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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 aselection of nearly 80 stars that belong to various asymptotic giantbranch (AGB) types, namely S type, M type and SR type. This sample alsoincludes 16 post-AGB (PAGB) stars. From these spectra, we seekcorrelations between the equivalent widths of some important spectralsignatures and the infrared colours that are indicative of mass-loss.Repeated spectroscopic observations were made on some PAGB stars to lookfor spectral variations. We also analyse archival Spitzer mid-infraredspectra on a few PAGB stars to identify spectral features due topolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules providing confirmationof the advanced stage of their evolution. Further, we model the spectralenergy distributions (SEDs) of the stars (compiled from archival data)and compare circumstellar dust parameters and mass-loss rates indifferent 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 withinfrared colours, suggesting a possible relationship with mass-lossprocesses. A few PAGB stars revealed short-term variability in theirspectra, indicating episodic mass-loss: the cooler stars showed in COfirst 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 thespectral 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 themass-loss rates, the higher the [K - 12] colour in our sample.
| Circumstellar Atomic Hydrogen in Evolved Stars
We present new results of a spectroscopic survey of circumstellar H I inthe direction of evolved stars made with the NançayRadiotelescope. The H I line at 21 cm has been detected in thecircumstellar shells of a variety of evolved stars: asymptotic giantbranch stars, oxygen-rich and carbon-rich stars, semiregular and Miravariables, and planetary nebulae. The emissions are generally spatiallyresolved, i.e., larger than 4', indicating shell sizes on the order of 1pc, which opens the possibility of tracing the history of mass loss overthe past ~104-105 yr. The line profiles aresometimes composite. The individual components generally have aquasi-Gaussian shape; in particular, they seldom show the double-hornprofile that would be expected from the spatially resolved opticallythin emission of a uniformly expanding shell. This probably implies thatthe expansion velocity decreases outward in the external shells (0.1-1pc) of these evolved stars. The H I line profiles do not necessarilymatch those of the CO rotational lines. Furthermore, the centroidvelocities do not always agree with those measured in the CO linesand/or the stellar radial velocities. The H I emissions may also beshifted in position with respect to the central stars. Without excludingthe possibility of asymmetric mass ejection, we suggest that these twoeffects could also be related to a nonisotropic interaction with thelocal interstellar medium. H I was detected in emission toward severalsources (ρ Per, α Her, δ2 Lyr, U CMi) thatotherwise have not been detected in any radio lines. Conversely, it wasnot detected in the two oxygen-rich stars with substantial mass-lossrate, NML Tau and WX Psc, possibly because these sources are young, withhydrogen in molecular form, and/or because the temperature of thecircumstellar H I gas is very low (<5 K).This paper is dedicated to the memory of Marie-Odile Mennessier(1940-2004).
| Variability in red supergiant stars: pulsations, long secondary periods and convection noise
We study the brightness variations of galactic red supergiant starsusing long-term visual light curves collected by the AmericanAssociation of Variable Star Observers over the last century. The fullsample contains 48 red semiregular or irregular variable stars, with amean time-span of observations of 61 yr. We determine periods and periodvariability from analyses of power density spectra and time-frequencydistributions. We find two significant periods in 18 stars. Most ofthese periods fall into two distinct groups, ranging from a few hundredto a few thousand days. Theoretical models imply fundamental, first andpossibly second overtone mode pulsations for the shorter periods.Periods greater than 1000 d form a parallel period-luminosity relationthat is similar to the long secondary periods of the asymptotic giantbranch stars. A number of individual power spectra shows a single moderesolved into multiple peaks under a Lorentzian envelope, which weinterpret as evidence for stochastic oscillations, presumably caused bythe interplay of convection and pulsations. We find a strong 1/f noisecomponent in the power spectra that is remarkably similar in almost allstars of the sample. This behaviour fits the picture of irregularphotometric variability caused by large convection cells, analogous tothe granulation background seen in the Sun.
| Pulkovo compilation of radial velocities for 35495 stars in a common system.
Not Available
| Lifting the Iron Curtain: Toward an Understanding of the Iron Stars XX Oph and AS 325
We present new optical, near-infrared, and archival ultravioletobservations of XX Ophiuchi and AS 325, two proposed ``iron'' stars.These unusual stars have optical spectra dominated by emission linesarising from hydrogen, as well as ionized metals such as iron, chromium,and titanium. Both stars have been classified as ``iron'' stars, and anumber of exotic models have been presented for their origin. Using 2years of moderately high resolution optical spectroscopy, the first highsignal-to-noise ratio K-band spectroscopy of these sources (whichreveals stellar photospheric absorption lines), and new near-infraredinterferometric observations, we confirm that both systems are composedof two stars, likely binaries, containing a hot Be star with an evolvedlate-type secondary. The hydrogen emission features arise in the hotwind from the Be star, while the corresponding P-Cygni absorption linesare produced from dense material in the expanding, radiation-driven windaround each system. The optical Fe II emission lines are pumped byultraviolet Fe II absorption lines through fluorescence. Contrary tosome claims in the literature, the spectral features of XX Oph and AS325 are quite similar, evidence that they are comparable systems. Weexamine the variability of the spectral morphology and radial velocitymotions of both sources. We also study the variability of XX Oph duringa major photometric event and find that the spectral nature of thesystem varies during the event. A comparison of the velocity of theabsorption-line components in our new spectra with those in theliterature show that the structure of the stellar wind from XX Oph haschanged since the system was observed in 1951.
| Mass-loss from dusty, low outflow-velocity AGB stars. I. Wind structure and mass-loss rates
We present the first results of a CO(2-1), (1-0), and 86 GHz SiO masersurvey of AGB stars, selected by their weak near-infrared excess. Amongthe 65 sources of the present sample we find 10 objects with low COoutflow velocities, vexp <~ 5 km s-1.Typically, these sources show (much) wider SiO maser features.Additionally, we get 5 sources with composite CO line profiles, i.e. anarrow feature is superimposed on a broader one, where both componentsare centered at the same stellar velocity. The gas mass-loss rates,outflow velocities and velocity structures suggested by these lineprofiles are compared with the results of hydrodynamical modelcalculations for dust forming molecular winds of pulsating AGB stars.The observations presented here give support to our recent lowoutflow-velocity models, in which only small amounts of dust are formed.Therefore, the wind generation in these models is dominated by stellarpulsation. We interpret the composite line profiles in terms ofsuccessive winds with different characteristics. Our hydrodynamicalmodels, which show that the wind properties may be extremely sensitiveto the stellar parameters, support such a scenario.Based on observations obtained at the European Southern Observatory, LaSilla, Chile and at the IRAM, Pico Veleta, Spain.
| Hipparcos red stars in the HpV_T2 and V I_C systems
For Hipparcos M, S, and C spectral type stars, we provide calibratedinstantaneous (epoch) Cousins V - I color indices using newly derivedHpV_T2 photometry. Three new sets of ground-based Cousins V I data havebeen obtained for more than 170 carbon and red M giants. These datasetsin combination with the published sources of V I photometry served toobtain the calibration curves linking Hipparcos/Tycho Hp-V_T2 with theCousins V - I index. In total, 321 carbon stars and 4464 M- and S-typestars have new V - I indices. The standard error of the mean V - I isabout 0.1 mag or better down to Hp~9 although it deteriorates rapidly atfainter magnitudes. These V - I indices can be used to verify thepublished Hipparcos V - I color indices. Thus, we have identified ahandful of new cases where, instead of the real target, a random fieldstar has been observed. A considerable fraction of the DMSA/C and DMSA/Vsolutions for red stars appear not to be warranted. Most likely suchspurious solutions may originate from usage of a heavily biased color inthe astrometric processing.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA 1997).}\fnmsep\thanks{Table 7 is onlyavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/397/997
| Stars with the Largest Hipparcos Photometric Amplitudes
A list of the 2027 stars that have the largest photometric amplitudes inHipparcos Photometry shows that most variable stars are all Miras. Thepercentage of variable types change as a function of amplitude. Thiscompilation should also be of value to photometrists looking forrelatively unstudied, but large amplitude stars.
| The Infrared Spectral Classification of Oxygen-rich Dust Shells
This paper presents infrared spectral classifications for a flux-limitedsample of 635 optically identified oxygen-rich variables includingsupergiants and sources on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). Severalclasses of spectra from oxygen-rich dust exist, and these can bearranged in a smoothly varying sequence of spectral shapes known as thesilicate dust sequence. Classification based on this sequence revealsseveral dependencies of the dust emission on the properties of thecentral star. Nearly all S stars show broad emission features fromalumina dust, while most of the supergiants exhibit classic featuresfrom amorphous silicate dust. Mira variables with symmetric light curvesgenerally show broad alumina emission, while those with more asymmetriclight curves show classic silicate emission. These differences may arisefrom differences in the photospheric C/O ratio.
| Classification and Identification of IRAS Sources with Low-Resolution Spectra
IRAS low-resolution spectra were extracted for 11,224 IRAS sources.These spectra were classified into astrophysical classes, based on thepresence of emission and absorption features and on the shape of thecontinuum. Counterparts of these IRAS sources in existing optical andinfrared catalogs are identified, and their optical spectral types arelisted if they are known. The correlations between thephotospheric/optical and circumstellar/infrared classification arediscussed.
| Circumstellar dust envelopes of oxygen-rich AGB stars.
Using IRAS observational data, the best-fitting models are searched foroxygen-rich AGB stars in various evolutionary stages from opticallyvisible red giant stars to OH/IR stars with heavy mass loss. The modelinfrared spectral energy distributions of the red giant stars withcircumstellar dust envelopes are calculated with the use of a radiativetransfer code. It is found that the oxygen-rich IRAS AGB starssurrounded by circumstellar dust envelopes are divided into threegroups, which can be clearly distinguished by their mass loss rate andthe grain temperature at the inner boundary of the circumstellar dustenvelopes. One group corresponds to Mira type objects with a moderatemass loss rate and a grain formation temperature of about 500 K, thesecond to OH/IR star type objects with a large mass loss rate and a highgrain formation temperature, and the third to M stars with a very coldgrain temperature at the inner boundary, indicating that the moderatemass loss stopped a considerable time ago in these objects. The highergrain formation temperature of the OH/IR star type objects indicates agrain formation point closer to the stellar surface, suggesting aneffective acceleration of dust grains by radiation pressure. Such aneffective acceleration can play an important role in the mass lossphenomena of OH/IR stars with large mass loss rates. From the modelfitting results, it is suggested that an AGB star undergoes severaldozen phases of moderate mass loss of˙(M)~10^-7^-10^-6^Msun_/yr for a period of10^3^-10^4^years with interruptions of 10^3^-10^4^years during theordinary Mira variable phase before becoming an OH/IR star with a massloss rate exceeding 10^-5^Msun_/yr and a lifetime of about10^3^-10^4^years.
| 86 GHz SiO, v=1, J=2--> 1 survey of southern IRAS point sources. II. Detection of 74 new maser sources
The detection of 74 new southern stellar SiO, v=1, J=2->1 masersassociated with IRAS point sources is reported. 57 of these were foundin an IRAS based survey of oxygen rich stellar envelopes. The detectionrate in this survey was 45%. 17 further new maser sources were detectedduring a search for strong pointing sources for the Swedish-ESOSubmillimeter Telescope (SEST). The distribution of the IRAS lowresolution spectral (LRS) classes of all the SiO masers (this paper andliterature) peaks sharply at class 15. The distribution of the LRSclasses of the maser sources from 21 to 29 is similar to thedistribution of these classes of all the point sources in the pointsource catalogue except for class 25. Only few maser sources of thisspectral class are known. This is possibly explained by a selectioneffect.
