Ionized Carbon around IRC+10216

Abstract Asymptotic giant branch stars create a rich inventory of molecules in their envelopes as they lose mass during later stages evolution. These cannot survive the conditions interstellar space, where are exposed to ultraviolet photons radiation field. As result, daughter ones injected into and halo those is predicted exist around cool evolved stars. The most abundant molecule other than H 2 CO, which dissociates C that rapidly ionized + star optically thin We develop specific predictions carbon size column density for well-studied, nearby IRC+10216. compare models observations [C ii ] 157.7 μ m far-infrared fine structure line using Stratospheric Observatory Infrared Astronomy Herschel. combination bright emission toward upper limits extended inconsistent with any standard model. presence requires some dissociation ionization inner part outflow, possibly due hot companion star. lack products from CO photodissociation outer envelope remain cold. profile asymmetric, blueshifted absorption cold envelope.