A large-volume plasma torch has been used to experimentally simulate condensation in carbon-rich stellar outflows. Using the observed condensation sequence and appropriate optical properties, the feasibility of predicting dust mineralogy in these environments is demonstrated, offering a promising approach to the quantitative characterization of dust composition in various astrophysical settings.
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This is a summary of: Libourel, G. et al. High-temperature dust formation in carbon-rich astrophysical environments. Nat. Astron. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02393-7 (2024).
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Exploration of circumstellar condensation using a large-volume plasma torch. Nat Astron 9, 32–33 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02394-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02394-6
