Showing papers by "Massimo Marengo published in 2001"

Theoretical Limb Darkening for Pulsating Cepheids

Abstract: This work presents a new method to compute time and wavelength dependent center-to-limb brightness distributions for Classical Cepheids. Our model atmospheres are based on second-order accurate 1-D hydrodynamic calculations, performed in spherical geometry. The brightness intensity distributions, and the resulting limb darkening, are computed through the dynamic atmospheres by using a full set of atomic and molecular opacities. Our results confirm important differences with respect to equivalent hydrostatic models. The amount of limb darkening, and the shape of the limb profiles, show a strong dependence on the pulsational phase of the Cepheid, which cannot be reproduced by static models. Non-linear effects in our hydrodynamic equations add a new level of complexity in the wavelength dependence of our limb profiles, which are affected by the presence of shock-waves traveling through the atmosphere. These effects, already detectable by present-day interferometers, should be taken into consideration when deriving limb darkened diameters for nearby Cepheids with the accuracy required to measure their radial pulsations.

100‐yr mass‐loss modulations on the asymptotic giant branch

Abstract: We analyse the differences in infrared circumstellar dust emission between oxygen-rich Mira and non-Mira stars, and find that they are statistically significant. In particular, we find that these stars segregate in the K–[12] versus [12]–[25] colour–colour diagram, and have distinct properties of the IRAS LRS spectra, including the peak position of the silicate emission feature. We show that the infrared emission from the majority of non-Mira stars cannot be explained within the context of standard steady-state outflow models. The models can be altered to fit the data for non-Mira stars by postulating non-standard optical properties for silicate grains, or by assuming that the dust temperature at the inner envelope radius is significantly lower (300–400 K) than typical silicate grain condensation temperatures (800–1000 K). We argue that the latter is more probable and provide detailed model fits to the IRAS LRS spectra for 342 stars. These fits imply that two-thirds of non-Mira stars and one-third of Mira stars do not have hot dust (>500 K) in their envelopes. The absence of hot dust can be interpreted as a recent (∼100 yr) decrease in the mass-loss rate. The distribution of best-fitting model parameters agrees with this interpretation and strongly suggests that the mass loss resumes on similar time-scales. Such a possibility appears to be supported by a number of spatially resolved observations (e.g. recent Hubble Space Telescope images of the multiple shells in the Egg Nebula) and is consistent with new dynamical models for mass loss on the asymptotic giant branch.

100-year Mass Loss Modulations on the Asymptotic Giant Branch

Abstract: We analyze the differences in infrared circumstellar dust emission between oxygen rich Mira and non-Mira stars, and find that they are statistically significant. In particular, we find that these stars segregate in the K-[12] vs. [12]-[25] color-color diagram, and have distinct properties of the IRAS LRS spectra, including the peak position of the silicate emission feature. We show that the infrared emission from the majority of non-Mira stars cannot be explained within the context of standard steady-state outflow models. The models can be altered to fit the data for non-Mira stars by postulating non-standard optical properties for silicate grains, or by assuming that the dust temperature at the inner envelope radius is significantly lower (300-400 K) than typical silicate grain condensation temperatures (800-1000 K). We argue that the latter is more probable and provide detailed model fits to the IRAS LRS spectra for 342 stars. These fits imply that 2/3 of non-Mira stars and 1/3 of Mira stars do not have hot dust ($>$ 500 K) in their envelopes. The absence of hot dust can be interpreted as a recent (order of 100 yr) decrease in the mass-loss rate. The distribution of best-fit model parameters agrees with this interpretation and strongly suggests that the mass loss resumes on similar time scales. Such a possibility appears to be supported by a number of spatially resolved observations (e.g. recent HST images of the multiple shells in the Egg Nebula) and is consistent with new dynamical models for mass loss on the Asymptotic Giant Branch.

Mid-IR Observations of Mira Circumstellar Environment

Abstract: This paper presents results from high-angular resolution mid-IR imaging of the Mira AB circumbinary environment using the MIRAC3 camera at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF). We resolved the dusty circumstellar envelope at 9.8, 11.7 and 18 micron around Mira A (o Ceti), and measured the size of the extended emission. Strong deviations from spherical symmetry are detected in the images of Mira AB system, including possible dust clumps in the direction of the companion (Mira B). These observations suggest that Mira B plays an active role in shaping the morphology of the circumstellar environment of Mira A as it evolves toward the Planetary Nebula phase.

Mid-Infrared Observations of the Mira Circumstellar Environment

Abstract: This Letter presents results from high angular resolution mid-IR imaging of the Mira AB circumbinary environment using the Mid-InfraRed Array Camera MIRAC3 at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. We resolved the dusty circumstellar envelope at 9.8, 11.7, and 18 μm around Mira A (o Ceti) and measured the size of the extended emission. Strong deviations from spherical symmetry are detected in the images of the Mira AB system, including possible dust clumps in the direction of the companion (Mira B). These observations suggest that Mira B plays an active role in shaping the morphology of the circumstellar environment of Mira A as it evolves toward the planetary nebula phase.