arXiv subjects

J. Alcolea

Publications and source records attributed to J. Alcolea.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

New observations and models of circumstellar CO line emission of AGB stars in the Herschel SUCCESS programme

CONTEXT: Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are in one of the latest evolutionary stages of low to intermediate-mass stars. Their vigorous mass loss has a significant effect on the stellar evolution, and is a significant source of heavy elements and dust grains for the interstellar medium. The mass-loss rate can be well traced by carbon monoxide (CO) line emission. AIMS: We present new Herschel HIFI and IRAM 30m telescope CO line data for a sample of 53 galactic AGB stars. The lines cover a fairly large range of excitation energy from the $J=1\to0$ line to the $J=9\to8$ line, and even the $J=14\to13$ line in a few cases. We perform radiative transfer modelling for 38 of these sources to estimate their mass-loss rates. METHODS: We used a radiative transfer code based on the Monte Carlo method to model the CO line emission. We assume spherically symmetric circumstellar envelopes that are formed by a constant mass-loss rate through a smoothly accelerating wind. RESULTS: We find models that are consistent across a broad range of CO lines for most of the stars in our sample, i.e., a large number of the circumstellar envelopes can be described with a constant mass-loss rate. We also find that an accelerating wind is required to fit, in particular, the higher-J lines and that a velocity law will have a significant effect on the model line intensities. The results cover a wide range of mass-loss rates ($\sim 10^{-8}$ to $2\times 10^{-5}~\mathrm{M}_\odot~\mathrm{ yr}^{-1}$) and gas expansion velocities (2 to $21.5$ km s$^{-1}$), and include M-, S-, and C-type AGB stars. Our results generally agree with those of earlier studies, although we tend to find slightly lower mass-loss rates by about 40%, on average. We also present "bonus" lines detected during our CO observations.

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arXiv2015

The Spanish Square Kilometre Array White Book

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is called to revolutionise essentially all areas of Astrophysics. With a collecting area of about a square kilometre, the SKA will be a transformational instrument, and its scientific potential will go beyond the interests of astronomers. Its technological challenges and huge cost requires a multinational effort, and Europe has recognised this by putting the SKA on the roadmap of the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). The Spanish SKA White Book is the result of the coordinated effort of 120 astronomers from 40 different research centers. The book shows the enormous scientific interest of the Spanish astronomical community in the SKA and warrants an optimum scientific exploitation of the SKA by Spanish researchers, if Spain enters the SKA project.

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arXiv2015

New N-bearing species towards OH231.8+4.2: HNCO, HNCS, HC$_3$N and NO

OH231.8+4.2 is a well studied O-rich CSE around an intermediate-mass evolved star that displays bipolar molecular outflows accelerated up to 400 km/s. OH231 also presents an exceptional molecular richness probably due to shock-induced chemical processes. We report the first detection in this source of HNCO, HNCS, HC3N and NO, with the IRAM-30m telescope in a sensitive mm-wavelength survey towards this target. HNCO and HNCS are also first detections in CSEs. The observed line profiles show that the emission arises in the massive central component of the envelope and at the base of the fast lobes. The NO profiles are broader than those of HNCO, HNCS, and HC3N, and most importantly, broader than the line profiles of 13CO. This indicates that the NO abundance is enhanced in the fast lobes relative to the slow, central parts. From LTE and non-LTE excitation analysis, we estimate beam-average rotational temperatures of 15-30 K (and, maybe, up to 55 K for HC3N) and fractional abundances of X(HNCO)=[0.8-1]E-7, X(HNCS)=[0.9-1]E-8, X(HC3N)=[5-7]E-9 and X(NO)=[1-2]E-6. NO is, therefore, amongst the most abundant N-bearing species in OH231. We have performed thermodynamical chemical equilibrium and chemical kinetics models to investigate the formation of these N-bearing species in OH231. The model underestimates the observed abundances for HNCO, HNCS, and HC3N by several orders of magnitude, which indicates that these molecules can hardly be products of standard UV-photon and/or cosmic-ray induced chemistry in OH231, and that other processes (e.g. shocks) play a major role in their formation. For NO, the model abundance is compatible with the observed average value. The new detections presented in this work corroborate the particularly rich chemistry of OH231, which is likely profoundly influenced by shock-induced processes, as proposed in earlier works.

