A population analysis of Galactic Miras with light-curve asymmetries

TL;DR

This study analyzes a large sample of Galactic Miras to understand how light-curve asymmetries relate to their evolutionary stage, mass-loss, and chemical composition, revealing two distinct populations with different properties.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of Miras' light-curve asymmetries, linking them to evolutionary status, mass-loss, and chemical changes, and proposes a new evolutionary scenario.

Findings

Symmetric Miras have shorter periods and lower luminosities.

Asymmetric Miras show signs of third dredge-up activity.

Two distinct populations of Miras are identified based on asymmetry and evolutionary status.

Abstract

Context: In a recent publication, we established a close relationship between light-curve asymmetries in Mira variables and indicators of their dust mass-loss rate. The light-curve asymmetries appear to be related to the stars' third dredge-up (3DUP) activity. Aims: We aim to reveal the evolutionary status of M-type Miras with light-curve asymmetries ('bumps') within the spectral sequence M -- S -- C, determine their mass-loss properties, and check possible evolutionary scenarios. Methods: We analysed a sample of 3100 Miras collected from the ASAS database, distinguishing between symmetric and asymmetric light curves. We determined their periods, luminosity functions, and period-luminosity relations, their locations relative to the Galactic midplane, as well as mass-loss rate indicators through the 2MASS-WISE colours and the Gaia-2MASS diagram. Results: The M-type Miras with symmetric light curves are generally found to have shorter periods, lower luminosities, a larger average distance to the Galactic midplane, and lower initial masses than the M-type Miras with asymmetries. In addition, 25 Miras are proposed as candidates for new carbon stars. Conclusions: We propose that the M-type Miras have two distinct populations: M-type Miras with symmetric light curves, which have lower initial mass progenitors than M-type Miras with asymmetries, which show signs of 3DUP activity and are the link to the S-type Miras.