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Spatially resolving the AGB star V3 in the metal-poor globular cluster 47 Tuc with VLTI/GRAVITY⋆
Astronomy & Astrophysics ( IF 6.5 ) Pub Date : 2024-03-18 , DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202349121
K. Ohnaka , G. Weigelt , K.-H. Hofmann , D. Schertl

Context. Mass loss at the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) plays an important role not only in the final fates of stars, but also in the chemical evolution of galaxies. Nevertheless, the metallicity effects on AGB mass loss are not yet fully understood.Aims. We present spatially resolved observations of an AGB star, V3, in the metal-poor globular cluster 47 Tuc (NGC 104).Methods. The AGB star 47 Tuc V3 was observed using the GRAVITY instrument at ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) at 2–2.45 μm, with a projected baseline length of up to 96 m.Results. The object 47 Tuc V3 has been spatially resolved and stands as the first to attempt to spatially resolve an individual star in a globular cluster. The uniform-disk fit to the observed data results in an angular diameter of ∼0.7 mas. Our modeling of the spectral energy distribution and near-infrared interferometric GRAVITY data suggests that the observed data can be explained by an optically thin dust shell with a 0.55 μm optical depth of 0.05–0.25, consisting of metallic iron grains, likely together with effects of the extended atmosphere of the central star. The dust temperature at the inner shell boundary is 500–800 K (corresponding to 23–90 stellar radii), significantly lower than observed in nearby oxygen-rich AGB stars. Radiation pressure on small (< 0.05 μm) iron grains is not sufficient to drive stellar winds. Therefore, iron grains may grow to larger sizes, even in the metal-poor environment. Alternatively, it is possible that the observed iron grain formation is a result of the mass outflow initiated by some other mechanism(s).Conclusions. The sensitivity and angular resolution of VLTI provides a new window onto spatially resolving individual stars in metal-poor globular clusters. This allows us to improve subsequent studies of the metallicity dependence of dust formation and mass loss.

中文翻译:

利用 VLTI/GRAVITY 空间解析贫金属球状星团 47 Tuc 中的 AGB 星 V3⋆

语境。渐近巨星分支(AGB)的质量损失不仅在恒星的最终命运中发挥着重要作用,而且在星系的化学演化中也发挥着重要作用。然而,金属丰度对 AGB 质量损失的影响尚未完全了解。目标。我们提出了对贫金属球状星团 47 Tuc (NGC 104) 中一颗 AGB 恒星 V3 的空间分辨观测结果。方法。AGB 星 47 Tuc V3 是使用 ESO 甚大望远镜干涉仪 (VLTI) 的重力仪器在 2–2.45 μm 处观测到的,预计基线长度可达 96 m。结果。天体 47 Tuc V3 已被空间解析,并且是第一个尝试对球状星团中的单个恒星进行空间解析的天体。与观测数据的均匀圆盘拟合导致角直径为 ∼0.7 mas。我们对光谱能量分布和近红外干涉引力数据的建模表明,观测到的数据可以用光学厚度为 0.05-0.25 的 0.55 μm 光学深度的光学薄尘埃壳来解释,该尘埃壳由金属铁颗粒组成,可能还伴有中心恒星的扩展大气层。内壳边界的尘埃温度为 500-800 K(相当于 23-90 颗恒星半径),明显低于在附近富氧 AGB 恒星中观察到的温度。小铁粒(< 0.05 μm)上的辐射压力不足以驱动恒星风。因此,即使在金属贫乏的环境中,铁晶粒也可能生长到更大的尺寸。或者,观察到的铁晶粒形成可能是由某些其他机制引发的质量流出的结果。结论。VLTI 的灵敏度和角分辨率为空间分辨贫金属球状星团中的单个恒星提供了一个新的窗口。这使我们能够改进粉尘形成和质量损失的金属丰度依赖性的后续研究。
更新日期:2024-03-18
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