The wonderful complexity of the Mira AB system

Author(s)

Sofia Ramstedt, Shazrene Mohamed, Wouter H. T. Vlemmings, Franz Kerschbaum, Andreas Mayer, Matthias Maercker, Rodolfo Montez, A. Baudry, Elvire De Beck, M Lindqvist, Hans Olofsson, E. M. L. Humphreys, A. Jorissen, M. Wittkowski, Nick L. J. Cox, E. Lagadec, M. L. Leal-Ferreira, C. Paladini, A. Perez-Sanchez, Stephane Sacuto

Abstract

We have mapped the

¹²CO(3-2) line emission around the Mira AB system at 0.5 resolution using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The CO map shows amazing complexity. The circumstellar gas has been shaped by different dynamical actors during the evolution of the system, and several morphological components can be identified. The companion is marginally resolved in continuum emission and is currently at 0. 487 ± 0. 006 separation. In the main line component, centered on the stellar velocity, spiral arcs around Mira A are found. The spiral appears to be relatively flat and oriented in the orbital plane. An accretion wake behind the companion is clearly visible, and the projected arc separation is about 5′′. In the blue wing of the line emission, offset from the main line, several large (~5-10′′) opposing arcs are found. We tentatively suggest that this structure is created by the wind of Mira B blowing a bubble in the expanding envelope of Mira A.

Organisation(s)

Department of Astrophysics

External organisation(s)

South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), Chalmers University of Technology, Uppsala University, Université Bordeaux, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Vanderbilt University, Université Libre de Bruxelles, European Southern Observatory (Germany), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Université Côte d'Azur, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Journal

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Volume

570

No. of pages

6

ISSN

0004-6361

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201425029

Publication date

10-2014

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103003 Astronomy, 103004 Astrophysics

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/03fb8d19-3f7c-4787-8298-4f80b1ef0c1d