Infrared spectra of evolved stars with unusual dust shells

New mid-infrared spectra are presented of a number of oxygen-rich evolved stars which have IRAS LRS (Low Resolution Spectrometer) spectra that were classified as showing SiC emission. Two of the sources, IRC−20445 and IRC−20461, show the unidentified infrared (UIR) bands superposed on silicate emission features. Both objects have been classified as M supergiants. Several other sources show three-component spectra, with peaks at 10, 11 and 13 μm. The 13-μm source FI Lyr shows a narrow emission feature at 19 μm. Emission by oxide grains may be responsible for the 11-, 13- and 19-μm features. One object, IRC−20455, shows a self-absorbed silicate feature. There is no clear evidence for SiC emission in any of the spectra: the LRS spectra were erroneously classified as showing SiC emission because of the relatively strong 11-μm emission.     

Mass loss mechanisms in evolved stars

Summary Mass loss is a very important phenomenon for stellar evolution. In the late stages of stars it becomes fairly high (up to 10^–4 M/yr) though with a much decreased expansion velocity (about 30 kms^–1). It can also be variable, sporadic. Now, though the first observational evidence for mass loss from cool stars is usually attributed to Adams and McCormak in 1935 and though a lot of observational and theoretical papers have been devoted to it since this discovery, we only know mechanisms which are probably efficient under the dominant physical conditions, but neither one mechanism nor a combination of mechanisms is able to produce the observed effects. Those most invoked (thermal gas pressure, radiation pressure, acoustic waves, shock waves, Alfvén waves, ) will be described and criticized, with emphasis on the radiation pressure on dust grains at work at least in the outer part of cool atmospheres. The geometry and the content of expanding atmospheres are also discussed together with the mechanisms that may be important at small scales. Both theory and observations are taken into accout.     

The infrared colors of main sequence stars: how much circumstellar debris is normal?

We have been awarded NASA Key Project observing time on ISO, in order to establish the true frequency of far-infrared excesses in a volume-limited sample of main sequence and related stars, and address the relative success or failure of single stars in processes related to the forming of planetary systems. For a volume-limited subset of main sequence and related stars, PHT03 measurements at 3.6, 11.5, 20 and 60 micron will be obtained, using a 120 arsec aperture in all cases to eliminate possible companion confusion with differing apertures, to ascertain spectral energy distributions. For the M dwarfs, 100 micron observations will also be obtained. For some, brighter sources, more extensive wavelength coverage and improved spatial resolution will be attempted, using CAM and SWS. Spatially over-sampled PHOT observations will be made at 60 micron of the brightest and nearest Vega-like sources to measure the characteristic sizes of the emitting regions and obtain some information regarding their shapes and orientations. The goal is not a map, but scan profiles along 3 position angles which can be deconvolved to find the intrinsic size and shape of the half-maximum contour of the emitting region. Photometry of selected lines of sight through the zodiacal dust will also be carried out to look for outer solar system (Kuiper Belt) material. Observation at a range of wavelengths, ecliptic latitudes and at 2 epochs is designed to help untangle foreground Zodiacal from background Kuiper flux, not necessarily to look for individual macroscopic objects.     

Using Artificial Intelligence techniques to classify IRAS LRS spectra of evolved stars

The IRAS Low Resolution Spectrometer (LRS) covered the spectral region from 7µm to 23µm, and an Atlas was produced containing 5425 spectra. Most of the spectra were associated with evolved stars, including over 3000 spectra from the dust shells around O-rich stars. When Artificial Intelligence techniques were applied to the dataset, a new classification was derived. A scheme with 77 classes, grouped into 9 metaclasses, resulted, and for those types of spectra which were well represented in the initial dataset (i.e. the evolved stars) a very subtle classification was derived, often using line shapes, relative line strengths, or the presence of additional weak features.     

Towards a spectral technique for determining material geometry around evolved stars: application to HD 179821

HD 179821 is an evolved star of unknown progenitor mass range (either post-asymptotic giant branch or post-red supergiant) exhibiting a double-peaked spectral energy distribution (SED) with a sharp rise from ∼8 to  20 μm  . Such features have been associated with ejected dust shells or inwardly truncated circumstellar discs. In order to compare SEDs from both systems, we employ a spherically symmetric radiative transfer code and compare it to a radiative, inwardly truncated disc code. As a case study, we model the broad-band SED of HD 179821 using both codes. Shortward of 40 μm, we find that both models produce equivalent fits to the data. However, longward of 40 μm, the radial density distribution and corresponding broad range of disc temperatures produce excess emission above our spherically symmetric solutions and observations. For HD 179821, our best fit consists of a   T _eff= 7000 K  central source characterized by  τ _V ∼ 1.95  and surrounded by a radiatively driven, spherically symmetric dust shell. The extinction of the central source reddens the broad-band colours so that they resemble a   T _eff= 5750 K  photosphere. We believe that HD 179821 contains a hotter central star than previously thought. Our results provide an initial step towards a technique to distinguish geometric differences from spectral modelling.     

