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At least 145 records · Page 8

The origin of the nonthermal radiation of quasi-stellar objects and galactic nuclei

The supermassive-star model for the origin of the nonthermal luminosity of quasars and nuclei of Seyfert galaxies is analyzed. In the general model, a moving magnetic field is the accelerating mechanism for ultrarelativistic particles and gravitational collapse is the energy source. Several specific models are considered for the magnetic field, including a frozen-in field that is twisted about the axis of a rotating supermassive star, a tightly wound magnetic spiral, and the rotating field of a giant pulsar. In the general model, an accelerating efficiency close to unity is assumed. However, it is found that observational and theoretical evidence indicate an accelerating efficiency of less than 0.01 for the specific magnetic-field models. Mass-loss rates of quasars and Seyfert nuclei are calculated on the basis of the lower efficiency value and found to be reasonable.

Opher, R.↗

Nonradial oscillations of neutron stars

Linear, adiabatic, Newtonian, nonradial pulsation analyses have been performed for finite-temperature neutron star models with a fluid core, solid crust, and thin surface fluid 'ocean', including the effects of the neutron star crust. The pulsation equations are considered, including the spheroidal and toroidal modes. A local analysis is performed to provide information about the pulsation modes in the short-wavelength limit. Numerical calculations are made on the mode spectrum and systematic properties. Damping mechanisms are investigated, including gravitational radiation damping, neutrino emission damping, electromagnetic radiation from an oscillating stellar magnetic field, nonadiabatic effects, and internal friction and viscosity.

Mcdermott, P. N.↗

Model atmospheres for M (sub)dwarf stars. 1: The base model grid

We have calculated a grid of more than 700 model atmospheres valid for a wide range of parameters encompassing the coolest known M dwarfs, M subdwarfs, and brown dwarf candidates: 1500 less than or equal to T(sub eff) less than or equal to 4000 K, 3.5 less than or equal to log g less than or equal to 5.5, and -4.0 less than or equal to (M/H) less than or equal to +0.5. Our equation of state includes 105 molecules and up to 27 ionization stages of 39 elements. In the calculations of the base grid of model atmospheres presented here, we include over 300 molecular bands of four molecules (TiO, VO, CaH, FeH) in the JOLA approximation, the water opacity of Ludwig (1971), collision-induced opacities, b-f and f-f atomic processes, as well as about 2 million spectral lines selected from a list with more than 42 million atomic and 24 million molecular (H2, CH, NH, OH, MgH, SiH, C2, CN, CO, SiO) lines. High-resolution synthetic spectra are obtained using an opacity sampling method. The model atmospheres and spectra are calculated with the generalized stellar atmosphere code PHOENIX, assuming LTE, plane-parallel geometry, energy (radiative plus convective) conservation, and hydrostatic equilibrium. The model spectra give close agreement with observations of M dwarfs across a wide spectral range from the blue to the near-IR, with one notable exception: the fit to the water bands. We discuss several practical applications of our model grid, e.g., broadband colors derived from the synthetic spectra. In light of current efforts to identify genuine brown dwarfs, we also show how low-resolution spectra of cool dwarfs vary with surface gravity, and how the high-regulation line profile of the Li I resonance doublet depends on the Li abundance.

Allard, France↗

Three-dimensional Hydrodynamic Simulations of Convective Nuclear Burning in Massive Stars Near Iron Core Collapse

Nonspherical structure in massive stars at the point of iron core collapse can have a qualitative impact on the properties of the ensuing core-collapse supernova explosions and the multimessenger signals they produce. Strong perturbations can aid successful explosions by strengthening turbulence in the postshock region. Here we report on a set of 4π 3D hydrodynamic simulations of O- and Si-shell burning in massive star models of varied initial masses using MESA and the FLASH simulation framework. We evolve four separate 3D models for roughly the final 10 minutes prior to and including iron core collapse. We consider initial 1D MESA models with masses of 14, 20, and 25 M ⊙ to survey a range of O/Si-shell density and compositional configurations. Further, we characterize the convective shells in our 3D models and compare them to the corresponding 1D models. In general, we find that the angle-average convective speeds in our 3D simulations near collapse are three to four times larger than the convective speeds predicted by MESA at the same epoch for our chosen mixing length parameter of α MLT = 1.5. In three of our simulations, we observe significant power in the spherical harmonic decomposition of the radial velocity field at harmonic indices of ℓ = 1–3 near collapse. Our results suggest that large-scale modes are common in massive stars near collapse and should be considered a key aspect of presupernova progenitor models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Neutron Star Binary Merger Model for GW170817/GRB 170817A/SSS17a

