In this presentation, I will discuss my ESGC project, which was awarded funding last year from the Research Council of Norway's call for “FRIPRO”.
The primary focus of my project is on evolved stars and their impact on enriching the chemical composition of interstellar mediums and galaxies. I will begin by providing an introduction to evolved stars and the chemistry active in their outflow. Solar-type stars eject a substantial amount of heavy elements and dust particles to the interstellar medium through strong stellar winds at late phases of stellar evolution, known as the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase, and therefore significantly influence the chemical composition of galaxies.
In my ESGC project, I aim to target two main gaps in our knowledge that can be significantly advanced with current observational facilities, new laboratory molecular data, and upgraded chemical models. These gaps concern the role of AGB stars in the production of fluorine in our Galaxy, which is an essential element for the maintenance of solidity in our bones and teeth, and the impact of a chromospheric UV radiation field on the chemistry and dust-formation process around AGB stars. I will then delve into the primary objectives of my project and how I developed my ideas, including the use of new promising high-spectral and -spatial Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA) observations towards a well-selected sample and upgraded radiative transfer and chemical models. Finally, I will outline the observational and simulation approaches I am planning to use to achieve these objectives, highlighting the unique opportunities associated with each approach. Through this project, I aim to create a more realistic picture of the recycled materials and stardust from evolved stars by considering the impact of internal UV radiation in the chemical models.
Delicate bubble of expelled material around the cool red star U Antliae. This Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) image reveals much finer structure in the U Antliae shell than has previously been possible. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/F. Kerschbaum
This Friday colloquium will be hybrid. Attendees can therefore participate either in-person or via Zoom. Please join via Zoom at
https://uio.zoom.us/j/69001043754?pwd=cEJpbVE5ci9PdWNtRld2TDNNcGtKdz09
Meeting ID:690 0104 3754
Passcode: PeiseStua3
Attendees will be muted during the colloquium, but will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end by clicking on the "raise hand” button (or send a request via chat).