scholarly journals The s-Process in the Yellow Symbiotic AG Draconis

2000 ◽  
Vol 177 ◽  
pp. 103-104
Author(s):  
Katia Cunha ◽  
Verne V. Smith ◽  
Alain Jorissen

An abundance analysis of the yellow symbiotic system AG Draconis reveals it to be a metal-poor K giant ([Fe/H] = −1.3) which is enriched in the heavy s-process elements. This star thus provides a link between the symbiotic stars and the binary barium and CH stars which are also s-process enriched. These binary systems, which exhibit overabundances of the heavy elements, owe their abundance peculiarities to mass transfer from thermally-pulsing asymptotic giant branch stars, which have since evolved to become white-dwarf companions of the cool stars we now view as the chemically peculiar primaries. A comparison of the heavy-element abundance distribution in AG Dra with theoretical nucleosynthesis calculations shows that the s-process is defined by a relatively large neutron exposure (τ = 1.3 mb−1), while an analysis of the rubidium abundance suggests that the s-process occurred at a neutron density of about 2 × 108 cm−3. The derived spectroscopic orbit of AG Dra is similar to the orbits of barium and CH stars. Because the luminosity function of low-metallicity K giants is skewed towards higher luminosities by about 2 magnitudes relative to solar-metallicity giants, it is argued that the lower metallicity K giants have larger mass-loss rates. It is this larger mass-loss rate that drives the symbiotic phenomena in AG Dra and we suggest that the other yellow symbiotic stars are probably low-metallicity objects as well.

Galaxies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Efrat Sabach

We study the effects of a reduced mass-loss rate on the evolution of low metallicity Jsolated stars, following our earlier classification for angular momentum (J) isolated stars. By using the stellar evolution code MESA we study the evolution with different mass-loss rate efficiencies for stars with low metallicities of Z = 0 . 001 and Z = 0 . 004 , and compare with the evolution with solar metallicity, Z = 0 . 02 . We further study the possibility for late asymptomatic giant branch (AGB)—planet interaction and its possible effects on the properties of the planetary nebula (PN). We find for all metallicities that only with a reduced mass-loss rate an interaction with a low mass companion might take place during the AGB phase of the star. The interaction will most likely shape an elliptical PN. The maximum post-AGB luminosities obtained, both for solar metallicity and low metallicities, reach high values corresponding to the enigmatic finding of the PN luminosity function.


2020 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
pp. A116
Author(s):  
Ming Yang ◽  
Alceste Z. Bonanos ◽  
Bi-Wei Jiang ◽  
Jian Gao ◽  
Panagiotis Gavras ◽  
...  

We present the most comprehensive red supergiant (RSG) sample for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) to date, including 1239 RSG candidates. The initial sample was derived based on a source catalog for the SMC with conservative ranking. Additional spectroscopic RSGs were retrieved from the literature, and RSG candidates were selected based on the inspection of Gaia and 2MASS color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). We estimate that there are in total ∼1800 or more RSGs in the SMC. We purify the sample by studying the infrared CMDs and the variability of the objects, though there is still an ambiguity between asymptotic giant branch stars (AGBs) and RSGs at the red end of our sample. One heavily obscured target was identified based on multiple near-IR and mid-IR (MIR) CMDs. The investigation of color-color diagrams shows that there are fewer RSGs candidates (∼4%) showing PAH emission features compared to the Milky Way and LMC (∼15%). The MIR variability of RSG sample increases with luminosity. We separate the RSG sample into two subsamples (risky and safe), and identify one M5e AGB star in the risky subsample based on simultaneous inspection of variabilities, luminosities, and colors. The degeneracy of mass loss rate (MLR), variability, and luminosity of the RSG sample is discussed, indicating that most of the targets with high variability are also the bright ones with high MLR. Some targets show excessive dust emission, which may be related to previous episodic mass loss events. We also roughly estimate the total gas and dust budget produced by entire RSG population as ∼1.9−1.1+2.4 × 10−6 M⊙ yr−1 in the most conservative case, according to the derived MLR from IRAC1–IRAC4 color. Based on the MIST models, we derive a linear relation between Teff and observed J − KS color with reddening correction for the RSG sample. By using a constant bolometric correction and this relation, the Geneva evolutionary model is compared with our RSG sample, showing a good agreement and a lower initial mass limit of ∼7 M⊙ for the RSG population. Finally, we compare the RSG sample in the SMC and the LMC. Despite the incompleteness of LMC sample in the faint end, the result indicates that the LMC sample always shows redder color (except for the IRAC1–IRAC2 and WISE1–WISE2 colors due to CO absorption) and higher variability than the SMC sample, which is likely due to a positive relation between MLR, variability and the metallicity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29B) ◽  
pp. 459-459
Author(s):  
Mikako Matsuura ◽  
B. Sargent ◽  
Bruce Swinyard ◽  
J.A. Yates ◽  
P. Royer ◽  
...  

