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A stellar endgame -- the born-again Sakurai's object

M. Asplund·B. Gustafsson·D. L. Lambert·N. K. Rao
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Abstract

The surface chemical composition of this remarkable star shows that it is hydrogen-deficient, carbon-rich and enriched in the light s-process elements. Spectra taken in May and October 1996 indicate a decrease in the surface hydrogen abundance by 0.7 dex in five months along with an increase in the abundances of Li, Sr, Y and Zr. The abundance changes are in agreement with the hypothesis of the star being a rapidly evolving ``born-again'' AGB star experiencing a final He-shell flash, similar to FG Sge. The C^12/C^13 ratio in October is very low, also suggesting hydrogen ingestion. By chemical composition, Sakurai's object resembles the R Coronae Borealis (R CrB) stars.

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M. Asplund, B. Gustafsson, D. L. Lambert, N. K. Rao. 1997-04-01. A stellar endgame -- the born-again Sakurai's object. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9704005

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