SPECTRA OF ENVELOPES AROUND AGB STARS

the outer photospheres and inner regions of the circumstellar shells of agb stars, both o rich and c rich, will be explored by studies at relatively high spectral resolution of a number of molecular bands and forbidden atomic lines. the aim is to establish more reliable abundance criteria for these regions and gain further insight into their physical and chemical conditions. this will also result in more accurate estimates of mass loss rates from co line observations at millimetre wavelengths, as well as deeper understanding concerning the mass loss mechanisms. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]