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Molecular and Dusty Layers of Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars Studied with the VLT Interferometer
Mass loss from asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars is the most importantdriver for the evolution of low to intermediate mass stars towardsplanetary nebulae. It is also one of the most important sources ofchemical enrichment of the interstellar medium. The mass-loss processoriginates in the extended atmosphere, whose structure is affected bystellar pulsations, and where molecular and dusty layers are formed.Optical interferometry resolves the extended atmospheres of AGB starsand thereby enables us to obtain measurements of the intensity profileacross this region. We present an overview of recent results from ourspectro-interferometric observations of AGB stars using the near- andmid-infrared instruments AMBER and MIDI of the VLT Interferometer.
| Inhomogeneities in molecular layers of Mira atmospheres
Aims: We investigate the structure and shape of the photosphericand molecular layers of the atmospheres of four Mira variables. Methods: We obtained near-infrared K-band spectro-interferometricobservations of the Mira variables R Cnc, XHya, W Vel, and RW Velwith a spectral resolution of about 1500 using the AMBER instrument atthe VLTI. We obtained concurrent JHKL photometry using the the Mk IIinstrument at the SAAO. Results: The Mira stars in our sample arefound to have wavelength-dependent visibility values that are consistentwith earlier low-resolution AMBER observations of S Ori and with thepredictions of dynamic model atmosphere series based on self-excitedpulsation models. The corresponding wavelength-dependent uniform disk(UD) diameters show a minimum near the near-continuum bandpass at 2.25μm. They then increase by up to 30% toward the H2O band at2.0 μm and by up to 70% at the CO bandheads between 2.29 μm and2.48 μm. The dynamic model atmosphere series show a consistentwavelength-dependence, and their parameters such as the visual phase,effective temperature, and distances are consistent with independentestimates. The closure phases have significantly wavelength-dependentand non-zero values at all wavelengths indicating deviations from pointsymmetry. For example, the R Cnc closure phase is 110° ±4° in the 2.0 μm H2O band, corresponding for instanceto an additional unresolved spot contributing 3% of the total flux at aseparation of ~4 mas. Conclusions: Our observations areconsistent with the predictions of the latest dynamic model atmosphereseries based on self-excited pulsation models. The wavelength-dependentradius variations are interpreted as the effect of molecular layerslying above the photosphere. The wavelength-dependent closure phasevalues are indicative of deviations from point symmetry at allwavelengths, thus a complex non-spherical stratification of the extendedatmosphere. In particular, the significant deviation from point symmetryin the H2O band is interpreted as a signature on large scales(there being a few across the stellar disk) of inhomogeneities or clumpsin the water vapor layer. The observed inhomogeneities might possibly becaused by pulsation- and shock-induced chaotic motion in the extendedatmosphere.Based on observations made with the VLT Interferometer (VLTI) at ParanalObservatory under program ID 082.D-0723.Figure 2 is available inelectronic form at http://www.aanda.org
| Random forest automated supervised classification of Hipparcos periodic variable stars
We present an evaluation of the performance of an automatedclassification of the Hipparcos periodic variable stars into 26 types.The sub-sample with the most reliable variability types available in theliterature is used to train supervised algorithms to characterize thetype dependencies on a number of attributes. The most useful attributesevaluated with the random forest methodology include, in decreasingorder of importance, the period, the amplitude, the V-I colour index,the absolute magnitude, the residual around the folded light-curvemodel, the magnitude distribution skewness and the amplitude of thesecond harmonic of the Fourier series model relative to that of thefundamental frequency. Random forests and a multi-stage scheme involvingBayesian network and Gaussian mixture methods lead to statisticallyequivalent results. In standard 10-fold cross-validation (CV)experiments, the rate of correct classification is between 90 and 100per cent, depending on the variability type. The main mis-classificationcases, up to a rate of about 10 per cent, arise due to confusion betweenSPB and ACV blue variables and between eclipsing binaries, ellipsoidalvariables and other variability types. Our training set and thepredicted types for the other Hipparcos periodic stars are availableonline.
| 3.6 Years of DIRBE Near-infrared Stellar Light Curves
The weekly averaged near-infrared fluxes for 2652 stars were extractedfrom the cold and warm era all-sky maps of the Diffuse InfraredBackground Experiment (DIRBE). Since the DIRBE program only archived theindividual Calibrated Infrared Observations for the 10 month cold eramission, the weekly averaged fluxes were all that were available for thewarm era. The steps required to extract stellar fluxes are described asare the adjustments that were necessary to correct the results forseveral systematic effects. The observations are at a cadence of once aweek for 3.6 years (~1300 days), providing continuous sampling onvariable stars that span the entire period for the longest fundamentalpulsators. The stars are divided into three categories: those with largeamplitude of variability, smaller amplitude variables, and sources whosenear-infrared brightness do not vary according to our classificationcriteria. We show examples of the results and the value of the addedbaseline in determining the phase lag between the visible and infrared.
