SiO masers and 7 mm Continuum in Mira and R Aqr

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution millimeter observations to investigate potential interactions between AGB stars and their companions, focusing on SiO masers and continuum emission in Mira and R Aqr, but finds limited evidence of direct interaction.

Contribution

It provides new JVLA observations of SiO masers and continuum in symbiotic Miras, offering detailed imaging and analysis of potential star interactions.

Findings

No clear interaction evidence in Mira B

R Aqr's jet may influence the circumstellar environment

Detected continuum and SiO masers in two targets

Abstract

Interactions between AGB stars and a secondary in a close orbit are one possible explanation of why some AGB stars develop into aspherical planetary nebulae. This study uses millimeter observations of the continuum and SiO maser emission in several symbiotic Miras looking for evidence of an interaction between the two stars. New JVLA observations at ~45 mas resolution are analyzed, imaging continuum and SiO masers. Two of the three targets were detected and accurately registered continuum and line images were derived. No clear evidence of an interaction was found between components B and A in Mira. R Aqr has a well known jet arising from the secondary star. The jet may be disturbing the circumstellar envelop of the AGB star or possibly just nearly aligned with it.