IR properties of stellar bowshock nebulae

This may be evidence of stellar wind bowshocks sweeping up and heating-possibly fragmenting but not destroying-interstellar dust. Infrared luminosity correlates with standoff distance, R_0_, as predicted by published hydrodynamical models. Infrared spectral energy distributions are consistent with interstellar dust exposed to either single radiant energy density, U=10^3^-10^5^ (in more than half of the objects) or a range of radiant energy densities U_min_=25 to U_max_=10^3^-10^5^ times the mean interstellar value for the remainder.

Hence, the central OB stars dominate the energetics, making these enticing laboratories for testing dust models in constrained radiation environments. The spectral energy densities are consistent with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fractions q_PAH_~<1% in most objects.