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arXiv2015

Molecular ions in the O-rich evolved star OH231.8+4.2: HCO$^+$,H$^{13}$CO$^+$ and first detection of SO$^+$, N$_2$H$^+$, and H$_3$O$^+$

OH 231.8+4.2, a bipolar outflow around a Mira-type variable star, displays a unique molecular richness amongst circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) around O-rich AGB and post-AGB stars. We report line observations of the HCO+ and H13CO+ molecular ions and the first detection of SO+, N2H+, and (tentatively) H3O+ in this source. SO+ and H3O+ have not been detected before in CSEs around evolved stars. These data have been obtained as part of a full mm-wave and far-IR spectral line survey carried out with the IRAM 30 m radio telescope and with Herschel/HIFI. Except for H3O+, all the molecular ions detected in this work display emission lines with broad profiles (FWHM 50-90 km/s), which indicates that these ions are abundant in the fast bipolar outflow of OH 231.8. The narrow profile (FWHM 14 km/s) and high critical densities (>1e6cm-3 ) of the H3O+ transitions observed are consistent with this ion arising from denser, inner (and presumably warmer) layers of the fossil remnant of the slow AGB CSE at the core of the nebula. From rotational diagram analysis, we deduce excitation temperatures of Tex 10-20 K for all ions except for H3O+, which is most consistent with Tex 100 K. Although uncertain, the higher excitation temperature suspected for H3O+ is similar to that recently found for H2O and a few other molecules, which selectively trace a previously unidentified, warm nebular component.The column densities of the molecular ions reported here are in the range Ntot [1-8]x1e13 cm-2, leading to beam-averaged fractional abundances relative to H2 of X(HCO+) 1e-8, X(H13CO+) 2e-9, X(SO+) 4e-9, X(N2H+) 2e-9, and X(H3O+) 7e-9 cm-2. We have performed chemical kinetics models to investigate the formation of these ions in OH 231.8 as the result of standard gas phase reactions initiated by cosmic-ray and UV-photon ionization. (abridged).

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arXiv2015

Detection of Keplerian dynamics in a disk around the post-AGB star AC Her

So far, only one rotating disk has been clearly identified and studied in AGB or post-AGB objects (in the Red Rectangle), by means of observations with high spectral and spatial resolution. However, disks are thought to play a key role in the late stellar evolution and are suspected to surround many evolved stars. We aim to extend our knowledge on these structures. We present interferometric observations of CO J=2-1 emission from the nebula surrounding the post-AGB star AC Her, a source belonging to a class of objects that share properties with the Red Rectangle and show hints of Keplerian disks. We clearly detect the Keplerian dynamics of a second disk orbiting an evolved star. Its main properties (size, temperature, central mass) are derived from direct interpretation of the data and model fitting. With this we confirm that there are disks orbiting the stars of this relatively wide class of post-AGB objects

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arXiv2014

The wind of W Hya as seen by Herschel. II. The molecular envelope of W Hya

The evolution of low- and intermediate-mass stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) is mainly controlled by the rate at which these stars lose mass in a stellar wind. Understanding the driving mechanism and strength of the stellar winds of AGB stars and the processes enriching their surfaces with products of nucleosynthesis are paramount to constraining AGB evolution and predicting the chemical evolution of galaxies. In a previous paper we have constrained the structure of the outflowing envelope of W Hya using spectral lines of the $^{12}$CO molecule. Here we broaden this study by modelling an extensive set of H$_{2}$O and $^{28}$SiO lines observed by the three instruments on board Herschel using a state-of-the-art molecular excitation and radiative transfer code. The oxygen isotopic ratios and the $^{28}$SiO abundance profile can be connected to the initial stellar mass and to crucial aspects of dust formation at the base of the stellar wind, respectively. The modelling of H$_{2}$O and $^{28}$SiO confirms the properties of the envelope model of W Hya derived from $^{12}$CO lines. We find an H$_2$O ortho-to-para ratio of 2.5\,$^{+2.5}_{-1.0}$, consistent with what is expected for an AGB wind. The O$^{16}$/O$^{17}$ ratio indicates that W Hya has an initial mass of about 1.5 M$_\odot$. Although the ortho- and para-H$_{2}$O lines observed by HIFI appear to trace gas of slightly different physical properties, a turbulence velocity of $0.7\pm0.1$ km s$^{-1}$ fits the HIFI lines of both spin isomers and those of $^{28}$SiO well. The ortho- and para-H$_2^{16}$O and $^{28}$SiO abundances relative to H$_{2}$ are $(6^{+3}_{-2}) \times 10^{-4}$, $(3^{+2}_{-1}) \times 10^{-4}$, and $(3.3\pm 0.8)\times 10^{-5}$, respectively. Assuming a solar silicon-to-carbon ratio, the $^{28}$SiO line emission model is consistent with about one-third of the silicon atoms being locked up in dust particles.