| Polarization observations of circumstellar OH masers
Results of observations of circumstellar OH masers in lines withwavelengths near 18 cm are reported. The observations were carried outon the radio telescope of the Nan cay Radio Astronomy Observatory(France). In 2007–2009, 70 late-type stars were observed(including Mira and semi-regular variables). For 53 of these, emissionwas detected in at least one of three OH lines (1612, 1665, or 1667MHz). Circular and linear polarization of the maser emission wasmeasured, yielding all four Stokes parameters. Polarized emissionfeatures were detected in the OH line spectra of 41 stars. A summary ofall the observations is given. The results obtained for T Lep, R LMi,and R Crt are discussed. Emission in the 1665 and 1667 MHz OH lines wasdetected in T Lep for the first time. Features probably due to Zeemansplitting were detected in the OH line profiles of all three stars.Estimates of the magnetic-field strengths in the maser sources wereobtained (0.46–2.32 mG). Variability of the polarizationcharacteristics of the maser emission of the stars on time intervals ofseveral months was found.
| Simultaneous Observations of SiO and H2O Masers Toward Known Stellar SiO and H2O Maser Sources. I.
We present the results of simultaneous observations of both SiO andH2O masers toward 166 known SiO and H2O masersources using the Korean VLBI Network Yonsei 21 m radio telescope during2009 June. Both SiO and H2O maser emission were detected from112 sources giving a detection rate of 67% at one epoch observation.SiO-only maser emission was detected from 42 sources, whileH2O-only maser emission was detected from four sources. Mostof the SiO masers appear around the stellar velocity, whileH2O masers show different characteristics compared with SiOmasers. There are more than 20 sources that show a one-way peak ordouble peaks with respect to the stellar velocity and SiO maser peakvelocity. The H2O maser peak and integrated intensity ratioswith respect to those of SiO (v = 1) show increasingly larger valuesfrom Mira variables, to OH/IR stars, to semi-regular variables. Inaddition, the IRAS two-color diagram of SiO and H2O maserobservational results is discussed.
| Statistical Properties of Stellar H2O Masers --- Results of Three-Year Single-Dish Observations with the VERA Iriki Telescope
We report on the results of monitoring observations of 242 stellarH2O masers, which have been made with the Iriki 20m telescopeof the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA) from 2003 July to2006 November. The present paper mainly focuses on 85 stellarH2O masers that have been tightly observed with a timespacing of typically 1--2 months. In particular, 46 masers out of themhave been recognized concerning their periodic flux variation and havelight-curve data of stellar visual light. Thus, the present paper showssome statistical views of the observed time variability properties ofstellar H2O masers. We found a good correlation between atime delay of the variation in the H2O masers flux withrespect to that in the stellar visual light and the stellar pulsationperiod. The corresponding phase lags are mildly scattered, but aremainly concentrated in the range, 0.7 ≤ Δφ ≤ 1.5. Wealso measured line-of-sight velocity drifts of the individual spectralpeaks of H2O maser emission, which indicate radialacceleration of mass-loss outflows from the evolved stars. We discusspossible pulsation-driven shock waves that are enhanced near the stellarsurface, and are propagating outwards in the circumstellar envelope.
| AGB variables and the Mira period-luminosity relation
Published data for large-amplitude asymptotic giant branch variables inthe Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) are re-analysed to establish theconstants for an infrared (K) period-luminosity relation of the formMK = ρ[logP - 2.38] + δ. A slope of ρ = -3.51+/- 0.20 and a zero-point of δ = -7.15 +/- 0.06 are found foroxygen-rich Miras (if a distance modulus of 18.39 +/- 0.05 is used forthe LMC). Assuming this slope is applicable to Galactic Miras we discussthe zero-point for these stars using the revised Hipparcos parallaxestogether with published very long baseline interferometry (VLBI)parallaxes for OH masers and Miras in globular clusters. These result ina mean zero-point of δ = -7.25 +/- 0.07 for O-rich Galactic Miras.The zero-point for Miras in the Galactic bulge is not significantlydifferent from this value.Carbon-rich stars are also discussed and provide results that areconsistent with the above numbers, but with higher uncertainties. Withinthe uncertainties there is no evidence for a significant differencebetween the period-luminosity relation zero-points for systems withdifferent metallicity.
