Search

We report on the successful search for CO (2–1) and (3–2) emission associated with OH/IR stars in the Galactic bulge. We observed a sample of eight extremely red asymptotic giant branch stars with the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment telescope and detected seven. The sources were selected at a sufficiently high galactic latitude to avoid interference by interstellar CO, which hampered previous studies of inner galaxy stars. To study the nature of our sample and the mass-loss, we constructed the spectral energy distribution (SEDs) from photometric data and Spitzer IRS spectroscopy. In a first step, we apply radiative transfer modelling to fit the SEDs and obtain luminosities and dust mass-loss rates (MLRs). Through dynamical modelling, we then retrieve the total MLR and the gas-to-dust ratios. We derived variability periods of our stars. The luminosities range between approximately 4000 and 5500 L⊙ and periods are shorter than 700 d. The total MLR ranges between 10−5 and 10−4 M⊙ yr−1. Comparison with evolutionary models shows that the progenitor mass ≈1.5 M⊙, similar to the bulge Miras of intermediate age (3 Gyr). The gas-to-dust ratios are between 100 and 400 and are similar to what is found for OH/IR stars in the galactic disc. One star, IRAS 17347−2319, has a very short period of approximately 300 d that may be decreasing further. It may belong to a class of Mira variables with a sudden change in period as observed in some Galactic objects. It would be the first example of an OH/IR star in this class and deserves further follow-up observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atacama Large Millimetre Array observations show a non-detection of carbon monoxide around the four most luminous asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae. Stellar evolution models and star counts show that the mass-loss rates from these stars should be ~1.2-3.5 × 10-7 M⊙ yr-1. We would naïvely expect such stars to be detectable at this distance (4.5 kpc). By modelling the ultraviolet radiation field from post-AGB stars and white dwarfs in 47 Tuc, we conclude that CO should be dissociated abnormally close to the stars. We estimate that the CO envelopes will be truncated at a few hundred stellar radii from their host stars and that the line intensities are about two orders of magnitude below our current detection limits. The truncation of CO envelopes should be important for AGB stars in dense clusters. Observing the CO (3-2) and higher transitions and targeting stars far from the centres of clusters should result in the detections needed to measure the outflow velocities from these stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The late stages of stellar evolution are mainly governed by the mass of the stars. Low- and intermediate-mass stars lose copious amounts of mass during the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) which obscure the central star making it difficult to study the stellar spectra and determine the stellar mass. In this study, we present observational data that can be used to determine lower limits to the stellar mass. Methods. Spectra of nine heavily reddened AGB stars taken by the Herschel Space Observatory display numerous molecular emission lines. The strongest emission lines are due to H2O. We search for the presence of isotopologues of H2O in these objects. Results. We detected the 16O and 17O isotopologues of water in these stars, but lines due to H218O are absent. The lack of 18O is predicted by a scenario where the star has undergone hot-bottom burning which preferentially destroys 18O relative to 16O and 17O. From stellar evolution calculations, this process is thought to occur when the stellar mass is above 5 MΘ for solar metallicity. Hence, observations of different isotopologues of H2O can be used to help determine the lower limit to the initial stellar mass. Conclusions. From our observations, we deduce that these extreme OH/IR stars are intermediate-mass stars with masses of ≥5 MΘ. Their high mass-loss rates of ~10-4 MΘ yr-1 may affect the enrichment of the interstellar medium and the overall chemical evolution of our Galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have selected a homogeneous sample of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the Galactic bulge population from the ISOGAL survey. Our target stars cover a wide range of mass-loss rates (∼10−8–10−4 M⊙ yr−1) and differ primarily by their age on the AGB. This homogeneous sample is thus ideally suited to study the dust formation process as a function of age on the AGB. We observed our sample with Spitzer-Infrared Spectrograph, and studied the overall properties of the infrared spectra of these targets. The analysis is complicated by the presence of strong and variable background emission, and the extracted infrared AGB star spectra are affected by interstellar extinction. Several stars in our sample have no detectable dust emission, and we used these ‘naked stars’ to characterize the stellar and molecular contributions to the infrared spectra of our target stars. The resulting dust spectra of our targets do indeed show significant variety in their spectral appearance, pointing to differing dust compositions for the targets. We classify the spectra based on the shape of their 10-μm emission following the scheme by Sloan & Price. We find that the early silicate emission classes associated with oxide dust are generally under-represented in our sample due to extinction effects. We also find a weak 13-μm dust feature in two of our otherwise naked star spectra, suggesting that the carrier of this feature could potentially be the first condensate in the sequence of dust condensation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

