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Paper: |
A Possible Solution to the Mass-Loss Problem in M-type AGB Stars |
Volume: |
445, Why Galaxies Care about AGB Stars II: Shining Examples and Common Inhabitants |
Page: |
365 |
Authors: |
Olofsson, H.; Ramstedt, S.; Sacuto, S.; Maercker, M.; Höfner, S.; Kerschbaum, F. |
Abstract: |
Mass loss is a fundamental, observationally well-established feature of
AGB stars, but many aspects of this process are not yet understood.
To date, self-consistent dynamical models of dust-driven winds
reproducing the observed mass-loss rates seem only possible for M-type
stars if the grains in the close circumstellar environment grow to
larger sizes than previously assumed. In order to study the grain-size
distribution where the mass loss is initiated, high-spatial-resolution
interferometry observations are necessary. We have observed two M-type
stars using the VLTI/MIDI instrument to constrain the dust-grain
sizes through modeling the 10 μm silicate feature.
Here we present preliminary results. |
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