| First Surface-resolved Results with the Infrared Optical Telescope Array Imaging Interferometer: Detection of Asymmetries in Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars
We have measured nonzero closure phases for about 29% of our sample of56 nearby asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, using the three-telescopeInfrared Optical Telescope Array (IOTA) interferometer at near-infraredwavelengths (H band) and with angular resolutions in the range 5-10 mas.These nonzero closure phases can only be generated by asymmetricbrightness distributions of the target stars or their surroundings. Wediscuss how these results were obtained and how they might beinterpreted in terms of structures on or near the target stars. We alsoreport measured angular sizes and hypothesize that most Mira stars wouldshow detectable asymmetry if observed with adequate angular resolution.
| Full polarization study of SiO masers at 86 GHz
Aims.We study the polarization of the SiO maser emission in arepresentative sample of evolved stars in order to derive an estimate ofthe strength of the magnetic field, and thus determine the influence ofthis magnetic field on evolved stars. Methods: .We madesimultaneous spectroscopic measurements of the 4 Stokes parameters, fromwhich we derived the circular and linear polarization levels. Theobservations were made with the IF polarimeter installed at the IRAM 30m telescope. Results: . A discussion of the existing SiO masermodels is developed in the light of our observations. Under the Zeemansplitting hypothesis, we derive an estimate of the strength of themagnetic field. The averaged magnetic field varies between 0 and 20Gauss, with a mean value of 3.5 Gauss, and follows a 1/r law throughoutthe circumstellar envelope. As a consequence, the magnetic field mayplay the role of a shaping, or perhaps collimating, agent of thecircumstellar envelopes in evolved objects.
| Secular Evolution in Mira Variable Pulsations
Stellar evolution theory predicts that asymptotic giant branch (AGB)stars undergo a series of short thermal pulses that significantly changetheir luminosity and mass on timescales of hundreds to thousands ofyears. These pulses are confirmed observationally by the existence ofthe short-lived radioisotope technetium in the spectra of some of thesestars, but other observational consequences of thermal pulses are subtleand may only be detected over many years of observations. Secularchanges in these stars resulting from thermal pulses can be detected asmeasurable changes in period if the star is undergoing Mira pulsations.It is known that a small fraction of Mira variables exhibit largesecular period changes, and the detection of these changes among alarger sample of stars could therefore be useful in evolutionary studiesof these stars. The American Association of Variable Star Observers(AAVSO) International Database currently contains visual data for over1500 Mira variables. Light curves for these stars span nearly a centuryin some cases, making it possible to study the secular evolution of thepulsation behavior on these timescales. In this paper we present theresults of our study of period change in 547 Mira variables using datafrom the AAVSO. We use wavelet analysis to measure the period changes inindividual Mira stars over the span of available data. By making linearfits to the period versus time measurements, we determine the averagerates of period change, dlnP/dt, for each of these stars. We findnonzero dlnP/dt at the 2 σ significance level in 57 of the 547stars, at the 3 σ level in 21 stars, and at the level of 6 σor greater in eight stars. The latter eight stars have been previouslynoted in the literature, and our derived rates of period change largelyagree with published values. The largest and most statisticallysignificant dlnP/dt are consistent with the rates of period changeexpected during thermal pulses on the AGB. A number of other starsexhibit nonmonotonic period change on decades-long timescales, the causeof which is not yet known. In the majority of stars, the periodvariations are smaller than our detection threshold, meaning theavailable data are not sufficient to unambiguously measure slowevolutionary changes in the pulsation period. It is unlikely that morestars with large period changes will be found among heretoforewell-observed Mira stars in the short term, but continued monitoring ofthese and other Mira stars may reveal new and serendipitous candidatesin the future.