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arXiv2014

Future mmVLBI Research with ALMA: A European vision

Very long baseline interferometry at millimetre/submillimetre wavelengths (mmVLBI) offers the highest achievable spatial resolution at any wavelength in astronomy. The anticipated inclusion of ALMA as a phased array into a global VLBI network will bring unprecedented sensitivity and a transformational leap in capabilities for mmVLBI. Building on years of pioneering efforts in the US and Europe the ongoing ALMA Phasing Project (APP), a US-led international collaboration with MPIfR-led European contributions, is expected to deliver a beamformer and VLBI capability to ALMA by the end of 2014 (APP: Fish et al. 2013, arXiv:1309.3519). This report focuses on the future use of mmVLBI by the international users community from a European viewpoint. Firstly, it highlights the intense science interest in Europe in future mmVLBI observations as compiled from the responses to a general call to the European community for future research projects. A wide range of research is presented that includes, amongst others: - Imaging the event horizon of the black hole at the centre of the Galaxy - Testing the theory of General Relativity an/or searching for alternative theories - Studying the origin of AGN jets and jet formation - Cosmological evolution of galaxies and BHs, AGN feedback - Masers in the Milky Way (in stars and star-forming regions) - Extragalactic emission lines and astro-chemistry - Redshifted absorption lines in distant galaxies and study of the ISM and circumnuclear gas - Pulsars, neutron stars, X-ray binaries - Testing cosmology - Testing fundamental physical constants

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arXiv2014

SiO masers from AGB stars in the vibrationally excited v=1,v=2, and v=3 states

The v=1 and v=2 J=1-0 (43 GHz), and v=1 J=2-1 (86 GHz) SiO masers are intense in AGB stars and have been mapped using VLBI showing ring-like distributions. Those of the v=1, v=2 J=1-0 masers are similar, but the spots are rarely coincident, while the v=1 J=2-1 maser arises from a well separated region farther out. These relative locations can be explained by models tools that include the overlap of two IR lines of SiO and H2O. The v=3 J=1-0 line is not directly affected by any line overlap and its spot structure and position, relative to the other lines, is a good test to the standard pumping models. We present single-dish and simultaneous VLBI observations of the v=1, v=2, and v=3 J=1-0 maser transitions of 28SiO in several AGB stars. The spatial distribution of the SiO maser emission in the v=3 J=1-0 transition from AGB stars is systematically composed of a series of spots that occupy a ring-like structure. The overall ring structure is extremely similar to that found in the other 43 GHz transitions and is very different from the structure of the v=1 J=2-1 maser. The positions of the individual spots of the different 43 GHz lines are, however, very rarely coincident, which in general is separated by about 0.3 AU (between 1 and 5 mas). These results are very difficult to reconcile with standard pumping models, which predict that the masers of rotational transitions within a given vibrational state require very similar excitation conditions, while the transitions of different vibrational states should appear in different positions. However, models including line overlap tend to predict v=1, v=2, v=3 J=1-0 population inversion to occur under very similar conditions, while the requirements for v=1 J=2-1 appear clearly different, and are compatible with the observational results.

