Submillimetre photometry of post-asymptotic giant branch stars

Stars in the post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) phase of evolution are surrounded by detached circumstellar envelopes containing dust which emits thermally in the mid- and far-infrared. Here we present 850-μm SCUBA photometry of nine candidate post-AGB stars. All targets are detected at 850 μm and we use these fluxes to estimate the envelope dust masses and, by comparison with the 100-μm IRAS fluxes, the dust emissivity index.     

Optical properties of the carbon dust grains in the envelopes around asymptotic giant branch stars

We have investigated the optical properties of the carbon dust grains in the envelopes around carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch stars, paying close attention to the infrared observations of the stars and the laboratory-measured optical data of the candidate dust grain materials. We have compared the radiative transfer model results with the observed spectral energy distributions of the stars including IRAS Point Source Catalog and IRAS Low Resolution Spectrograph data. We have deduced an opacity function of amorphous carbon dust grains from model fitting with infrared carbon stars. From the opacity function, we have derived the optical constants of the AMC grains. The optical constants satisfy the Kramers–Kronig relation and produce the opacity function that fits the observations of infrared carbon stars better than previous works in the wide wavelength range 1–1000 μm. We have used simple mixtures of the AMC and silicon carbide grains for modelling. We have compared the contributions that AMC and SiC grains make to the opacity for the cases of simple mixtures of them and spherical core–mantle type grains consisting of a SiC core and an AMC mantle .     

Detection of detached dust envelopes around oxygen-rich AGB stars

Extended emission components are clearly found in the IRAS scan data of optically visible oxygen-rich AGB stars which show no 10µm silicate band feature in the IRAS LRS spectra but a strong infrared excess in the IRAS photometric data. It is most likely that these stars really have their circumstellar dust envelopes, which are detached from the central stars, indicating a halting of mass loss for a significant period.     

The infrared properties of barium stars

The infrared properties of barium stars are studied using published data in the K band and from IRAS . At 12 and 25 μm the emission from barium stars shows no excess over photospheric emission. Thus the claim made by Hakkila that some barium stars show evidence of the presence of warm (∼300  K ) circumstellar material is not supported. The 60-μm properties of barium stars are studied using survival analysis methods, and it is found that very few (3.7 ± 2.6 per cent) barium stars exhibit far-infrared excesses. Furthermore, it is found that the incidence of excess emission at 60 μm is lower in barium stars than for normal G and K giants. This may indicate that the mass-transfer event that is assumed to have taken place in barium stars has removed any cool circumstellar material that may have existed in these systems. Alternatively, it is suggested that the incidence of infrared excesses in normal G and K giants may have been over-estimated as a result of not fully accounting for foreground contamination by interstellar cirrus.     

A search for protoplanetary discs around millisecond pulsars

Since the discovery of companions to B1257+12, it has been known that planets can exist around pulsars. Such planets may be formed in discs analogous to those around young stars, so we have searched for dust grain emission towards a sample of nine nearby millisecond pulsars. No emission is detected down to typical 2 σ limits of 5 mJy, at a wavelength of 850 μm. Using a model in which grains are heated by the pulsar spin-down luminosity, these dust flux limits correspond to disc masses of typically 10 Earth masses. The low dust limits show that nearby pulsar planets must already exist, rather than be in the process of forming, but only B1257+12 is known to have such planets. Planetary systems appear to occur around only a few per cent of pulsars and main-sequence stars, and are thus a rare phenomenon irrespective of circumstellar environment.     

Long-term infrared variability of the UX Ori-type star SV Cep

We investigate the long-term optical–infrared variability of SV Cep and explain it in the context of an existing UX Ori (UXOR) model. A 25-month monitoring programme was completed with the Infrared Space Observatory in the 3.3–100 μm wavelength range. Following a careful data reduction, the infrared light curves were correlated with the variations of SV Cep in the V band. A remarkable correlation was found between the optical and the far-infrared light curves. In the mid-infrared regime, the amplitude of variations is lower, with a hint for a weak anti-correlation with the optical changes. In order to interpret the observations, we modelled the spectral energy distribution of SV Cep assuming a self-shadowed disc with a puffed-up inner rim, using a two-dimensional radiative transfer code. We found that modifying the height of the inner rim, the wavelength dependence of the long-term optical–infrared variations is well reproduced, except the mid-infrared domain. The origin of variation of the rim height might be fluctuation in the accretion rate in the outer disc. In order to model the mid-infrared behaviour, we tested adding an optically thin envelope to the system, but this model failed to explain the far-infrared variability. Infrared variability is a powerful tool to discriminate between models of the circumstellar environment. The proposed mechanism of variable rim height may not be restricted to UXOR stars, but might be a general characteristic of intermediate-mass young stars.     

