CAN DUST FORMATION IN EVOLVED STARS BE SUPPRESSED NEAR ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

In evolved stars in the vicinity of a bright active galactic nucleus ( AGN), the radiation field disrupts the chemistry leading to dust forma tion. The suppression of dust formation and the dissociation of H-2 by the radiation held alter the mass-loss rates of the stars and have co nsequences for their evolution. The suppression of dust formation and the evolutionary changes affect the properties of AGN line-forming reg ions including their filling and covering factors and their elemental abundances.