Mass loss, long-period variables, and the formation of circumnebular shells

Kafatos, M. ; Michalitsanos, A. G. ; Vardya, M. S. (1977) Mass loss, long-period variables, and the formation of circumnebular shells The Astrophysical Journal, 216 (2). pp. 526-530. ISSN 0004-637X

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Official URL: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1977ApJ...216..526K

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/155494

Abstract

We have found that the rate of mass loss M· increases with an increase in the period of pulsation for Mira-type variables. This result suggests that the rate of mass loss is accelerated with time until a maximum value is reached before the ejection of the outer envelope. The matter from the continuous mass loss during the evolution of the star produces supersonic shock waves that sweep up the interstellar gas upon encountering the interstellar medium, so that a shell is formed. This phenomenon may account for the observations of extended regions of emission that surround planetary nebulae.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to American Astronomical Society.
Keywords:Periodic Variations; Planetary Nebulae; Secular Variations; Stellar Envelopes; Stellar Mass Ejection; Variable Stars; Interplanetary Gas; Mira Variables; Red Giant Stars; Shock Wave Propagation; Stellar Models; Stellar Winds; Supersonic Speed
ID Code:57427
Deposited On:27 Aug 2011 15:11
Last Modified:18 May 2016 08:48

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