Period -- mass-loss rate relation of Miras with and without technetium

TL;DR

This study reveals that Mira variables with and without technetium separate into distinct sequences in IR color-period diagrams, challenging expectations about their dust mass-loss rates and evolutionary stages.

Contribution

It identifies a new observational distinction between Tc-rich and Tc-poor Miras in IR color versus period space, highlighting an unexpected relation with dust mass-loss.

Findings

Tc-poor Miras are redder in $K-[22]$ than Tc-rich Miras at the same period

Tc-poor Miras have higher dust mass-loss rates despite being less evolved

The separation suggests a complex relation between dredge-up events and mass-loss processes.

Abstract

We present the discovery that Mira variables separate in two distinct sequences in a near- to mid-IR color versus pulsation period diagram, if a distinction is made with respect to the presence of technetium (Tc) in the stars. Tc is an indicator of recent or ongoing deep mixing during a third dredge-up event. At a given period, the Tc-poor Miras are redder in $K-[22]$ (i.e.\ have higher dust mass-loss rate) than the Tc-rich Miras. This is counter-intuitive since the Tc-rich Miras are expected to be more evolved and should have a higher mass-loss rate. In this contribution we give an update on this recently discovered conundrum.