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An oxygen-rich dust disk surrounding an evolved star in the Red Rectangle

Author

Listed:
  • L. B. F. M. Waters

    (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, NL-1098 SJ
    SRON Groningen Institute)

  • C. Waelkens

    (Instituut voor Sterrenkunde, K.U. Leuven)

  • H. van Winckel

    (Instituut voor Sterrenkunde, K.U. Leuven)

  • F. J. Molster

    (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, NL-1098 SJ)

  • A. G. G. M. Tielens

    (SRON Groningen Institute
    Kapteyn Astronomical Institute)

  • J. Th. van Loon

    (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, NL-1098 SJ)

  • P. W. Morris

    (SRON Utrecht, Sorbonnelaan 2)

  • J. Cami

    (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, NL-1098 SJ
    SRON Groningen Institute)

  • J. Bouwman

    (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, NL-1098 SJ)

  • A. de Koter

    (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, NL-1098 SJ)

  • T. de Jong

    (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, NL-1098 SJ
    SRON Groningen Institute)

  • Th. de Graauw

    (SRON Groningen Institute)

Abstract

The Red Rectangle1 is the prototype of a class of carbon-rich reflection nebulae surrounding low-mass stars in the final stages of evolution. The central star of this nebula has ejected most of its layers (during the red-giant phase), which now form the surrounding cloud, and is rapidly evolving to a white dwarf. This star is also a member of a wide binary system2, which is surrounded by a thick, dusty disk of material3,4. Here we report infrared observations of the Red Rectangle that reveal the presence of oxygen-rich material: prominent emission bands from crystalline silicates, and absorption lines arising from carbon dioxide. The oxygen-rich material is located in the circumbinary disk, in contrast to the previously known carbon-rich dust, which is found mainly in the extended nebula5,6. The properties of the oxygen-rich dust are similar to those of dusty disks surrounding young stars7, which are believed to be the sites of planet formation. Grain processing, and perhaps even planet formation, may therefore also be occurring in the circumbinary disk of this evolved star.

Suggested Citation

  • L. B. F. M. Waters & C. Waelkens & H. van Winckel & F. J. Molster & A. G. G. M. Tielens & J. Th. van Loon & P. W. Morris & J. Cami & J. Bouwman & A. de Koter & T. de Jong & Th. de Graauw, 1998. "An oxygen-rich dust disk surrounding an evolved star in the Red Rectangle," Nature, Nature, vol. 391(6670), pages 868-871, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:391:y:1998:i:6670:d:10.1038_36052
    DOI: 10.1038/36052
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