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arXiv2014

The wind of W Hya as seen by Herschel - I. The CO envelope

Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars lose their envelopes by means of a stellar wind whose driving mechanism is not understood well. Characterizing the composition and thermal and dynamical structure of the outflow provides constraints that are essential for understanding AGB evolution, including the rate of mass loss and isotopic ratios. We modeled the CO emission from the wind of the low mass-loss rate oxygen-rich AGB star W Hya using data obtained by the HIFI, PACS, and SPIRE instruments onboard the Herschel Space Observatory and ground-based telescopes. $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO lines are used to constrain the intrinsic $^{12}$C/$^{13}$C ratio from resolved HIFI lines. The acceleration of the outflow up to about 5.5 km/s is quite slow and can be represented by a beta-type velocity law with index 5. Beyond this point, acceleration up the terminal velocity of 7 km/s is faster. Using the J=10-9, 9-8, and 6-5 transitions, we find an intrinsic $^{12}$C/$^{13}$C ratio of $18\pm10$ for W Hya, where the error bar is mostly due to uncertainties in the $^{12}$CO abundance and the stellar flux around 4.6 $μ$m. To match the low-excitation CO lines, these molecules need to be photo-dissociated at about 500 stellar radii. The radial dust emission intensity profile measured by PACS images at 70 $μ$m shows substantially stronger emission than our model predicts beyond 20 arcsec. The initial slow acceleration of the wind implies inefficient wind driving in the lower part of the envelope. The final injection of momentum in the wind might be the result of an increase in the opacity thanks to the late condensation of dust species. The derived intrinsic isotopologue ratio for W Hya is consistent with values set by the first dredge-up and suggestive of an initial mass of 2 M$_\odot$ or more. However, the uncertainty in the main-sequence mass derived based on this isotopologic ratio is large.

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arXiv2013

HIFISTARS Herschel/HIFI observations of VY Canis Majoris. Molecular-line inventory of the envelope around the largest known star

To gain insight into the physical conditions and kinematics of the warm (100-1000 K) gas around the red hyper-giant VY CMa, we performed sensitive high spectral resolution observations of molecular lines in the sub-mm/FIR using the HIFI instrument of the Herschel Space Observatory. We observed CO, H2O, and other molecular species, sampling excitation energies from a few tens to a few thousand K. These observations are part of the Herschel Guaranteed Time Key Program HIFISTARS. We detected the J=6-5, J=10-9, and J=16-15 lines of 12CO and 13CO at about 100, 300, and 750K above the ground state (and the 13CO J=9-8 line). These lines are crucial for improving the modelling of the internal layers of the envelope around VY CMa. We also detected 27 lines of H2O and its isotopomers, and 96 lines of species such as NH3, SiO, SO, SO2 HCN, OH and others, some of them originating from vibrationally excited levels. Three lines were not unambiguously assigned. Our observations confirm that VY CMa's envelope must consist of two or more detached components. The molecular excitation in the outer layers is significantly lower than in the inner ones, resulting in strong self-absorbed profiles in molecular lines that are optically thick in this outer envelope, for instance, low-lying lines of H2O. Except for the most abundant species, CO and H2O, most of the molecular emission detected at these sub-mm/FIR wavelengths arise from the central parts of the envelope. The spectrum of VY CMa is very prominent in vibrationally excited lines, which are caused by the strong IR pumping present in the central regions. Compared with envelopes of other massive evolved stars, VY CMa's emission is particularly strong in these vibrationally excited lines, as well as in the emission from less abundant species such as H13CN, SO, and NH3.

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arXiv2013

The molecular envelope of CRL 618: A new model based on Herschel/HIFI observations

We study the physical properties and molecular excitation of the different warm gas components found in the protoplanetary nebula CRL 618. We revise our previous Herschel/HIFI observations, which consist of several 12CO and 13CO lines in the far-infrared/sub-mm band. These data have been re-analyzed in detail by improving calibration, the signal-to-noise-ratio, and baseline substraction. We identify the contributions of the different nebular components to the line profiles. We have used a spatio-kinematical model to better constrain the temperature, density, and kinematics of the molecular components probed by the improved CO observations. The 12CO and 13CO J=16-15, J=10-9, and J=6-5 transitions are detected in this source. The line profiles present a composite structure showing spectacular wings in some cases, which become dominant as the energy level increases. Our analysis of the high-energy CO emission with the already known low-energy J=2-1 and J=1-0 lines confirms that the high-velocity component, or fast bipolar outflow, is hotter than previously estimated with a typical temperature of ~300 K. This component may then be an example of a very recent acceleration of the gas by shocks that has not yet cooled down. We also find that the dense central core is characterized by a very low expansion velocity, ~5 km/s, and a strong velocity gradient. We conclude that this component is very likely to be the unaltered circumstellar layers that are lost in the last AGB phase, where the ejection velocity is particularly low. The physical properties of the other two nebular components, the diffuse halo and the double empty shell, more or less agrees with the estimations derived in previous models.

