MASS-LOSS RATE BY THE MIRA IN THE SYMBIOTIC BINARY V1016 CYGNI FROM RAMAN SCATTERING

Abstract

The mass-loss rate from Mira variables represents a key parameter in our understanding of their evolutionary tracks. We introduce a method for determining the mass-loss rate from the Mira component in D-type symbiotic binaries via the Raman scattering of atomic hydrogen in the wind from the giant. Using our method, we investigated Raman He ii conversion in the spectrum of the symbiotic Mira V1016 Cyg. We determined its efficiency, η = 0.102, 0.148, and the corresponding mass-loss rate, , using our spectra from 2006 April and 2007 July, respectively. Our values of that we derived from Raman scattering are comparable with those obtained independently by other methods. Applying the method to other Mira–white dwarf binary systems can provide a necessary constraint in the calculation of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) evolution.