1997A&A...327..342G -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 327, 342-348 (1997/11-1)
High mass-loss carbon stars and the evolution of the local 12C/13C ratio.
GREAVES J.S. and HOLLAND W.S.
Abstract (from CDS):
The 12C/13C ratio has been measured in a sample of 10 carbon stars with high mass-loss rates, of ≥10–5M☉/yr. This sample is complete for northern hemisphere carbon stars within ∼1kpc of the Sun. Using the J=2-1 rotational lines of CO and 13CO, the intensity ratio of 12CO/13CO is found to be 17±11 for the sample, and the deduced 12C/13C abundance ratio, after corrections for CO optical depth effects, is 25±13. The isotopic ratios are rather uniform (12-36 for 9 of the 10 stars), and there are no stars with very low 12C/13C values, such as the ratios of 3-4 found for a few low mass-loss carbon stars. The ejecta from the high mass-loss objects will dominate the evolution of the 12C/13C ratio in the local interstellar medium, since mass return is dominated by AGB stars, and the stars of the highest {dot}(M) return the majority of the carbon. Thus the ejection of 13C-rich material from AGB stars could explain the evolution of the local 12C/13C ratio from 89 at the time of the Sun's formation, to 60-70 now. From our data, it is estimated that the local ISM ratio should have evolved to ≃72±8 at the present time, which agrees with ISM observations. The AGB stars can therefore fully explain the enrichment of the local ISM in 13C.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
ISM: abundances - ISM: clouds
Simbad objects:
14
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