The merging neutron star gravitational-wave event GW170817 has been observed throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to γ -rays. The resulting energetics, variability, and light curves are shown to be consistent with GW170817 originating from the merger of two neutron stars, in all likelihood followed by the prompt gravitational collapse of the massive remnant. The available γ -ray, X-ray, and radio data provide a clear probe for the nature of the relativistic ejecta and the non-thermal processes occurring within, while the ultraviolet, optical, and infrared emission are shown to probe material torn during the merger and subsequently heated by the decay of freshly synthesized r -process material. The simplest hypothesis, that the non-thermal emission is due to a low-luminosity short γ -ray burst (sGRB), seems to agree with the present data. While low-luminosity sGRBs might be common, we show here that the collective prompt and multi-wavelength observations are also consistent with a typical, powerful sGRB seen off-axis. Detailed follow-up observations are thus essential before we can place stringent constraints on the nature of the relativistic ejecta in GW170817.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Models of symbiotic stars

One of the most important features of symbiotic stars is the coexistence of a cool spectral component that is apparently very similar to the spectrum of a cool giant, with at least one hot continuum, and emission lines from very different stages of ionization. The cool component dominates the infrared spectrum of S-type symbiotics; it tends to be veiled in this wavelength range by what appears to be excess emission in D-type symbiotics, this excess usually being attributed to circumstellar dust. The hot continuum (or continua) dominates the ultraviolet. X-rays have sometimes also been observed. Another important feature of symbiotic stars that needs to be explained is the variability. Different forms occur, some variability being periodic. This type of variability can, in a few cases, strongly suggest the presence of eclipses of a binary system. One of the most characteristic forms of variability is that characterizing the active phases. This basic form of variation is traditionally associated in the optical with the veiling of the cool spectrum and the disappearance of high-ionization emission lines, the latter progressively appearing (in classical cases, reappearing) later. Such spectral changes recall those of novae, but spectroscopic signatures of the high-ejection velocities observed for novae are not usually detected in symbiotic stars. However, the light curves of the 'symbiotic nova' subclass recall those of novae. We may also mention in this connection that radio observations (or, in a few cases, optical observations) of nebulae indicate ejection from symbiotic stars, with deviations from spherical symmetry. We shall give a historical overview of the proposed models for symbiotic stars and make a critical analysis in the light of the observations of symbiotic stars. We describe the empirical approach to models and use the observational data to diagnose the physical conditions in the symbiotics stars. Finally, we compare the results of this empirical approach with existing models and discuss unresolved problems requiring new observational and theoretical work.

Friedjung, Michael↗

Theoretical, observational, and isotopic estimates of the lifetime of the solar nebula

There are a variety of isotopic data for meteorites which suggest that the protostellar nebula existed and was involved in making planetary materials for some 10(exp 7) yr or more. Many cosmochemists, however, advocate alternative interpretations of such data in order to comply with a perceived constraint, from theoretical considerations, that the nebula existed only for a much shorter time, usually stated as less than or = 10(exp 6) yr. In this paper, we review evidence relevant to solar nebula duration which is available through three different disciplines: theoretical modelling of star formation, isotopic data from meteorites, and astronomical observations of T Tauri stars. Theoretical models based on observations of present star-forming regions indicate that stars like the Sun form by dynamical gravitational collapse of dense cores of cold molecular clouds in the interstellar medium. The collapse to a star and disk occurs rapidly on a time scale of the order 10(exp 5) yr. Disks evolve by dissipating energy while redistributing angular momentum, but it is difficult to predict the rate of evolution, particularly for low mass (compared to the star) disks which nonetheless still contain enough material to account for the observed planetary system. There is no compelling evidence, from available theories of disk structure and evolution, that the solar nebula must have evolved rapidly and could not have persisted for more than 1 Ma. In considering chronologically relevant isotopic data for meteorites, we focus on three methodologies: absolute ages by U-Pb/Pb-Pb, and relative ages by short-lived radionuclides (especially Al-26) and by evolution of Sr-87/Sr-86. Two kinds of meteoritic materials-refractory inclusions such as CAIs and differentiated meteorites (eucrites and angrites) - appear to have experience potentially dateable nebular events. In both case, the most straightforward interpretations of the available data indicate nebular events spanning several Ma. We also consider alternative interpretations, particularly the hypothesis of radically heterogeneous distribution of Al-26, which would avoid these chronological interpretations. The principal impetus for such alternative interpretations seems to be precisely the obviation of the chronological interpretation (i.e., the presumption rather than the inference of a short (less than or = Ma) lifetime of the nebula). Astronomical observations of T Tauri stars indicate that the presence of dusty disks is a common if not universal feature, that the disks are massive enough to accomodate a planetary system such as ours, and that at least some persist for 10(exp 7) yr or more. The results are consistent with the time scales inferred from the meteorite isotopic data. They cannot be considered conclusive with regard to solar nebula time scales, however,in part because it is difficult to relate disk observations to processes that affect meteorites, and in part because the ages assigned for these stars could be wrong by a factor of several in either direction. We conclude that the balance of available evidence favors the view that the nebula existed and was active for at least several Ma. However, because the evidence is not definitive, it is important that the issue be perceived to be an open question, whose answer should be sought rather than presumed.

