On The 5D Extra-Force according to Basini-Capozziello-Leon Formalism and five important features: Kar-Sinha Gravitational Bending of Light, Chung-Freese Superluminal Behaviour, Maartens-Clarkson Black Strings, Experimental measures of Extra Dimensions on board International Space Station(ISS) and the existence of the Particle ZZ due to a Higher Dimensional spacetime

We use the Conformal Metric as described in Kar-Sinha work on Gravitational Bending of Light in a 5D Spacetime to recompute the equations of the 5D Force in Basini-Capozziello-Leon Formalism and we arrive at a result that possesses some advantages. The equations of the Extra Force as proposed by Leon are now more elegant in Conformal Formalism and many algebraic terms can be simplified or even suppressed. Also we recompute the Kar-Sinha Gravitational Bending of Light affected by the presence of the Extra Dimension and analyze the Superluminal Chung-Freese Features of this Formalism describing the advantages of the Chung-Freese BraneWorld when compared to other Superluminal spacetime metrics(eg:Warp Drive) and we describe why the Extra Dimension is invisible and how the Extra Dimension could be made visible at least in theory.We also examine the Maartens-Clarkson Black Holes in 5D(Black Strings) coupled to massive Kaluza-Klein graviton modes predicted by Extra Dimensions theories and we study experimental detection of Extra Dimensions on-board LIGO and LISA Space Telescopes.We also propose the use of International Space Station(ISS) to measure the additional terms(resulting from the presence of Extra Dimensions) in the Kar-Sinha Gravitational Bending of Light in Outer Space to verify if we really lives in a Higher Dimensional Spacetime.Also we demonstrate that Particle $Z$ can only exists if the 5D spacetime exists.Comment: Withdrawn: author no longer wishes to post work on arXi

The Tip of the Red Giant Branch and Distance of the Magellanic Clouds: results from the DENIS survey

We present a precise determination of the apparent magnitude of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) in the I (0.8 micron), J (1.25 micron), and K_S (2.15 micron) bands from the luminosity function of a sample of data extracted from the DENIS catalogue towards the Magellanic Clouds (Cioni et al. 2000). From the J and Ks magnitudes we derive bolometric magnitudes m_bol. We present a new algorithm for the determination of the TRGB magnitude, which we describe in detail and test extensively using Monte-Carlo simulations. We note that any method that searches for a peak in the first derivative (used by most authors) or the second derivative (used by us) of the observed luminosity function does not yield an unbiased estimate for the actual magnitude of the TRGB discontinuity. We stress the importance of correcting for this bias, which is not generally done. We combine the results of our algorithm with theoretical predictions to derive the distance modulus of the Magellanic Clouds. We obtain m-M = 18.55 (0.04 formal, 0.08 systematic) for the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), and m-M = 18.99 (0.03 formal, 0.08 systematic) for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). These are among the most accurate determinations of these quantities currently available, which is a direct consequence of the large size of our sample and the insensitivity of near infrared observations to dust extinction.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, revised version, accepted for publication in A&

Magnetic Flares on Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars

We investigate the consequences of magnetic flares on the surface of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and similar stars. In contrast to the solar wind, in the winds of AGB stars the gas cooling time is much shorter than the outflow time. As a result, we predict that energetic flaring will not inhibit, and may even enhance, dust formation around AGB stars. If magnetic flares do occur around such stars, we expect some AGB stars to exhibit X-ray emission; indeed certain systems including AGB stars, such as Mira, have been detected in X-rays. However, in these cases, it is difficult to distinguish between potential AGB star X-ray emission and, e.g., X-ray emission from the vicinity of a binary companion. Analysis of an archival ROSAT X-ray spectrum of the Mira system suggests an intrinsic X-ray luminosity 2x10^{29} erg/sec and temperature 10^7 K. These modeling results suggest that magnetic activity, either on the AGB star (Mira A) or on its nearby companion (Mira B), is the source of the X-rays, but do not rule out the possibility that the X-rays are generated by an accretion disk around Mira B.Comment: ApJ, Accepted; revised version of astro-ph/020923

A Detailed Analysis of the Dust Formation Zone of IRC+10216 Derived from Mid-IR Bands of C2H2 and HCN

A spectral survey of IRC+10216 has been carried out in the range 11 to 14 um with a spectral resolution of about 4 km s^-1. We have identified a forest of lines in six bands of C2H2 involving the vibrational states from the ground to 3nu5 and in two bands of HCN, involving the vibrational states from the ground up to 2nu2. Some of these transitions are observed also in H13CCH and H13CN. We have estimated the kinetic, vibrational, and rotational temperatures, and the abundances and column densities of C2H2 and HCN between 1 and 300 R* (1.5E16 cm) by fitting about 300 of these ro-vibrational lines. The envelope can be divided into three regions with approximate boundaries at 0.019 arcsec (the stellar photosphere), 0.1 arcsec (the inner dust formation zone), and 0.4 arcsec (outer dust formation zone). Most of the lines might require a large microturbulence broadening. The derived abundances of C2H2 and HCN increase by factors of 10 and 4, respectively, from the innermost envelope outwards. The derived column densities for both C2H2 and HCN are 1.6E19 cm^-2. Vibrational states up to 3000 K above ground are populated, suggesting pumping by near-infrared radiation from the star and innermost envelope. Low rotational levels can be considered under LTE while those with J>20-30 are not thermalized. A few lines require special analysis to deal with effects like overlap with lines of other molecules.Comment: 8 pages, 16 figures, 2 machine-readable tables, accepted in the Astrophysical Journa

