Evolution of asymptotic giant branch stars in the Magellanic Clouds. III. The problem of intermediate-mass stars

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165621· OSTI ID:5553669

Mould, J; Reid, N

Two samples of red giants in the LMC with bolometric magnitudes in the interval (-4, -8) are examined spectroscopically. These samples are deficient in luminous stars (Mbol less than -5.5) with any evidence of third dredge-up. A number of explanations are considered, of which the most likely (if standard estimates are correct for the maximum mass star that can become an AGB star) is that stars of 2-5 solar masses spend their thermal pulsing lifetime in a brief Mira phase, and that their evolution is rapidly truncated by depletion of the stellar envelope by mass loss. 20 references.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena; Royal Greenwich Observatory, Herstmonceux, England
• OSTI ID: 5553669
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 321; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
GALAXIES
GIANT STARS
MAGELLANIC CLOUDS
MASS
MASS TRANSFER
RADIAL VELOCITY
RED GIANT STARS
SPECTROSCOPY
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
VELOCITY