| CHARM2: An updated Catalog of High Angular Resolution Measurements
We present an update of the Catalog of High Angular ResolutionMeasurements (CHARM, Richichi & Percheron \cite{CHARM}, A&A,386, 492), which includes results available until July 2004. CHARM2 is acompilation of direct measurements by high angular resolution methods,as well as indirect estimates of stellar diameters. Its main goal is toprovide a reference list of sources which can be used for calibrationand verification observations with long-baseline optical and near-IRinterferometers. Single and binary stars are included, as are complexobjects from circumstellar shells to extragalactic sources. The presentupdate provides an increase of almost a factor of two over the previousedition. Additionally, it includes several corrections and improvements,as well as a cross-check with the valuable public release observationsof the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). A total of 8231entries for 3238 unique sources are now present in CHARM2. Thisrepresents an increase of a factor of 3.4 and 2.0, respectively, overthe contents of the previous version of CHARM.The catalog is only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/431/773
| 28SiO v = 1 and v = 2, J = 1-0 maser variability in evolved stars. Eleven years of short spaced monitoring
This paper presents and discusses the final data set of a long-term andshort-spaced monitoring of 21 SiO maser sources, mostly evolved stars,carried out in two SiO maser lines at 43 GHz with the ObservatorioAstronómico Nacional 13.7 m telescope at the CentroAstronómico de Yebes (Guadalajara, Spain). In most objects, morethan 80 spectra per transition over a period of 11 years have beenrecorded. The new data presented here, previously unpublished, representnearly 50% of the total SiO data collected in the project. In addition,the availability of optical light curves from the AAVSO for most of theobjects during the whole period of the SiO monitoring, ground-basednear-IR data for four sources overlapping with 3 to 5 observed SiOperiods, and DIRBE near-IR data covering a significant portion of an SiOperiod in 10 sources, make this data set a unique reference forcomparing optical, NIR and SiO variability in order to elucidate thephysical mechanisms that pump SiO masers in evolved stars. The basis forthe conclusions obtained in this work comes from a numerical time seriesanalysis of the suitable SiO, optical and NIR light curves in regularvariables to obtain precise values of the periods and phase lags betweenthe different curves. This analysis shows evidence that in regularvariable evolved stars the three types of emission have the same periodand that the SiO maxima happen in phase with NIR maxima and with a phaselag typically between 0.05 and 0.20 with respect to optical maxima. Weconclude that in these objects the observational evidence presented inthis work favors the radiative pumping of SiO masers against thecollisional pumping.Figures 1-4 and 11-21 are only available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.org
| Observations of Late-Type Variable Stars in the Water Vapor Radio Line. The Long-Period Variable R Cassiopeia
Observations of circumstellar maser emission from the long-periodvariable R Cas in the 1.35-cm water-vapor line are reported. Theobservations were carried out on the 22-m radio telescope of thePushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory in 1980 2003 (JD=2444409 2452724).Over the 23 years of observations, strong flares in the H2O line profilewere recorded in 1982 (with a peak flux density up to 400 Jy) and 19861989 (up to 750 Jy). Subsequently, from 1990 to March 2003, the H2O lineflux was usually below the detection threshold of the radio telescope(<5 10 Jy). Episodic small increases of the emission with peak fluxdensities of 20 60 Jy were observed. The variations of the H2O line fluxF are correlated with variations in the visual brightness of the star.The phase delay Δγ of the F variations relative to theoptical light curve of R Cas ranged from 0.2 0.3P during theobservations (P=430.46d is the star's period). A model for thevariability of the H2O maser in R Cas is discussed. If the variationsare due to periodic impacts by shock waves driven by the stellarpulsations, the time for the shock to travel from the photosphere to theinner boundary of the H2O-masing shell may reach 2 4P. The flares couldbe due to transient episodes of enhanced mass loss by the star or to thepropagation of an exceptionally strong shock from the stellar surface.
| Sektion "Mirasterne": Beobachtungsplanung 2004.
Not Available
| Reprocessing the Hipparcos data of evolved stars. III. Revised Hipparcos period-luminosity relationship for galactic long-period variable stars
We analyze the K band luminosities of a sample of galactic long-periodvariables using parallaxes measured by the Hipparcos mission. Theparallaxes are in most cases re-computed from the Hipparcos IntermediateAstrometric Data using improved astrometric fits and chromaticitycorrections. The K band magnitudes are taken from the literature andfrom measurements by COBE, and are corrected for interstellar andcircumstellar extinction. The sample contains stars of several spectraltypes: M, S and C, and of several variability classes: Mira, semiregularSRa, and SRb. We find that the distribution of stars in theperiod-luminosity plane is independent of circumstellar chemistry, butthat the different variability types have different P-L distributions.Both the Mira variables and the SRb variables have reasonablywell-defined period-luminosity relationships, but with very differentslopes. The SRa variables are distributed between the two classes,suggesting that they are a mixture of Miras and SRb, rather than aseparate class of stars. New period-luminosity relationships are derivedbased on our revised Hipparcos parallaxes. The Miras show a similarperiod-luminosity relationship to that found for Large Magellanic CloudMiras by Feast et al. (\cite{Feast-1989:a}). The maximum absolute Kmagnitude of the sample is about -8.2 for both Miras and semi-regularstars, only slightly fainter than the expected AGB limit. We show thatthe stars with the longest periods (P>400 d) have high mass lossrates and are almost all Mira variables.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA \cite{Hipparcos}).Table \ref{Tab:data1} is only available in electronic form at the CDSvia anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/403/993
| How many Hipparcos Variability-Induced Movers are genuine binaries?
