed by strong Mg II, C II and excited C II lines whose observed total velocity range is 550 km/sec. Large excited C II/C II ratios imply high densities in the high velocity material. It is suggested by the correspondence of the velocities to temperatures of a few million degrees that a relationship exists between the interstellar line motions and Einstein Observatory X-ray results in the region, with implications for the dynamics and evolution of giant H II regions.