Post-AGB Objects as a Phase of Stellar Evolution

Post-AGB Objects as a Phase of Stellar Evolution
Author: R. Szczerba
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 480
Release: 2001-08-31
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780792371458

The term proto-planetary nebulae (PPNe), in the context of the late stages of stellar evolution, was created just over 20 years ago, to express the belief that in the near future these objects will become planetary nebulae (PNe). The first proto-planetary nebulae (also called post-Asymptotic Giant Branch or post-AGB objects) were discovered in the mid-1970s in the course of the Air Force Sky Survey. Investigation of this phase of stellar evolution developed very rapidly in the 1980s after the IRAS mission when it became clear that proto-planetary nebulae emit a significant part of their energy in the mid- and far-infrared. A new impetus in this field began in the 1990s with high spatial resolution imaging in mid-infrared and optical wavelengths. Evidence has been found that proto-planetary nebulae (at least their central parts) are quite asymmetric while shells of AGB stars display spherical shapes. The most intriguing challenge now is to understand which physical processes are dominant during formation and evolution of proto-planetary nebulae. Is it magnetic field, evolution in binary systems, planets, axisymmetric superwind mass loss and its further shaping by fast wind, collimated jets interacting with a spherically symmetric AGB remnant or maybe an interplay between these different processes? Another challenge is to explain why the mass loss process near the end of the AGB evolution is modulated on timescales of a few hundred years. The model presented during this workshop seems to be very promising in this respect.

Post-AGB Objects as a Phase of Stellar Evolution

Post-AGB Objects as a Phase of Stellar Evolution
Author: R. Szczerba
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 457
Release: 2013-03-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401596883

The term proto-planetary nebulae (PPNe) in the context of the late stages of stellar evolution was created only slightly more than 20 years ago to express the belief that in the near future these objects will become planetary nebulae (PNe). The first proto-planetary nebulae (called also post-Asymptotic Giant Branch, or shortly post-AGB objects) AFGL 2688 and AFGL 618 were discovered in mid seventies in course of the Air Force Sky Survey. Investigation of this phase of stellar evolution developed very rapidly in 1980's after the IRAS mission when it became clear that proto-planetary nebulae emit a significant part of their energy in the mid-and far-infrared. Hundreds of new candidates have been proposed but the recognition of the real proto-planetary nebulae is not a simple task and needs a substantial effort to exclude cases that represent different evolutionary stages. High resolution spectroscopy of stellar atmospheres is of much importance in this respect. Surprisingly, only a small group of central stars, the so called 21 11m emitters, show chemical signatures of the 3 rd dredge up process. Very recently, a more detailed studies of mid-infrared spectra from the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) allow for a better understanding of chemical composition and evolution of circumstellar material around these stars. A new impetus in the field of proto-planetary nebulae research was started in the 1990's with high spatial resolution imaging in mid-infrared and optical wavelength ranges.

Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars

Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars
Author: Harm J. Habing
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 566
Release: 2013-04-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1475738765

The underlying astrophysical mechanisms of the objects known as asymptotic giant branch stars - the structures that occur during the dramatic period prior to a star's death - is the main theme of this text. Over the past three decades, asymptotic giant branch stars have become a topic of their own, and the contributions to this volume all focus on these entities themselves, rather than their connections to other fields of astronomy. Among the many topics covered are new methods of high- quality infrared observation and the more detailed and realistic simulations made possible by increasingly fast computers. This collection should be useful to graduate students who work in the field, teachers who want to address the subject in their courses, and to astronomers from various backgrounds who are interested in the astrophysics of AGB stars.

The Impact of Binary Stars on Stellar Evolution

The Impact of Binary Stars on Stellar Evolution
Author: Giacomo Beccari
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 359
Release: 2019-04-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1108428584

An advanced review of how binary stars affect stellar evolution, presenting results from state-of-the art models and recent observations.

ISO Science Legacy

ISO Science Legacy
Author: Catherine Cesarsky
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 436
Release: 2006-06-30
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1402038445

This book recounts results obtained via the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) on comets, in the close environment of pre-main sequence stars, in the interstellar medium, and in the final stages of stellar life, using molecular hydrogen, ubiquitous crystalline silicates, water and ices. ISO has enabled investigation of the fuelling mechanism of galaxies, and new understanding of luminous infrared galaxies and their role in shaping present galaxies and in producing the cosmic infrared background.

