Observations of molecular envelopes of late-type stars: CRL 618, CRL 2688, CRL 3068, and CIT 6

The HC3N, HC5N, HC7N, CCH, C4H, SiS, and HNC molecules were observed in the circumstellar envelopes of CRL 618, CRL 2688, CIT 6, and CRL 3068 with the Nobeyama 45 m radio telescope. The observed relative abundances of the cyanopolyynes, CCH, and C4H in these late-type stars are similar to those for IRC +10216. However, it was found that the abundance of HNC increased with the physical evolutionary stage of the stars. In CRL 2688, it is also found that HNC is more concentrated in the inner region than SiS. The production mechanism of HNC is discussed by considering ultraviolet radiation from the central stars. The HC3N J = 4-3 transition was observed to have a P Cygni line profile in CRL 618.