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Titanium carbide nanocrystals in circumstellar environments.

G von Helden1, A G Tielens, D van Heijnsbergen

  • 1FOM Institute for Plasma Physics Rijnhuizen, Edisonbaan 14, NL-3430 BE Nieuwegein, Netherlands. gertvh@rijnh.nl

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 15, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Titanium carbide nanocrystals from meteorites have been spectroscopically identified in dying stars. This discovery confirms the stellar origin of these presolar grains during a brief, intense mass-loss phase.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrochemistry
  • Stellar Evolution
  • Cosmic Dust Formation

Background:

  • Meteorites contain presolar graphite and titanium carbide grains.
  • Isotopic analysis suggests asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars as their origin.
  • Direct observational evidence for these grains in astronomical sources is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide direct observational identification of titanium carbide (TiC) grains in astronomical sources.
  • To link laboratory-measured spectra of TiC nanocrystals to astrophysical observations.
  • To constrain the conditions and stellar phases responsible for TiC formation.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory synthesis of gas-phase titanium carbide nanocrystals.
  • Measurement of infrared (IR) spectra of synthesized TiC nanocrystals.

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  • Comparison of laboratory spectra with astronomical IR spectra of evolved stars.

    • Main Results:

    • Laboratory TiC nanocrystals exhibit a prominent spectral feature at 20.1 micrometers.
    • A similar spectral feature is observed in post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) stars.
    • The spectral match provides strong evidence for TiC grains in these stellar environments.

    Conclusions:

    • Titanium carbide forms in the outflows of dying, low-mass stars.
    • Formation occurs during a short, intense phase of catastrophic mass loss (approx. 100 years).
    • This confirms AGB and post-AGB stars as crucial sites for presolar grain production.