TP-AGB stars in population synthesis models

• Published in: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union Vol. 5; no. S262; pp. 36 - 43
• Main Authors: Marigo, Paola, Girardi, Léo, Bressan, Alessandro, Aringer, Bernhard, Gullieuszik, Marco, Held, Enrico V., Groenewegen, Martin A.T., Silva, Laura, Granato, Gian Luigi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.08.2009
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Contributed Papers; Mathematical models; Star & galaxy formation; Stars & galaxies
• ISSN: 1743-9213; 1743-9221; 1743-9221
• DOI: 10.1017/S1743921310002498

In spite of its relevance, the Thermally Pulsing Asymptotic Giant Branch (TP-AGB) phase is one of the most uncertain phases of stellar evolution, and a major source of disagreement between the results of different population synthesis models of galaxies. I will briefly review the existing literature on the subject, and recall the basic prescriptions that have been used to fix the contribution of TP-AGB stars to the integrated light of stellar populations. The simplicity of these prescriptions greatly contrasts with the richness of details provided by present-day databases of AGB stars in the Magellanic Clouds, which are now being extended to other nearby galaxies. I will present the first results of an ongoing study aimed at simulating photometry, chemistry, pulsation, mass loss, dust properties of AGB star populations in resolved and un-resolved galaxies. We test our predictions against observations from various surveys of the Magellanic Clouds (DENIS, 2MASS, OGLE, MACHO, Spitzer, and AKARI). I will discuss the implications and outline the plan of future developments.