For the Mass-loss of Evolved StarS (MESS) programme, the unprecedented spatial resolution of the PACS photometer on board the Herschel Space Observatory was employed to map the dusty environments of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and red supergiant (RSG) stars. Among the morphologically heterogeneous sample, a small fraction of targets is enclosed by spherically symmetric detached envelopes. Based on observations in the 70 μm and 160 μm wavelength bands, we investigated the surroundings of the two carbon semiregular variables S Sct and RT Cap, which both show evidence for a history of highly variable mass-loss. S Sct exhibits a bright, spherically symmetric detached shell, 138" in diameter and co-spatial with an already known CO structure. Moreover, weak emission is detected at the outskirts, where the morphology seems indicative of a mild shaping by interaction of the wind with the interstellar medium, which is also supported by the stellar space motion. Two shells are found around RT Cap that were not known so far in either dust emission or from molecular line observations. The inner shell with a diameter of 188" shows an almost immaculate spherical symmetry, while the outer ∼5' structure is more irregularly shaped. MoD, a modification of the DUSTY radiative transfer code, was used to model the detached shells. Dust temperatures, shell dust masses, and mass-loss rates are derived for both targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. We present 48 Herschel/PACS spectra of evolved stars in the wavelength range of 67–72 μm. This wavelength range covers the 69 μm band of crystalline olivine (Mg2–2xFe(2x)SiO4). The width and wavelength position of this band are sensitive to the temperature and composition of the crystalline olivine. Our sample covers a wide range of objects: from high mass-loss rate AGB stars (OH/IR stars, ˙M ≥ 10–5 M⊙/yr), through post-AGB stars with and without circumbinary disks, to planetary nebulae and even a few massive evolved stars. Aims. The goal of this study is to exploit the spectral properties of the 69 μm band to determine the composition and temperature of the crystalline olivine. Since the objects cover a range of evolutionary phases, we study the physical and chemical properties in this range of physical environments. Methods. We fit the 69 μm band and use its width and position to probe the composition and temperature of the crystalline olivine. Results. For 27 sources in the sample, we detected the 69 μm band of crystalline olivine (Mg(2–2x)Fe(2x)SiO4). The 69 μm band shows that all the sources produce pure forsterite grains containing no iron in their lattice structure. The temperature of the crystalline olivine as indicated by the 69 μm band, shows that on average the temperature of the crystalline olivine is highest in the group of OH/IR stars and the post-AGB stars with confirmed Keplerian disks. The temperature is lower for the other post-AGB stars and lowest for the planetary nebulae. A couple of the detected 69 μm bands are broader than those of pure magnesium-rich crystalline olivine, which we show can be due to a temperature gradient in the circumstellar environment of these stars. The disk sources in our sample with crystalline olivine are very diverse. They show either no 69 μm band, a moderately strong band, or a very strong band, together with a temperature for the crystalline olivine in their disk that is either very warm (~600 K), moderately warm (~200 K), or cold (~120 K), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Spectra of OH/IR stars show prominent spectral bands of crystalline olivine (Mg(2-2x)Fe(2x)SiO4). To learn more about the timescale of the outflows of OH/IR stars, we study the spectral band of crystalline olivine at 69 μm. Methods. The 69 μm band is of interest because its width and peak wavelength position are sensitive to the grain temperature and to the exact composition of the crystalline olivine. With Herschel/PACS, we observed the 69 µm band in the outflow of 14 OH/IR stars. By comparing the crystalline olivine features of our sample with those of model spectra, we determined the size of the outflow and its crystalline olivine abundance. Results. The temperature indicated by the observed 69 μm bands can only be reproduced by models with a geometrically compact superwind (RSW ≤ 2500 AU = 1400 R⋆). This means that the superwind started less than 1200 years ago (assuming an outflow velocity of 10 km/s). The small amount of mass lost in one superwind and the high progenitor mass of the OH/IR stars introduce a mass loss and thus evolutionary problem for these objects, which has not yet been understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars lose their envelopes by means of a stellar wind whose driving mechanism is not understood well. Characterizing the composition and thermal and dynamical structure of the outflow provides constraints that are essential for understanding AGB evolution, including the rate of mass loss and isotopic ratios. Aims. We characterize the CO emission from the wind of the low mass-loss rate oxygen-richAGB star WHya using data obtained by the HIFI, PACS, and SPIRE instruments on board the Herschel Space Observatory and ground-based telescopes. 