Quantifying dust and the ultraviolet radiation density in the local Universe

A sample of local galaxies for which far-infrared and ultraviolet fluxes are available is used to estimate the characteristic dust extinction in galaxies and to test whether standard dust properties are plausible. Assuming galaxies can be characterized by a single dust optical depth (certainly not valid for galaxies with a dominant starburst component), the infrared excess and ultraviolet colours of local galaxies are found to be consistent with normal Milky Way dust, with a mean value for   E ( B − V )  of 0.16. A significant fraction of the dust heating is caused by older, lower-mass stars, and this fraction increases towards earlier galaxy types.
Analysis of  ( F _FIR/ F _UV)  versus ultraviolet colour diagrams for starburst galaxies in terms of a simple screen dust model does not support a Calzetti (1997) rather than a Milky Way extinction law, though the absence of the expected strong 2200- Å feature in several galaxies with IUE spectra does show that more detailed radiative transfer models are needed – probably with nonspherical geometry.
A simple treatment in which the  100/60-μm  flux ratio is used to subtract the optically thick starburst contribution to the far-infrared radiation results in lower extinction estimates for the optically thin cirrus component, with a mean   E ( B − V )  of 0.10.
The ultraviolet luminosity density, corrected for dust extinction, is derived and a value for the local mean star formation rate inferred. This is consistent with previous estimates from ultraviolet surveys and from  Hα  surveys.     

Infrared spectroscopy of Sakurai's object

We present near (ground-based) and far ( ISO ) infrared spectroscopy of Sakurai's object. As in the case of the optical spectrum, between 1996 and 1997 April the near-infrared spectrum underwent a dramatic change to later spectral type, and there is some evidence that the spectrum continued to evolve during 1997. Molecular features of carbon-bearing molecules (CN, C₂, CO) — corresponding to those seen in cool carbon stars — are now prominent in the 1–2.5 μ m range, and the ¹²C/¹³C ratio is low. The ISO data demonstrate the presence of hot circumstellar dust at a temperature of ∼ 680 K. If the dust shell is optically thin, the dust mass is ∼ 2.8 × 10⁻⁸ M⊙.     

Non-emission-line young stars of intermediate mass

We present optical spectra of four intermediate-mass candidate young stellar objects that have often been classified as Herbig Ae/Be stars. Typical Herbig Ae/Be emission features are not present in the spectra of these stars. Three of them, HD 36917, HD 36982 and HD 37062, are members of the young Orion nebula cluster (ONC). This association constrains their ages to be ≲1 Myr. The lack of appreciable near-infrared excess in them suggests the absence of hot dust close to the central star. However, they do possess significant amounts of cold and extended dust as revealed by the large excess emission observed at far-infrared wavelengths. The fractional infrared luminosities  ( L _ir/ L _★)  and the dust masses computed from IRAS fluxes are systematically lower than those found for Herbig Ae/Be stars but higher than those for Vega-like stars. These stars may thus represent the youngest examples of the Vega phenomenon known so far. In contrast, the other star in our sample, HD 58647, is more likely to be a classical Be star, as is evident from the low   L _ir/ L _★  , the scarcity of circumstellar dust, the low polarization, the presence of H α emission and near-infrared excess, and the far-infrared spectral energy distribution consistent with free–free emission similar to other well-known classical Be stars.     

Optical properties of circumstellar silicate grains

The optical properties of circumstellar silicate dust grains around oxygen-rich giant stars are investigated with close attention to infrared observations of OH/IR stars. The optical constants are deduced from available astronomical and laboratory data. The deduced opacities at longer wavelengths (12 m) for OH/IR stars are higher than the one for M-type Miras possibly because of the change of optical constants depending on temperature of dust grains. Absorption and scattering efficiencies are evaluated for various grain size distributions and shapes. The results of detailed radiative transfer model calculations based on our dust parameters are compared with observational data. The Planck mean values incorporating substantial far-infrared absorption are also calculated.Yonsei University Observatory Contribution No. 91.Department of Astronomy and Space Science, Chungbuk National University Contribution No. 4.     

Surface distribution of M stars with different IRAS colour

The surface distribution of M stars is studied by differentiating them according to whether they show a circumstellar dust shell (CS) or not. Analysis shows that galactic latitudinal and longitudinal distributions are not determined by spectral subclasses alone. The study also indicates that M-type stars with CS have higher luminosities in the K band than those without CS. The M stars used in the study are obtained from theTwo-Micron Sky-Survey Catalogue (IRC) which is a most unbiased sample with respect to the interstellar extinction. The CS feature is identified by the ratio of flux densities at 12 and 25 m in the IRAS point source catalog.     

