The unexpected ultraviolet variability of Herbig-Haro object 1

Abstract

The line fluxes of the C IV 1550 A and semiforbidden C III 1909 A emission lines in HH 1 are noted to have monotonically decreased by factors of 4-6 between 1979 and 1983, despite a lack of indications of optical range changes. The thickness of the shocked layers and preshock density can be estimated on the basis of these rapid changes, with results suggesting a clumpy medium that leads to truncated shock waves with column densities insufficient for the development of complete recombination zones.