12CO and 13CO lines are used to constrain the intrinsic 12C/13C ratio from resolved HIFI lines. Methods. We combined a state-of-the-art molecular line emission code and a dust continuum radiative transfer code to model the CO lines and the thermal dust continuum. Results. The acceleration of the outflow up to about 5.5 kms-1 is quite slow and can be represented by a μ-type velocity law with index μ = 5. Beyond this point, acceleration up the terminal velocity of 7 kms-1 is faster. Using the J =10-9, 9-8, and 6-5 transitions, we find an intrinsic 12C/13C ratio of 18 ± 10 for WHya, where the error bar is mostly due to uncertainties in the 12CO abundance and the stellar flux around 4.6 µm. To match the low-excitation CO lines, these molecules need to be photo-dissociated at ~500 stellar radii. The radialdust emission intensity profile of our stellar wind model matches PACS images at 70 μm out to 20" (or 800 stellar radii). For larger radii the observed emission is substantially stronger than our model predicts, indicating that at these locations there is extra material present. Conclusions. The initial slow acceleration of the wind may imply inefficient dust formation or dust driving in the lower part of the envelope. The final injection of momentum in the wind might be the result of an increase in the opacity thanks to the late condensation of dust species. The derived intrinsic isotopologue ratio for WHya is consistent with values set by the first dredge-up and suggestive of an initial mass of 2 M☉ or more. However, the uncertainty in the isotopologic ratio is large, which makes it difficult to set reliable limits on WHya's main-sequence mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mass loss of Evolved StarS (MESS) sample offers a selection of 78 asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and red supergiants (RSGs) observed with the PACS photometer on-board Herschel at 70 μm and 160 μm. For most of these objects, the dusty AGB wind is not spherically symmetric and the wind shape can be subdivided into four classes. In the present paper we concentrate on the influence of a companion on the morphology of the stellar wind. Literature was searched to find binaries in the MESS sample, which were subsequently linked to their wind-morphology class to assert that the binaries are not distributed equally among the classes. In the second part of the paper we concentrate on the circumstellar environment of the two prominent objects R Aqr and W Aql. Each shows a characteristic signature of a companion interaction with the stellar wind. For the symbiotic star R Aqr, PACS revealed two perfectly opposing arms that in part reflect the previously observed ring-shaped nebula in the optical. However, from the far-IR there is evidence that the emitting region is elliptical rather than circular. The outline of the wind of W Aql seems to follow a large Archimedean spiral formed by the orbit of the companion but also shows strong indications of an interaction with the interstellar medium. We investigated the nature of the companion of W Aql and found that the magnitude of the orbital period supports the size of the spiral outline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The interaction between stellar winds and the interstellar medium (ISM) can create complex bow shocks. The photometers on board the Herschel Space Observatory are ideally suited to studying the morphologies of these bow shocks. Aims. We aim to study the circumstellar environment and wind-ISM interaction of the nearest red supergiant, Betelgeuse. Methods. Herschel PACS images at 70, 100, and 160 μm and SPIRE images at 250, 350, and 500 μm were obtained by scanning the region around Betelgeuse. These data were complemented with ultraviolet GALEX data, near-infrared WISE data, and radio 21 cm GALFA-HI data. The observational properties of the bow shock structure were deduced from the data and compared with hydrodynamical simulations. Results. The infrared Herschel images of the environment around Betelgeuse are spectacular, showing the occurrence of multiple arcs at ∼6-7' from the central target and the presence of a linear bar at ∼9'. Remarkably, no large-scale instabilities are seen in the outer arcs and linear bar. The dust temperature in the outer arcs varies between 40 and 140 K, with the linear bar having the same colour temperature as the arcs. The inner envelope shows clear evidence of a non-homogeneous clumpy structure (beyond 15''), probably related to the giant convection cells of the outer atmosphere. The non-homogeneous distribution of the material even persists until the collision with the ISM. A strong variation in brightness of the inner clumps at a radius of ∼2' suggests a drastic change in mean gas and dust density ∼32 000 yr ago. Using hydrodynamical simulations, we try to explain the observed morphology of the bow shock around Betelgeuse. Conclusions. Different hypotheses, based on observational and theoretical constraints, are formulated to explain the origin of the multiple arcs and the linear bar and the fact that no large-scale instabilities are visible in the bow shock region. We infer that the two main ingredients for explaining these phenomena are a non-homogeneous mass-loss process and the influence of the Galactic magnetic field. The hydrodynamical simulations show that a warm interstellar