Mass Loss in Classical and Type II Cepheids
Abstract
Mass loss in Cepheid variable stars is potentially important to our understanding of both setllar evolution and the effects of pulsation on mass loss. Previously, this has been investigated using infrared excesses determined from surveys such as IRAS, by searching for spectral lines with velocities suggestive of outflow and by imaging the circumstellar clouds. The availability of infrared photometry from the WISE survey offers an opportunity to revisit this question and to take advantage of its sensitivity and spatial resolution to extend the sample. We have used our previous photometry of about 40 classical Cepheids and 100 type II Cepheids in combination with 2MASS and WISE photometry to assess the prevalence of significant mass loss. We find that about 80% of both classical and type II Cepheids lack significant infrared flux in the WISE bands in excess of the photospheric flux.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #225
- Pub Date:
- January 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015AAS...22534305S