Study of star formation in RCW 106 using far-infrared observations

High-resolution far-infrared observations of a large area of the star-forming complex RCW 106 obtained using the TIFR 1-m balloon-borne telescope are presented. Intensity maps have been obtained simultaneously in two bands centred around 150 and 210 μm. Intensity maps have also been obtained in the four IRAS bands using HIRES-processed IRAS data. From the 150- and 210-μm maps, reliable maps of dust temperature and optical depth have been generated. The star formation in this complex has occurred in five linear sub-clumps. Using the map at 210 μm, which has a spatial resolution superior to that of IRAS at 100 μm, 23 sources have been identified. The spectral energy distribution (SED) and luminosity of these sources have been determined using the associations with the IRAS maps. The luminosity distribution of these sources has been obtained. Assuming these embedded sources to be zero-age main-sequence stars and using the mass–luminosity relation for these, the power-law slope of the initial mass function is found to be −1.73±0.5 . This index for this very young complex is about the same as that for more evolved complexes and clusters. Radiation transfer calculations in spherically symmetric geometry have been undertaken to fit the SEDs of 13 sources with fluxes in both the TIFR and the IRAS bands. From this, the r ⁻² density distribution in the envelopes is ruled out. Finally, a correlation is seen between the luminosity of embedded sources and the computed dust masses of the envelopes.     

The 11.5 micrometer emission from carbon stars: Comparison with IR spectra of submicrometer-sized silicon carbide grains

In this paper the results of an experimental investigation of the spectra of submicrometersized silicon carbide grains are presented. The grains manufactured from two types of commercial -SiC were prepared according to the Jena IR spectroscopy program for particulates of cosmic importance. From the spectral records mass absorption coefficients have been derived. These data have been used to make a comparison of the laboratory spectra with the well-known 11.5 m emission band observed in the spectra of carbon stars, which is probably due to a transition in circumstellar SiC grains. For this aim, a simple model of an optically thin circumstellar envelope containing SiC grains has been calculated. The theoretical profile of the 11.5 m band derived by means of this model and based on the experimental mass absorption coefficients of SiC grains shows a striking similarity with the observed profile in the spectrum of the carbon star Y CVn. The total amount of SiC dust in the envelope of this star has been estimated at about 10²⁴ g.     

The properties of 70 μm-selected high-redshift galaxies in the Extended Groth Strip

We examine the infrared properties of 43 high-redshift (0.1 < z < 1.2), infrared-luminous galaxies in the Extended Groth Strip (EGS), selected by a deep 70 μm survey with the Multiband Imaging Photometer on Spitzer (MIPS). In addition and with reference to starburst-type spectral energy distributions (SEDs), we derive a set of equations for estimating the total infrared luminosity ( L _IR) in the range 8–1000 μm using photometry from at least one MIPS band. 42 out of 43 of our sources' optical/infrared SEDs (λ_observed < 160 μm) are starburst type, with only one object displaying a prominent power-law near-infrared continuum. For a quantitative analysis, models of radiation transfer in dusty media are fit on to the infrared photometry, revealing that the majority of galaxies are represented by high extinction, A _v > 35, and for a large fraction (∼50 per cent) the SED turns over into the Rayleigh–Jeans regime at wavelengths longward of 90 μm. For comparison, we also fit semi-empirical templates based on local galaxy data; however, these underestimate the far-infrared SED shape by a factor of at least 2 and in extreme cases up to 10 for the majority (∼70 per cent) of the sources. Further investigation of SED characteristics reveals that the mid-infrared (70/24 μm) continuum slope is decoupled from various galaxy properties such as the total infrared luminosity and far-infrared peak, quantified by the L ₁₆₀/ L ₇₀ ratio. In view of these results, we propose that these high-redshift galaxies have different properties to their local counterparts, in the sense that large amounts of dust cause heavy obscuration and are responsible for an additional cold emissive component, appearing as a far-infrared excess in their SEDs.     

Amorphous carbon around carbon stars

In this paper we present the results of a simplified model to determine the flux emerging from dust envelopes around cool stars. The model proposed holds under the hypotheses of negligible scattering effects and spherical geometry of the dust cloud.The aim of this work is to compare the effects of a graphitic or amorphous composition of the carbon grains in the envelopes. To do this we have used, for the first time, experimental extinction data obtained in the laboratory for submicron amorphous carbon particles.The model has been used to fit the FIR spectral trend of 78 optically thin sources and to reproduce the full spectra of two of the most IR luminous optically-thick sources: CIT 6 and IRC+10216.Our calculations indicate clearly that solid carbon particles around these sources may be amorphous rather than crystalline.     

