Dust temperature and density profiles of AGB and post-AGB stars from mid-infrared observations

Nov, 2004
Published in:
  • Astron.Astrophys. 433 (2005) 553
e-Print:

Citations per year

20082009201020112012103
Abstract: (arXiv)
First mid-infrared images of a sample of AGB and post-AGB carbon stars (V Hya, IRC +10216, CIT 6 and Roberts 22) obtained at La Silla Observatory (ESO, Chile) are reported. CIT 6 presents a cometary-like feature clearly seen in the 9.7μ\mum image, Roberts 22 shows an envelope slightly elongated in the north-east direction while images of V Hya and IRC+10216 are roughly spherically symmetric. Using inversion technique, the dust emissivity was derived from the observed intensity profiles, allowing a determination of the grain temperature and density distributions inside the envelope for these stars. Dust masses and mass-loss rates were estimated for V Hya and IRC +10216. Our results are comparable to those obtained in previous studies if dust grains have dimensions in the range \sim 0.01 - 0.2 μ\mum. Color maps suggest the presence of temperature inhomogeneities in the central regions of the dust envelopes. In the case of V Hya, an eccentric hot point, which direction coincides with the jet previously seen in [SII] emission, suggest that we are observing a material ejected in a previous mass-loss event. Bipolar lobes are clearly seen in the color maps of Roberts 22 and IRC +10216.
  • AGB STARS
  • POST-AGB STARS
  • CIRCUMSTELLAR MATTER
  • MASS-LOSS STARS
  • INFRARED STARS