Stefanie N. Milam, Aldo J. Apponi, N.J. Woolf, and Lucy M. Ziurys. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Circumstellar envelopes have proven to provide an environment conducive to a rich chemistry. However, of the multiple objects studied, very few have been classified as oxygen-rich. The most chemically rich and well studied object is the carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch star, IRC+10216. Over 50 molecular species have been detected in this object including “oxygen-rich type” molecules such as C3O and H2CO. To further understand these environments and their unique chemistries, an investigation of the oxygen-rich Supergiant, VY CMa, is currently underway utilizing the Arizona Radio Observatory's 12m telescope and submillimeter telescope at λ = 1, 2 and 3 mm. This is one of the brightest infrared objects in the sky and is known to have a dense envelope with unique structure. VY CMa is classified as a cool hypergiant with multiple molecular masers including OH, SiO, and H2O – typical for an oxygen rich circumstellar envelope. Initial results of this survey include the detection three new molecular species for an oxygen-rich envelope including PN, NaCl, and HCO+. Isotopic substitutions for carbon, silicon, and sulfur have also been detected as well as five carbon-containing species beyond CO. The results of this survey will be presented as well as a comparison of oxygen vs. carbon-rich circumstellar chemistry.
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