medium, reflecting a warm neutral or partially ionized medium, or a higher temperature in the shocked wind also prevent the growth of strong instabilities. The linear bar is probably an interstellar structure illuminated by Betelgeuse itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CW Leo has been observed six times between October 2009 and June 2012 with the SPIRE instrument on board the Herschel satellite. Variability has been detected in the flux emitted by the central star with a period of 639 ± 4 days, in good agreement with determinations in the literature. Variability is also detected in the bow shock around CW Leo that had previously been detected in the ultraviolet and Herschel PACS/SPIRE data. Although difficult to prove directly, our working hypothesis is that this variability is directly related to that of the central star. In this case, fitting a sine curve with the period fixed to 639 days results in a time-lag in the variability between bow shock and the central star of 402 ± 37 days. The orientation of the bow shock relative to the plane of the sky is unknown (but see below). For an inclination angle of zero degrees, the observed time-lag translates into a distance to CW Leo of 130 ± 13 pc, and for non-zero inclination angles the distance is smaller. Fitting the shape of the bow shock with an analytical model (Wilkin 1996, ApJ, 459, L31), the effect of the inclination angle on the distance may be estimated. Making the additional assumption that the relative peculiar velocity between the interstellar medium (ISM) and CW Leo is determined entirely by the star space velocity with respect to the local standard of rest (i.e. a stationary ISM), the inclination angle is found to be (-33.3 ± 0.8)° based on the observed proper motion and radial velocity. Using the Wilkin model, our current best estimate of the distance to CW Leo is 123 ± 14 pc. For a distance of 123 pc, we derive a mean luminosity of 7790 ± 150 L⊙ (internal error). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the discovery of an infrared emission band in the Spitzer spectrum of the S-type AGB star NP Aurigae that is caused by TiO molecules in the circumstellar environment. We modeled the observed emission to derive the temperature of the TiO molecules (≈600K), an upper limit on the column density (≈1017.25 cm-2) and a lower limit on the spatial extent of the layer that contains these molecules. (≈4.6 R"). This is the first time that this TiO emission band is observed. A search for similar emission features in the sample of S-type stars yielded two additional candidates. However, owing to the additional dust emission, the identification is less stringent. By comparing the stellar characteristics of NP Aur to those of the other stars in our sample, we find that all stars with TiO emission show large-amplitude pulsations, s-process enrichment, and a low C/O ratio. These characteristics might be necessary requirements for a star to show TiO in emission, but they are not sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Our goal is to study the different morphologies associated to the interaction of the stellar winds of AGB stars and red supergiants with the interstellar medium (ISM) to follow the fate of the circumstellar matter injected into the interstellar medium. Methods. Far-infrared Herschel/PACS images at 70 and 160 μm of a sample of 78 Galactic evolved stars are used to study the (dust) emission structures developing out of stellar wind-ISM interaction. In addition, two-fluid hydrodynamical simulations of the coupled gas and dust in wind-ISM interactions are used for comparison with the observations. Results. Four distinct classes of wind-ISM interaction (i.e. "fermata", "eyes", "irregular", and "rings") are identified, and basic parameters affecting the morphology are discussed. We detect bow shocks for ∼40% of the sample and detached rings for ∼20%. The total dust and gas mass inferred from the observed infrared emission is similar to the stellar mass loss over a period of a few thousand years, while in most cases it is less than the total ISM mass potentially swept-up by the wind-ISM interaction. De-projected stand-off distances (R0) - defined as the distance between the central star and the nearest point of the interaction region - of the detected bow shocks ("fermata" and "eyes") are derived from the PACS images and compared to previous results, model predictions, and the simulations. All observed bow shocks have stand-off distances smaller than 1 pc. Observed and theoretical stand-off distances are used together to independently derive the local ISM density. Conclusions. Both theoretical (analytical) models and hydrodynamical simulations give stand-off distances for adopted stellar properties that are in good agreement with the measured de-projected stand-off distance of wind-ISM bow shocks. The possible detection of a bow shock - for the distance-limited sample - appears to be governed by its physical size as set roughly by the stand-off distance. In particular the star's peculiar space velocity and the density of the ISM appear decisive in detecting emission from bow shocks or detached rings. In most cases the derived ISM densities concur with those typical of the warm neutral and ionised gas in the Galaxy, though some cases point towards the presence of cold diffuse clouds. Tentatively, the "eyes" class objects are associated to (visual) binaries, while the "rings" generally do not appear to occur for M-type stars, only for C or S-type objects that have experienced a thermal pulse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present spectroscopic observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope of six carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Sgr dSph) and two foreground Galactic carbon stars. The band strengths of the observed C2H2 and SiC features are very similar to those observed in Galactic AGB stars. The metallicities are estimated from an empirical relation between the acetylene optical depth and the strength of the SiC feature. The metallicities are higher than those of the Large Magellanic Cloud, and close to Galactic values. While the high metallicity could imply an age of around 1 Gyr, for the dusty AGB stars, the pulsation periods suggest ages in excess of 2 or 3 Gyr. We fit the spectra of the observed stars using thedusty radiative transfer model and determine their dust mass-loss rates to be in the range . The two Galactic foreground carbon-rich AGB stars are located at the far side of the solar circle, beyond the Galactic Centre. One of these two stars shows the strongest SiC feature in our present Local Group sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) variables are found to obey period–luminosity relations in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) similar to those seen at (2.14 μm), even at 24 μm where emission from circumstellar dust is expected to be dominant. Their loci in the diagrams are essentially the same for the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and for NGC 6522 in spite of different ages and metallicities. There is no systematic trend of slope with wavelength. The offsets of the apparent magnitude versus relations imply a difference between the two fields of 3.8 in distance modulus. The colours of the variables confirm that a principal period with is a necessary condition for detectable mass loss. At the longest observed wavelength, 24 μm, many semiregular variables have dust shells comparable in luminosity to those around Miras. There is a clear bifurcation in LMC colour–magnitude diagrams involving 24 μm magnitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally acknowledged that the mass-loss of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars undergoes variations on different time-scales. We constructed models for the dust envelopes for a sample of AGB stars to assess whether mass-loss variations influence the spectral energy distribution. To constrain the variability, extra observations at millimetre wavelengths (1.2 mm) were acquired. From the analysis of the dust models, two indications for the presence of mass-loss variations can be found, being (1) a dust temperature at the inner boundary of the dust envelope that is far below the dust condensation temperature and (2) an altered density distribution with respect to resulting from a constant mass-loss rate. For five out of the 18 studied sources a two-component model of the envelope is required, consisting of an inner region with a constant mass-loss rate and an outer region with a less steep density distribution. For one source an outer region with a steeper density distribution was found. Moreover, in a search for time variability in our data set at 1.2 mm, we found that WX Psc shows a large relative time variation of 34 per cent which might partially be caused by variable molecular line emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present Spitzer Space Telescope spectroscopic observations of 14 carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). SiC dust is seen in most of the carbon-rich stars but it is weak compared to Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) stars. The SiC feature is strong only for stars with significant dust excess, opposite to what is observed for Galactic stars. We argue that in the SMC, SiC forms at lower temperature than graphite dust, whereas in the Galaxy SiC and graphite condensate at more comparable temperatures. Dust input into the interstellar medium by AGB stars consists mostly of carbonaceous dust, with little SiC or silicate dust. Only the two coolest stars show a 30-μm band due to MgS dust. We suggest that this is due to the fact that, in the SMC, mass-losing AGB stars generally have low circumstellar (dust) optical depth and therefore effective heating of dust by the central star does not allow temperatures below the 650 K necessary for MgS to exist as a solid. Gas phase C2H2 bands are stronger in the SMC than in the LMC or Galaxy. This is attributed to an increasing C/O ratio at low metallicity. We present a colour–colour diagram based on Spitzer InfraRed Array Camera (IRAC) and Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS) colours to discriminate between O- and C-rich stars. We show that AGB stars in the SMC become carbon stars early in the thermal-pulsing AGB evolution, and remain optically visible for . For the LMC, this lifetime is . The superwind phase traced with Spitzer lasts for ∼104 yr. Spitzer spectra of a K supergiant and a compact H ii region are also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust radiative transfer models are presented for 60 carbon stars in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) for which 5–35 μm Spitzer infrared spectrograph (IRS) spectra and quasi-simultaneous ground-based JHKL photometry are available. From the modelling, the luminosity and mass-loss rate are derived (under