Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-02-18
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
11 pages, 8 Figures. Accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics
Scientific paper
We report the results of a search for gas phase atomic metals in the circumstellar envelope of the AGB carbon star IRC+10216. The search was made using high resolution (R=50000) optical absorption spectroscopy of a backgound star that probes the envelope on a line of sight 35" from the center. The metal species that we detect in the envelope include NaI, KI, CaI, CaII, CrI, and FeI, with upper limits for AlI, MnI, TiI, TiII, and SrII. The observations are used to determine the metal abundances in the gas phase and the condensation onto grains. The metal depletions range from a factor of 5 for Na to 300 for Ca, with some similarity to the depletion pattern in interstellar clouds. Our results directly constrain the condensation efficiency of metals in a carbon-rich circumstellar envelope and the mix of solid and gas phase metals returned by the star to the ISM. The abundances of the uncondensed metal atoms that we observe are typically larger than the abundances of the metal-bearing molecules detected in the envelope. The metal atoms are therefore the major metal species in the gas phase and likely play a key role in the metal chemistry.
Huggins Peter
Mauron Nicolas
No associations
LandOfFree
Gas phase atomic metals in the circumstellar envelope of IRC+10216 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Gas phase atomic metals in the circumstellar envelope of IRC+10216, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gas phase atomic metals in the circumstellar envelope of IRC+10216 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-406403