T. Kamiński

V4332 Sagittarii: a circumstellar disc obscuring the main object

Context. V4332 Sgr experienced an outburst in 1994 whose observational characteristics in many respects resemble those of the eruption of V838 Mon in 2002. It has been proposed that these objects erupted because of a stellar-merger event. Aims. Our aim is to derive, from observational data, information on the present (10–15 yrs after the outburst) nature and structure of the object. Methods. We present and analyse a high-resolution (R ≈ 21 000) spectrum of V4332 Sgr obtained with the Subaru Telescope in June 2009. Various components (stellar-like continuum, atomic emission lines, molecular bands in emission) in the spectrum are analysed and discussed. We also investigate a global spectral energy distribution (SED) of the object mostly derived from broadband optical and infrared photometry. Results. The observed continuum resembles that of an ∼M 6 giant. The emission features (atomic and molecular) are most probably produced by radiative pumping. The observed strengths of the emission features strongly suggest that we only observe a small part of the radiation of the main object responsible for pumping the emission features. An infrared component seen in the observed SED, which can be roughly approximated by two blackbodies of ∼950 and ∼200 K, is ∼50 times brighter than the M 6 stellar component seen in the optical. This further supports the idea that the main object is mostly obscured for us. Conclusions. The main object in V4332 Sgr, an ∼M 6 (super)giant, is surrounded by a circumstellar disc, which is seen almost edgeon so the central star is obscured. The observed M 6 spectrum probably results from scattering the central star spectrum on dust grains at the outer edge of the disc.

High-resolution optical spectroscopy of V838 Monocerotis in 2009

Context. V838 Mon erupted at the beginning of 2002. In the course of the outburst the object evolved to low effective temperatures and declined as a very late M-type supergiant. Among various scenarios proposed to explain the nature of the outburst, the most promising is a stellar merger event. Aims. We aim at studying the structure and evolution of the object in the decline from the 2002 eruption. Methods. We obtained spectroscopic observations of V838 Mon in January−March 2009 with UVES/VLT. The results are analysed and compared with similar observations obtained in October 2005 with HIRES/Keck. Results. The most striking difference between 2009 and 2005 is a complete absence of the B3 V component and of the [FeII] emission lines in 2009. The present spectrum displays only the spectrum of the 2002 eruption remnant. It resembles that of an ∼M6 giant, although the molecular bands in V838 Mon are deeper than those in standard stellar spectra of a similar spectral class. Several atomic lines, which displayed P-Cyg profiles in 2005, are now dominated by pure absorptions. Some of these lines, however, show a narrow emission component, which, as we argue, measures the radial velocity of V838 Mon. The resulting heliocentric velocity is 71 km s −1 , which very well agrees with the velocity obtained from SiO maser observations. The atomic lines and the molecular bands show very complex kinematics. In some atomic lines and high-excitation molecular bands we observe matter infalling in the object atmosphere. The infall components were already observed in 2005, but were less pronounced and present in fewer lines than in 2009. We argue that the most negative radial velocity components seen in the resonance atomic lines and in the low-excitation molecular bands were formed in the ejecta of the 2002 eruption. The B3 V companion most probably became engulfed in an opaque dusty matter of the 2002 V838 Mon ejecta.

An observational study of dust nucleation in Mira (o Ceti) - I. Variable features of AlO and other Al-bearing species

Context: Dust is efficiently produced by cool giant stars, but the condensation of inorganic dust is poorly understood. Aims: Identify and characterize aluminum bearing species in the circumstellar gas of Mira (

Detection of Interstellar Ortho-D2H+ with SOFIA

o

Circumstellar ammonia in oxygen-rich evolved stars

Ceti) in order to elucidate their role in the production of Al

Organic molecules, ions, and rare isotopologues in the remnant of the stellar-merger candidate, CK Vulpeculae (Nova 1670)

_2

Widespread HCN maser emission in carbon rich evolved stars

O

Astronomical detection of radioactive molecule 26 AlF in the remnant of an ancient explosion

_3

An analysis of a spectrum of V838 Monocerotis in October 2005

dust. Methods: Multiepoch spectral line observations at (sub-)millimeter, far-infrared, and optical wavelengths including: maps with ALMA which probe the gas distribution in the immediate vicinity of the star at ~30 mas; observations with ALMA, APEX, and Herschel in 2013-2015 for studying cycle and inter-cycle variability of the rotational lines of Al bearing molecules; optical records as far back as 1965 to examine variations in electronic transitions over time spans of days to decades; and velocity measurements and excitation analysis of the spectral features which constrain the physical parameters of the gas. Results: Three diatomic molecules AlO, AlOH, and AlH, and atomic Al I are the main observable aluminum species in Mira, although a significant fraction of aluminum might reside in other species that have not yet been identified. Strong irregular variability in the (sub-)millimeter and optical features of AlO (possibly the direct precursor of Al

Molecular dust precursors in envelopes of oxygen-rich AGB stars and red supergiants

_2