Rotation of the asymptotic giant branch star R Doradus

Journal article, 2018

High-resolution observations of the extended atmospheres of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars can now directly be compared to the theories that describe stellar mass loss. Using Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) high angular resolution (30 x 42 mas) observations, we have for the first time resolved stellar rotation of an AGB star, R Dor. We measure an angular rotation velocity of omega(R) sin i = (3.5 +/- 0.3) x 10(-9) rad s(-1), which indicates a rotational velocity of vertical bar nu(rot) sin i vertical bar = 1.0 +/- 0.1 km s(-1) at the stellar surface (R-* = 31.2 mas at 214 GHz). The rotation axis projected on the plane of the sky has a position angle Phi = 7 +/- 6 degrees. We find that the rotation of R Dor is two orders of magnitude faster than expected for a solitary AGB star that will have lost most of its angular momentum. Its rotational velocity is consistent with angular momentum transfer from a close companion. As a companion has not been directly detected, we suggest R Dor has a low-mass, close-in companion. The rotational velocity approaches the critical velocity, set by the local sound speed in the extended envelope, and is thus expected to affect the mass-loss characteristics of R Dor.