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Detection of hydrogen cyanide emission from the peculiar oxygen–rich evolved star IRC + 10420

Nature volume 323, pages 311–313 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

Chemical reaction models do not predict appreciable amounts of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in oxygen rich [O]>[C] circumstellar envelopes. Recently, two detections of HCN in oxygen–rich envelopes have been reported1. Here we report the first detection of HCN in the oxygen–rich evolved star IRC + 10420. This star has been classified as an F8 supergiant and is considered by many to be in transition between a red giant star and a planetary nebula. Its circumstellar envelope may be in a more advanced stage of chemical evolution than red giant envelopes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 949 North Cherry Avenue, Campus Building 65, Tucson, Arizona, 85721–0655, USA

    P. R. Jewell

  2. Astronomy Department, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 1011 West Springfield Avenue, Urbana, Illinois, 61801–3000, USA

    L. E. Snyder & M. S. Schenewerk

Authors
  1. P. R. Jewell
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  2. L. E. Snyder
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  3. M. S. Schenewerk
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Jewell, P., Snyder, L. & Schenewerk, M. Detection of hydrogen cyanide emission from the peculiar oxygen–rich evolved star IRC + 10420. Nature 323, 311–313 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/323311a0

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