Astronomers
from the University of Tokyo have found a link between the varying
intensity of dusty asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and the dust
amount these stars produce.
The
dust created by AGB stars could lead to the creation of planets, and
studying it could help us understand the origins of life on Earth.
- AGB stars generally produce dust in the interstellar medium.
- Dusty AGBs are particularly prominent dust producers, shining light that varies widely.
- The
research team's findings came from studying the data produced by AKARI
and WISE, two infrared space telescopes surveying the cosmos.
- The
researchers found that the light from dusty AGBs varies with periods
longer than several hundred days and that the spherical shells of dust
produced by these stars have concentrations of dust that vary in step
with the stars' changes in luminosity.
- The team intends to
continue its investigation by continuously monitoring various AGB stars
for years to explore the possible physical mechanisms behind dust
production.
- This study sheds light on the drivers of dust production in AGB stars and where to look to find answers to these questions.