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arXiv2013

ALMA observations of the Red Rectangle, a preliminary analysis

We aim to study equatorial disks in rotation and axial outflows in post-AGB objects, as to disclose the formation and shaping mechanisms in planetary nebulae. So far, both disks and outflows had not been observed simultaneously. We have obtained high-quality ALMA observations of 12CO and 13CO J=3-2 and 12CO J=6-5 line emission in the Red Rectangle, the only post-AGB/protoplanetary object in which a disk in rotation has been mapped up to date. These observations provide an unprecedented description of the complex structure of this source. Together with an equatorial disk in rotation, we find a low-velocity outflow that occupies more or less the region placed between the disk and the optical X-shaped nebula. From our observations and preliminary modeling of the data, we confirm the previously known properties of the disk and obtain a first description of the structure, dynamics, and physical conditions of the outflow.

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arXiv2013

Extended rotating disks around post-AGB stars

There is a group of binary post-AGB stars that show a conspicuous NIR excess, usually assumed to arise from hot dust in very compact possibly rotating disks. These stars are surrounded by significantly fainter nebulae than the "standard", well studied protoplanetary and planetary nebulae (PPNe, PNe). We present high-sensitivity mm-wave observations of CO lines in 24 objects of this type. CO emission is detected in most observed sources and the line profiles show that the emissions very probably come from disks in rotation. We derive typical values of the disk mass between 1e-3 and 1e-2 Mo, about two orders of magnitude smaller than the (total) masses of "standard" PPNe. The high-detection rate (upper limits being in fact not very significant) clearly confirm that the NIR excess of these stars arises from compact disks in rotation, very probably the inner parts of those found here. Low-velocity outflows are also found in about eight objects, with moderate expansion velocities of ~ 10 km/s, to be compared with the velocities of about 100 km/s often found in "standard" PPNe. Except for two sources with complex profiles, the outflowing gas in our objects represents a minor nebular component. Our simple estimates of the disk typical sizes yields values ~ 0.5 - 1 arcsec, i.e. between 5e15 and 3e16 cm. Estimates of the linear momenta carried by the outflows, which can only be performed in a few well studied objects, also yield moderate values, compared with the linear momenta that can be released by the stellar radiation pressure (contrary, again, to the case of the very massive and fast bipolar outflows in "standard" PPNe, that are strongly overluminous). The mass and dynamics of nebulae around various classes of post-AGB stars differ very significantly, and we can expect the formation of PNe with very different properties.

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arXiv2013

Warm gas in the rotating disk of the Red Rectangle: accurate models of molecular line emission

We aim to study the excitation conditions of the molecular gas in the rotating disk of the Red Rectangle, the only post-Asymptotic-Giant-Branch object in which the existence of an equatorial rotating disk has been demonstrated. For this purpose, we developed a complex numerical code that accurately treats radiative transfer in 2-D, adapted to the study of molecular lines from rotating disks. We present far-infrared Herschel/HIFI observations of the 12CO and 13CO J=6-5, J=10-9, and J=16-15 transitions in the Red Rectangle. We also present our code in detail and discuss the accuracy of its predictions, from comparison with well-tested codes. Theoretical line profiles are compared with the empirical data to deduce the physical conditions in the disk by means of model fitting. We conclude that our code is very efficient and produces reliable results. The comparison of the theoretical predictions with our observations reveals that the temperature of the Red Rectangle disk is typically ~ 100-150 K, about twice as high as previously deduced from mm-wave observations of lower-J lines. We discuss the relevance of these new temperature estimates for understanding the thermodynamics and dynamics of this prototype object, as well as for interpreting observations of other rarely studied post-AGB disks. Despite our sophisticated treatment of the line formation, our model cannot explain the relatively strong line-wing emission for intermediate-J transitions. We argue that a model including a rotating disk only cannot reproduce these data and suggest that there is an additional extended (probably bipolar) structure expanding at about 7--15 km/s.

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arXiv2012

Preliminary results on SiO v=3 J=1-0 maser emission from AGB stars

We present the results of SiO maser observations at 43GHz toward two AGB stars using the VLBA. Our preliminary results on the relative positions of the different J=1-0 SiO masers (v=1,2 and 3) indicate that the current ideas on SiO maser pumping could be wrong at some fundamental level. A deep revision of the SiO pumping models could be necessary.