the assumption of a fixed expansion velocity and dust-to-gas ratio), and the ratio of silicon carbide (SiC) to amorphous carbon (AMC) dust is also derived. This ratio is smaller than observed in Galactic carbon stars, as has been noted before. Light curves for 36 objects can be retrieved from the massive compact halo object (MACHO) and optical gravitational lensing experiment (OGLE) data bases, and periods can be derived for all but two of these. Including data from the literature, periods are available for 53 stars. There is significant scatter in a diagram where the mass-loss rates are plotted against luminosity, and this is partly due to the fact that the luminosities are derived from single-epoch data. The mass-loss rates for the MC objects roughly scatter around the mean relation for Galactic C-stars. The situation is better defined when the mass-loss rate is plotted against pulsation period. For a given period, most of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) stars have mass-loss rates that are in agreement with that observed in Galactic carbon stars (under the assumption that these objects have an expansion velocity and dust-to-gas ratio typical of the mean observed in Galactic carbon Miras). For some SMC sources only, the IRS spectrum at longer wavelengths falls clearly below the model flux predicted by a constant mass-loss rate. An alternative model with a substantial increase of the mass-loss rate to its present-day value over a time-scale of a few tens of years is able to explain the spectral energy distribution (SED) and IRS spectra of these sources. However, the probability to have two such cases in a sample of 60 is small, and makes this not a likely explanation (and testable by re-observing these objects near the end of the lifetime of Spitzer). Alternative explanations are (ad hoc) changes to the dust emissivity at longer wavelengths, and/or deviations from spherical symmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the molecular bands in carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), using the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) onboard the Spitzer Space Telescope ( SST) over the 5–38 μm range. All 26 low-resolution spectra show acetylene (C2H2) bands at 7 and 14 μm. The hydrogen cyanide (HCN) bands at these wavelengths are very weak or absent. This is consistent with low nitrogen abundances in the LMC. The observed 14 μm C2H2 band is reasonably reproduced by an excitation temperature of 500 K. There is no clear dilution of the 14 μm C2H2 band by circumstellar dust emission. This 14-μm band originates from molecular gas in the circumstellar envelope in these high mass-loss rate stars, in agreement with previous findings for Galactic stars. The C2H2 column density, derived from the 13.7 μm band, shows a gas mass-loss rate in the range 3 × 10−6 to 5 × 10−5 M⊙ yr−1. This is comparable with the total mass-loss rate of these stars estimated from the spectral energy distribution. Additionally, we compare the line strengths of the 13.7 μm C2H2 band of our LMC sample with those of a Galactic sample. Despite the low metallicity of the LMC, there is no clear difference in the C2H2 abundance among LMC and Galactic stars. This reflects the effect of the third dredge-up bringing self-produced carbon to the surface, leading to high carbon-to-oxygen ratio at low metallicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a Spitzer Space Telescope spectroscopic survey of mass-losing carbon stars (and one oxygen-rich star) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The stars represent the superwind phase on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB), which forms a major source of dust for the interstellar medium (ISM) in galaxies. Bolometric magnitudes indicate progenitor masses of . The spectra cover the wavelength range 5–38 μm. They show varying combinations of dust continuum, dust emission features (SiC, MgS) and molecular absorption bands (C2H2, HCN). A 10-μm absorption feature is attributed to C3. A weak band at 5.8 μm is suggestive of carbonyl. The circumstellar 7.5-μm C2H2 band is found to be stronger at lower metallicity, explained by higher C/O ratios at low metallicity. The versus colours, used to select the sample, are shown to be relatively insensitive in separating carbon versus oxygen-rich AGB stars. The predominance of carbon stars therefore indicates that in the range , LMC AGB stars become carbon-rich before onset of the superwind. A set of four narrow bands, dubbed the Manchester system, is used to define the infrared continuum for dusty carbon stars. We investigate the strength and central wavelength of the SiC and MgS dust bands as a function of colour and metallicity. The line-to-continuum ratio of these bands shows some indication of being lower at low metallicity. The MgS band is only seen at dust temperatures below 600 K. Metal-poor carbon stars can form amorphous carbon dust from self-produced carbon. The formation efficiency of oxygen-rich dust depends more strongly on metallicity. In lower-metallicity environments, the dust input into the ISM by AGB stars may be strongly biased towards carbonaceous dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the structure and formation history of infrared stellar populations in central parts of the Milky Way. Extinction, metallicity and age of individual stars; Causes of increases in star formation; Luminosity functions across the inner galactic plane.