Open AccessHigh‐resolution spectroscopy of V854 Cen in decline – absorption and emission lines of C 2 molecules
Author(s) -
Kameswara Rao N.,
Lambert David L.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03397.x
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , spectroscopy , absorption spectroscopy , absorption (acoustics) , spectral line , emission spectrum , rotational temperature , high resolution , astronomy , radial velocity , spectral resolution , stars , optics , remote sensing , geology
High‐resolution optical spectra of the R Coronae Borealis (RCB) star V854 Centauri in the early stages of a decline show, in addition to the features reported for other RCBs in decline, narrow absorption lines from the C 2 Phillips system. The low rotational temperature, T rot =1150 K, of the C 2 ground electronic state suggests the cold gas is associated with the developing shroud of carbon dust. These absorption lines were not seen at a fainter magnitude on the rise from minimum light, nor at maximum light. This is the first detection of cold gas around an RCB star.