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arXiv2012

Herschel/HIFI observations of red supergiants and yellow hypergiants: I. Molecular inventory

Red supergiant stars (RSGs) and yellow hypergiant stars (YHGs) are believed to be the high-mass counterparts of stars in the AGB and early post-AGB phases. We study the mass-loss in the post main-sequence evolution of massive stars, through the properties of their envelopes in the intermediate and warm gas layers. These are the regions where the acceleration of the gas takes place and the most recent mass-loss episodes can be seen. We used the HIFI instrument on-board the Herschel Space Observatory to observe sub-mm and FIR transitions of CO, water, and their isotopologues in a sample of two RSGs (NML Cyg and Betelgeuse) and two YHGs (IRC+10420 and AFGL 2343) stars. We present an inventory of the detected lines and analyse the information revealed by their spectral profiles. On the basis of the results presented in an earlier study, we model the CO and 13CO emission in IRC+10420 and compare it to a set of lines ranging from the mm, to the FIR. Red supergiants have stronger high-excitation lines than the YHGs, indicating that they harbour dense and hot inner shells contributing to these transitions. Consequently, these high-J lines in RSGs originate from acceleration layers that have not yet reached the circumstellar terminal velocity and have narrower profiles than their flat-topped lower-J counterparts. The YHGs tend to lack this inner component, in line with the picture of detached, hollow envelopes derived from studies at longer wavelengths. NH3 is only detected in two sources (NML Cyg, IRC+10420), which are also observed to be the strongest water-line emitters of the studied sample. In contrast, OH is detected in all sources and does not seem to correlate with the water line intensities. We show that the IRC+10420 model derived solely from mm low-J CO transitions is capable of reproducing the high-J transitions when the temperature in the inner shell is simply lowered by about 30%.

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arXiv2012

Modeling the physical and excitation conditions of the molecular envelope of NGC 7027

The link between the shaping of bipolar planetary nebulae and the mass ejection activity of their central stars is still poorly understood. Appropriately characterizing the evolution of the shells ejected during the late stages of evolution is vital to gain insight into the mechanism of nebular shaping. Herschel/HIFI provides an invaluable tool by opening a new window from which to probe warm molecular gas (~50-1000 K). We present a radiative-transfer, spatio-kinematic modeling of the molecular envelope of the young planetary nebula NGC 7027 in high- and low-J 12CO and 13CO transitions observed by Herschel/HIFI and IRAM 30-m, and discuss the structure and dynamics of the molecular envelope. We have developed a code which, used along with the existing SHAPE software, implements spatio-kinematic modeling with accurate non-LTE calculations of line excitation and radiative transfer in molecular species. We have used this code to build a relatively simple "russian doll" model of the molecular envelope of NGC 7027. The model nebula consists of four nested, mildly bipolar shells plus a pair of high-velocity blobs. The innermost shell is the thinnest and shows a significant jump in physical conditions (temperature, density, abundance and velocity) with respect to the adjacent shell. This is a clear indication of a shock front in the system. Each of the high-velocity blobs is divided into two sections with different physical conditions. The presence of H2O in NGC 7027, a C-rich nebula, is likely due to photo-induced chemistry from the hot central star. The computed molecular mass of the nebula is 1.3 Msun, compatible with estimates from previous works.

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arXiv2011

Herschel/HIFI observations of O-rich AGB stars : molecular inventory

Spectra, taken with the heterodyne instrument, HIFI, aboard the Herschel Space Observatory, of O-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars which form part of the guaranteed time key program HIFISTARS are presented. The aim of this program is to study the dynamical structure, mass-loss driving mechanism, and chemistry of the outflows from AGB stars as a function of chemical composition and initial mass. We used the HIFI instrument to observe nine AGB stars, mainly in the H2O and high rotational CO lines We investigate the correlation between line luminosity, line ratio and mass-loss rate, line width and excitation energy. A total of nine different molecules, along with some of their isotopologues have been identified, covering a wide range of excitation temperature. Maser emission is detected in both the ortho- and para-H2O molecules. The line luminosities of ground state lines of ortho- and para-H2O, the high-J CO and NH3 lines show a clear correlation with mass-loss rate. The line ratios of H2O and NH3 relative to CO J=6-5 correlate with the mass-loss rate while ratios of higher CO lines to the 6-5 is independent of it. In most cases, the expansion velocity derived from the observed line width of highly excited transitions formed relatively close to the stellar photosphere is lower than that of lower excitation transitions, formed farther out, pointing to an accelerated outflow. In some objects, the vibrationally excited H2O and SiO which probe the acceleration zone suggests the wind reaches its terminal velocity already in the innermost part of the envelope, i.e., the acceleration is rapid. Interestingly, for R Dor we find indications of a deceleration of the outflow in the region where the material has already escaped from the star.

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