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NASA NTRS1973

Handbook of infrared radiation from combustion gases

The treatment of radiant emission and absorption by combustion gases are discussed. Typical applications include: (1) rocket combustion chambers and exhausts, (2) turbojet engines and exhausts, and (3) industrial furnaces. Some mention is made of radiant heat transfer problems in planetary atmospheres, in stellar atmospheres, and in reentry plasmas. Particular consideration is given to the temperature range from 500K to 3000K and the pressure range from 0.001 atmosphere to 30 atmospheres. Strong emphasis is given to the combustion products of hydrocarbon fuels with oxygen, specifically to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and carbon monoxide. In addition, species such as HF, HC1, CN, OH, and NO are treated.

Ludwig, C. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The cool half of the H-R diagram in soft X-rays

The results of an Einstein Observatory program to map the occurrence of hot coronae (T greater than 1 million K) in the cool half of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram are reported. F-M dwarfs, and late F through early K star giants characterized by 10,000 K chromospheric and 20,000-200,000 K FUV emission lines were studied in one region, while a second region study included red giants later than K2 III and supergiants later than G5 Ib with weaker chromospheric emission and no high temperature species. Program goals comprised determination of the C IV division as seen in soft X-rays, and identification of stellar parameters which distinguish strong from weak coronal X-ray sources. A summary of target stars, X-ray fluxes, and UV emission profiles is provided, and coronal emissions, comparisons of C IV and wind boundaries, hybrid-spectrum supergiants, the energy balance of stellar outer atmospheres, stellar rotation and coronae, and evolutionary considerations are discussed, along with lines of future research.

Ayres, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS2015

A Unified Computational Model for Solar and Stellar Flares

We present a unified computational framework that can be used to describe impulsive flares on the Sun and on dMe stars. The models assume that the flare impulsive phase is caused by a beam of charged particles that is accelerated in the corona and propagates downward depositing energy and momentum along the way. This rapidly heats the lower stellar atmosphere causing it to explosively expand and dramatically brighten. Our models consist of flux tubes that extend from the sub-photosphere into the corona. We simulate how flare-accelerated charged particles propagate down one-dimensional flux tubes and heat the stellar atmosphere using the Fokker-Planck kinetic theory. Detailed radiative transfer is included so that model predictions can be directly compared with observations. The flux of flare-accelerated particles drives return currents which additionally heat the stellar atmosphere. These effects are also included in our models. We examine the impact of the flare-accelerated particle beams on model solar and dMe stellar atmospheres and perform parameter studies varying the injected particle energy spectra. We find the atmospheric response is strongly dependent on the accelerated particle cutoff energy and spectral index.

radiative transfer↗

NASA NTRS1995

Far-infrared lines from H II regions: Abundance variations in the galaxy

Far-infrared lines of (N III) (57 microns), (O III) (52, 88 microns), (Ne III) (36 microns), and (S III) (19, 33 microns) have been measured in the H II regions G1.13 - 0.11, W31B, G23.95 + 0.15, G25.38 - 0.18, G29.96 - 0.02, W43, W51e, S156, S158, NGC 3576, NGC 3603, and G298.22-0.34. These observations were made with the facility Cryogenic Grating Spectrometer on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory to examine variations in abundances throughout the Galaxy. Previously published observations of G0.095 + 0.012, G333.60 - 0.21, G45.13 + 0.14A, K3-50, and M17 are also discussed. The giant H II region 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) was observed for comparison. Fluxes for (Ne II) (12.8 microns), (S IV) (10.5 microns), and the radio free-free continuum were collected from the literature for those sources. Electron densities were estimated from FIR line-pair ratios, and ionic abundances were estimated from the FIR line and radio fluxes. The excitation was estimated from the O(2+)/S(2+) ratio. Corrections for unseen ionization stages were calculated with the use of constnat-density H II region models. The validity and range of applicability of such semiempirical ionization correction schemes are discussed. The abundances with respect to hydrogen exhibit gradients with R(sub G) comparable to those previously measured for our Galaxy and for other galaxies. The overall gradients are d (log N/H)/dR = -0.10 +/- 0.02 dex/kpc, d(log Ne/H)/dR = -0.08 +/- 0.02 dex/kpc and d(log S/H)/dR = 0.07 +/- 0.02 dex/kpc. Compared to the Orion Nebula, the intermediate R(sub G) H II regions with 6 is less than R(sub G) is less than 11 kpc have similar or lower S/H and N/O ratios. The N/O ratios in the inner Galaxy are more than twice those observed in the Orion Nebula and intermediate R(sub G) H II regions. In fact, all the abundance ratios are as well or better fitted by a step fit with two levels than by a linear gradient. As has been noted in previous studies, the N/O ratio estimated from infrared observations of the doubly ionized N and O lines in H II regions is larger than the ratio estimated from optical observations of the singly ionized N and O lines. The Ne(2+)/O(2+) ratio is observed to be essentially constant over a wide range of excitation. This contradicts predictions of model H II regions calculated with the use of Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) model stellar atmospheres. We conclude that these stellar atmospheres significantly underestimate the actual emergent fluxes for energies greater than 41 eV.

