Detached cold dust shell around the early R star (warm carbon star) HD 100764

Abstract

The existence of a dust shell and warm dust near HD 100764 are determined from IRAS observations of early R stars, and the ramifications of the findings are discussed. The mass of the dust shell is calculated to be 0.510 to the -4th solar mass, and the shell is considered to be an oxygen-rich silicate dust shell. The dust shell is theorized to be the result of mass loss experienced by the star during the helium core flash, a mechanism which is extended to the shells of J-type carbon stars.