skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Investigation of dust associated with shell stars. Final report 1984-1985

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6176114

This project investigated the association of dust with shell stars. Shell stars are identified by emission lines in their spectra, which have been produced in a shell of hot gas surrounding the star. Additional observed properties have indicated the presence of dust, but the direct association of dust with individual shell stars has not been demonstrated conclusively. The first phase of this project was designed to show the presence of dust around the two shell stars, and the second phase investigated their variability. The technique used for both phases was photoelectric photometry. Two sets of filters, broad band and narrow band, were used, in two photometers. The color index obtained from the broad band filters can detect the effects of dust on the star's light and, when compared to neighboring stars, can show whether the dust is directly associated with the star. Variability was searched for, using both sets of filters. AB Aurigal was not found to have a significant amount of circumsteller dust, but FS Canis Major has a strong indication of circumsteller dust and its observed variability has been shown to be a result of its circumsteller dust shell and not any variation of its actual physical properties.

Research Organization:
Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
OSTI ID:
6176114
Report Number(s):
AD-A-158945/6/XAB; USNA-TSPR-131
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English