Impact of stellar-wind interactions with the interstellar medium on dust grains

Determine the impact of interactions between evolved-star winds and the interstellar medium on the grain-size distribution of circumstellar dust.

Background

Interactions between stellar winds and the interstellar medium are important for understanding how material and dust are incorporated into the galactic environment. The paper states that their effect on dust grain sizes is unknown and that such interactions remain poorly characterized. It notes that existing bow-shock detections sample only a fraction of these interactions, motivating more sensitive observations of faint and extended structures.