arXiv subjects

M. Van de Sande

Publications and source records attributed to M. Van de Sande.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Charting circumstellar chemistry of carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch stars. III. SiO and SiS abundances

The present understanding of C-rich AGB chemistry largely relies on observations of the archetypal carbon star IRC+10216. Current molecular abundance estimates for carbon stars are based either on single-dish spectra sampling a range of excitation conditions, or on interferometric mapping of a few lines. We aim to estimate the circumstellar abundances of SiO, SiS, and their most abundant isotopologues ($^{29}$SiO, $^{30}$SiO, $^{29}$SiS, $^{30}$SiS, and Si$^{34}$S) for a sample of five carbon stars. We derived molecular abundances using detailed 1D non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) radiative transfer (RT) modelling, constrained by both morphological and excitation information obtained from spatially resolved ALMA maps and single-dish observations. We further compared the derived abundances to chemical modelling results. We obtain good fits to the SiO and SiS line profiles, and derived well-constrained abundance profiles and reliable isotopic ratios for all sources except AFGL 3068. While the SiS peak abundances are very similar across the sample (2.0$\times$10$^{-6}-4.7\times$10$^{-6}$), we find that the SiO peak abundances of the rest of the stars are a factor of $\sim$5 larger than that of IRC+10216. The $e$-folding radii ($R_\mathrm{e}$) are in the range 1.3$\times$10$^{16}-7.0\times$10$^{16}$ cm for SiO and 6.0$\times$10$^{15}-1.0\times$10$^{17}$ cm for SiS. The $R_\mathrm{e}$ increases with gas density for both SiO and SiS. Chemical models reproduce the derived SiO abundance profiles well, while over-predicting the SiS $R_\mathrm{e}$ values. Our models highlight the necessity of having spatially resolved observations across a broad range of excitation conditions, while also making evident the limitations inherent in 1D RT modelling using simplified (circum)stellar models. We find that the currently assumed SiS photodissociation rate in chemical models is underestimated.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Sense and Sensitivity - I. Uncertainty analysis of the gas-phase chemistry in AGB outflows

Chemical reaction networks are central to all chemical models. Each rate coefficient has an associated uncertainty, which is generally not taken into account when calculating the chemistry. We performed the first uncertainty analysis of a chemical model of C-rich and O-rich AGB outflows using the Rate22 reaction network. Quantifying the error on the model predictions enables us to determine the need for adding complexity to the model. Using a Monte Carlo sampling method, we quantified the impact of the uncertainties on the chemical kinetic data on the predicted fractional abundances and column densities. The errors are caused by a complex interplay of reactions forming and destroying each species. Parent species show an error on their envelope sizes, which is not caused by the uncertainty on their photodissociation rate, but rather the chemistry reforming the parent after its photodissociation. Using photodissociation models to estimate the envelope size might be an oversimplification. The error on the CO envelope impacts retrieved mass-loss rates by up to a factor of two. For daughter species, the error on the peak fractional abundance ranges from a factor of a few to three orders of magnitude, and is on average about 10\% of its value. This error is positively correlated with the error on the column density. The standard model suffices for many species, e.g., the radial distribution of cyanopolyynes and hydrocarbon radicals around IRC +10216. However, including spherical asymmetries, dust-gas chemistry, and photochemistry induced by a close-by stellar companion are still necessary to explain certain observations.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

ATOMIUM: Continuum emission and evidence of dust enhancement from binary motion

Low- and intermediate-mass stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) account for a significant portion of the dust and chemical enrichment in their host galaxy. Here we present ALMA observations of the continuum emission at 1.24 mm around a sample of 17 stars from the ATOMIUM survey. From our analysis of the stellar contributions to the continuum flux, we find that the semi-regular variables all have smaller physical radii and fainter monochromatic luminosities than the Mira variables. Comparing these properties with pulsation periods, we find a positive trend between stellar radius and period only for the Mira variables with periods above 300 days and a positive trend between the period and the monochromatic luminosity only for the red supergiants and the most extreme AGB stars with periods above 500 days. We find that the continuum emission at 1.2 mm can be classified into four groups. "Featureless" continuum emission is confined to the (unresolved) regions close to the star for five stars in our sample, relatively uniform extended flux is seen for four stars, tentative elongated features are seen for three stars, and the remaining five stars have unique or unusual morphological features in their continuum maps. These features can be explained by binary companions to 10 out of the 14 AGB stars in our sample. Based on our results we conclude that there are two modes of dust formation: well established pulsation-enhanced dust formation and our newly proposed companion-enhanced dust formation. If the companion is located close to the AGB star, in the wind acceleration region, then additional dust formed in the wake of the companion can increase the mass lost through the dust driven wind. This explains the different dust morphologies seen around our stars and partly accounts for a large scatter in literature mass-loss rates, especially among semiregular stars with small pulsation periods.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

