NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0288
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0288 |
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PI: Kenneth Hinkle, NOAO, hinkle@noao.edu
Address: NSSC, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, AZ 85726, USA
CoI: Richard Joyce, NOAO
CoI: Thomas Lebzelter, Univ. of Vienna
Title: Imaging the debris cloud around the final flash star IRAS15154-5258
Abstract:
A brief yet common evolutionary process is a post-AGB final episode
of helium shell burning. This occurs after a low mass star has ejected
a planetary nebula and has started on the white dwarf track. Seven
stars are now classified with varying degrees of certainty as one of
these ``final flash'' objects. Two of these have actually been observed
to eject a shell of gas first as a pseudo-photosphere and then as a
thick, expanding dust envelope. In 2010B we obtained Gemini NIRI/Altair
time to take high spatial resolution images in the K band of the ejecta
around five final flash objects. These AO images of the circumstellar
shell will be used to measure changes from images recorded a decade or
more ago. From these changes we will determine geometric parallaxes and
hence luminosities. The luminosity will be compared to stellar
evolution models. To complete this project we request time to take a
first infrared image of the
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0288 |
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