Infrared photometry of the carbon star RW LMi and an axisymmetric model for its dust envelope

Abstract

We have developed an axisymmetric model for the dust envelope of the carbon star RW LMi with a density distribution typical for the superwind stage using JHKLM photometric data obtained in 1997–2003, supplemented by flux data at optical, mid-IR, and far-IR wavelengths. In contrast to earlier spherically-symmetric models, the model is able to reproduce the observed fluxes in all observed wavelength ranges, and provides a good agreement with the observational data. The estimated mass-loss rate is \(\dot M = 1.2 \times 10^{ - 5} M_ \odot /yr\). The computed brightness distribution of the envelope in the near-IR is in satisfactory agreement with high-resolution observations, while the optical size is considerably larger than is observed.