Hipparcos observations of some variable stars, and especially oflong-period (e.g. Mira) variables, reveal a motion of the photocentercorrelated with the brightness variation (variability-induced mover -VIM), suggesting the presence of a binary companion. A re-analysis ofthe Hipparcos photometric and astrometric data does not confirm the VIMsolution for 62 among the 288 VIM objects (21%) in the Hipparcoscatalogue. Most of these 288 VIMs are long-period (e.g. Mira) variables(LPV). The effect of a revised chromaticity correction, which accountsfor the color variations along the light cycle, was then investigated.It is based on ``instantaneous'' V-I color indices derived fromHipparcos and Tycho-2 epoch photometry. Among the 188 LPVs flagged asVIM in the Hipparcos catalogue, 89 (47%) are not confirmed as VIM afterthis improved chromaticity correction is applied. This dramatic decreasein the number of VIM solutions is not surprising, since the chromaticitycorrection applied by the Hipparcos reduction consortia was based on afixed V-I color. Astrophysical considerations lead us to adopt a morestringent criterion for accepting a VIM solution (first-kind risk of0.27% instead of 10% as in the Hipparcos catalogue). With this moresevere criterion, only 27 LPV stars remain VIM, thus rejecting 161 ofthe 188 (86%) of the LPVs defined as VIMs in the Hipparcos catalogue.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA 1997).Table 1 is also available in electronic form at the CDS, via anonymousftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/399/1167
| 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
| Numerical simulations of stellar SiO maser variability. Investigation of the effect of shocks
A stellar hydrodynamic pulsation model has been combined with a SiOmaser model in an attempt to calculate the temporal variability of SiOmaser emission in the circumstellar envelope (CE) of a model AGB star.This study investigates whether the variations in local physicalconditions brought about by shocks are the predominant contributingfactor to SiO maser variability because, in this work, the radiativepart of the pump is constant. We find that some aspects of thevariability are not consistent with a pump provided by shock-enhancedcollisions alone. In these simulations, gas parcels of relativelyenhanced SiO abundance are distributed in a model CE by a Monte Carlomethod, at a single epoch of the stellar cycle. From this epoch on,Lagrangian motions of individual parcels are calculated according to thevelocity fields encountered in the model CE during the stellar pulsationcycle. The potentially masing gas parcels therefore experience differentdensities and temperatures, and have varying line-of-sight velocitygradients throughout the stellar cycle, which may or may not be suitableto produce maser emission. At each epoch (separated by 16.6 days),emission lines from the parcels are combined to produce syntheticspectra and VLBI-type images. We report here the results for v=1, J=1-0(43-GHz) and J=2-1 (86-GHz) masers and compare synthetic lineshapes andimages with those observed. Strong SiO maser emission is calculated toform in an unfilled ring within a few stellar radii of the photosphere,indicating a tangential amplification process. The diameter of thesynthetic maser ring is dependent upon stellar phase, as clearlyobserved for TX Cam, and upon maser transition. Proper motions ofbrightly masing parcels are comparable to measurements for some masercomponents in R Aqr and TX Cam, although we are unable to reproduce allof the observed motions. Synthetic lineshapes peak at the stellarvelocity, have typical Mira linewidths and vary in intensity withstellar phase. However, the model fails quantitatively in severalrespects. We attribute these failings to (i) lack of an accurate,time-varying stellar IR field (ii) post-shock kinetic temperatures whichare too high, due to the cooling function included in our model and(iii) the lack of a detailed treatment of the chemistry of the inner CE.We expect the use of oxygen-rich hydrodynamical stellar models which arecurrently under development to alleviate these problems.
