558 research outputs found
Micron-sized forsterite grains in the pre-planetary nebula of IRAS 17150-3224 - Searching for clues on the mysterious evolution of massive AGB stars
We study the grain properties and location of the forsterite crystals in the
circumstellar environment of the pre-planetary nebula (PPN) IRAS 17150-3224 in
order to learn more about the as yet poorly understood evolutionary phase prior
to the PPN. We use the best-fit model for IRAS 17150-3224 of Meixner et al.
(2002) and add forsterite to this model. We investigate different spatial
distributions and grain sizes of the forsterite crystals in the circumstellar
environment. We compare the spectral bands of forsterite in the mid-infrared
and at 69 micrometre in radiative transport models to those in ISO-SWS and
Herschel/PACS observations. We can reproduce the non-detection of the
mid-infrared bands and the detection of the 69 micrometre feature with models
where the forsterite is distributed in the whole outflow, in the superwind
region, or in the AGB-wind region emitted previous to the superwind, but we
cannot discriminate between these three models. To reproduce the observed
spectral bands with these three models, the forsterite crystals need to be
dominated by a grain size population of 2 micrometre up to 6 micrometre. We
hypothesise that the large forsterite crystals were formed after the superwind
phase of IRAS 17150-3224, where the star developed an as yet unknown hyperwind
with an extremely high mass-loss rate (10^-3 Msol/yr). The high densities of
such a hyperwind could be responsible for the efficient grain growth of both
amorphous and crystalline dust in the outflow. Several mechanisms are discussed
that might explain the lower-limit of 2 micrometre found for the forsterite
grains, but none are satisfactory. Among the mechanisms explored is a possible
selection effect due to radiation pressure based on photon scattering on
micron-sized grains.Comment: Accepted by A&
Understanding AGB evolution in Galactic bulge stars from high-resolution infrared spectroscopy
An analysis of high-resolution near-infrared spectra of a sample of 45
asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars towards the Galactic bulge is presented.
The sample consists of two subsamples, a larger one in the inner and
intermediate bulge, and a smaller one in the outer bulge. The data are analysed
with the help of hydrostatic model atmospheres and spectral synthesis. We
derive the radial velocity of all stars, and the atmospheric chemical mix
([Fe/H], C/O, C/C, Al, Si, Ti, and Y) where possible. Our ability
to model the spectra is mainly limited by the (in)completeness of atomic and
molecular line lists, at least for temperatures down to K. We find that the subsample in the inner and intermediate
bulge is quite homogeneous, with a slightly sub-solar mean metallicity and only
few stars with super-solar metallicity, in agreement with previous studies of
non-variable M-type giants in the bulge. All sample stars are oxygen-rich,
C/O1.0. The C/O and carbon isotopic ratios suggest that third dredge-up
(3DUP) is absent among the sample stars, except for two stars in the outer
bulge that are known to contain technetium. These stars are also more
metal-poor than the stars in the intermediate or inner bulge. Current stellar
masses are determined from linear pulsation models. The masses, metallicities
and 3DUP behaviour are compared to AGB evolutionary models. We conclude that
these models are partly in conflict with our observations. Furthermore, we
conclude that the stars in the inner and intermediate bulge belong to a more
metal-rich population that follows bar-like kinematics, whereas the stars in
the outer bulge belong to the metal-poor, spheroidal bulge population.Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables (incl. appendix), years of work,
published in MNRA
Molecular Line Observations of Infrared Dark Clouds: Seeking the Precursors to Intermediate and Massive Star Formation
We have identified 41 infrared dark clouds from the 8 micron maps of the
Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX), selected to be found within one square degree
areas centered on known ultracompact HII regions. We have mapped these infrared
dark clouds in N2H+(1-0), CS(2-1) and C18O(1-0) emission using the Five College
Radio Astronomy Observatory. The maps of the different species often show
striking differences in morphologies, indicating differences in evolutionary
state and/or the presence of undetected, deeply embedded protostars. We derive
an average mass for these clouds using N2H+ column densities of ~2500 solar
masses, a value comparable to that found in previous studies of high mass star
forming cores using other mass tracers. The linewidths of these clouds are
typically ~2.0 - 2.9 km/s. Based on the fact that they are dark at 8 micron,
compact, massive, and have large velocity dispersions, we suggest that these
clouds may be the precursor sites of intermediate and high mass star formation.Comment: Accepted to ApJS, 22 pages, 10 pages of figures. For full-resolution
images, see http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/~seragan/pubs/fcrao/figures.tar.g
The problematically short superwind of OH/IR stars - Probing the outflow with the 69 {\mu}m spectral band of forsterite
Spectra of OH/IR stars show prominent spectral bands of crystalline olivine
(MgFeSiO). To learn more about the timescale of the
outflows of OH/IR stars, we study the spectral band of crystalline olivine at
69 {\mu}m. The 69 {\mu}m band is of interest because its width and peak
wavelength position are sensitive to the grain temperature and to the exact
composition of the crystalline olivine. With Herschel/PACS, we observed the 69
{\mu}m band in the outflow of 14 OH/IR stars. By comparing the crystalline
olivine features of our sample with those of model spectra, we determined the
size of the outflow and its crystalline olivine abundance.
