The spectral energy distribution of D-type symbiotic stars: the role of dust shells

We have collected continuum data of a sample of D-type symbiotic stars. By modelling their spectral energy distribution in a colliding-wind theoretical scenario we have found the common characteristics to all the systems: 1) at least two dust shells are clearly present, one at sim 1000 K and the other at sim 400 K; they dominate the emission in the IR; 2) the radio data are explained by thermal self-absorbed emission from the reverse shock between the stars; while 3) the data in the long wavelength tail come from the expanding shock outwards the system; 4) in some symbiotic stars, the contribution from the WD in the UV is directly seen. Finally, 5) for some objects soft X-ray emitted by bremsstrahlung downstream of the reverse-shock between the stars are predicted. The results thus confirm the validity of the colliding wind model and the important role of the shocks. The comparison of the fluxes calculated at the nebula with those observed at Earth reveals the distribution throughout the system of the different components, in particular the nebulae and the dust shells. The correlation of shell radii with the orbital period shows that larger radii are found at larger periods. Moreover, the temperatures of the dust shells regarding the sample are found at 1000 K and <=400 K, while, in the case of late giants, they spread more uniformly throughout the same range.

Shock fronts in the symbiotic system BI Crucis

We investigate the symbiotic star BI Crucis through a comprehensive and self-consistent analysis of the spectra emitted in three different epochs: 60s, 70s, and late 80s. In particular, we would like to find out the physical conditions in the shocked nebula and in the dust shells, as well as their location within the symbiotic system, by exploiting both photometric and spectroscopic data from radio to UV. We suggest a model which, on the basis of optical imaging, emission line ratios and spectral energy distribution profile, is able to account for collision of the winds, formation of lobes and jets by accretion onto the WD, as well as for the interaction of the blast wave from a past, unrecorded outburst with the ISM. We have found that the spectra observed throughout the years show the marks of the different processes at work within BI Cru, perhaps signatures of a post-outburst evolution. We then call for new infrared and millimeter observations, potentially able to resolve the inner structure of the symbiotic nebula.

The symbiotic star CH Cygni. I. An analysis of the shocked nebulae at different epochs

Context. We analyse the line and continuum spectra of the symbiotic system CH Cygni. Aims. To show that the colliding-wind model is valid to explain this symbiotic star at different phases. Methods. Peculiar observed features such as flickering, radio variation, X-ray emission, as well as the distribution of the nebulae and shells throughout the system are investigated by modelling the spectra at different epochs. The models account consistently for shock and photoionization and are constrained by absolute fluxes. Results. We find that the reverse shock between the stars leads to the broad lines observed during the active phases, as well as to radio and hard X-ray emission, while the expanding shock is invoked to explain the data during the transition phases.

The symbiotic star H1-36. A composite model of line and continuum spectra from radio to ultraviolet

In this paper we analyse the spectra of D-type SS H1-36 within a colliding-wind scenario. We aim to analyse the properties of this object taking into account the observational data along the whole electromagnetic spectrum, in order to derive a self-consistent picture able to interpret the nature of the system as a whole. After constraining the relative physical conditions by modelling more than 40 emission lines from radio to UV, we are able to explain the continuum spectral energy distribution by taking into account all the emitting contributions arising from both the stars, the dust shells and the gaseous nebulae. A comprehensive model of the radio spectra allows to reproduce the different slopes of the radio profile and the turnover frequency, as well as the different size of the observed shocked envelope at different frequencies in the light of the different contributions from the expanding and reverse nebulae. The IR continuum unveils the presence of two dust shells with different radii and temperatures, which might be a distinctive feature of D-type symbiotic systems as a class of objects. The broad profiles of IR lines direct us to investigate whether an X-ray jet may be present. This insight leads us to indicate H1-36 as a promising X-ray target and to encourage observations and studies which consistently take into account the complex nature of symbiotic stars throughout the whole electromagnetic spectrum.

Gas and dust spectra of the D type symbiotic star HD330036

We present a comprehensive and self-consistent modelling of the D type symbiotic star (SS) HD330036 from radio to UV. Within a colliding-wind scenario, we analyse the continuum, line and dust spectra by means of SUMA, a code that simulates the physical conditions of an emitting gaseous cloud under the coupled effect of ionization from an external radiation source and shocks. We find that the UV lines are emitted from high density gas between the stars downstream of the reverse shock, while the optical lines are emitted downstream of the shock propagating outwards the system. As regards with the continuum SED, three shells are identified in the IR, at 850K, 320 K and 200 K with radii r = 2.8 10^13 cm, 4 10^14$ cm, and 10^15 cm, respectively, adopting a distance to Earth d=2.3 kpc: interestingly, all these shells appear to be circumbinary. The analysis of the unexploited ISO-SWS spectrum reveals that both PAHs and crystalline silicates coexist in HD330036, with PAHs associated to the internal shell at 850 K, and crystalline silicates stored into the cool shells at 320 K and 200 K. Strong evidence that crystalline silicates are shaped in a disk-like structure is derived on the basis of the relative band strengths. Finally, we suggest that shocks can be a reliable mechanism in activating the annealing and the consequent crystallization processes. We show that a consistent interpretation of gas and dust spectra emitted by SS can be obtained by models which accounts for the coupled effect of the photoionizing flux and of shocks. The VLTI/MIDI proposal recently accepted by ESO aims to verify and better constrain some of our results by means of IR interferometric observations.