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Constraints on Circumstellar Dust Grain Sizes from High Spatial Resolution Observations in the Thermal InfraredWe describe how high spatial resolution imaging of circumstellar dust at a wavelength of about 10 micron, combined with knowledge of the source spectral energy distribution, can yield useful information about the sizes of the individual dust grains responsible for the infrared emission. Much can be learned even when only upper limits to source size are available. In parallel with high-resolution single-telescope imaging that may resolve the more extended mid-infrared sources, we plan to apply these less direct techniques to interpretation of future observations from two-element optical interferometers, where quite general arguments may be made despite only crude imaging capability. Results to date indicate a tendency for circumstellar grain sizes to be rather large compared to the Mathis-Rumpl-Nordsieck size distribution traditionally thought to characterize dust in the general interstellar medium. This may mean that processing of grains after their initial formation and ejection from circumstellar atmospheres adjusts their size distribution to the ISM curve; further mid-infrared observations of grains in various environments would help to confirm this conjecture.
Document ID
19970007839
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bloemhof, E. E.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Danen, R. M.
(California Univ. Santa Barbara, CA United States)
Gwinn, C. R.
(California Univ. Santa Barbara, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: From Stardust to Planetesimals: Contributed Papers
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
97N14460
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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