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Explore the fascinating world of Post Asymptotic Giant Branch (post-AGB) stars in this 35-minute lecture delivered by Hans Van Winckel from KU Leuven. Delve into these rare celestial objects that represent a rapid transitional phase between AGB stars and their evolution into Planetary Nebulae or White Dwarfs. Learn about their distinctive optical spectra, characterized by atomic transitions rather than molecular signatures, and discover how these spectra enable the study of various elements from CNO to s-process elements and double magic lead. Examine the remarkable diversity in chemical composition discovered over recent decades, with special emphasis on binary post-AGB stars and their unique contributions to chemical variation. Gain insights into how these celestial objects serve as crucial markers of the final evolutionary stages of low-and intermediate-mass stars, providing an essential testing ground for stellar evolution theories, particularly in binary systems.