Dust in the solar system and in extra-solar planetary systems

Among the observed circumstellar dust envelopes a certain population, planetary debris disks, is ascribed to systems with optically thin dust disks and low gas content. These systems contain planetesimals and possibly planets and are believed to be systems that are most similar to our solar system in an early evolutionary stage. Planetary debris disks have been identified in large numbers by a brightness excess in the near-infrared, mid-infrared and/or submillimetre range of their stellar spectral energy distributions. In some cases, spatially resolved observations are possible and reveal complex spatial structures. Acting forces and physical processes are similar to those in the solar system dust cloud, but the observational approach is obviously quite different: overall spatial distributions for systems of different ages for the planetary debris disks, as opposed to detailed local information in the case of the solar system. Comparison with the processes of dust formation and evolution observed in the solar system therefore helps understand the planetary debris disks. In this paper, we review our present knowledge of observations, acting forces, and major physical interactions of the dust in the solar system and in similar extra-solar planetary systems.     

Dust metamorphosis in the galaxy

Summary Cosmic dust grains play an important role for the thermal, dynamical, and chemical structure of the interstellar medium. This is especially true for the star formation process and the late stages of stellar evolution. Dust grains determine the spectral appearance of protostars, very young stellar objects with disk-like structures as well as of evolved stars with circumstellar envelopes.In this review, we will demonstrate that solid particles in interstellar space are both agent and subject of galactic evolution. We will especially discuss the different dust populations in circumstellar envelopes, the diffuse interstellar medium, and the molecular clouds with strong emphasis on the evolutionary aspects and the metamorphosis of these populations.     

Modelling of oxygen-rich envelopes using corundum and silicate grains

A set of 31 oxygen-rich stars has been modelled using corundum and silicate grains. These stars were selected according to their dust-envelope class, as suggested by Little-Marenin and Little in 1990. Then 16 stars classified as Sil were modelled using silicate grains; 10 Broad class stars using corundum (Al₂O₃) grains; and 5 ' Intermediate ' class stars using two kinds of grain simultaneously: corundum and silicate. The temperature of the central stars and some characteristics of their circumstellar envelopes such as their extinction opacities and extensions were determined by fitting the flux curves. The corundum/silicate ratios as well as the energy distributions and temperature laws have been obtained. Based on the authors' results they suggest the existence of chemical and structural evolution of the modelled circumstellar dust shells. The temperature of the central stars and the temperature of the hottest grains decrease from Broad to Intermediate to Sil classes, while the inner radii and optical depths increase in this sequence.     

Infrared spectroscopy of Nova Cassiopeiae 1993 – IV. A closer look at the dust

Nova Cassiopeiae 1993 (V705 Cas) was an archetypical dust-forming nova. It displayed a deep minimum in the visual light curve, and spectroscopic evidence for carbon, hydrocarbon and silicate dust. We report the results of fitting the infrared (IR) spectral energy distribution (SED) with the dusty code, which we use to determine the properties and geometry of the emitting dust. The emission is well described as originating in a thin shell whose dust has a carbon:silicate ratio of 2:1 by number (  ∼1.26:1  by mass) and a relatively flat size distribution. The 9.7- and 18-μm silicate features are consistent with freshly condensed dust and, while the lower limit to the grain size distribution is not well constrained, the largest grains have dimensions  ∼0.06 μm  ; unless the grains in V705 Cas were anomalously small, the sizes of grains produced in nova eruptions may previously have been overestimated in novae with optically thick dust shells. Laboratory work by Grishko & Duley may provide clues to the apparently unique nature of nova unidentified infrared (UIR) features.     

Axisymmetry in protoplanetary nebulae – II. A near-infrared imaging polarimetric survey

In an imaging polarimetry survey of candidate post-AGB stars, scattering envelopes are detected around 20 objects. These envelopes represent the final mass-loss phases at the end of the AGB. In all cases, evidence for axisymmetry in the dust density is seen, suggesting that the presence of an axisymmetric outflow may be a ubiquitous phenomenon of the AGB to post-AGB transition. We use the polarized flux images to classify the objects into detached shell, bipolar and unresolved targets. Modelling based on a simple axisymmetric shell geometry supports the contention that post-AGB objects fall into one of two classes that differ in the amount of dust in the circumstellar environment: the detached shells correspond to stars with an optically thin expanding circumstellar envelope (CSE) whereas the bipolar and unresolved targets have optically thick dust structures, probably in the form of discs, which remain bound to the star, rather than partaking in the expansion of the AGB CSE. It is suggested that this bifurcation in morphology is rooted in the presence or absence of a binary companion, which determines whether or not a disc forms. Because the detached shell objects also appear axisymmetric, an additional mechanism for generating the axisymmetry, such as a magnetically shaped outflow, is needed if they do indeed have single star progenitors.