The temperature indicated by the observed 69 {\mu}m bands can only be
reproduced by models with a geometrically compact superwind
( 2500 AU = 1400 R).This means that the superwind
started less than 1200 years ago (assuming an outflow velocity of 10 km/s). The
small amount of mass lost in one superwind and the high progenitor mass of the
OH/IR stars introduce a mass loss and thus evolutionary problem for these
objects, which has not yet been understood.Comment: Accepted by A&
Dusty shells surrounding the carbon variables S Scuti and RT Capricorni
For the Mass-loss of Evolved StarS (MESS) programme, the unprecedented
spatial resolution of the PACS photometer on board the Herschel space
observatory was employed to map the dusty environments of asymptotic giant
branch (AGB) and red supergiant (RSG) stars. Among the morphologically
heterogeneous sample, a small fraction of targets is enclosed by spherically
symmetric detached envelopes. Based on observations in the 70 {\mu}m and 160
{\mu}m wavelength bands, we investigated the surroundings of the two carbon
semiregular variables S Sct and RT Cap, which both show evidence for a history
of highly variable mass-loss. S Sct exhibits a bright, spherically symmetric
detached shell, 138" in diameter and co-spatial with an already known CO
structure. Moreover, weak emission is detected at the outskirts, where the
morphology seems indicative of a mild shaping by interaction of the wind with
the interstellar medium, which is also supported by the stellar space motion.
Two shells are found around RT Cap that were not known so far in either dust
emission or from molecular line observations. The inner shell with a diameter
of 188" shows an almost immaculate spherical symmetry, while the outer ~5'
structure is more irregularly shaped. MoD, a modification of the DUSTY
radiative transfer code, was used to model the detached shells. Dust
temperatures, shell dust masses, and mass-loss rates are derived for both
targets
The enigmatic nature of the circumstellar envelope and bow shock surrounding Betelgeuse as revealed by Herschel. I. Evidence of clumps, multiple arcs, and a linear bar-like structure
Context. The interaction between stellar winds and the interstellar medium
(ISM) can create complex bow shocks. The photometers on board the Herschel
Space Observatory are ideally suited to studying the morphologies of these bow
shocks. Aims. We aim to study the circumstellar environment and wind-ISM
interaction of the nearest red supergiant, Betelgeuse. Methods. Herschel PACS
images at 70, 100, and 160 micron and SPIRE images at 250, 350, and 500 micron
were obtained by scanning the region around Betelgeuse. These data were
complemented with ultraviolet GALEX data, near-infrared WISE data, and radio 21
cm GALFA-HI data. The observational properties of the bow shock structure were
deduced from the data and compared with hydrodynamical simulations. Results.
The infrared Herschel images of the environment around Betelgeuse are
spectacular, showing the occurrence of multiple arcs at 6-7 arcmin from the
central target and the presence of a linear bar at 9 arcmin. Remarkably, no
large-scale instabilities are seen in the outer arcs and linear bar. The dust
temperature in the outer arcs varies between 40 and 140 K, with the linear bar
having the same colour temperature as the arcs. The inner envelope shows clear
evidence of a non-homogeneous clumpy structure (beyond 15 arcsec), probably
related to the giant convection cells of the outer atmosphere. The
non-homogeneous distribution of the material even persists until the collision
with the ISM. A strong variation in brightness of the inner clumps at a radius
of 2 arcmin suggests a drastic change in mean gas and dust density some 32 000
yr ago. Using hydrodynamical simulations, we try to explain the observed
morphology of the bow shock around Betelgeuse. Conclusions: [abbreviated]Comment: 26 page
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