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Broad-band and multi-band polarimetric observations of post-AGB and RV Tauri stars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2014

S. Akras
Affiliation:
Institute of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications & Remote Sensing, National Observatory of Athens Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ensenada, México
J. Ramirez-Velez
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ensenada, México
D. Hiriart
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ensenada, México
M. Lopez
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ensenada, México
A. Bonanos
Affiliation:
Institute of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications & Remote Sensing, National Observatory of Athens
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Abstract

We present optical broad-band (UBVRI) aperture polarimetry of 52 post-AGB stars, selected from De Ruyter et al. (2006) and the Torun Catalog, based on the shape of their SED and near-infrared excess. We find 10 (19%) of the stars in our sample to have high polarization (P > 5%), 30 (56%) intermediate/low polarization (1% < P < 5%) and 13 (25%) very low (or non–polarized) polarization (P < 1%). Our observations show clear evidence of asymmetric circumstellar envelopes or equatorial density enhancement around post-AGB stars, probably formed at the beginning of the AGB phase. Some stars exhibit wavelength-independent polarization suggesting scattered light by large dust grains or free electrons (Thomson scattering), while others show wavelength-dependent polarization originated from scattering by small dust grains (Rayleigh scattering). Finally, we conclude that highly polarized sources (P > 3%), show systematically [12] − [25] > 1.5, JH > 0.5 and JK > 0.5, clearly separated from the group of RV Tauri stars, which are found to have very low polarization (P < 3%).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2014

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References

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