AbstractIt is yet well understood how mass-loss rates from evolved stars depend on metallicities. With a half of the solar metallicity and the distance of only 50 kpc, the evolved stars of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) are an ideal target for studying mass loss at low metallicity. We have obtained spectra of red-supergiants in the LMC, using the Hershel Space Observatory, detecting CO thermal lines fro J=6–5 up to 15–14 lines. Modelling CO lines with non-LTE Radiative transfer code suggests that CO lines intensities can be well explained with high gas-to-dust ratio, with no obvious reduction in mass-loss rate at the LMC. We conclude that the luminosities of the stars are primary factors on mass-loss rates, rather than the metallicity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29B) ◽  
pp. 212-212
Author(s):  
Sung-Chul Yoon

AbstractType Ib/c supernovae (SNe Ib/c) are characterized by the lack of prominent hydrogen lines in thespectra, implying that their progenitors have lost most of their hydrogen envelopes by the time of the iron corecollapse. Binary interactions provide an important evolutionary chanel for SNe Ib/c, and recent observations indicatethat the inferred ejecta masses of SNe Ibc are more consistent with the prediction of the binary scenario than that ofthe single star scenario that invokes mass loss as the key evolutionary factor for SNe Ib/c progenitors. So far,theoretical predictions on the detailed properties of SNe Ib/c progenitors in binary systems have been made mostlywith models using solar metallicity. However, unlike the single star scenario, where SNe Ib/c are expected only forsufficiently high metallicity, hydrogen-deficent SN progenitors can be produced via binary interactions at anymetallicity. In this talk, I will discuss theoretical predictions on the metallicity dependence of the SNe Ib/c progenitorstructure, based on evolutionary models of massive binary stars. Sepefically, I will address how the ejecta masses ofSNe Ib and Ic and the ratio of SN Ib/c to SN IIb as well as SN Ib to SN Ic would systematically change as a function ofmetallicity, and which new types of SNe are expected in binary systems at low metallicity.


Author(s):  
Jie Yu ◽  
Saskia Hekker ◽  
Timothy R Bedding ◽  
Dennis Stello ◽  
Daniel Huber ◽  
...  

Abstract Mass loss by red giants is an important process to understand the final stages of stellar evolution and the chemical enrichment of the interstellar medium. Mass-loss rates are thought to be controlled by pulsation-enhanced dust-driven outflows. Here we investigate the relationships between mass loss, pulsations, and radiation, using 3213 luminous Kepler red giants and 135000 ASAS–SN semiregulars and Miras. Mass-loss rates are traced by infrared colours using 2MASS and WISE and by observed-to-model WISE fluxes, and are also estimated using dust mass-loss rates from literature assuming a typical gas-to-dust mass ratio of 400. To specify the pulsations, we extract the period and height of the highest peak in the power spectrum of oscillation. Absolute magnitudes are obtained from the 2MASS Ks band and the Gaia DR2 parallaxes. Our results follow. (i) Substantial mass loss sets in at pulsation periods above ∼60 and ∼100 days, corresponding to Asymptotic-Giant-Branch stars at the base of the period-luminosity sequences C′ and C. (ii) The mass-loss rate starts to rapidly increase in semiregulars for which the luminosity is just above the red-giant-branch tip and gradually plateaus to a level similar to that of Miras. (iii) The mass-loss rates in Miras do not depend on luminosity, consistent with pulsation-enhanced dust-driven winds. (iv) The accumulated mass loss on the Red Giant Branch consistent with asteroseismic predictions reduces the masses of red-clump stars by 6.3%, less than the typical uncertainty on their asteroseismic masses. Thus mass loss is currently not a limitation of stellar age estimates for galactic archaeology studies.


BIBECHANA ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Binil Aryal

Dust structures around the white dwarf WD 0253+209 is studied in 100 and 60 micron infrared image. These images are received from Infrared Astronomical Satellite Survey (IRAS Survey). The post Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) emission of the white dwarf's precursors' wind and the ambient interstellar matter is studied. The distribution of the relative flux density is studied and analyzed in the context of the dust color temperature, mass loading trend and the amount of total mass deposited due the interaction in the interstellar medium. The twisted curved emission structure at 100 micron in the region of interest is probably due to the interaction between the ambient interstellar medium and the He-flashes of the parent planetary nebula of the central white dwarf WD 0253+209. The total mass of the filamentary arc is found to be ~ 5 solar masses, as predicted. The mass loss rate of the post AGB star goes up to 10-5 solar masses per year. It is concluded that the first He-flash occurred at least ~2500 years ago.Keywords: white dwarf; interstellar medium; flux density; interstellar dust; mass of the gasDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v8i0.4806BIBECHANA 8 (2012) 1-7


