A Study of the Angular Diameters of Dust Shells Around Red Giants

Abstract

A summary of observations of the angular diameters of the shells around evolved red giants is reported. Many of these sources are partially resolved with a ground-based 2.4-m telescope. We have concentrated our efforts in the 8 - 13 micron spectral range because this corresponds to the emission excesses observed in the spectra of oxygen-rich stars. These excesses are commonly thought to arise from small 'silicate' mineral grains in the circumstellar shells. The shell structure has been fully resolved for the bright supergiant alpha Orionis. A study of the results shows that the opacity of the silicate mineral grains around that star is similar to that inferred for other evolved stars and for the Trapezium.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 07, 1991
Accession Number
ADA236228

Entities

People

  • H. M. Dyck
  • J. A. Benson

Organizations

  • University of Wyoming

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Astronomy
  • Classification
  • Data Sets
  • Diameters
  • Emission
  • Ground Based
  • Interferometry
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Radiative Transfer
  • Silicates
  • Spearography
  • Spectra
  • Telescopes

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • Space