2020/02/08 by Peter Scicluna, Hiroko Shinnaga, Scicluna, Peter +19
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA) #FOS: Physical sciences #Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR) #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2002.03100
openalex publication_date 2020/02/08 · openalex created_date 2020/02/14 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
This white paper discusses recent progress in the field of evolved stars, primarily highlighting the contributions of the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. It discusses the ongoing project, the Nearby Evolved Stars Survey (NESS), and the potential to build upon NESS in the next decade. It then outlines a number of science cases which may become feasible with the proposed 850 μm camera which is due to become available at the JCMT in late 2022. These include mapping the extended envelopes of evolved stars, including in polarisation, and time-domain monitoring of their variations. The improved sensitivity of the proposed instrument will facilitate statistical studies that put the morphology, polarisation properties and sub-mm variability in perspective with a relatively modest commitment of time that would be impossible with current instrumentation. We also consider the role that could be played by other continuum wavelengths, heterodyne instruments or other facilities in contributing towards these objectives.