The Unique History of the Globular Cluster Omega Centauri

Using current observational data and simple dynamical modeling, we demonstrate that Omega Cen is not special among the Galactic globular clusters in its ability to produce and retain the heavy elements dispersed in the AGB phase of stellar evolution. The multiple stellar populations observed in Omega Cen cannot be explained if it had formed as an isolated star cluster. The formation within a progenitor galaxy of the Milky Way is more likely, although the unique properties of Omega Cen still remain a mystery.Comment: published version with minor change

Infrared Spectroscopic Study of a Selection of AGB and Post-AGB Stars

We present here near-infrared spectroscopy in the H and K bands of a selection of nearly 80 stars that belong to various AGB types, namely S type, M type and SR type. This sample also includes 16 Post-AGB (PAGB) stars. From these spectra, we seek correlations between the equivalent widths of some important spectral signatures and the infrared colors that are indicative of mass loss. Repeated spectroscopic observations were made on some PAGB stars to look for spectral variations. We also analyse archival SPITZER mid-infrared spectra on a few PAGB stars to identify spectral features due to PAH molecules providing confirmation of the advanced stage of their evolution. Further, we model the SEDs of the stars (compiled from archival data) and compare circumstellar dust parameters and mass loss rates in different types. Our near-infrared spectra show that in the case of M and S type stars, the equivalent widths of the CO(3-0) band are moderately correlated with infrared colors, suggesting a possible relationship with mass loss processes. A few PAGB stars revealed short term variability in their spectra, indicating episodic mass loss: the cooler stars showed in CO first overtone bands and the hotter ones showed in HI Brackett lines. Our spectra on IRAS 19399+2312 suggest that it is a transition object. From the SPITZER spectra, there seems to be a dependence between the spectral type of the PAGB stars and the strength of the PAH features. Modelling of SEDs showed among the M and PAGB stars that the higher the mass loss rates, the higher the [K-12] colour in our sample.Comment: 14 pages; accepted in MNRAS, 200

Mid Infrared Photometry of Mass-Losing AGB Stars

We present ground-based mid-infrared imaging for 27 M-, S- and C-type Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. The data are compared with those of the database available thanks to the IRAS, ISO, MSX and 2MASS catalogues. Our goal is to establish relations between the IR colors, the effective temperature $T_{eff}$, the luminosity $L$ and the mass loss rate $\dot M$, for improving the effectiveness of AGB modelling. Bolometric (absolute) magnitudes are obtained through distance compilations, and by applying previously-derived bolometric corrections; the variability is also studied, using data accumulated since the IRAS epoch. The main results are: i) Values of $L$ and $\dot M$ for C stars fit relations previously established by us, with Miras being on average more evolved and mass losing than Semiregulars. ii) Moderate IR excesses (as compared to evolutionary tracks) are found for S and M stars in our sample: they are confirmed to originate from the dusty circumstellar environment. iii) A larger reddening characterizes C-rich Miras and post-AGBs. In this case, part of the excess is due to AGB models overestimating $T_{eff}$ for C-stars, as a consequence of the lack of suitable molecular opacities. This has a large effect on the colors of C-rich sources and sometimes disentangling the photospheric and circumstellar contributions is difficult; better model atmospheres should be used in stellar evolutionary codes for C stars. iv) The presence of a long-term variability at mid-IR wavelengths seems to be limited to sources with maximum emission in the 8 -- 20 $\mu$m region, usually Mira variables (1/3 of our sample). Most Semiregular and post-AGB stars studied here remained remarkably constant in mid-IR over the last twenty years.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal - 35 pages (in preprint), 9 figures, 5 table

The dynamical evolution of the circumstellar gas around low-and intermediate-mass stars I: the AGB

We have investigated the dynamical interaction of low- and-intermediate mass stars (from 1 to 5 Msun) with their interstellar medium (ISM). In this first paper, we examine the structures generated by the stellar winds during the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) phase, using a numerical code and the wind history predicted by stellar evolution. The influence of the external ISM is also taken into account. We find that the wind variations associated with the thermal pulses lead to the formation of transient shells with an average lifetime of 20,000 yr, and consequently do not remain recorded in the density or velocity structure of the gas. The formation of shells that survive at the end of the AGB occurs via two main processes: shocks between the shells formed by two consecutive enhancements of the mass-loss or via continuous accumulation of the material ejected by the star in the interaction region with the ISM. Our models show that the mass of the circumstellar envelope increases appreciably due to the ISM material swept up by the wind (up to 70 % for the 1 Msun stellar model). We also point out the importance of the ISM on the deceleration and compression of the external shells. According to our simulations, large regions (up to 2.5 pc) of neutral gas surrounding the molecular envelopes of AGB stars are expected. These large regions of gas are formed from the mass-loss experienced by the star during the AGB evolution.Comment: 43 pages, 15 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa