scholarly journals On the Origin of the 21 Micron Feature in Post-AGB Stars

1999 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Kwok ◽  
Kevin Volk ◽  
Bruce J. Hrivnak
Keyword(s):  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Emission Feature ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Agb Stars

The unidentified emission feature at 21 μm is now observed in 12 sources, all being objects in transition between the asymptotic giant branch and planetary nebulae phases. The relations between the 21 μm and other emission features, such as the PAH features and the broad 30 μm feature, and the possible origins of the 21 μm feature are discussed.

scholarly journals New IR-Observations of Post AGB Stars and Proto-Planetary Nebulae

1989 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 445-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.E. van der Veen ◽  
H. J. Habing ◽  
T. R. Geballe
Keyword(s):  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Be Stars ◽  
Ir Sources ◽  
Visual Magnitude ◽  
Small Band

A sample was selected from the IRAS Point Source Catalogue based on the following selection criteria: very red (“cold”) IRAS-colours: roughly F25/F12 > 2.5 and F60/F25 < 1.2; and low IR-variability: VAR < 30. These non-variable IR-sources may be stars that have evolved beyond the AGB (Asymptotic Giant Branch); a large fraction (40%) is associated with known planetary nebulae (Van der Veen and Habing, 1987, Astron. Astrophys., in press). To determine the nature of the other 60% additional observations were made mainly in the infrared: 1–13 μm, during 4 observing runs: ESO (La Silla, Chile) in July 1986 and June 1987; UKIRT (Hawaii) in August 1986 and June 1987. A total number of 58 sources was observed. A summary of the observations: -IR broad band photometry at 1.2, 1.6, 2.2, 3.8 and 4,6 μm for all 58 sources. -IR broad band photometry at 8.4, 9.7 and 12.8 μm for 19 sources. -IR small band photometry for 4 sources in the ranges 2–2.5 μm and 3–3.5 μm. -IR spectroscopy for 10 sources in the ranges 2–2.5 μm and 3–3.5 μm, -V, R, I observations (0.55, 0.7 and 0.9 μm) for 5 sources associated with a star of visual magnitude 8–9. These observations were carried out by D. de Winter (Amsterdam) with the 0.5-m ESO telescope at La Silla (Chile). -Walraven photometry (0.32, 0.36, 0.38, 0.43 and 0.54 μm) for 21 stars brighter than V = 15 and within 10“ from the IRAS position. These observations were carried out by M. van Haarlem (Leiden) with the 0.9-m Dutch telescope at La Silla (Chile).

scholarly journals ISO Spectra of Planetary Nebulae

2003 ◽  
Vol 209 ◽  
pp. 303-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Volk ◽  
Sun Kwok
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Dust Emission ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Emission Feature ◽  
Significant Fraction ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Dust Component

It has been well known since the IRAS mission that dust emission represents a significant fraction of the energy output from PNe (Zhang & Kwok 1991). Although the dust component in PNe was long thought to be due to the remnants of the envelopes of AGB stars (Kwok 1982), we now know that dust in PNe has a much richer chemical composition. In addition to amorphous silicates and SiC features commonly seen in AGB stars, PNe have been found to have strong aromatic infrared features (Russell et al. 1977), crystalline silicate features (Waters et al. 1997), and an unidentified emission feature at 30 μm (Forrest et al. 1981). In this paper, we show the ISO spectra of a number of PNe illustrating the diverse dust chemistry in PNe.

scholarly journals Heavy elements in planetary nebulae: A theorist's gold mine

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S283) ◽  
pp. 127-130
Author(s):  
Amanda I. Karakas ◽  
Maria Lugaro
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Heavy Elements ◽  
Gold Mine ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Capture Process ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Model Predictions

AbstractObservations of planetary nebulae have revealed a wealth of information about the composition of heavy elements synthesized by the slow neutron capture process (the s process). In some of these nebulae the abundances of neutron-capture elements are enriched by factors of 10 to 30 times the solar value, indicating that these elements were produced in the progenitor star while it was on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). In this proceedings we summarize results of our recent full s-process network predictions covering a wide range of progenitor masses and metallicities. We compare our model predictions to observations and show how this can provide important insights into nucleosynthesis processes occurring deep within AGB stars.

scholarly journals Improved Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Sterling ◽  
H. L. Dinerstein ◽  
S. Hwang ◽  
S. Redfield ◽  
A. Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Rate Coefficients ◽  
Atomic Data ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Iron Species ◽  
Element Abundances ◽  
Ionization Balance ◽  
Initial Results

AbstractSpectroscopy of planetary nebulae (PNe) provides the means to investigate s-process enrichments of neutron(n)-capture elements that cannot be detected in Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. However, accurate abundance determinations of these elements present a challenge. Corrections for unobserved ions can be large and uncertain, since in many PNe only one ion of a given n-capture element has been detected. Furthermore, the atomic data governing the ionization balance of these species are not well-determined, inhibiting the derivation of accurate ionization corrections. We present initial results of a program that addresses these challenges. Deep high-resolution optical spectroscopy of ∼20 PNe has been performed to detect emission lines from trans-iron species including Se, Br, Kr, Rb and Xe. The optical spectral region provides access to multiple ions of these elements, which reduces the magnitude and importance of uncertainties in the ionization corrections. In addition, experimental and theoretical efforts are providing determinations of the photoionization cross sections and recombination rate coefficients of Se, Kr and Xe ions. These new atomic data will make it possible to derive robust ionization corrections for these elements. Together, our observational and atomic data results will enable n-capture element abundances to be determined with unprecedented accuracy in ionized nebulae.

scholarly journals New models for the evolution of central stars of planetary nebulae: Faster and Brighter

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S323) ◽  
pp. 179-183
Author(s):  
Marcelo M. Miller Bertolami
Keyword(s):  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Intermediate Mass ◽  
Short Article ◽  
Intermediate Mass Stars ◽  
New Models ◽  
Central Stars

AbstractThe post-asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase is arguably one of the least understood phases of the evolution of low- and intermediate- mass stars. The recent post-AGB evolutionary sequences computed by Miller Bertolami (2016) are at least three to ten times faster than those previously published by Vassiliadis & Wood (1994) and Blöcker (1995) which have been used in a large number of studies. This is true for the whole mass and metallicity range. The new models are also ~0.1–0.3 dex brighter than the previous models with similar remnant masses. In this short article we comment on the main reasons behind these differences, and discuss possible implications for other studies of post-AGB stars or planetary nebulae.

scholarly journals Silicon Carbide as the Carrier of the 21μm Feature

2003 ◽  
Vol 209 ◽  
pp. 315-315
Author(s):  
A. K. Speck ◽  
A. M. Hofmeister
Keyword(s):  
Silicon Carbide ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Ir Spectra ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Transient Species ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Central Stars

Some proto-planetary nebulae (PPNe) exhibit an enigmatic feature in their infrared (IR) spectra at ~21 μm. PPNe which display this feature are all C-rich and all show evidence for s-process enhancements in their photospheres, indicative of efficient dredge-up during the ascent of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). Furthermore, this 21 μm feature is not seen in the spectra of either the precursors to PPNe, the AGB stars, or the successors of PPNe, planetary nebulae (PNe). However the 21 μm feature has been seen in the spectra of PNe with Wolf-Rayet central stars. Therefore the carrier of this feature is unlikely to be a transient species that only exists in the PPNe phase. It is more likely that the physical conditions in the AGB stars and PNe conspire against the observation of an IR feature at 21 μm. This feature has been attributed to various molecular and solid state species, none of which satisfy all constraints, although TiC and PAHs have seemed the most viable.

scholarly journals Molecular Evolution from AGB Stars to Planetary Nebulae

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S280) ◽  
pp. 203-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sun Kwok
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Synthesis ◽  
Stellar Evolution ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Molecular Ions ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Late Stages