Simpson, Janet P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Model atmospheres, predicted spectra, and colors

Theoretical models of stellar atmospheres and the process of forming a spectrum are reviewed with particular reference to the spectra of B stars. In the case of classical models the stellar atmosphere is though to consist of plane parallel layers of gas in which radiative and hydrostatic equilibrium exists. No radiative energy is lost or gained in the model atmosphere, but the detailed shape of the spectrum is changed as a result of the interactions with the ionized gas. Predicted line spectra using statistical equilibrium local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE), and non-LTE physics are compared and the determination of abundances is discussed. The limitations of classical modeling are examined. Models developed to demonstrate what motions in the upper atmosphere will do to the spectrum and to explore the effects of using geometries different from plane parallel layer are reviewed. In particular the problem of radiative transfer is addressed.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1979

Infrared spectroscopy of stars

This paper reviews applications of IR techniques in stellar classification, studies of stellar photospheres, elemental and isotopic abundances, and the nature of remnant and ejected matter in near-circumstellar regions. Qualitative IR spectral classification of cool and hot stars is discussed, along with IR spectra of peculiar composite star systems and of obscured stars, and IR characteristics of stellar populations. The use of IR spectroscopy in theoretical modeling of stellar atmospheres is examined, IR indicators of stellar atmospheric composition are described, and contributions of IR spectroscopy to the study of stellar recycling of interstellar matter are summarized. The future of IR astronomy is also considered.

Merrill, K. M.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Model Atmospheres for Novae in Outburst: Summary of Research

This paper presents a final report and summary of research on Model Atmospheres for Novae in Outburst. Some of the topics include: 1) Detailed NLTE (non-local thermodynamic equilibrium) Model Atmospheres for Novae during Outburst: II. Modeling optical and ultraviolet observations of Nova LMC 1988 #1; 2) A Non-LTE Line-Blanketed Stellar Atmosphere Model of the Early B Giant epsilon CMa; 3) Spectroscopy of Low Metallicity Stellar atmospheres; 4) Infrared Colors at the Stellar/Substellar Boundary; 5) On the abundance of Lithium in T CrB; 6) Numerical Solution of the Expanding Stellar Atmosphere Problem; and 7) The NextGen Model Atmosphere grid for 3000 less than or equal to T (sub eff) less than or equal to 10000K.

