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Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Circumstellar shells

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Full-Text Articles in Astrophysics and Astronomy

R Aquarii: Evidence For A Two-Sided Radio Jet And A Circumbinary Sio Maser, Menas Kafatos, J. M. Hollis, F. Yusef-Zadeh, A. G. Michalitsianos, M. Elitzur Jan 1989

R Aquarii: Evidence For A Two-Sided Radio Jet And A Circumbinary Sio Maser, Menas Kafatos, J. M. Hollis, F. Yusef-Zadeh, A. G. Michalitsianos, M. Elitzur

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We have detected collimated 4.86 GHz (~6 cm) radio continuum emission southwest (SW) of the symbiotic vanable R Aquarii by combining data corresponding to different configurations of the Very Large Array (VLA). In the xontext of a previously reported northeast (NE) 6 cm jet structure, the orientation of the newly found SW radto structure suggests bipolar symmetry, extending to distances of ~2500 AU on either side of the central H II region. The amorphous morphology of the new collimated SW structure is distinct from the discrete radio knots NE of the central object. Further, we have determined the radio spectral …


Sub-Arc Second 2 Centimeter Continuum And Sio Spectral Line Observations Of R Aquarii, J. M. Hollis, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, M. C. H. Wright, W. J. Welch Jan 1986

Sub-Arc Second 2 Centimeter Continuum And Sio Spectral Line Observations Of R Aquarii, J. M. Hollis, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, M. C. H. Wright, W. J. Welch

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

ub-arc second (- 0'.'15) VLA observations at 2 em have resolved the previously reported 6 em H II region, which engulfs the R Aquarii binary system, into two components. The stronger 2 em component is itself partially resolved (distorted in shape), which may be a consequence of the long-period variable (LPV) wind being subjected to the intense ionizing radiation field of the hot companion's accretion disk, which we suspect is precessing. The distorted radio contours of the central H II region may also suggest that one hemisphere of the extended LPV envelope is directly illuminated by the intense radiation field …


High Spatial Resolution Vla Observations Of The R Aquarii Jet, Menas Kafatos, J. M. Hollis, A. G. Michalitsianos Jan 1983

High Spatial Resolution Vla Observations Of The R Aquarii Jet, Menas Kafatos, J. M. Hollis, A. G. Michalitsianos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

High spatial resolution observations (~1") of the jet feature associated with the symbiotic variable R Aquarii were obtained with the Very Large Array (VLA). The peak radio intensity of the jet lies at a 29~3 P.A. with respect to the radio emission from R Aquarii itself. If the line defined by the jet and star is extended ~196", it intercepts a previously reported and heretofore unresolved radio source. In our high spatial resolution 6 cm map, this feature is resolved into a compact double radio source, whose peak intensity lies on an axis defined by the jet and star. The …


International Ultraviolet Explorer Observations Of The Aquarii Jet, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos Jan 1982

International Ultraviolet Explorer Observations Of The Aquarii Jet, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Ultraviolet spectra were obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer of the newly discovered optical-radio jet feature in the symbiotic variable R Aquarii. The far-UV continuum of the jet is characterized by strong continuum which rises with decreasing wavelength in the 1200-2000 A wavelength range and is considerably different in appearance from the relatively flat continuum exhibited by ionized nebulosity in the central star. Prominent Si III] and Si II emission lines seen in the central region are virtually absent in the jet. This could reflect the depletion of silicon in the feature, the result of grain formation in material that …


Radio And Optical Observations Of The R Aquarii Jet, R. J. Sopka, G. Herbig, Menas Kafatos, A. G. Michalitsianos Jan 1982

Radio And Optical Observations Of The R Aquarii Jet, R. J. Sopka, G. Herbig, Menas Kafatos, A. G. Michalitsianos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

VLA observations at 6 cm and Lick Observatory optical plates of R Aquarii indicate the existence of a jetlike feature extending 7" -10" from the central star. A wide field map at 6 cm shows an unresolved compact radio source which lies close to the axis defined by the jet at a distance of ~ 3' from R Aqr. Episodic mass transfer in this symbiotic variable could explain the erratic outbursts that R Aqr is known to undergo. Formation of an accretion disk and the accompanying radio-optical jet may characterize the observed outbursts in this system.


Iue Observations Of Circumstellar Emission From The Late Type Variable R Aquarii (M7 + Pec), A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, R. W. Hobbs Jan 1980

Iue Observations Of Circumstellar Emission From The Late Type Variable R Aquarii (M7 + Pec), A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, R. W. Hobbs

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

IUE observations of R Aquarii (M7 + pec) have been obtained in low dispersion in order to study its circumstellar emission. Strong permitted, semiforbidden, and forbidden emission lines are identified that are superposed on a bright ultraviolet continuum. From our analysis we deduce that the strong emission-line spectrum that involves C III], C IV, Si III], [0 II], and [0 III] probably arises from a dense compact nebula the size of which is comparable to the binary system of which R Aqr is the primary star. Low-excitation emission lines of Fe II, Mg II, 0 1, and Si II suggest …


Sporadic Mass Ejection In Red Supergiants, Menas Kafatos, A. G. Michalitsianos Jan 1979

Sporadic Mass Ejection In Red Supergiants, Menas Kafatos, A. G. Michalitsianos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We have applied a general mechanism first proposed by J. A. Burke to red supergiants for determining the spin-down rate and angular momentum loss of rotating stars. This model relies principally on sporadic mass ejection, which is assumed to be the result of turbulent elements accelerating material in cool supergiant.atmospheres. Mass is preferentially expelled in the forward direction of rotation, resulting in a rapid loss of angular momentum on time scales of 1Q^4-10^6 years in the supergiant evolutionary phase. Such rotational breaking will occur if the turbulent elements have characteristic sizes a few percent of the stellar radius, and rms …


Mass Loss And Oh Maser Emission From Mira Variables, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos Jan 1978

Mass Loss And Oh Maser Emission From Mira Variables, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We have estimated the mass, radius, and luminosity of 26 Mira variables that are known OH sources of radio emission at 1612 MHz. The time-independent solution of Salpeter's stellar wind equation and a period-density relation are used to solve for basic stellar parameters, with the aid of the terminal expansion velocity of the OH maser cloud. Masses obtained from these calculations are consistent with other estimated values for masses of Mira variables. Good agreement is obtained when comparing the rate of mass loss as determined from Reimers's semiempirical relation to estimates of the mass loss rate as deduced from theoretical …