An accreting dwarf star orbiting the S-type giant star pi1 Gru

Aims. We aim to characterize the properties of the inner companion of the S-type AGB star pi1 Gru and to identify plausible future evolutionary scenarios for this triple system. Methods. We observed pi1 Gru with ALMA and VLT/SPHERE. In addition, we collected archival photometry data and used the Hipparcos-Gaia proper motion anomaly. We derive the best orbital parameters from Bayesian inference. Results. In June-July 2019, the inner companion, pi1 Gru C, was located at 37.4 +/- 2.0 mas from the primary (a projected separation of 6.05 +/- 0.55 au at 161.7 +/- 11.7 pc). The best orbital solution yields a companion mass of 0.86 (+0.22/-0.20) Msun (using the derived mass of the primary) and a semi-major axis of 7.05(+0.54/-0.57) au, corresponding to an orbital period of 11.0 (+1.7/-1.5) yr. The preferred solution is an elliptical orbit with eccentricity e = 0.35(+0.18/-0.17), although a circular orbit cannot be fully excluded. The close companion could be either a K1V (F9.5V to K7V) star or a white dwarf (WD). Ultraviolet and millimeter continuum photometry are consistent with the presence of an accretion disk around the close companion. The ultraviolet emission may originate from hot spots in an overall cooler disk, or from a hot disk if the companion is a WD. Conclusions. Although the close companion and the AGB star are interacting and an accretion disk is observed around the companion, the mass-accretion rate is too low to trigger a Type Ia supernova, but it could produce novae every ~900 yr. Short-wavelength, spatially resolved observations are required to further constrain the nature of the C companion. Searches for close-in companions similar to this system will improve our understanding of the physics of mass and angular momentum transfer, as well as orbital evolution during late evolutionary stages.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Charting circumstellar chemistry of carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch stars. II. Abundances and spatial distributions of CS

The circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars harbour a rich variety of molecules and are sites of complex chemistry. Our current understanding of the circumstellar chemical processes of carbon-rich AGB stars is predominantly based on observations of a single star, IRC+10216, often regarded as an archetypical carbon star. We aim to estimate stellar and circumstellar properties for five carbon stars, and constrain their circumstellar CS abundances. This study compares the CS abundances among the sources, informs circumstellar chemical models, and helps to assess if IRC+10216 is a good representative of the physics and chemistry of carbon star CSEs. We modelled the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and CO line emission to derive the stellar and outflow properties. Using these, we then retrieved CS abundance profiles with detailed radiative transfer modelling, imposing spatial and excitation constraints from ALMA and single-dish observations. We obtain good fits to the SEDs and CO lines for all sources and reproduce the CS line emission across various transitions and apertures, yielding robust estimates of the CS abundance profiles. Peak CS fractional abundances range from 1$\times$10$^{-6}$ - 4$\times$10$^{-6}$, with e-folding radii of 1.8$\times$10$^{16}$ - 6.8$\times$10$^{16}$ cm. We also derive reliable $^{12}$C/$^{13}$C and $^{32}$S/$^{34}$S ratios from CS isotopologue modelling. Our results refine previous single-dish CS abundance estimates and improve the relative uncertainty on the CS e-folding radius for IRAS 07454$-$7112 by a factor of $\sim$2.5. Chemical models reproduce our estimates of the CS radial extent, corroborating the CS photodissociation framework used therein. We find no significant differences between the derived CS abundance profiles for IRC+10216 and the rest of the sample, apart from the expected density-driven variations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Chemical tracers of a highly eccentric AGB-main sequence star binary