Hauschildt, Peter H.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The origin of stellar winds - Subatmospheric nonthermal storage modes versus radiation pressure

Most current models of matter-flux in hot stars place its origin in radiation pressure, and then model the flow explicitly to produce no chromosphere-corona. Our model of the stellar atmosphere as a transition zone between stellar interior and interstellar medium places the origin of matter-flux, chromosphere-corona, and spectral 'emission classes' in subatmospheric nonthermal kinetic energy storage, equally for all stars, hot or cold. Current observations of both hot and cold stars suggest chromospheres to be a universal phenomenon, correlated with matter-fluxes, and enhanced in 'emission-class' stars. To clarify the difference between the two kinds of models above, we reformulate the wind-tunnel analogy to stellar winds, suggesting that stars satisfy an 'imperfect,' rather than 'perfect,' such model; i.e., transonic shocks occur before the throat, corresponding to an imposed outward velocity in the storage section, or subatmosphere. We then investigate the stability of an arbitrary stellar atmosphere, hot or cold, to suggest a cause for such an outward subatmospheric velocity.

Cannon, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A test of synthetic accretion disk spectra using ultraviolet flux distributions of novalike variables

Ultraviolet (UV) fluxes and other data for a sample of nine novalike cataclysmic variables are assembled from the literature. The UV fluxes and colors are compared to spectra of steady state model accretion disks, constructed using either Planck functions or model stellar atmosphere spectra as elementary radiators. Deficiencies are found with both sets of models. The restriction to steady state radial temperature profiles is relaxed for the 'stellar atmosphere' disks, but these generalized models still fail to account simultaneously for the absolute UV flux and the UV color of the observed spectra. The conclusion is that stellar atmosphere models do not reflect the physics of disks. More appropriate models probably can and definitely should be made.

Wade, Richard A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Can astrophysical abundances be taken seriously.

The essential feature underlying abundance analysis is the assumption that local thermodynamic equilibrium prevails in a stellar atmosphere - i.e., that all relevant distribution functions, except that for the photons themselves, are thermal and determined by the local temperature. It is pointed out that the blanket assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium in stellar atmospheres is a fundamental weakness. The assumption can only be valid if collisional processes are dominant in bringing about transitions between the excitation states of an atom. It has, however, been shown that the density in a stellar atmosphere is so low that, on the contrary, radiative processes are predominant.

Worrall, G.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Stellar chromospheres, coronae, and winds

It has now been found that one or more of the phenomena of chromospheres, coronae, and winds are present in stars of every class. A review is provided of the observational and theoretical results pertaining to the thermal and dynamical structure of early- and late-type stellar atmospheres. Single stars either on the main sequence or in the postmain sequence stages of evolution are considered. In the context of a study of late-type stars, the specific case of the sun is also examined. The observational evidence for the presence of chromospheres in late-type stellar atmospheres is discussed, taking into account spectral diagnostics and line formation, an observational summary and aspects of location in the H-R diagram, and the Wilson-Bappu effect. Attention is also given to observational evidence for the presence of transition regions and coronae in late-type stellar atmospheres, chromospheric and coronal heating mechanisms, observational evidence for mass loss, and the winds and coronae of early-type stars.

Cassinelli, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Summary of the Origin of Nonradiative Heating/momentum in Hot Stars

Nonradiative heating in the atmospheres of stars and the deposit of nonradiative momentum in the stellar atmosphere were examined. Observations made from space have been very important in changing the concept of what a star is like. In order to interpret the spectroscopic information gained in the wavelength region inaccessible from the surface of the Earth, chiefly in the domain of X-rays and of ultraviolet radiation. The assumptions which underlie the theory of stellar atmospheres will have to be reused. Improved observation facilities are major reasons to consider new ideas for interpreting the spectra of stars. The photometric precision and sensitivity for observing at high and at moderate spectral resolutions have increased greatly. The development of high dispersion, high resolution spectrographs for observing is noted.

Underhill, A. B.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The energy balance of plasmoids in the solar atmosphere

The properties of an isolated magnetized plasmoid in a nonuniform magnetic field such as arises in stellar atmospheres are studied. The work of Pneuman and Cargill (1985) on the so-called melon-seed effect is extended to include an equation describing the energy balance, so giving a unified picture of the shape, motion, and energetics of the plasmoid. Three treatments of plasmoid energy balance are considered: (1) a polytropic law, (P = about N to the gamma); (2) one in which the plasmoid cools radiatively; and (3) one in which a heating function proportional to the local density balances the radiation. For a gamma = 4/3 polytrope the evolution is self-similar, so that the plasmoid maintains its shape as it moves out from the stellar surface. If gamma is less than 4/3, the final shape is a long thin cigar-shaped body, whereas if gamma is greater than or equal to 4/3, it ultimately becomes self-similar. In cases with radiation and also with heating, the ultimate shape of the plasmoid is determined by whether its gas or magnetic pressure dominate. The former is equivalent to the gamma-less-than-4/3 polytrope, and the latter to the gamma-greater-than-4/3 one. If radiation alone is present, the plasmoid cools rapidly and subsequently evolves self-similarly. If heating balances radiation initially, then the plasmoid heats up as it moves out, but, if the ratio of the transit of time of Alfven waves across it is much less than the radiative cooling time, it ultimately evolves as a gamma = 5/3 polytrope. In each case the plasmoid can be ejected to large distances (several radii) in a stellar atmosphere, for a reasonable choice of surface parameters.

Cargill, P. J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Comprehensive stellar population models and the disentanglement of age and metallicity effects

The construction of detailed models for intermediate and old stellar populations is described. Input parameters include metallicity (-2 less than (Fe/H) less than 0.5), single-burst age (between 1.5 and 17 Gyr), and initial mass function (IMF) exponent. Quantities output include broadband magnitudes, spectral energy distributions, surface brightness fluctuation magnitudes, and a suite of 21 absorption feature indices. The models are checked against a wide variety of available observations. Examinations of model output yield the following conclusions. (1) If the percentage change delta age/delta Z approximately equals 3/2 for two populations, they will appear almost identical in most indices. A few indices break this degeneracy by being either more abundance sensitive (Fe4668, Fe5015, Fe5709, and Fe5782) or more age sensitive (G4300, H beta, and presumably higher order Balmer lines) than usual. (2) Present uncertainties in stellar evolution are of the same magnitude as the effects of IMF and Y in the indices studied. (3) Changes in abundance ratios (like (Mg/Fe)) are predicted to be readily apparent in the spectra of old stellar populations. (4) The I-band flux of a stellar population is predicted to be nearly independent of metallicity and only modestly sensitive to age. The I band is therefore recommended for standard candle work or studies of M/L in galaxies. Other conclusions stem from this work. (1) Intercomparison of models and observations of two TiO indices seem to indicate variation of the (V/Ti) ratio among galaxies, but it is not clear how this observation ties into the standard picture of chemical enrichment. (2) Current estimates of (Fe/H) for the most metal-rich globulars that are based on integrated indices are probably slightly too high. (3) Colors of population models from different authors exhibit a substantial range. At solar metallicity and 13 Gyr, this range corresponds to an age error of roughly +/- 7 Gyr. Model colors from different authors applied in a differential sense have smaller uncertainties. (4) In the present models the dominant error for colors is probably the transformation from stellar atmospheric parameters to stellar colors. (5) Stellar B - V is difficult to model, and current spreads among different authors can reach 0.2 mag. (6) If known defects in the stellar flux library are corrected, the population model colors of this work in passbands redder than U would be accurate to roughly 0.03 mag in an absolute sense. These corrections are not made in the tables of model output.

Worthey, Guy↗

NASA NTRS2023

High Tide or Riptide on the Cosmic Shoreline? A Water-Rich Atmosphere or Stellar Contamination for the Warm Super-Earth GJ 486b from JWST Observations

Planets orbiting M-dwarf stars are prime targets in the search for rocky exoplanet atmospheres. The small size of M dwarfs renders their planets exceptional targets for transmission spectroscopy, facilitating atmospheric characterization. However, it remains unknown whether their host stars’ highly variable extreme-UV radiation environments allow atmospheres to persist. With JWST, we have begun to determine whether or not the most favorable rocky worlds orbiting M dwarfs have detectable atmospheres. Here, we present a 2.8—5.2 µm JWST NIRSpec/G395H transmission spectrum of the warm (700 K, 40.3× Earth’s insolation) super-Earth GJ 486b (1.3 R⊕ and 3.0 M⊕). The measured spectrum from our two transits of GJ 486b deviates from a flat line at 2.2 − 3.3σ, based on three independent reductions. Through a combination of forward and retrieval models, we determine that GJ 486b either has a water-rich atmosphere (with the most stringent constraint on the retrieved water abundance of H2O > 10% to 2σ) or the transmission spectrum is contaminated by water present in cool unocculted starspots. We also find that the measured stellar spectrum is best fit by a stellar model with cool starspots and hot faculae. While both retrieval scenarios provide equal quality fits (χ2ν = 1.0) to our NIRSpec/G395H observations, shorter wavelength observations can break this degeneracy and reveal if GJ 486b sustains a water-rich atmosphere.

JWST↗

NASA NTRS2013

Multi-wavelength Radio Continuum Emission Studies of Dust-free Red Giants

Multi-wavelength centimeter continuum observations of non-dusty, non-pulsating K spectral-type red giants directly sample their chromospheres and wind acceleration zones. Such stars are feeble emitters at these wavelengths, however, and previous observations have provided only a small number of modest signal-to-noise measurements slowly accumulated over three decades. We present multi-wavelength Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array thermal continuum observations of the wind acceleration zones of two dust-free red giants, Arcturus (alpha Boo: K2 III) and Aldebaran (alpha Tau: K5 III). Importantly, most of our observations of each star were carried out over just a few days, so that we obtained a snapshot of the different stellar atmospheric layers sampled at different wavelengths, independent of any long-term variability. We report the first detections at several wavelengths for each star including a detection at 10 cm (3.0 GHz: S band) for both stars and a 20 cm (1.5 GHz: L band) detection for alpha Boo. This is the first time single (non-binary) luminosity class III red giants have been detected at these continuum wavelengths. Our long-wavelength data sample the outer layers of alpha Boo's atmosphere where its wind velocity is approaching (or possibly has reached) its terminal value and the ionization balance is becoming frozen-in. For alpha Tau, however, our long-wavelength data are still sampling its inner atmosphere, where the wind is still accelerating probably due to its lower mass-loss rate. We compare our data with published semi-empirical models based on ultraviolet data, and the marked deviations highlight the need for new atmospheric models to be developed. Spectral indices are used to discuss the possible properties of the stellar atmospheres, and we find evidence for a rapidly cooling wind in the case of alpha Boo. Finally, we develop a simple analytical wind model for alpha Boo based on our new long-wavelength flux measurements.

chromospheres↗

NASA NTRS1992

Heating of solar and stellar chromospheres and coronae by MHD waves

The two general classes of models that deal with the required heating of stellar chromospheres and coronae assume that outer stellar atmospheres are heated by hydrodynamic or by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves and that these waves are generated by turbulent motions in the stellar convection zones. This paper considers the types of MHD waves and the source of these waves in stars like sun, the efficiency of the generation of MHD waves, and the manner of propagation and energy dissipation of MHD waves. It is shown that the basic criteria for the validity of any theory of MHD wave heating must account for the mean level of heating observed in stellar chromospheres and coronae, and for the range of radiative losses observed for a given spectral type. It is also required that the MHD wave heating theory accounts for the existence of inhomogeneities in stellar atmospheres. The results obtained indicate that magnetic tube waves might supply enough energy for the chromospheric and coronal heating and might also account for the observed range of variations of stellar radiative losses for a given spectral type.

Musielak, Z. E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Vertical structure of accretion disks - A simplified analytical model

A simplified model of the vertical structure of accretion disks is derived. Analytical expressions for the temperature and density structure, which represent a generalization of the gray model long known in the theory of classical stellar atmospheres, are presented. The formalism naturally explains similarities and differences between the structure of a disk and a stellar atmosphere. In particular, the influence of viscous dissipation and external irradiation of the disk by the central star, as well as of the finite optical thickness of the disk, may be easily accounted for and explained by the present model.

Hubeny, I.↗