The production of low mass carbon stars - Carbon-rich dredge up or oxygen-rich mass loss?Conventional theory explains the origin of carbon stars as due to dredge up of carbon enriched material from the stellar core during helium flash events late in the life of solar mass AGB stars. This relatively efficient process, however, seems to produce a larger C/O ratio than observed (Lambert et al., 1987). A secondary effect which could contribute to the appearance of carbon stars, is the selective removal of oxygen from the atmosphere by radiative force expulsion of oxygen-rich dust grains. Calculations for this scenario are presented, which evaluate the degree of momentum coupling between the grains and gas under the thermodynamical conditions of AGB star atmospheres.
Document ID
19900044160
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Stencel, R. E. (Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Pesce, J. E. (Colorado, University Boulder, United States)
Macgregor, K. M. (High Altitude Observatory Boulder, CO, United States)