Dust formation above cool magnetic spots in evolved stars |
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| Authors: | Noam Soker Geoffrey C Clayton |
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| Institution: | Department of Physics, University of Haifa at Oranim, Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA |
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| Abstract: | We examine the structure of cool magnetic spots in the photospheres of evolved stars, specifically asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. We find that the photosphere of a cool magnetic spot will be above the surrounding photosphere of AGB stars, which is the opposite of the situation in the Sun . This results from the behaviour of the opacity, which increases with decreasing temperature, which again is the opposite of the behaviour of the opacity near the effective temperature of the Sun . We analyse the formation of dust above the cool magnetic spots, and suggest that the dust formation is facilitated by strong shocks, driven by stellar pulsations, which run through and around the spots. The presence of both the magnetic field and cooler temperatures makes dust formation easier as the shock passes above the spot. We review some observations supporting the proposed mechanism, and suggest further observations to check the model. |
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| Keywords: | MHD stars: AGB and post-AGB circumstellar matter stars: mass-loss planetary nebulae: general |
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