The transition phase from AGB stars to Planetary Nebula as seen by TIMMI2
Publication date: 02 September 2005
Authors: Perea Calderon, J.V., et al.
Journal: High Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy in Astronomy
Volume: 2005
Page: 427-430
Year: 2005
Copyright: ESO
We explore the possibilities of TIMMI2 N-band observations of improving our knowledge on the physics of the short transition phase which precedes the formation of a planetary nebula. Both imaging and spectroscopic capabilities of TIMMI2 are shown to be extremely powerful and suitable to study the hidden evolution of AGB stars in their way to become planetary nebulae. These data are complementary to previously obtained ISO SWS spectra corresponding to sources at different evolutionary stages covering the whole path from the start of the AGB to the formation of a new planetary nebula. Both TIMMI2 and ISO SWS spectra are used to classify the sources as carbon-rich or oxygen-rich and to propose a tentative evolutionary sequence of spectral characteristics based on the detailed analysis of the gas phase and solid state features detected in the mid-infrared range.
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