PACS spectroscopy of OH/IR stars

Publication date

2011

Authors

Lombaert, R.
de Vries, B.L.
Decin, L.
Blommaert, J.A.D.L.
Royer, Pierre
De Beck, E.
de Koter, A.
Waters, L.B.F.M.

Editors

Wing, R.F. Kerschbaum, F., Lebzelter, T.

Advisors

Supervisors

DOI

Document Type

Part of book
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License

Abstract

Observations of high-excitation molecular emission lines can greatly increase our understanding of AGB winds, as they trace the innermost regions of the circumstellar envelope. The PACS spectrometer on-board the Herschel Space Telescope1, provides for the first time the spectral resolution and sensitivity necessary to trace these lines. We report on the first modelling efforts of a PACS spectral scan for the OH/IR star V669 Cas. Central to our methodology is the consistent treatment of both dust and gas by using a line radiative transfer and a continuum radiative transfer code conjointly. Water emission lines are found to be extremely sensitive to the dust-to-gas ratio, emphasizing the need of consistent modelling for dust and gas.

Keywords

International (English)

Citation

Lombaert, R, de Vries, B L, Decin, L, Blommaert, J A D L, Royer, P, De Beck, E, de Koter, A & Waters, L B F M 2011, PACS spectroscopy of OH/IR stars. in L T Wing, R.F. Kerschbaum, F. (ed.), Why Galaxies Care about AGB Stars II: Shining Examples and Common Inhabitants. Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco, pp. 309.