Binary interactions have been proposed to explain a variety of circumstellar structures seen around evolved stars, including asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and planetary nebulae. Studies resolving the circumstellar envelopes of AGB stars have revealed spirals, discs and bipolar outflows, with shaping attributed to interactions with a companion. For the first time, we have used a combined chemical and dynamical analysis to reveal a highly eccentric and long-period orbit for W Aquilae, a binary system containing an AGB star and a main sequence companion. Our results are based on anisotropic SiN emission, the first detections of NS and SiC towards an S-type star, and density structures observed in the CO emission. These features are all interpreted as having formed during periastron interactions. Our astrochemistry-based method can yield stringent constraints on the orbital parameters of long-period binaries containing AGB stars, and will be applicable to other systems.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Modelling predicts a molecule-rich disk around the AGB star L2 Puppis

The nearby oxygen-rich AGB star L2 Pup hosts a well-studied nearly edge-on disk. To date, disks around AGB stars have not been chemically studied in detail. By combining a parameterisation commonly used for protoplanetary disks and archival ALMA observations, we retrieved an updated density and temperature structure of this disk. This physical model was then used as input to the first chemical model of an AGB disk. The model shows that the physical structure of the disk has a large impact on its chemistry, with certain species showing large changes in column density relative to a radial outflow, indicating that chemistry could be used as a tracer of disks that cannot be directly imaged. Despite its oxygen-rich nature, the daughter species formed within the disk are surprisingly carbon-rich. Two chemical regimes can be distinguished: cosmic-ray induced chemistry in the midplane and photochemistry induced by the interstellar radiation field in the outer regions. Certain complex organic molecules are formed in the midplane. This occurs via gas-phase chemistry only, as the disk is too warm for dust-gas chemistry. The photochemistry in the outer regions leads to the efficient formation of (long) carbon-chains. The predictions of the model allow us to tentatively put the disk's age $\lesssim 10^5$ yr. Additional observations are necessary to better constrain the physical structure of L2 Pup's disk and are essential to test the predictions made by the chemical model. Our exploratory work paves the way for a more general study of the chemistry of AGB disks.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

MACE: A Machine learning Approach to Chemistry Emulation

The chemistry of an astrophysical environment is closely coupled to its dynamics, the latter often found to be complex. Hence, to properly model these environments a 3D context is necessary. However, solving chemical kinetics within a 3D hydro simulation is computationally infeasible for a even a modest parameter study. In order to develop a feasible 3D hydro-chemical simulation, the classical chemical approach needs to be replaced by a faster alternative. We present mace, a Machine learning Approach to Chemistry Emulation, as a proof-of-concept work on emulating chemistry in a dynamical environment. Using the context of AGB outflows, we have developed an architecture that combines the use of an autoencoder (to reduce the dimensionality of the chemical network) and a set of latent ordinary differential equations (that are solved to perform the temporal evolution of the reduced features). Training this architecture with an integrated scheme makes it possible to successfully reproduce a full chemical pathway in a dynamical environment. mace outperforms its classical analogue on average by a factor 26. Furthermore, its efficient implementation in PyTorch results in a sub-linear scaling with respect to the number of hydrodynamical simulation particles.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2023

ATOMIUM: Molecular inventory of 17 oxygen-rich evolved stars observed with ALMA

The dusty winds of cool evolved stars are a major contributor of the newly synthesised material enriching the Galaxy and future generations of stars. However, the details of the physics and chemistry behind dust formation and wind launching have yet to be pinpointed. Recent spatially resolved observations show the importance of gaining a more comprehensive view of the circumstellar chemistry, but a comparative study of the intricate interplay between chemistry and physics is still difficult because observational details such as frequencies and angular resolutions are rarely comparable. Aiming to overcome these deficiencies, ATOMIUM is an ALMA Large Programme to study the physics and chemistry of the circumstellar envelopes of a diverse set of oxygen-rich evolved stars under homogeneous observing conditions at three angular resolutions between ~0.02"-1.4". Here we summarize the molecular inventory of these sources, and the correlations between stellar parameters and molecular content. Seventeen oxygen-rich or S-type asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and red supergiant (RSG) stars have been observed in several tunings with ALMA Band 6, targeting a range of molecules to probe the circumstellar envelope and especially the chemistry of dust formation close to the star. We systematically assigned the molecular carriers of the spectral lines and measured their spectroscopic parameters and the angular extent of the emission of each line from integrated intensity maps. Across the ATOMIUM sample, we detect 291 transitions of 24 different molecules and their isotopologues. This includes several first detections in oxygen-rich AGB/RSG stars: PO v=1, SO2 v1=1 and v2=2, and several high energy H2O transitions. We also find several first detections in S-type AGB stars: vibrationally excited HCN v2=2,3 and SiS v=4,5,6, as well as first detections of the molecules SiC, AlCl, and AlF in W Aql...

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

MELCHIORS: The Mercator Library of High Resolution Stellar Spectroscopy

Over the past decades, libraries of stellar spectra have been used in a large variety of science cases, including as sources of reference spectra for a given object or a given spectral type. Despite the existence of large libraries and the increasing number of projects of large-scale spectral surveys, there is to date only one very high-resolution spectral library offering spectra from a few hundred objects from the southern hemisphere (UVES-POP) . We aim to extend the sample, offering a finer coverage of effective temperatures and surface gravity with a uniform collection of spectra obtained in the northern hemisphere. Between 2010 and 2020, we acquired several thousand echelle spectra of bright stars with the Mercator-HERMES spectrograph located in the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma, whose pipeline offers high-quality data reduction products. We have also developed methods to correct for the instrumental response in order to approach the true shape of the spectral continuum. Additionally, we have devised a normalisation process to provide a homogeneous normalisation of the full spectral range for most of the objects. We present a new spectral library consisting of 3256 spectra covering 2043 stars. It combines high signal-to-noise and high spectral resolution over the entire range of effective temperatures and luminosity classes. The spectra are presented in four versions: raw, corrected from the instrumental response, with and without correction from the atmospheric molecular absorption, and normalised (including the telluric correction).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Rotation-tunneling spectrum and astrochemical modeling of dimethylamine, CH$_3$NHCH$_3$, and searches for it in space

Methylamine has been the only simple alkylamine detected in the interstellar medium for a long time. With the recent secure and tentative detections of vinylamine and ethylamine, respectively, dimethylamine has become a promising target for searches in space. Its rotational spectrum, however, has been known only up to 45 GHz until now. Here we investigate the rotation-tunneling spectrum of dimethylamine in selected regions between 76 and 1091 GHz using three different spectrometers in order to facilitate its detection in space. The quantum number range is extended to $J = 61$ and $K_a = 21$, yielding an extensive set of accurate spectroscopic parameters. To search for dimethylamine, we refer to the spectral line survey ReMoCA carried out with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array toward the high-mass star-forming region Sagittarius B2(N) and a spectral line survey of the molecular cloud G+0.693$-$0.027 employing the IRAM 30 m and Yebes 40 m radio telescopes. We report nondetections of dimethylamine toward the hot molecular cores Sgr B2(N1S) and Sgr B2(N2b) as well as G+0.693$-$0.027 which imply that dimethylamine is at least 14, 4.5 and 39 times less abundant than methylamine toward these sources, respectively. The observational results are compared to computational results from a gas-grain astrochemical model. The modeled methylamine to dimethylamine ratios are compatible with the observational lower limits. However, the model produces too much ethylamine compared with methylamine which could mean that the already fairly low levels of dimethylamine in the models may also be too high.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Sensitivity study of chemistry in AGB outflows using chemical kinetics

Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars shed a significant amount of their mass in the form of a stellar wind, creating a vast circumstellar envelope (CSE). Owing to the ideal combination of relatively high densities and cool temperatures, CSEs serve as rich astrochemical laboratories. {While the chemical structure of AGB outflows has been modelled and analysed in detail for specific physical setups, there is a lack of understanding regarding the impact of changes in the physical environment on chemical abundances. A systematic sensitivity study is necessary to comprehend the nuances in the physical parameter space, given the complexity of the chemistry. This is crucial for estimating uncertainties associated with simulations and observations. In this work, we present the first sensitivity study of the impact of varying outflow densities and temperature profiles on the chemistry. With the use of a chemical kinetics model, we report on the uncertainty in abundances, given a specific uncertainty on the physical parameters. }Additionally, we analyse the molecular envelope extent of parent species and compare our findings to observational studies. Mapping the impact of differences in physical parameters throughout the CSE on the chemistry is a strong aid to observational studies.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

The VLT/SPHERE view of the ATOMIUM cool evolved star sample. I. Overview: Sample characterization through polarization analysis

