Long-period variable stars in NGC 147 and NGC 185-II. Their dust production

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of mass-loss and dust-production rates in the dwarf galaxies NGC 147 and NGC 185, focusing on long-period variables (LPVs) and pulsating asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars as primary indicators of dust feedback into the interstellar medium. For NGC 147, the total mass-loss rate is calculated as $(9.44 \pm 3.78) \times 10^{-4} M_{sun} yr^{-1}$, with LPV luminosities ranging from $(6.20 \pm 0.25) \times 10^{2} L_\odot$ to $( 7.87 \pm 0.32) \times 10^{3} L_\odot $. In NGC 185, the total mass-loss rate is higher, at $(1.58 \pm 0.63) \times 10^{-3} M_{sun} yr^{-1}$, with LPV luminosities spanning $ (5.68 \pm 0.23) \times 10^{2} L_\odot $ to $(1.54 \pm 0.66) \times 10^{4} L_\odot$. A positive correlation is observed between stellar luminosity, intrinsic reddening due to circumstellar dust self-extinction, and elevated mass-loss rates. Additionally, comparisons of calculated dust injection rates, two-dimensional dust distribution maps, and observed dust masses provide evidence for a gravitational interaction between NGC 147 and the Andromeda galaxy, which influences the dust distribution within the system.