Mira variables, mass loss, and the fate of red giant stars

Journal Article · Sat Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/154957· OSTI ID:7223038

Wood, P R; Cahn, J H

The period distribution of Mira variables has been obtained for a region near the galactic plane, and from this distribution a strip of instability for Mira variables in the mass-luminosity plane has been derived. Mass loss rates that are smaller by factors of 2 to 4 than those obtained by Reimers are required to explain the existence of the high-velocity and halo Miras with periods less than 300 days. Assuming that the high-luminosity edge of the Mira instability strip coincides with ejection of the hydrogen-rich envelope, we derive remnant white dwarf (or planetary nebula nucleus) masses and masses of planetary nebulae as a function of initial stellar mass. Using a mainsequence death rate function, we find that near the plane of the Galaxy the mass distribution of planetary nebula nuclei is highly peaked in the mass range 0.6--0.8 M/sub sun/, while the mass distribution of planetary nebulae is bimodal, with peaks near 0.01 and 0.8 M/sub sun/. The mass distribution of white dwarfs produced near the galactic plane during the lifetime of the Galaxy is also predicted to show a strong peak near 0.75 M/sub sun/. The lower initial mass limit for stars which produce degenerate cores of 1.4 M/sub sun/ and therefore possibly supernovae lies in the range approx.3.7 to approx.4.7 M/sub sun/.

• Research Organization: Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• OSTI ID: 7223038
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 211:2; ISSN ASJOA
• 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
DWARF STARS
GIANT STARS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEBULAE
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
PLANETARY NEBULAE
RED GIANT STARS
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR WINDS
VARIABLE STARS
WHITE DWARF STARS