AbstractThe late stages of stellar evolution from the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) to planetary nebulae represent the most active phase of molecular synthesis in a star's life. Over 60 molecular species, including inorganics, organics, radicals, chains, rings, and molecular ions have been detected in the circumstellar envelopes of evolved stars. Most interestingly, complex organic compounds of aromatic and aliphatic structures are synthesized over very short time intervals after the end of the AGB. Also appeared during the post-AGB evolution are the unidentified 21 and 30 μm emission features, which are believed to originate from carbonaceous compounds.The circumstellar environment is an ideal laboratory for the testing of theories of chemical synthesis. The distinct spectral behavior among AGB stars, proto-planetary nebulae (PPN), and planetary nebulae (PN) and the short evolutionary time scales that separate these stages pose severe constraints on models. In this paper, we will present an observational summary of the chemical synthesis in the late stages of stellar evolution, discuss chemical and physical processes at work, and speculate on the possible effects these chemical products have on the Galaxy and the Solar System.

scholarly journals Common continuum polarization properties: a possible link between proto-planetary nebulae and Type Ia Supernova progenitors

2017 ◽  
Vol 471 (2) ◽  
pp. 2111-2116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Cikota ◽  
Ferdinando Patat ◽  
Stefan Cikota ◽  
Jason Spyromilio ◽  
Gioia Rau
Keyword(s):  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Polarization Curves ◽  
Circumstellar Dust ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Polarization Measurements ◽  
The Core ◽  
Type Ia Supernova ◽  
Type Ia

Abstract The lines of sight to highly reddened SNe Ia show peculiar continuum polarization curves, growing towards blue wavelengths and peaking at $\lambda _{\text{max}} \lesssim 0.4 \,\mu \mathrm{m}$, like no other sightline to any normal Galactic star. We examined continuum polarization measurements of a sample of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and post-AGB stars from the literature, finding that some proto-planetary nebulae (PPNe) have polarization curves similar to those observed along SN Ia sightlines. These polarization curves are produced by scattering on circumstellar dust. We discuss the similarity and the possibility that at least some SNe Ia might explode during the post-AGB phase of their binary companion. Furthermore, we speculate that the peculiar SN Ia polarization curves might provide observational support to the core-degenerate progenitor model.

scholarly journals Dust in planetary nebulae

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S323) ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
G. C. Sloan
Keyword(s):  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Amorphous Carbon ◽  
Infrared Spectra ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Emission Feature ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Strong Emission ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Central Stars

AbstractInfrared spectra from the Spitzer Space Telescope trace the evolution of carbon-rich dust from the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) to young planetary nebulae (PNe). On the AGB, amorphous carbon dominates the dust, but SiC and MgS also appear. In more evolved systems with warmer central stars, the spectra reveal the unidentified 21 μm feature, features from aliphatic hydrocarbons, and spectra from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), often with shifted feature positions indicative of the presence of aliphatics. More evolved systems with hot central stars show more typical PAH spectra, along with fullerenes and/or an emission feature known as the big-11 feature at ~11 μm. This features arises from a combination of SiC and PAHs, and it is usually accompanied by a shoulder at 18 μm, which while unidentified might be from cool silicate grains. The strong emission from MgS and SiC in young PNe probably arises from coatings on carbonaceous grains.

scholarly journals Aromatic, aliphatic, and the unidentified 21 micron emission features in proto-planetary nebulae

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S251) ◽  
pp. 213-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce J. Hrivnak ◽  
Kevin Volk ◽  
T. R. Geballe ◽  
Sun Kwok
Keyword(s):  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Emission Feature ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
New Feature ◽  
Simple Molecules

AbstractAromatic features at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.3 μm are observed in proto-planetary nebulae (PPNe) as well as in PNe and H ii regions. Aliphatic features at 3.4 and 6.9 μm are also observed; however, these features are often stronger in PPNe than in PNe. These observations suggest an evolution in the features from simple molecules (C2H2) in AGB stars to aliphatics in PPNe to aromatics in PNe. In the same carbon-rich PPNe, a strong, broad, unidentified 21 μm emission feature has been found. We will present recent observations of the aromatic, aliphatic, and 21 μm emission features, along with C2H2 (13.7 μm) and a new feature at 15.8 μm, and discuss correlations among them and other properties of these PPNe.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document