THE INTERACTION OF ASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH STARS WITH THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal Vol. 748; no. 2; pp. 94 - 16
• Main Authors: Villaver, Eva, Manchado, Arturo, García-Segura, Guillermo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP 01.04.2012
• Subjects: Astronomy; ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY; Asymptotic giant branch stars; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; DENSITY; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; GALAXIES; HYDRODYNAMICS; INSTABILITY; Interstellar matter; Modulation; Progenitors (astrophysics); SHOCK WAVES; Simulation; Stability; STAR EVOLUTION; STARS; STELLAR WINDS; Stellar winds; Galaxies; ISM: kinematics and dynamics; stars: AGB and post-AGB; Stellar evolution; hydrodynamics; stars: winds, outflows; ISM: structure; Stellar mass; Dynamics; Stellar population; Kinematics; Instability; Models; Asymptotic giant branch; Interstellar matter
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/748/2/94

We study the hydrodynamical behavior of the gas expelled by moving asymptotic giant branch stars interacting with the interstellar medium (ISM). Our models follow the wind modulations prescribed by stellar evolution calculations, and we cover a range of expected relative velocities (10-100 km s super(-1)), ISM densities (between 0.01 and 1 cm super(-3)), and stellar progenitor masses (1 and 3.5 M sub([middot in circle])). We show how and when bow shocks and cometary-like structures form, and in which regime the shells are subject to instabilities. Finally, we analyze the results of the simulations in terms of the different kinematical stellar populations expected in the Galaxy.