| Molecular Masers in Variable Stars
When a star with a mass of one to a few solar masses enters the redgiant stage of its evolution, the radius of its atmosphere reachesseveral astronomical units. Pulsational instability is typical for thisstage. Most stars become Mira-type or semiregular variables with lightcycles of a few hundred days. Red giants lose mass at a rateM=10-7-10-5Msolar yr-1.Extensive gas-dust circumstellar envelopes form. These envelopes containvarious molecular species. Some of these molecules (OH, H2O,SiO, HCN) manifest themselves in maser radio emission. Data on theH2O maser variability and its connection with the stellarbrightness variations are discussed. In the H2O linecircumstellar masers can be divided into `stable' (showing persistentemission - R Aql, U Her, S CrB, X Hya) and `transient' (appearing in theH2O line once per 10-15 stellar light cycles - R Leo, R Cas,U Aur). Physical mechanisms of the maser variability are discussed. Themost probable process explaining the observed visual-H2Ocorrelation is the influence of shock waves on the masing region.Usually it is assumed that shocks in Mira atmospheres are driven bystellar pulsations. Here an alternative explanation is proposed. If astar during its main sequence life possessed a planetary system, similarto the solar system, the planets will be embedded in a rather dense andhot medium. Effects of a planet revolving around a red giant at a shortdistance (inside its circumstellar envelope) are discussed. A shockproduced by the supersonic motion of a planet can account for thecorrelated variability of the Hα line emission and H2Omaser. If the planetary orbit is highly eccentric, then the connectedHα-H2O flare episodes may be explained by theperiastron passage of the planet. New tasks for the upgraded ATCA arediscussed.
| Stellar and circumstellar evolution of long period variable stars
In a first paper, HIPPARCOS astrometric and kinematic data were used tocalibrate both infrared K and IRAS luminosities at the same time askinematic parameters of Long Period Variable stars (LPVs). Individualestimated absolute magnitudes and a probabilistic assignation togalactic populations were deduced from these calibrations for each LPVof our sample. Here we propose a scenario of simultaneous stellar andcircumstellar evolution according to the galactic populations. Thetransitory states of S and Tc stars allow us to confirm the location ofthe first dredge-up at Mbol=-3.5. There is also evidencesuggesting that a previous enrichment in s-elements from a more evolvedcompanion may accelerate the evolution along the AGB. The possibleevolution to OH LPVs is included in this scenario, and any of thesestars may have a mass at the limit of the capability for a C enrichmentup to C/O > 1. A list of bright massive LPVs with peculiar envelopeand luminosity properties is proposed as Hot Bottom Burning candidates.The He-shell flash star, R Cen, is found to be exceptionally bright andcould become, before leaving the AGB, a C-rich LPV brighter than theusual luminosity limit of carbon stars.
| Long period variable stars: galactic populations and infrared luminosity calibrations
In this paper HIPPARCOS astrometric and kinematic data are used tocalibrate both infrared luminosities and kinematical parameters of LongPeriod Variable stars (LPVs). Individual absolute K and IRAS 12 and 25luminosities of 800 LPVs are determined and made available in electronicform. The estimated mean kinematics is analyzed in terms of galacticpopulations. LPVs are found to belong to galactic populations rangingfrom the thin disk to the extended disk. An age range and a lower limitof the initial mass is given for stars of each population. A differenceof 1.3 mag in K for the upper limit of the Asymptotic Giant Branch isfound between the disk and old disk galactic populations, confirming itsdependence on the mass in the main sequence. LPVs with a thin envelopeare distinguished using the estimated mean IRAS luminosities. The levelof attraction (in the classification sense) of each group for the usualclassifying parameters of LPVs (variability and spectral types) isexamined. Table only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/374/968 or via ASTRIDdatabase (http://astrid.graal.univ-montp2.fr).
| 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.
| Infrared colours for Mira-like long-period variables found in the (Mȯ<~10-7 Msolar yr-1) Hipparcos Catalogue
Near-infrared, JHKL, photometry is presented for 193 Mira andsemi-regular variables that were observed by Hipparcos; periods,bolometric magnitudes and amplitudes are derived for 92 of them. Becauseof the way in which the Hipparcos targets were selected, this group ofstars provides a useful data base of Miras with low mass-loss rates(Mȯ<~10-7Msolaryr-1).Various period-colour relationships are discussed in detail. The colour,particularly BCK = 10.86 - 38.10 K (J - K)0 +64.16(J - K)20 - 50.72(J -K)30 + 19, K-L, at a given period is found todepend on the pulsation amplitude of the star. A comparison with modelssuggests that this is a consequence of atmospheric extension, in thesense that large-amplitude pulsators have very extended atmospheres andredder Mȯ<10-7Msolaryr-1, K-L and H-K but bluerJ-H than their lower amplitude counterparts. The stars with veryextended atmospheres also have higher values of K-[12] and hence highermass-loss rates. This finding provides further evidence for the causalconnection between pulsation and mass loss. Two sequences are identifiedin the Hp-K versus logP diagram (where Hp is the Hipparcos broad-bandmagnitude) at short periods (logP<2.35). At a given period these twogroups have, on average, the same pulsation amplitude, but differentJHKL colours and spectral types. The short-period stars in the bluersequence have similar near-infrared colours to the Miras found inglobular clusters. Long-term trends in the infrared light curves arediscussed for stars that have sufficient data.
