2011A&A...526L..11C -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 526, L11-11 (2011/2-1)
Water in IRC+10216: a genuine formation process by shock-induced chemistry in the inner wind.
CHERCHNEFF I.
Abstract (from CDS):
The presence of water in the wind of the extreme carbon star IRC+10216 has been confirmed by the Herschel telescope. The regions where the high-J H2O lines have been detected are close to the star at radii r≤15R*. We investigate the formation of water and related molecules in the periodically-shocked inner layers of IRC+10216 where dust also forms and accelerates the wind. We describe the molecular formation by a chemical kinetic network involving carbon-and oxygen-based molecules. We then apply this network to the physical conditions pertaining to the dust-formation zone which experiences the passage of pulsation-driven shocks between 1 and 5R*. We solve for a system of stiff, coupled, ordinary, and differential equations. Non-equilibrium chemistry prevails in the dust-formation zone. H2O forms quickly above the photosphere from the synthesis of hydroxyl OH induced by the thermal fragmentation of CO in the hot post-shock gas. The derived abundance with respect to H2 at 5R* is 1.4x10–7, which excellently agrees with the values derived from Herschel observations. The non-equilibrium formation process of water will be active whatever the stellar C/O ratio, and H2O should then be present in the wind acceleration zone of all stars on the Asymptotic Giant Branch.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
astrochemistry - molecular processes - stars: low-mass - stars: carbon - stars: AGB and post-AGB
Simbad objects:
4
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