We present numerical simulations of the hydrodynamical interactions that produce circumstellar shells. These simulations include several scenarios, such as wind-wind interaction and wind-ISM collisions. In our calculations we have taken into account the presence of dust in the stellar wind. Our results show that, while small dust grains tend to be strongly coupled to the gas, large dust grains are only weakly coupled. As a result, the distribution of the large dust grains is not representative of the gas distribution. Combining these results with observations may give us a new way of validating hydrodynamical models of the circumstellar medium.

We review the stellar mass loss of red giants and tip-AGB objects analizing the variation in the outflow velocity for different mass models (Wachter et al. 2002). We approach the superwind problem and see the evolution of tip-AGB stars via previously made mass-loss histories that are consistent with the Weidemann initial-final mass relationship (for carbon-rich stars). Finally density profiles are produced from these mass-loss histories, and the corresponding line-of-sight integration is compared with observational data (Phillips et al. 2009). We note the resemblance between the results obtained with our models and the observational data. We are thus able to reproduce the general trends of the emission from simple models (see Verbena et al. 2011).

New Hubble images of the reflection nebula CRL 2688 from 0.6 to 1.6μm reveal significant variations of color and opacity in the distribution of scattered starlight. We have constructed a detailed radiation-transfer model consisting principally of an optically thick equatorial disk-like structure; bipolar lobes with density enhancements along the polar axis and at the base of lobes; an optically thin extended envelope containing spherical density-enhanced shells to mimic the outer rings of CRL 2688; and a pair of near-stellar caps that collimate and redden the dispersing starlight near its source. Our model nicely reproduces all of the basic features detected in the HST images, including the famous searchlights and arcs, as well as the measured spectral energy distribution (“SED”) of CRL 2688. Assuming a distance of 420 pc we estimate the light originates in a giant star with a temperature T ~ 7000 K and a luminosity L = 5500 ± 1100 L⊙.

We estimate the parameters of the radio surface brightness to diameter (Σ – D) relation for the sample of Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe). The bootstrap re-sampling and orthogonal offsets fitting procedure are applied. The orthogonal fitting procedure provides that the parameter values of D – Σ and Σ – D fits are invariant within the estimated uncertainties. We discuss the probability statistics of the fitted (log Σ = log A - β log D) relation and the resulting fit parameters which is indicative for PN distance determination.

A “water fountain” is a transitional object between an AGB star and a PN. The VLBA observations of 22.2 GHz water maser emission reveal a “double-helix” outflow pattern from one of the water fountains, IRAS 18286–0959. The pattern is reasonably fit by a model consisting of two precessing jets. We propose that the two jets observed are a result of a single driving source with a significant proper motion. Using data from the AKARI catalogs, we also found that water fountains might have their own IR colors which are affected by the 9.7 μm silicate feature and the optical thickness of stellar envelopes. The colors could serve as new criteria for searching this type of rare objects.

The results of high-resolution spectroscopy and radial velocity monitoringa are presented for selected post-AGB candidate stars. Time series of high-resolution spectra for HD235858 shows spliting of low-excitation atomic lines and significant changes in the intensity of C2 and CN lines originated in the extended atmosphere significantly affected by pulsations and outflow. Mass ejection was confirmed for cool R CrB candidate stars DY Per, V1983 Cyg, and V2074 Cyg.

Due to interstellar extinction, optical census of Galactic planetary nebulae (PNs) is highly incomplete, and some compact H ii regions might have been mis-classified as PNs. The problem is particularly severe in the Galactic plane where the extinction in the optical is significant and hampers the detections of PNs. Unlike optical observations, infrared (IR) observations are hardly affected by interstellar extinction, and provide a good opportunity to study highly obscured PNs. In this study, we use the data from the Spitzer Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire 3D (GLIMPSE 3D) to investigate the mid-infrared (MIR) properties of PNs and PN candidates.

We carry out a modelling study of the effect of ionization and illumination on the morphologies of planetary nebulae (PNs), aiming to investigate the hypothesis of Kwok (2010) that the bipolar and multipolar lobes of PNs can be produced by leakage of UV photons into those directions. Using photoinization code, we construct a series of nebular models consisting of a dense envelope and cones of low density. The results show that the visible morphologies of PNs may be fundamentally different from their intrinsic structures.

The Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392) is a young double-shell planetary nebula (PN). Its intrinsic structure and the responsible shaping mechanism are still not fully understood. We present new optical spectroscopy of NGC 2392 at two different locations to obtain the spectra of the inner and outer shells. Several [Fe iii] lines are clearly detected. We find that these [Fe iii] lines mostly originate from the inner shell. Therefore, we suggest that NGC 2392 might have an intrinsic structure similar to the Ant Nebula Mz 3, which exhibits a number of [Fe iii] lines from the central dense regions. In this scenario, the inner and outer shells correspond to the central emission core and the outer lobes of Mz 3, respectively.