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S346) ◽  
pp. 78-82
Author(s):  
Chen Wang ◽  
Norbert Langer ◽  
Götz Gräfener ◽  
Pablo Marchant

AbstractWolf-Rayet (WR) stars are stripped stellar cores that form through strong stellar wind or binary mass transfer. It is proposed that binary evolution plays a vital role in the formation of WR stars in low metallicity environments due to the metallicity dependance of stellar winds. However observations indicate a similar binary fraction of WR stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) compared to the Milky Way. There are twelve WR stars in the SMC and five of them are members of binary systems. One of them (SMC AB8) harbors a WO type star. In this work we explore possible formation channels of this binary. We use the MESA code to compute large grids of binary evolution models, and then use least square fitting to compare our models with the observations. In order to reproduce the key properties of SMC AB8, we require efficient semiconvection to produce a sufficiently large convective core, as well as a longer He-burning lifetime. We also need a high mass loss rate during the WN stage to assist the removal of the outer envelope. In this way, we can reproduce the observed properties of AB8, except for the surface carbon to oxygen ratio, which requires further investigation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 484 (2) ◽  
pp. 1865-1888 ◽  
Author(s):  
D T Hoai ◽  
P T Nhung ◽  
P Tuan-Anh ◽  
P Darriulat ◽  
P N Diep ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT ALMA observations of CO(1–0) and CO(2–1) emissions of the circumstellar envelope of EP Aqr, an oxygen-rich asymptotic giant branch star, are reported. A thorough analysis of their properties is presented using an original method based on the separation of the data cube into a low-velocity component associated with an equatorial outflow and a faster component associated with a bipolar outflow. A number of important and new results are obtained concerning the distribution in space of the effective emissivity, the temperature, the density, and the flux of matter. A mass-loss rate of (1.6 ± 0.4)×10−7 solar masses per year is measured. The main parameters defining the morphology and kinematics of the envelope are evaluated and uncertainties inherent to de-projection are critically discussed. Detailed properties of the equatorial region of the envelope are presented including a measurement of the line width and a precise description of the observed inhomogeneity of both morphology and kinematics. In particular, in addition to the presence of a previously observed spiral enhancement of the morphology at very small Doppler velocities, a similarly significant but uncorrelated circular enhancement of the expansion velocity is revealed, both close to the limit of sensitivity. The results of the analysis place significant constraints on the parameters of models proposing descriptions of the mass-loss mechanism, but cannot choose among them with confidence.


1991 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 480-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Leitherer ◽  
Norbert Langer

The structure and evolution of massive stars is significantly influenced by effects of chemical composition in a low-metallicity environment (as compared to the solar neighbourhood, SN), such as the Magellanic Clouds. A fundamental ingredient in evolutionary models is the stellar mass-loss rate M. Lower metal content decreases the mass-loss rates derived theoretically, which in turn affects the stellar evolution models. On the other hand, different evolutionary models predict different stellar parameters (especially L), which again influence M so that an iterative procedure is required to achieve self-consistency.


1979 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
pp. 409-414
Author(s):  
D. Vanbeveren ◽  
J.P. De Grève ◽  
C. de Loore ◽  
E.L. van Dessel

It is generally accepted that massive (and thus luminous) stars lose mass by stellar wind, driven by radiation force (Lucy and Solomon, 1970; Castor et al. 1975). For the components of massive binary systems, rotational and gravitational effects may act together with the radiation force so as to increase the mass loss rate. Our intention here is to discuss the influence of a stellar wind mass loss on the evolution of massive close binaries. During the Roche lobe overflow phase, mass and angular momentum can leave the system. Possible reasons for mass loss from the system are for example the expansion of the companion due to accretion of the material lost by the mass losing star (Kippenhahn and Meyer-Hofmeister, 1977) or the fact that due to the influence of the radiation force in luminous stars, mass will be lost over the whole surface of the star and not any longer through a possible Lagrangian point as in the case of classical Roche lobe overflow (Vanbeveren, 1978). We have therefore investigated the influence of both processes on binary evolution. Our results are applied to 5 massive X-ray binaries with a possible implication for the existence of massive Wolf Rayet stars with a very close invisible compact companion. A more extended version of this talk is published in Astronomy and Astrophysics (Vanbeveren et al. 1978; Vanbeveren and De Grève, 1978). Their results will be briefly reviewed.


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