A new perspective for the extremely red asymptotic giant branch stars: are they hiding a close companion?

by Flavia Dell'Agli (INAF, Observatory of Rome)

Wednesday 20 Jan 2021, 13:30 → 14:30 Europe/Stockholm

https://stockholmuniversity.zoom.us/j/530682073

Asymptotic giant branch stars (AGB) are the main sources for carbon dust in galaxies. The analysis of these objects in the Large Magellanic Clouds unearthed a group of stars, called "Extremely Red Objects" (ERO). The analysis of EROs spectral energy distribution suggests the presence of large quantities of dust in their surroundings. Theoretical modelling of single stars does not reach optical depths compatible with the observations. In this talk I will present a new perspective for the interpretation of these objects, discussing the possibility that EROs are part of an interacting binary system where the presence of a common envelope would favour a conspicuous dust formation.

DellAgli_20-Jan-2021.mp4