Aims. Through the ATOMIUM project, based on an ALMA large program, we aim to present a consistent view of a sample of 17 nearby cool evolved stars (Aymptotic Giant Branch and red supergiant stars). Methods. Here we present VLT/SPHERE-ZIMPOL polarimetric maps obtained in the visible of 14 out of the 17 ATOMIUM sources. They were obtained contemporaneously with the ALMA high spatial resolution data. To help interpret the polarized signal, we produced synthetic maps of light scattering by dust, through 3D radiative transfer simulations with the RADMC3D code. Results. The degree of linear polarization (DoLP) observed by ZIMPOL spreads across several optical filters. We infer that it primarily probes dust located just outside of the point spread function, and in or near the plane of the sky, with a total optical depth close to unity in the line of sight, representing only a fraction of the total circumstellar dust. The maximum DoLP ranges from 0.03-0.38 depending on the source, fractions that can be reproduced by our 3D pilot models for grains composed of common dust species. The spatial structure of the DoLP shows a diverse set of shapes. Only for three sources do we note a correlation between the ALMA CO and SiO lines, which trace the gas density, and the DoLP, which traces the dust. Conclusion. The clumpiness of the DoLP and the lack of a consistent correlation between the gas and the dust location show that, in the inner circumstellar environment (CSE), dust formation occurs at very specific sites. This has potential consequences for the derived mass-loss rates and dust-to-gas ratio in the inner region of the CSE. Except for $π^1$~Gru and perhaps GY Aql, we do not detect interactions between the circumstellar wind and the hypothesized companions that shape the wind at larger scales. This suggests that the orbits of any other companions are tilted out of the plane of the sky.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

ATOMIUM: ALMA tracing the origins of molecules in dust forming oxygen rich M-type stars: Motivation, sample, calibration, and initial results

This overview paper presents ATOMIUM, a Large Programme in Cycle 6 with the Atacama Large Millimeter-submillimeter Array (ALMA). The goal of ATOMIUM is to understand the dynamics and the gas phase and dust formation chemistry in the winds of evolved asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and red supergiant (RSG) stars. A more general aim is to identify chemical processes applicable to other astrophysical environments. 17 oxygen-rich AGB and RSG stars spanning a range in (circum)stellar parameters and evolutionary phases were observed in a homogeneous observing strategy allowing for an unambiguous comparison. Data were obtained between 213.83 and 269.71 GHz at high (0.025-0.050 arcsec), medium (0.13-0.24 arcsec), and low (about 1 arcsec) angular resolution. The sensitivity per 1.3 km/s channel was 1.5-5 mJy/beam. 13 molecules were designated as primary molecules in the survey: CO, SiO, AlO, AlOH, TiO, TiO2, HCN, SO, SO2, SiS, CS, H2O, and NaCl. The scientific motivation, survey design, sample properties, data reduction, and an overview of the data products are described; and we highlight one scientific result - the wind kinematics of the ATOMIUM sources. The ATOMIUM sources often have a slow wind acceleration, and a fraction of the gas reaches a velocity which can be up to a factor of two times larger than previously reported terminal velocities assuming isotropic expansion, and the wind kinematic profiles establish that the radial velocity described by the momentum equation for a spherical wind structure cannot capture the complexity of the velocity field. In 15 sources, some molecular transitions other than 12CO v=0 J=2-1 reach a higher outflow velocity, with a spatial emission zone that is often greater than 30 stellar radii, but much less than the extent of CO. Binary interaction with a (sub)stellar companion might (partly) explain the non-monotonic behaviour of the projected velocity field.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

The impact of stellar companion UV photons on the chemistry of the circumstellar environments of AGB stars

Spherical asymmetries are prevalent within the outflows of AGB stars. Since binary interaction with a stellar or planetary companion is thought to be the underlying mechanism behind large-scale structures, we included the effects of UV radiation originating from a stellar companion in our chemical kinetics model. The one-dimensional model provides a first approximation of its effects on the chemistry throughout the outflow. The presence of a close-by stellar companion can strongly influence the chemistry within the entire outflow. Its impact depends on the intensity of the radiation (set by the stellar radius and blackbody temperature) and on the extinction the UV radiation experiences (set by the outflow density, density structure, and assumed radius of dust formation). Parent species can be photodissociated by the companion, initiating a rich photon-driven chemistry in the inner parts of the outflow. The outcome depends on the balance between two-body reactions and photoreactions. If two-body reactions dominate, chemical complexity within the outflow increases. This can make the abundance profiles of daughters appear like those of parents, with a larger inner abundance and a gaussian decline. If photoreactions dominate, the outflow can appear molecule-poor. We model three stellar companions. The impact of a red dwarf companion is limited. Solar-like companions show the largest effect, followed by a white dwarf. A stellar companion can also lead to the formation of unexpected species. The outflow's molecular content, especially combined with abundance profiles, can indicate a stellar companion's presence. Our results pave the way for further outflow-specific (three-dimensional) model development.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

