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N. Smith, K. Davidson, R.D. Gehrz (University of Minnesota)
We report the detection of near-IR emission from molecular hydrogen and the 1.644 micron [Fe II] line in the bipolar lobes of the Homunculus reflection nebula around Eta Carinae. The strength of the [Fe II] emission compared to Br gamma, combined with the molecular hydrogen emission, indicates shock excitation. This is the first detection of the near-IR molecular hydrogen lines in Eta Car, and is also the first detection of any molecular gas or clearly shock-excited emission in the Homunculus. The molecular hydrogen and strong [Fe II] emission are only seen in the polar lobes at positions several arcseconds away from the central star. These results suggest that Eta Carinae may have a fast bipolar wind that is colliding with gas in the polar lobes.