Podosek, Frank A.↗

Theoretical, observational, and isotopic estimates of the lifetime of the solar nebula

There are a variety of isotopic data for meteorites which suggest that the protostellar nebula existed and was involved in making planetary materials for some 10(exp 7) yr or more. Many cosmochemists, however, advocate alternative interpretations of such data in order to comply with a perceived constraint, from theoretical considerations, that the nebula existed only for a much shorter time, usually stated as less than or equal to 10(exp 6) yr. In this paper, we review evidence relevant to solar nebula duration which is available through three different disciplines: theoretical modeling of star formation, isotopic data from meteorites, and astronomical observations of T Tauri stars. Theoretical models based on observations of present star-forming regions indicate that stars like the Sun form by dynamical gravitational collapse of dense cores of cold molcular clouds in the interstellar clouds in the interstellar medium. The collapse to a star and disk occurs rapidly, on a time scale of the order 10(exp 5) yr. Disks evolve by dissipating energy while redistributing angular momentum, but it is difficult to predict the rate of evolution, particularly for low mass (compared to the star) disks which nonetheless still contain enough material to account for the observed planetary system. There is no compelling evidence, from available theories of disk structure and evolution, that the solar nebula must have evolved rapidly and could not have persisted for more than 1 Ma. In considering chronoloically relevant isotopic data for meteorites, we focus on three methodologies: absolute ages by U-Pb/Pb-Pb, and relative ages by short-lived radionuclides (especially Al-26) and by evolution of Sr-87/Sr-86. Two kinds of meteoritic materials-refractory inclusions such as CAIs and differential meteorites (eucrites and augrites) -- appear to have experienced potentially dateable nebular events. In both cases, the most straightforward interpretations of the available data indicate nebular events spanning several Ma. We also consider alternative interpretations, particularly the hypothesis of radically heterogeneous distribution of Al-26, which would avoid these chronological interpretations. The principal impetus for such alternative interpretations seems to be precisely the obviation of the chronological interpretation (i.e., the presumption rather than the inference of a short (less than or equal to 1 Ma) lifetime of the nebula). Astronomical observations of T Tauri stars indicate that the presence of dusty disks is a common if not universal feature, that the disks are massive enough to accomodate a planetary system such as ours, and that at least some persist for 110(exp 7) yr or more. The results are consistent with the time scales inferred from the meteoritic isotopic data. They cannot be considered conclusive with regard to solar nebula time scales, however, in part because it is difficult to relate disk observations to processes that affect meteorites, and in part because the ages assigned for these stars could be wrong by a factor of several in either direction. We conclude that the balance of available evidence favors the view that the nebula existed and was active for at least several Ma. However, because the evidence is not definitive, it is important that the issue be perceived to be an open question, whose answer should be sought rather than presumed.

Podosek, Frank A.↗

Fully compressible simulations of waves and core convection in main-sequence stars

Context: Recent, nonlinear simulations of wave generation and propagation in full-star models have been carried out in the anelastic approximation using spectral methods. Although it makes long time steps possible, this approach excludes the physics of sound waves completely and requires rather high artificial viscosity and thermal diffusivity for numerical stability. A direct comparison with observations is thus limited. Aims: In this study, we explore the capabilities of our compressible multidimensional Seven-League Hydro (SLH) code to simulate stellar oscillations. Methods: We compare some fundamental properties of internal gravity and pressure waves in 2D SLH simulations to linear wave theory using two test cases: (1) an interval gravity wave packet in the Boussinesq limit and (2) a realistic 3 M ⊙ stellar model with a convective core and a radiative envelope. Oscillation properties of the stellar model are also discussed in the context of observations. Results: Our tests show that specialized low-Mach techniques are necessary when simulating oscillations in stellar interiors. Basic properties of internal gravity and pressure waves in our simulations are in good agreement with linear wave theory. As compared to anelastic simulations of the same stellar model, we can follow internal gravity waves of much lower frequencies. The temporal frequency spectra of velocity and temperature are flat and compatible with the observed spectra of massive stars. Conclusion: The low-Mach compressible approach to hydrodynamical simulations of stellar oscillations is promising. Our simulations are less dissipative and require less luminosity boosting than comparable spectral simulations. The fully-compressible approach allows for the coupling of gravity and pressure waves in the outer convective envelopes of evolved stars to be studied in the future.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Star Cluster Formation in Cosmological Simulations. II. Effects of Star Formation Efficiency and Stellar Feedback

