From red giant to planetary nebula - Dust, asymmetry, and polarization

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Astronomical Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/115801· OSTI ID:5550776

Johnson, J J; Jones, T J ^[1]

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1. Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, Canberra (Australia) Minnesota, University, Minneapolis (USA)

The polarization characteristics of stars in the stages of evolution from red giant to planetary nebula are investigated. Polarization is found to be a characteristic of the majority of these stars. The maximum observed polarization increases with age as the star evolves up the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) to the protoplanetary nebula phase, where the polarization reaches a maximum. The polarization then decreases as the star further evolves into a planetary nebula. These results indicate that aspherical mass loss is likely to be a continual feature of the late stages of stellar evolution, maintaining a clear continuity throughout the life of a star from the moment it first develops a measurable dust shell. The aspherical morphology seen in planetary nebulae has its origin in an intrinsic property of the star that is present at least as early as its arrival at the base of the AGB. 77 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5550776
• Journal Information: Astronomical Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Astronomical Journal; (United States) Vol. 101; ISSN 0004-6256; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC DUST
DUSTS
GIANT STARS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MORPHOLOGY
NEBULAE
PLANETARY NEBULAE
POLARIMETRY
POLARIZATION
RED GIANT STARS
SATELLITES
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS