Imaging the circumstellar dust distribution around AGB stars

Details Imaging the circumstellar dust distribution around AGB stars Imaging the circumstellar dust distribution around AGB stars

2010-11-09

arxiv.org/abs/1011.2070v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

To appear in the proceedings of Why Galaxies Care About AGB stars II

Scientific paper

Stellar light from an AGB star is scattered by the circumstellar dust and polarized in the direction perpendicular to the source. Therefore, images of circumstellar envelopes around AGB stars in polarized light traces the dust distribution and can be used to search for asymmetries, and to achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms at play when AGB stars are transformed into planetary nebulae. The PolCor instrument is a combined imager, polarimeter, and coronograph providing images with an angular resolution down to 0.2". We have used it to map the dust distribution around three AGB stars: W Aql, and the detached shell sources DR Ser, and U Cam. W Aql is a binary and we find indications of a bi-polar dust distribution around the star. The observations of the latter two sources clearly reveal the detached shells, likely the result of a brief, strongly enhanced mass-loss rate during the late evolution of these stars. Mapping the detached shells gives us clues to the symmetry of the mass loss and important evolutionary processes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Imaging the circumstellar dust distribution around AGB stars 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 Imaging the circumstellar dust distribution around AGB stars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Imaging the circumstellar dust distribution around AGB stars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-493492