Proper motions of collimated jets from intermediate-mass protostars in the Carina Nebula

Abstract

We present proper motion measurements of 37 jets and HH objects in the Carina Nebula measured in two epochs of H$α$ images obtained $\sim 10$ yrs apart with HST/ACS. Transverse velocities in all but one jet are faster than $\gtrsim 25$ km s$^{-1}$, confirming that the jet-like H$α$ features identified by Smith et al. (2010) trace outflowing gas. Proper motions constrain the location of the jet-driving source and provide kinematic confirmation of the intermediate-mass protostars that we identify for 20/37 jets. Jet velocities do not correlate with the estimated protostar mass and embedded driving sources do not have slower jets. Instead, transverse velocities (median $\sim 75$ km s$^{-1}$) are similar to those in jets from low-mass stars. Assuming a constant velocity since launch, we compute jet dynamical ages (median $\sim 10^4$ yr). If continuous emission from inner jets traces the duration of the most recent accretion bursts, then these episodes are sustained longer (median $\sim 700$ yr) than the typical decay time of an FU Orionis outburst. These jets can carry appreciable momentum that may be injected into the surrounding environment. The resulting outflow force, $dP/dt$, lies between that measured in low- and high-mass sources, despite the very different observational tracers used. Smooth scaling of the outflow force argues for a common physical process underlying outflows from protostars of all masses. This latest kinematic result adds to a growing body of evidence that intermediate-mass star formation proceeds like a scaled-up version of the formation of low-mass stars.