THE ASTROSPHERE OF THE ASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH STAR IRC+10216

Journal Article · Wed Mar 10 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Astrophysical Journal Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/711/2/L53; COUNTRY OF INPUT: INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)· OSTI ID:21305114

Sahai, Raghvendra

We have discovered a very extended shock structure (i.e., with a diameter of about 24') surrounding the well-known carbon star IRC+10216 in ultraviolet images taken with the Galaxy Evolution Explorer satellite. We conclude that this structure results from the interaction of IRC+10216's molecular wind with the interstellar medium (ISM), as it moves through the latter. All important structural features expected from theoretical models of such interactions are identified: the termination shock, the astrosheath, the astropause, the bow shock, and an astrotail (with vortices). The extent of the astropause provides new lower limits to the envelope age (69,000 years) and mass (1.4 M {sub sun}, for a mass-loss rate of 2 x 10{sup -5} M {sub sun} yr{sup -1}). From the termination-shock standoff distance, we find that IRC+10216 is moving at a speed of about {approx}>91 km s{sup -1} (1 cm{sup -3}/n {sub ISM}){sup 1/2} through the surrounding ISM.

• OSTI ID: 21305114
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal Letters, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Letters Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 711; ISSN 2041-8205
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
CARBON STARS
DUSTS
EXPLORER SATELLITES
MASS
MATTER
SHOCK WAVES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
VELOCITY