GBT17B-319

RRLs in Symbiotics: a New Radio Frontier

Abstract

We request 21 hours of GBT observations using the Ka-receiver to detect radio recombination lines (RRLs) in the nebulae of three radio bright symbiotic binaries. Such a discovery would open up a new field of study that has the potential to resolve long-standing questions about the outflows from an important class of binary stars. The velocity and temperature diagnostics provided by RRLs will help to determine how symbiotic nebulae are shaped. We aim to (1) probe the flow structure of the nebulae to gain independent measurements of their density and velocity profiles and (2) determine the feasibility of finding RRLs in fainter systems in preparation for a larger survey. We will initially observe our brightest source, HM Sge, for 7 hours. If we achieve a strong detection on HM Sge, we will use the remaining 14 hours to observe two fainter sources, PU Vul and AG Peg.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Jennifer Weston *	Green Bank Observatory; Columbia University
Michael Rupen	Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada
Jennifer Sokoloski	Columbia University
Amy Mioduszewski	National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Justin Linford	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; New Mexico, University of; Michigan State University; West Virginia University; George Washington University

* indicates the PI