Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-03-08
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
accepted for publication in A&A
Scientific paper
This paper presents interferometric and single-dish CO observations along with HI data obtained for the oxygen-rich semi-regular variable RS Cnc, in order to probe its circumstellar environment at different scales. With the Plateau de Bure Interferometer and the IRAM 30-m telescope, we detect both the CO(1-0) and the CO(2-1) rotational lines from RS Cnc. The line profiles are composite, with two components of half-width ~2 km/s and ~8 km/s respectively. Whereas the narrow velocity component seems to originate from an equatorial disk in the central part of the CO envelope, the broad component reveals a bipolar structure, with a north-south velocity gradient. In addition, we obtain new HI data on the source and around it in a field of almost 1 square degree. The HI line is centered at v_LSR = 7 km/s in agreement with CO observations. A new reduction process reveals a complex extended structure in the northwest direction, of estimated size ~18 arcmin, with a PA (~310 degrees) opposite to the direction of the stellar proper motion (~140 degrees). We derive an HI mass of ~3 10^-2 M_sun for this structure. Based on a non-spherical simulation, we find that this structure is consistent with arising from the interaction of the star undergoing mass loss at an average rate of ~10^-7 M_sun.yr^-1 over ~2-3 10^5 years with the interstellar medium. This work illustrates the powerful complementarity of CO and HI observations with regard to a more complete description of circumstellar environments around AGB stars.
Gérard Eric
Le Bertre Thibaut
Libert Yannick
Matthews Lynn Diane
Winters Jan Martin
No associations
LandOfFree
HI and CO in the circumstellar environment of the S-type star RS Cnc 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 HI and CO in the circumstellar environment of the S-type star RS Cnc, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HI and CO in the circumstellar environment of the S-type star RS Cnc will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-677241