AAVSO: American Association of Variable Star Observers
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The SiO Masers of TX Camelopardalis (Abstract)

Volume 29 number 2 (2001)

Kevin B. Marvel
American Astronomical Society, Executive Office 2000 Florida Avenue, N. W. Suite 400 Washington, DC 20009
Phil Diamond
American Astronomical Society, Executive Office 2000 Florida Avenue, N. W. Suite 400 Washington, DC 20009
Athol Kemball
American Astronomical Society, Executive Office 2000 Florida Avenue, N. W. Suite 400 Washington, DC 20009

Abstract

(Abstract only) Observations of evolved stars with the Very Long Baseline Array have shown that silicon monoxide masers are found just above the photospheres of these interesting objects. By observing many times over a few pulsation periods, researchers are now discovering complex motions in the extended photospheres of these bloated, old stars. We will present several dramatic “movies” of these sources and speculate on what such observations can tell us about the physical conditions near the star.