| Circumstellar shells resolved in the IRAS survey data. I - Data processing procedure, results, and confidence tests
We have examined the IRAS 60 and 100 micron survey data covering 512evolved stars and young planetary nebulae for evidence of spatiallyresolved structure. A simple model, consisting of a central unresolvedsource surrounded by a resolved isothermal shell, was fitted to the datafor each star. Seventy-six stars were found to be resolved in the 60micron data. Tests have been performed to verify that the extendedstructure seen is not an artifact of the data-processing algorithm.
| Near-infrared photometry of a sample of IRAS point sources
This paper presents the J, H, K, L, M photometry of 516 sourcespertaining to a sample of 787 sources which has been extracted from theIRAS Point Source Catalog in order to study the late stages of stellarevolution and the concomitant phenomena of mass loss. Three differentclssifications of these sources based on broad-band photometry and IRASlow-resolution spectra are given, and the distributions of the sourcesin terms of these classifications are presented. A subsample of peculiarsources, believed to have recently undergone a helium flash, has beenisolated using the K - L, (12-micron) color diagram. Some objectsmeriting further study are also mentioned.
| A survey of circumstellar CO emission from a sample of IRAS point sources
The first results from a survey of circumstellar CO(1-0) emission arepresented. The sources were selected from the IRAS point source catalogaccording to the IRAS color criteria described in van der Veen andHabing (1988). The sources have good quality fluxes at 12, 25, and 60microns, flux densities larger than 20 Jy at 25 microns, and aresituated more than 5 deg away from the Galactic plane. The survey isundertaken to study the relationship between mass loss rates, dustproperties, and the evolution along the AGB. The sample consists of 787sources and contains both oxygen and carbon-rich stars, including Miravariables, OH/IR objects, protoplanetary nebulae, planetary nebulae, and60-micron excess sources. So far, 519 objects, situated on both thenorthern and the southern sky, have been observed; 163 sources werefound to have circumstellar CO emission, and in 58 of these CO emissionhas not previously been detected.
| Mass-losing M supergiants in the solar neighborhood
A list of the 21 mass-losing red supergiants (20 M type, one G type; Lgreater than 100,000 solar luminosities) within 2.5 kpc of the sun iscompiled. These supergiants are highly evolved descendants ofmain-sequence stars with initial masses larger than 20 solar masses. Thesurface density is between about 1 and 2/sq kpc. As found previously,these stars are much less concentrated toward the Galactic center thanW-R stars, which are also highly evolved massive stars. Although withconsiderable uncertainty, it is estimated that the mass return by the Msupergiants is somewhere between 0.00001 and 0.00003 solar mass/sq kpcyr. In the hemisphere facing the Galactic center there is much less massloss from M supergiants than from W-R stars, but, in the anticenterdirection, the M supergiants return more mass than do the W-R stars. Theduration of the M supergiant phase appears to be between 200,000 and400,000 yr. During this phase, a star of initially at least 20 solarmasses returns perhaps 3-10 solar masses into the interstellar medium.
| Near-infrared spectral classification of symbiotic stars
Near-infrared spectra of 16 symbiotic stars and 29 G, K and M standardstars are presented. The spectrograms are used to classify the coolcomponents in symbiotic stars. The equivalent width of the CN bandfeature at (7916 + 7941) A is demonstrated to be a quantitativeluminosity indicator for classes III to I in the (single) M0 to M3standard stars. Six of the observed symbiotic stars have temperatureclasses within this range and the criterium is applied to theirspectrograms. Accordingly, four of the late-type components are normalgiants, while the nature of two systems remains ambiguous. The resultsare discussed in the light of presently proposed interacting binarymodels for symbiotic stars.
