Bibcode
Pérez-Mesa, V.; Zamora, O.; García-Hernández, D. A.; Plez, B.; Manchado, A.; Karakas, A. I.; Lugaro, M.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 606, id.A20, 14 pp.
Advertised on:
9
2017
Journal
Citations
23
Refereed citations
16
Description
Context. Luminous Galactic OH/IR stars have been identified as massive
(>4-5 M⊙) asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars
experiencing hot bottom burning and Li production. Their Rb abundances
and [Rb/Zr] ratios, as derived from classical hydrostatic model
atmospheres, are significantly higher than predictions from AGB
nucleosynthesis models, posing a problem for our understanding of AGB
evolution and nucleosynthesis. Aims: We report new Rb and Zr
abundances in the full sample (21) of massive Galactic AGB stars,
previously studied with hydrostatic models, by using more realistic
extended model atmospheres. Methods: For this, we use a modified
version of the spectral synthesis code Turbospectrum and consider the
presence of a circumstellar envelope and radial wind in the modelling of
the optical spectra of these massive AGB stars. The Rb and Zr abundances
are determined from the 7800 Å Rb I resonant line and the 6474
Å ZrO bandhead, respectively, and we explore the sensitivity of
the derived abundances to variations of the stellar (Teff)
and wind (Ṁ, β and vexp) parameters in the
pseudo-dynamical models. The Rb and Zr abundances derived from the best
spectral fits are compared with the most recent AGB nucleosynthesis
theoretical predictions. Results: The Rb abundances derived with
the pseudo-dynamical models are much lower (in the most extreme stars
even by 1-2 dex) than those derived with the hydrostatic models, while
the Zr abundances are similar. The Rb I line profile and Rb abundance
are very sensitive to the wind mass-loss rate Ṁ (especially for
Ṁ ≥ 10-8M⊙ yr-1) but much
less sensitive to variations of the wind velocity-law (β parameter)
and the expansion velocity vexp(OH). Conclusions: We
confirm the earlier preliminary results based on a smaller sample of
massive O-rich AGB stars, suggesting that the use of extended atmosphere
models can solve the discrepancy between the AGB nucleosynthesis
theoretical models and the observations of Galactic massive AGB stars.
The Rb abundances, however, are still strongly dependent on the wind
mass-loss Ṁ, which, unfortunately, is unknown in these AGB stars.
Accurate mass-loss rates Ṁ (e.g. from rotationally excited lines of
the CO isotopologues in the radio domain) in these massive Galactic AGB
stars are needed in order to break the model's degeneracy and obtain
reliable (non-model-dependent) Rb abundances in these stars.
Related projects
Nucleosynthesis and molecular processes in the late stages of Stellar Evolution
Low- to intermediate-mass (M < 8 solar masses, Ms) stars represent the majority of stars in the Cosmos. They finish their lives on the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) - just before they form planetary nebulae (PNe) - where they experience complex nucleosynthetic and molecular processes. AGB stars are important contributors to the enrichment of the
Domingo Aníbal
García Hernández