Molecular and Dusty Layers of Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars Studied with the VLT Interferometer

Abstract

Mass loss from asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars is the most important driver for the evolution of low to intermediate mass stars towards planetary nebulae. It is also one of the most important sources of chemical enrichment of the interstellar medium. The mass-loss process originates in the extended atmosphere, whose structure is affected by stellar pulsations, and where molecular and dusty layers are formed. Optical interferometry resolves the extended atmospheres of AGB stars and thereby enables us to obtain measurements of the intensity profile across this region. We present an overview of recent results from our spectro-interferometric observations of AGB stars using the near-and mid-infrared instruments AMBER and MIDI of the VLT Interferometer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA564445

Entities

People

  • Albert A. Zijlstra
  • David A. Boboltz
  • Eric Fossat
  • Francois Van Wyk
  • Iva Karovicova
  • Keiichi Ohnaka
  • Markus Wittkowski
  • Michael Ireland
  • Michael Scholz
  • Patricia Whitelock
  • Peter R. Wood

Organizations

  • United States Naval Observatory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Astronomical Observatories
  • Atmosphere Models
  • Atmospheres
  • Chemistry
  • Condensation
  • Intensity
  • Interferometers
  • Interferometry
  • Measurement
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Personal Information Managers
  • Radiative Transfer
  • Simulations
  • Stars
  • Stellar Atmospheres
  • Stellar Evolution

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics

Technology Areas

  • Space