Dust formation above cool magnetic spots in evolved stars

We examine the structure of cool magnetic spots in the photospheres of evolved stars, specifically asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. We find that the photosphere of a cool magnetic spot will be above the surrounding photosphere of AGB stars, which is the opposite of the situation in the Sun . This results from the behaviour of the opacity, which increases with decreasing temperature, which again is the opposite of the behaviour of the opacity near the effective temperature of the Sun . We analyse the formation of dust above the cool magnetic spots, and suggest that the dust formation is facilitated by strong shocks, driven by stellar pulsations, which run through and around the spots. The presence of both the magnetic field and cooler temperatures makes dust formation easier as the shock passes above the spot. We review some observations supporting the proposed mechanism, and suggest further observations to check the model.     

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.     

An infrared study of Be stars based on ISO SWS01 spectra

The Infrared Space Observatory （ISO） Short-Wavelength Spectrometer （SWS） spectra of 10 Be stars are presented. It can be seen that the Be stars show a diversity in their ISO SWS01 spectral classifications by Kraemer et al., from naked stars, stars associated with dust, stars with warm dust shells, stars with cool dust shells to very red sources. In addition, the Brα/HI（14-6） line flux ratio derived for the sample stars is compared with that of P Cyg, and it is found that the line ratio of Be stars which were investigated show not only lower values as suggested by Waters et al., but also larger values. Therefore, the line ratio cannot be used to judge whether a star is a Be star or not.     

2MASS near-infrared photometry of symbiotic stars

We present Two Micron All Sky Survey photometry for 216 symbiotic and possible symbiotic stars. This represents the most comprehensive near-infrared photometry for these sources which has been published to date. The results are used to define the statistics of S- and D-type stars; to investigate the photometric properties of Magellanic S-type symbiotics; and to define the possible evolution of D-type symbiotics within the J − H / H − K _S colour plane. It appears that the colours of D-type symbiotics are consistent with differing mass-loss rates d M /d t , provided that the grains have a silicate-like composition, and maximum temperatures of the order of ∼800 K.     

Sputtering in the outflows of cool stars

Radiation pressure acts to accelerate dust grains and, by transfer of momentum through collisions with the gas, drives the outflows of late-type stars. Some of these dust–gas collisions may be energetic enough to remove atoms from the dust grains. From an assumed initial size distribution for the dust grains, the method of Krüger et al. is used to study the evolution of a sample of spherical amorphous carbon grains under conditions typical of a late-type star. The size distribution of dust grains is presented for various sets of model parameters. One set of models assumes an initial Mathis, Rumpl & Nordsieck (MRN) distribution for the dust grains. The high-luminosity ( L ∗), high-effective temperature ( T _eff) set of parameters has a terminal velocity ( v _term) that is near, but above , the upper limit of observed outflow velocities for carbon stars (∼30 km s⁻¹ for the assumed ̇ of 5×10⁻⁶ M_⊙ yr⁻¹). The low L ∗, T _eff model has a v _term that lies near, but below , the upper limit of observed velocities. A significant amount of sputtering occurs in the high L ∗, T _eff model with ∼40 per cent of the grain mass sputtered. About ∼1 per cent of the dust mass is sputtered in the low L ∗, T _eff. Another set of models assumes that the dust forms with a log-normal distribution. Here, v _term is nearly the same for the high L ∗, T _eff model as for the low L ∗, T _eff model. This is a result of the large amount of dust mass loss (∼75 per cent) by sputtering in the high L ∗, T _eff model.     

Infrared observations of symbiotic stars

Near infrared measurements in the J, H and K bands have been carried out for a number of symbiotic stars with the 1.5 m telescope at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory (RAO). A comparison with the earlier observations shows that the S-type symbiotic stars do not have any significant variation in the infrared flux over the past five years. However a small variation ∼ 0.3 magnitude in the infrared flux has been detected for CH Cygni. The observations of HM Sagittae show large decreases in the infrared flux compared to the previous measurements. The variability in the infrared fluxes of both these objects could be attributed to a variation in the temperature due to the cooling of the dust shell. The variability observed for V1016 Cygni is found consistent with the previous measurements.     

Gas-grain processes in the envelopes of late-type stars

Some results from studies of the gas-grain chemistry in oxygen-rich circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) are presented.     

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 .     

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.