The implementation of star formation and stellar feedback in cosmological simulations plays a critical role in shaping galaxy properties. In the first paper of the series, we presented a new method to model star formation as a collection of star clusters. In this paper, we improve the algorithm by eliminating accretion gaps, boosting momentum feedback, and introducing a subgrid initial bound fraction, $f_i$, that distinguishes cluster mass from stellar particle mass. We perform a suite of simulations with different star formation efficiency per freefall time $\epsilon_{\rm ff}$ and supernova momentum feedback intensity $f_{\rm boost}$. We find that the star formation history of a Milky Way-sized galaxy is sensitive to $f_{\rm boost}$, which allows us to constrain its value, $f_{\rm boost}\approx5$, in the current simulation setup. Changing $\epsilon_{\rm ff}$ from a few percent to 200\% has little effect on global galaxy properties. However, on smaller scales, the properties of star clusters are very sensitive to $\epsilon_{\rm ff}$. We find that $f_i$ increases with $\epsilon_{\rm ff}$ and cluster mass. Through the dependence on $f_i$, the shape of the cluster initial mass function varies strongly with $\epsilon_{\rm ff}$. The fraction of clustered star formation and maximum cluster mass increase with the star formation rate surface density, with the normalization of both relations dependent on $\epsilon_{\rm ff}$. The cluster formation timescale systematically decreases with increasing $\epsilon_{\rm ff}$. Local variations in the gas accretion history lead to a 0.25~dex scatter for the integral cluster formation efficiency. Joint constraints from all the observables prefer the runs that produce a median integral efficiency of 16\%.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Magnetized neutron stars as gamma-ray bursters - Detection rates at high energies

Detailed calculations of the escape of high-energy gamma-rays from the dipolar magnetosphere of general relativistic neutron star models are used to model the detection rate of bursters at high photon energies between 0.3 and 10 MeV. This analysis shows the SMM detection rates to be compatible with a magnetized neutron star origin, with a distribution of magnetic field strengths extending at least up to about 4 x 10 to the 12th G, as expected if the (20-60) keV features reported from Konus and Ginga measurements are interpreted as cyclotron lines. Additional implications are discussed for the emission geometry and the neutron star radius.

Meszaros, P.↗

Close encounters of the third-body kind

We simulated encounters involving binaries of two eccentricities: e = 0 (i.e., circular binaries) and e = 0.5. In both cases the binary contained a point mass of 1.4 solar masses (i.e., a neutron star) and a 0.8 solar masses main-sequence star modeled as a polytrope. The semimajor axes of both binaries were set to 60 solar radii (0.28 AU). We considered intruders of three masses: 1.4 solar masses (a neutron star), 0.8 solar masses (a main-sequence star or a higher mass white dwarf), and 0.64 solar masses (a more typical mass white dwarf). Our strategy was to perform a large number (40,000) of encounters using a three-body code, then to rerun a small number of cases with a three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code to determine the importance of hydrodynamical effects. Using the results of the three-body runs, we computed the exchange across sections, sigma(sub ex). From the results of the SPH runs, we computed the cross sections for clean exchange, denoted by sigma(sub cx); the formation of a triple system, denoted by sigma(sub trp); and the formation of a merged binary with an object formed from the merger of two of the stars left in orbit around the third star, denoted by sigma(sub mb). For encounters between either binary and a 1.4 solar masses neutron star, sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.7 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 0.3 sigma(sub ex). For encounters between either binary and the 0.8 solar masses main-sequence star, sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.50 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 1.0 sigma(sub ex). If the main sequence star is replaced by a main-sequence star of the same mass, we have sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.5 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 1.6 sigma(sub ex). Although the exchange cross section is a sensitive function of intruder mass, we see that the cross section to produce merged binaries is roughly independent of intruder mass. The merged binaries produced have semi-major axes much larger than either those of the original binaries or those of binaries produced in clean exchanges. Coupled with their lower kick velocities, received from the encounters, their larger size will enhance their cross section, shortening the waiting time to a subsequent encounter with another single star.

