Clayton, Geoffrey C.

Contact Email: gclayton@fenway.phys.lsu.edu
Institute: Lousiana State University
First Coauthor: T.R. Ayres
Institute: CASA, University of Colorado
Research URL:http://snake.phys.lsu.edu/~gclayton
Subject Area: Stellar Evolution
Waveband: Multi-wavelength
Technique: Imaging (Direct)
Presentation: Poster Display
Title: Recent Advances Toward the Understanding Of The R Coronae Borealis Stars
Abstract: There are two major evolutionary models for the origin of RCB stars: the Double Degenerate and the Final Helium Shell Flash. In the final flash model, there is a close relationship between RCB stars and Planetary Nebulae (PNe). The connection between RCB stars and PNe has recently become stronger, since the central stars of three old PNe (Sakurai's Object, V605 Aql and FG Sge) have had observed outbursts that transformed them from hot evolved central stars into cool giants with the spectral properties of an RCB star. The RCB stars, UW Cen and V854 Cen have been discovered to have extended shells possibly linking them to the Planetary Nebulae and the final helium shell flash stars. In addition, eight new RCB stars have been discovered in the LMC using the MACHO project photometry database. The absolute luminosities of the Galactic RCB stars are unknown since there is no direct measurement of the distance to any Galactic RCB star. Hence, the importance of the LMC RCB stars.