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Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Mass loss

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Full-Text Articles in Astrophysics and Astronomy

Evidence Signalling The Start Of Enhanced Counterjet Flow In The Symbiotic System R Aquarii, A. G. Michalitsianos, M. Perez, Menas Kafatos Jan 1994

Evidence Signalling The Start Of Enhanced Counterjet Flow In The Symbiotic System R Aquarii, A. G. Michalitsianos, M. Perez, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The velocity structure of strong far-UV emission lines observed in the symbiotic variable R Aqr suggests the start of new jet activity which will probably culminate in the appearance of a series of intense nebular emission knots within a decade. This is indicated by a systematic redward wavelength drift of emission lines, which we have followed with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IV E) since the discovery of the brilliant northeast jet emission knots more than 10 years ago. The C IV λλ1548, 1550 resonance lines, which previously showed a prominent blue asymmetric wing that extended to velocities in excess -200 …


Variable Ultraviolet Emission In Sy Muscae, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos Jan 1984

Variable Ultraviolet Emission In Sy Muscae, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Following the enhancement in ultraviolet flux which we reported previously, we have continued monitoring the symbiotic variable SY Muscae with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (JUE). Over the course of one year, the prominent emission lines of N v, 0 v, C rv, He II appear to be gradually decreasing in absolute intensity. This appears to coincide with a steady decline in electron density in the emission line forming region, as suggested from the Sim] :\1892 and Cm] :\1909 intensity ratio. Our data is consistent with a sudden ejection event in which material expelled from the surface of a hot Teff …


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 …


A Brightening Of The Symbiotic Variable Sy Muscae, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, W. A. Feibelman, G. Wallerstein Jan 1982

A Brightening Of The Symbiotic Variable Sy Muscae, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, W. A. Feibelman, G. Wallerstein

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The symbiotic variable SY Muscae has been observed with IUE in September 1980 and June 1981 and in the photographic region in May 1981. The entire ultraviolet spectrum brightened between September and June by about a factor of 5. The spectrum shows high excitation including emission from N v and high electron density, about 10^10 cm^-3 as determined from various line ratios in the ultraviolet. The optical spectrum is dominated by permitted lines; even [0 m] is very weak again indicating high density in the ionized region. The increase in ultraviolet continuum and line emission may be due to enhanced …


Ultraviolet Observations Of Four Symbiotic Stars, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, W. A. Feibelman, R. W. Hobbs Jan 1982

Ultraviolet Observations Of Four Symbiotic Stars, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, W. A. Feibelman, R. W. Hobbs

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Observations were obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) of four symbiotic stars. The UV spectra of YY Her, SY Mus, CL Sco, and BX Mon are characterized by varying degrees of thermal excitation. We have analyzed these low resolution spectra in terms of line-blanketed model atmospheres of early A, B, and F type stars in order to identify the nature of the hot companion in these systems. The expected emission from early main sequence stars does not fully explain the observed distribution of UV continuum energy over the entire IUE spectral range (1200-3200 A). More likely the observed continuum …


Ultraviolet Observations Of The 1980 Eclipse Of The Symbiotic Star Ci Cygni, R. E. Stencel, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, A. A. Boyarchuk Jan 1982

Ultraviolet Observations Of The 1980 Eclipse Of The Symbiotic Star Ci Cygni, R. E. Stencel, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, A. A. Boyarchuk

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Secular and eclipse variations of UV lines and continua during the course of nearly a full orbit of the symbiotic binary CI Cygni are presented. High-excitation resonance lines have brightened on an orbital time scale and show minimal effects of eclipse, while intercombination lines have faded and show pronounced but nontotal eclipse effects. The data are discussed in terms of mass transfer from the extended cool envelope of the red giant to a compact secondary. The formation of an accretion disk is a transitory phenomenon in which viscosity eventually dissipates the disk over orbital time scales. A large-scale low-density nebula …


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 Two Late Type Stars: R Aql And W Hya, Menas Kafatos, A. G. Michalitsianos, R. W. Hobbs Jan 1980

Iue Observations Of Two Late Type Stars: R Aql And W Hya, Menas Kafatos, A. G. Michalitsianos, R. W. Hobbs

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Ultraviolet spectra of two late type M stars R Aql and W Hya were obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). Spectra were obtained of R Aql near maximum (cf>=0.21) and minimum (cf>=0.65) of the visible light curve. We find that the absolute flux intensity of the Mgn resonance doublet (2796 A, 2803 A) is essentially the same at these phases in the visible light curve. A nebular emission feature at 3133 A is detected at minimum light in R Aql that is possibly due to 0 III. Mg II emission is totally absent in W Hya, which …


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 …