ATOMIUM: Halide molecules around the S-type AGB star W Aquilae

S-type asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are thought to be intermediates in the evolution of oxygen- to carbon-rich AGB stars. The chemical compositions of their circumstellar envelopes are also intermediate, but have not been studied in as much detail as their carbon- and oxygen-rich counterparts. We aim to determine the abundances of AlCl and AlF from rotational lines, which have been observed for the first time towards an S-type AGB star, W Aql. In combination with models based on PACS observations, we aim to update our chemical kinetics network based on these results. We analyse ALMA observations towards W Aql of AlCl in the ground and first two vibrationally excited states and AlF in the ground vibrational state. Using radiative transfer models, we determine the abundances and spatial abundance distributions of Al$^{35}$Cl, Al$^{37}$Cl, and AlF. We also model HCl and HF emission and compare these models to PACS spectra to constrain the abundances of these species. AlCl is found in clumps very close to the star, with emission confined within 0.1$^{\prime\prime}$ of the star. AlF emission is more extended, with faint emission extending 0.2$^{\prime\prime}$ to 0.6$^{\prime\prime}$ from the continuum peak. We find peak abundances, relative to H$_2$, of $1.7\times 10^{-7}$ for Al$^{35}$Cl, $7\times 10^{-8}$ for Al$^{37}$Cl and $1\times 10^{-7}$ for AlF. From the PACS spectra, we find abundances of $9.7\times 10^{-8}$ and $\leq 10^{-8}$, relative to H$_2$, for HCl and HF, respectively. The AlF abundance exceeds the solar F abundance, indicating that fluorine synthesised in the AGB star has already been dredged up to the surface of the star and ejected into the circumstellar envelope. From our analysis of chemical reactions in the wind, we conclude that AlF may participate in the dust formation process, but we cannot fully explain the rapid depletion of AlCl seen in the wind.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

Chemical modelling of dust-gas chemistry within AGB outflows III. Photoprocessing of the ice and return to the ISM

To explain the properties of dust in the interstellar medium (ISM), the presence of a refractory organic mantle is necessary. The outflows of AGB stars are among the main contributors of stellar dust to the ISM. We present the first study of the refractory organic contribution of AGB stars to the ISM. Based on laboratory experiments, we included a new reaction in our extended chemical kinetics model: the photoprocessing of volatile complex ices into inert refractory organic material. The refractory organic feedback of AGB outflows to the ISM is estimated using observationally motivated parent species and grids of models of C-rich and O-rich outflows. Refractory organic material is mainly inherited from the gas phase through accretion onto the dust and subsequent photoprocessing. Grain-surface chemistry, initiated by photodissociation of ices, produces only a minor part and takes place in a sub-monolayer regime in almost all outflows. The formation of refractory organic material increases with outflow density and depends on the initial gas-phase composition. While O-rich dust is negligibly covered by refractory organics, C-rich dust has an average coverage of $3-9\%$, but can be as high as $8-22\%$. Although C-rich dust does not enter the ISM bare, its average coverage is too low to influence its evolution in the ISM or significantly contribute to the coverage of interstellar dust. This study opens up questions on the coverage of other dust-producing environments. It highlights the need for an improved understanding of dust formation and for models specific to density structures within the outflow.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

(Sub)stellar companions shape the winds of evolved stars

Binary interactions dominate the evolution of massive stars, but their role is less clear for low- and intermediate-mass stars. The evolution of a spherical wind from an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star into a nonspherical planetary nebula (PN) could be due to binary interactions. We observed a sample of AGB stars with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and found that their winds exhibit distinct nonspherical geometries with morphological similarities to planetary nebulae (PNe). We infer that the same physics shapes both AGB winds and PNe; additionally, the morphology and AGB mass-loss rate are correlated. These characteristics can be explained by binary interaction. We propose an evolutionary scenario for AGB morphologies that is consistent with observed phenomena in AGB stars and PNe.

astro-ph.SR↗