Mass-Losing Pulsating Stars and their Circumstellar Matter

Mass-Losing Pulsating Stars and their Circumstellar Matter
Author: Y. Nakada
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 427
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401001391

Editing the proceedings of a scientific meeting is not an easy task. Sometimes people who give an excellent talk do not send the manuscript by the deadline. However, this time, thanks to the punctuality of all the participants, we have this excellent volume for the workshop on mass losing pulsating stars and their circumstellar matter prepared in time. Almost all of the oral presentations including the summary are collected in this volume. We regret that we cannot put in this volume a few posters that we failed to receive before the editorial work. The workshop was planned as a small meeting with less than fifty attendants because the city of Sendai was far from the most of the active institutions. However, the number of submitted papers exceeded the SOC's expectation; many interesting contributions had to be scheduled in the poster session. Still, the oral sessions were so tight that many participants might have felt frustrated for the shortage of discussions. The organizers of the workshop have to apologize to the attendants for the inconvenience caused from such a happy underestimate about the size of the workshop.

Stellar Structure and Evolution

Stellar Structure and Evolution
Author: Rudolf Kippenhahn
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 480
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642615236

A complete and comprehensive treatment of the physics of the stellar interior and the underlying fundamental processes and parameters. The text presents an overview of the models developed to explain the stability, dynamics and evolution of the stars, and great care is taken to detail the various stages in a star's life. The authors have succeeded in producing a unique text based on their own pioneering work in stellar modeling. Since its publication, this textbook has come to be considered a classic by both readers and teachers in astrophysics. This study edition is intended for students in astronomy and physics alike.

The Impact of Binary Stars on Stellar Evolution

The Impact of Binary Stars on Stellar Evolution
Author: Giacomo Beccari
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 359
Release: 2019-04-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1108681948

Stars are mostly found in binary and multiple systems, with at least 50% of all solar-like stars having companions; this fraction approaches 100% for the most massive stars. A large proportion of these systems interact and alter the structure and evolution of their components, leading to exotic objects such as Algol variables, blue stragglers and other chemically peculiar stars, but also to phenomena such as non-spherical planetary nebulae, supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. While it is understood that binaries play a critical role in the Initial Mass Function, the interactions among binary systems significantly affect the dynamical evolution of stellar clusters and galaxies. This interdisciplinary volume presents results from state-of-the-art models and observations aimed at studying the impact of binaries on stellar evolution in resolved and unresolved populations. Serving as a bridge between observational and theoretical astronomy, it is a comprehensive review for researchers and advanced students of astrophysics.

New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics

New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2011-02-04
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309157994

Driven by discoveries, and enabled by leaps in technology and imagination, our understanding of the universe has changed dramatically during the course of the last few decades. The fields of astronomy and astrophysics are making new connections to physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. Based on a broad and comprehensive survey of scientific opportunities, infrastructure, and organization in a national and international context, New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics outlines a plan for ground- and space- based astronomy and astrophysics for the decade of the 2010's. Realizing these scientific opportunities is contingent upon maintaining and strengthening the foundations of the research enterprise including technological development, theory, computation and data handling, laboratory experiments, and human resources. New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics proposes enhancing innovative but moderate-cost programs in space and on the ground that will enable the community to respond rapidly and flexibly to new scientific discoveries. The book recommends beginning construction on survey telescopes in space and on the ground to investigate the nature of dark energy, as well as the next generation of large ground-based giant optical telescopes and a new class of space-based gravitational observatory to observe the merging of distant black holes and precisely test theories of gravity. New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics recommends a balanced and executable program that will support research surrounding the most profound questions about the cosmos. The discoveries ahead will facilitate the search for habitable planets, shed light on dark energy and dark matter, and aid our understanding of the history of the universe and how the earliest stars and galaxies formed. The book is a useful resource for agencies supporting the field of astronomy and astrophysics, the Congressional committees with jurisdiction over those agencies, the scientific community, and the public.

Spectral Atlas for Amateur Astronomers

Spectral Atlas for Amateur Astronomers
Author: Richard Walker
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 295
Release: 2017-07-20
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1107165903

A full colour reference featuring detailed commented spectral profiles of more than one hundred astronomical objects.