Accession Number:

AD0711590

Title:

THE 10 MICRON EMISSION FEATURE IN SUPERGIANTS, INTERSTELLAR DUST AND COMET BENNETT 1969i.

Descriptive Note:

Astrophysics,

Corporate Author:

MINNESOTA UNIV MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Personal Author(s):

• Ney,E. P.
• Woolf,N. J.

Report Date:

1970-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

11.0

Abstract:

A broad emission feature centered at 10.5 micrometers was discovered in the spectra of M stars Gillett, Low and Stein Woolf and Ney. This feature has been attributed to the presence of silicates in cool optically thin circumstellar shells, Woolf and Ney Gilman. It is presumed that the silicates form in the outer layers of oxygen rich stars, and that carbon is the primary material produced in carbon rich stars. Observation of the Orion trapezium nebula Stein and Gillett Ney and Allen has shown that the emission feature is present in interstellar dust. The infrared spectrum of this region exhibits the 10.5 micrometers excess superimposed on the scattered starlight. Recent observations of Comet Bennett Maas, Ney and Woolf have also revealed the presence of the emission maximum. It is tempting to speculate that the silicates are formed in the outer atmospheres of cool supergiants, are blow into space by the solar winds and are incorporated in interstellar dust of which comets probably represent a sample. Author

Descriptors:

• (*STARS
• INFRARED RADIATION)
• (*INTERSTELLAR MATTER
• INFRARED RADIATION)
• (*COMETS
• INFRARED RADIATION)
• NEBULAE
• SILICATES

Subject Categories:

• Astrophysics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE