Extinction curves for graphite-silicate grain mixtures

Abstract

Mixtures of graphite particles ejected from carbon stars and silicates from oxygen-rich giants are capable of producing excellent fits to the observed interstellar extinction curve. The fits extend over the entire wavelength range of the observations, and include a hump at ~ 2200 Å in the ultraviolet due to the graphite components of the mixtures. The agreement with the observed extinction curve remains good if the small silicate particles acquire mantles of either ice or solid H 2 . If no mantles are present around the silicate grains comparable mass densities of graphite and silicates are indicated; if mantles of either ice or solid H 2 are present the mass density of silicates may be an order of magnitude below that of graphite in the interstellar medium.