| Mira kinematics from Hipparcos data: a Galactic bar to beyond the Solar circle
The space motions of Mira variables are derived from radial velocities,Hipparcos proper motions and a period-luminosity relation. Thepreviously known dependence of Mira kinematics on the period ofpulsation is confirmed and refined. In addition, it is found that Miraswith periods in the range 145-200d in the general Solar neighbourhoodhave a net radial outward motion from the Galactic Centre of75+/-18kms-1. This, together with a lag behind the circularvelocity of Galactic rotation of 98+/-19kms-1, is interpretedas evidence for an elongation of their orbits, with their major axesaligned at an angle of ~17° with the Sun-Galactic Centre line,towards positive Galactic longitudes. This concentration seems to be acontinuation to the Solar circle and beyond of the bar-like structure ofthe Galactic bulge, with the orbits of some local Miras probablypenetrating into the bulge. These conclusions are not sensitive to thedistance scale adopted. A further analysis is given of the short-period(SP) red group of Miras discussed in companion papers in this series. InAppendix A the mean radial velocities and other data for 842 oxygen-richMira-like variables are tabulated. These velocities were derived frompublished optical and radio observations.
| Millimeter and some near infra-red observations of short-period Miras and other AGB stars
Millimeter observations of 48 oxygen- and 20 carbon-rich AGB Miras withperiods shorter than 400 days are presented. In addition, observationsof 14 O-rich and 15 C-stars with longer, or no known, periods have alsobeen obtained. The detection statistics is as follows: in12CO J=1-0 and 2-1 we observed 97 stars, and detected 66 inat least one line. We find 24 new detections in the 1-0 line, 38 newdetections in the 2-1 line, and 29 stars have been detected for thefirst time in one or both lines. In 12CO J=3-2 we observed 14stars and detected 11, with 4 new detections. In 13CO J=2-1,3-2 we observed 2 stars and had one new detection. In HCN(1-0) weobserved 5 carbon stars and detected 3, one new. In SO(6_5-5_4) weobserved the same 5 stars and detected none. In CS(3-2) we observed 8carbon stars and detected 3, all new. In SiO(3-2, v=0) we observed 34O-rich stars and detected 25, all new except one. Near-infrared JHKphotometry is presented for seven stars. For four stars it is the firstNIR data published. The luminosity and dust mass loss rate are obtainedfor seven very red stars with unknown pulsation period from modellingthe spectral energy distribution (SED) and IRAS LRS spectra. Thereby, anew IR supergiant is confirmed (AFGL 2968). For the rest of the sample,luminosity and distance are obtained in a variety of ways: usinghipparcos parallaxes, period-luminosity and period-M_K-relationscombined with apparent K magnitudes, and kinematic distances. The dustmass loss rate is obtained from model fitting of the SED (either fromthe literature, or presented in the present paper), or from the observedIRAS 60 mu m flux, corrected for the photospheric contribution. The gasmass loss rate is derived from the observed CO line intensities, aspresented here, combined with existing literature data, if any. Thisallows the derivation of the dust-to-gas ratio. Our and literature CO J= 3-2 data has been used to calibrate the relation between mass lossrate and peak intensity of the CO(3-2) line. Diagrams showing mass lossrate, dust-to-gas ratio and expansion velocity versus pulsation periodare presented. Our observations confirm the existence of an upper limitfor the expansion velocity of C- and O-rich stars, and that this maximumis larger for C-stars, as predicted by the theory of radiation pressureon dust particles. The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope is operated by theObservatories on behalf of the Science and Engineering Council of theUK, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, and theNational Research Council of Canada. Based on observations made with theCarlos Sanchez telescope operated on the island of Tenerife in theSpanish Observatorio del Teide of the Instituto de Astrof\'\i sica deCanarias. Based on observations collected at the European SouthernObservatory, La Silla, Chile within programs ESO 57.E-0105, 59.E-0198and 61.E-0254. Based on data from the ESA Hipparcos astrometrysatellite.