| On the contribution of interstellar extinction to the 10 micron dust feature in OH/IR stars
The IRAS Low Resolution Spectra of 467 sources with the 10 micron dustfeature are analyzed. The strengths of the dust feature are determinedby the ratio of the flux at 9.7 micron to the fitted continuum level.Color temperatures are derived from the fluxes of the four IRASphotometric bands after correcting for the effect of the 10 micronfeature on the fluxes of the 12 micron band. A definite correlationbetween the strength of the feature and the color temperature of thecontinuum is found, implying that the 10 micron dust feature is largelycircumstellar in origin. A reexamination of the strength of the silicatefeature for seven of the OH/IR star used by Gehrs and colleagues in 1985has failed to reproduce the optical depth-distance relationship found bythese authors. It is concluded that interstellar extinction does notplay a major role in the formation of the 10 micron absorption feature.
| IRAS catalogues and atlases - Atlas of low-resolution spectra
Plots of all 5425 spectra in the IRAS catalogue of low-resolutionspectra are presented. The catalogue contains the average spectra ofmost IRAS poiont sources with 12 micron flux densities above 10 Jy.
| The radial velocities of 116 southern red stars
Using a photoelectric speedometer based on the radial velocityspectrometer of Griffin (1967), radial velocities of 116 southern redstars, many of them semi-regular variables, were measured. Theinstrument was placed at the Newtonian focus of the 130-inch (4.2-m)camera of the Coude spectrograph of the Mount Stromlo 74-inch (1.88-m)reflector. The stellar spectrum was focused on a mask 50 mm in length,designed to match the spectrum of the M-giant Beta Pegasi. The inversedispersion was 2.5 angstroms per millimeter in the second order. Thewavelength range used (5338-5449 angstroms) was chosen because it isbetween two TiO bands and so suffers less blanketing in M stars. Resultsare tabulated and compared with standard values.
| Polarimetric Observations of the Red Variable RV Hydrae
Not Available
| The stellar component of the galaxy as seen by the AFGL infrared sky survey
The noise-limited magnitudes for the Air Force Geophysical Laboratory(AFGL) Infrared Sky Survey have been estimated by direct comparison withground-based observations. Using these limiting magnitudes, 'pruned'versions of the AFGL catalog have been generated. Infrared observationsof all the stellar objects seen at 11, 20, or 27 microns and astatistical sample of the stars seen only at 4 microns are reported.Analysis of the observations leads to estimates of the absolute 4 and 10microns magnitudes and space densities for the two clases of objects.The expected results from the Infrared Astronomical Satellite arereexamined.
| A different type of maser star
A systematic survey of short-period, semiregular variable stars has beenmade resulting in the detection of six new water masers. Of the 14short-period maser stars now known, nine are classified as SRbvariables. All are very late spectral type SRb's, typically M7, whilethe overwhelming majority of normal SRb stars is M4 to M6. Their 2.2-11micron color indices are among the lowest of any known maser stars. Theyare presumably less dusty as well. Four of the SRb stars and two of theremainder do not obey the correlation between period and velocity spreadof the emission features that is found for the Mira and long-period,semiregular variables. Finally, high galactic latitudes dominate; 13 ofthe 14 are in excess of 13 deg, and nine of these are greater than 25deg. These facts suggest that the short-period semiregular variables -particularly in SRb stars - may be a very different type of maser starthan the Mira and long-period semiregular variables.
| Infrared observations of 1612 MHz IR/OH sources.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1972A&A....16..204H
| The kinematics of semiregular red variables in the solar neighbourhood.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1972MNRAS.158...23F&db_key=AST
| Observations of the Infrared Object, VY Canis Majoris
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1969ApJ...158..619H&db_key=AST
| The Infrared Spectral Classification of M-Type Stars.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1956ApJ...124..342S
| Sixty-four new variable stars.
Not Available
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Hydra |
| Right ascension: | 08h39m43.76s |
| Declination: | -09°35'13.0" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 7.88 |
| Distance: | 318.471 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | 14.6 |
| Proper motion Dec: | -20.9 |
| B-T magnitude: | 9.659 |
| V-T magnitude: | 8.027 |
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INHABITED SKY