| Period-Luminosity-Colour distribution and classification of Galactic oxygen-rich LPVs. I. Luminosity calibrations
The absolute K magnitudes and kinematic parameters of about 350oxygen-rich Long-Period Variable stars are calibrated, by means of anup-to-date maximum-likelihood method, using Hipparcos parallaxes andproper motions together with radial velocities and, as additional data,periods and V-K colour indices. Four groups, differing by theirkinematics and mean magnitudes, are found. For each of them, we alsoobtain the distributions of magnitude, period and de-reddened colour ofthe base population, as well as de-biased period-luminosity-colourrelations and their two-dimensional projections. The SRa semiregulars donot seem to constitute a separate class of LPVs. The SRb appear tobelong to two populations of different ages. In a PL diagram, theyconstitute two evolutionary sequences towards the Mira stage. The Mirasof the disk appear to pulsate on a lower-order mode. The slopes of theirde-biased PL and PC relations are found to be very different from theones of the Oxygen Miras of the LMC. This suggests that a significantnumber of so-called Miras of the LMC are misclassified. This alsosuggests that the Miras of the LMC do not constitute a homogeneousgroup, but include a significant proportion of metal-deficient stars,suggesting a relatively smooth star formation history. As a consequence,one may not trivially transpose the LMC period-luminosity relation fromone galaxy to the other Based on data from the Hipparcos astrometrysatellite. Appendix B is only available in electronic form at the CDSvia anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| Six years of short-spaced monitoring of the v=1 and v=2, J=1-0 28SiO maser emission in evolved stars
We present the results from a monitoring of the v=1 and v=2, J=1-028SiO maser emission in 21 objects, covering all types ofknown SiO maser emitters: 13 Mira variables, 2 long period semiregulars(SRGs), 3 variable supergiants (SGs), 2 OH/IR stars, and one youngstellar object. This study has been carried out with the 13.7 meterradiotelescope of the Centro Astronómico de Yebes (Guadalajara,Spain), from July 1984 to May 1990, and represents the longest and mosttightly sampled monitoring of SiO masers ever published. Our data showthat for Mira-type (i.e. regular) variables, the SiO and optical lightcurves agree in period, and that the maxima of the SiO emission lag theoptical ones by about 0.1-0.2 periods. Since a similar lag characterizesthe near infrared (NIR) emission variability from these stars, weconclude that for regular variables SiO and NIR vary in phase. Thisresult was confirmed in three objects for which NIR variability curvesare available. For SRGs and SGs, we found a less systematic behavior,but when the SiO emission is periodic, its variability curve agrees withthe optical one, also showing a lag between maximum epochs similar tothat of Mira-type stars. The data clearly reveal other interestingdetails on the SiO maser variability, such as the strong intensitydifferences between different maxima and changes in the velocitydistribution of the emission. Finally, the SiO masers associated to theyoung stellar object Orion IRc2 showed a double peaked spectrum with lowamplitude, aperiodic variations.
| Photometry of Hipparcos Variable Stars
Among the discoveries reported by the Hipparcos team was the detectionof short-term photometric fluctuations in several long period, or Mira,variables (de Laverny et al. 1998). Nearly 15 percent of the 250 Mirassurveyed in the broadband 380 to 800 nm filter showed variation of 0.2to 1.1 magnitudes on timescales of 2 to 100 hours, preferentially aroundminimum light phases. We have begun an observational effort to confirmthese variations. We seek to correlate the behavior with ancillaryinformation, such as optical and infrared spectra plus maser data, todetermine whether the fluctuations can be understood as thermalinstabilities or so-called molecular catastrophe (cf. Muchmore et al1987; Stencel et al. 1990). A progress report and call for observationcoordination are given.
| A comparison of OH and H_2O maser properties of Mira and semiregular variable stars
A sample of 17 Miras and nine semiregular variable stars wassimultaneously observed in the OH and H_2O maser lines withsensitivities of 0.15 and 0.6 Jy, respectively. One new H_2O source wasdetected. Among Miras the H_2O maser luminosity is well correlated withthe OH maser luminosity. The ratio of H_2O to OH maser luminositiesdecreases by about four orders of magnitude from the semiregulars to theMiras as a result of an increase in the mass-loss rate. Somesemiregulars have maser properties typical of Mira stars. H_2O emissionis most likely to be detected from Miras at velocities close to thestellar velocity, while emission at blueshifted velocities dominates thedetections from semiregulars. OH emission from the semiregulars usuallyoccurs at greater redshifts and blueshifts with respect to the stellarvelocities than OH emission observed from the Miras. The differences inthe average composite maser profiles in both groups of stars can berelated to the velocity gradients in the maser regions. It is suggestedthat some semiregular variables with maser emission may be in a laterstage of stellar evolution than the Miras.
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Hydra |
| Right ascension: | 09h35m30.27s |
| Declination: | -14°41'28.5" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 11.329 |
| Proper motion RA: | -47.9 |
| Proper motion Dec: | -9.2 |
| B-T magnitude: | 12.726 |
| V-T magnitude: | 11.445 |
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INHABITED SKY