Davies, M. B.↗

On the properties of matter in neutron stars

A qualitative description of the interior of a neutron star is presented, giving attention also to the validity of the 'isotropic fluid' approximation. The atmosphere and surface of a neutron star are considered together with aspects concerning nuclear and solid state physics in the crust, the liquid interior, the hyperon core, neutron star models, and pulsar observations. Accretion processes are also investigated, taking into account such topics as the Eddington limit, accretion rates, the death of pulsars, changes of the surface composition of neutron stars by accretion, questions of X-ray emission, and aspects of gamma radiation emission.

Boerner, G.↗

A modified Henyey method for computing radiative transfer hydrodynamics

The implicit hydrodynamic code of Kutter and Sparks (1972), which is limited to optically thick regions and employs the diffusion approximation for radiative transfer, is modified to include radiative transfer effects in the optically thin regions of a model star. A modified Henyey method is used to include the solution of the radiative transfer equation in this implicit code, and the convergence properties of this method are proven. A comparison is made between two hydrodynamic models of a classical Cepheid with a 12-day period, one of which was computed with the diffusion approximation and the other with the modified Henyey method. It is found that the two models produce nearly identical light and velocity curves, but differ in the fact that the former never has temperature inversions in the atmosphere while the latter does when sufficiently strong shocks are present.

Karp, A. H.↗

Multiple outflows in the bipolar planetary nebula M1-16: A molecular line study

Extensive observations of the molecular gas in the young, compact planetary nebula M1-16 have been made, using the Swedish-ESO-Submillimeter Telescope. A map of the CO J = 2-1 emission shows that the molecular envelope contains both a slow and a fast outflow with expansion velocities of 19 km/s and greater than 34 km/s, respectively. The slow outflow is mildly elliptical, while the fast molecular outflow is bipolar. This fast outflow is roughly aligned with the very fast outflows recently found in the optical, while the long axis of the slow elliptical outflow is roughly orthogonal to the optical outflow axis. The kinematic timescales for the CO fast outflow and the optical very fast outflow agree closely, supporting the view that the former represents material in the slow outflow accelerated by the very fast outflow. The kinematic signature of a disk expanding with about 15.5 km/s can also be seen in the CO J = 2-1 data. The mass-loss rate (a) for the slow outflow is greater than or equal to 2.8 x 10(exp -5) solar mass/yr and possibly as large as 9 x 10(exp -5) solar mass/yr, (b) for the fast outflow is greater than or equal to 5 x 10(exp -6) solar mass/yr, and (c) for the very fast optically visible outflow is approximately equal 5 x 10(exp -7) solar mass/yr. The disk mass is approximately equal 6 x 10(exp -3) solar mass. Grain photoelectric heating results in temperatures of 20-70 K in molecular gas of the slow outflow. The (13)C/(12)C abundance ratio in M1-16 is found to be 0.33, quite possibly the highest found for any evolved object. Upper limits for the (18)O/(16)O and (17)O/(16)O ratios were found to be consistent with the values found in AGB stars. A search for other molecular species in M1-16 resulted in the detection of the high-excitation species HCN, CN, (13)CN, HCO(+), and H(13)CO(+) and possibly N2H(+). Both the HCO(+)/HCN and CN/HCN line-intensity ratios are enhanced, the former by a very large factor, over the values found in the envelopes of AGB stars, probably as a result of enhancement of the CN and HCO(+) abundances due to photochemistry induced by the stellar UV. The CS J = 2-1, SiO J = 2-1 (v = 0), and SiS J = 6-5 lines were not detected to low levels. For the high-excitation molecules, adequate collisional excitation of rotational levels and survival against photodissociation by the UV radiation requires significant clumping of the molecular gas into clumps with H2 densities approximately 10(exp 5)/cu cm. The IRAS fluxes of M1-16, assuming negligible contribution from line emission, imply the presence of about (1.7-0.4) x 10(exp -3) solar mass of cool dust (temperature around 50 K) and a smaller quantity, (2.7-3.1) x 10(exp -6) solar mass, of warmer dust (temperature around 125 K) for a power-law emissivity index p = 1-2. The evolutionary nature of M1-16 cannot be explained by existing single-star models of post-AGB evolution. The very high (13)C/(12)C abundance ratio in M1-16 suggests a possible evolutionary connection between M1-16 and the rare class of J-type silicate-carbon stars which also have high (13)C/(12)C ratios and are thought to be binary systems with accretion disks.

Sahai, Raghvendra↗

The effects of TiO opacity on the atmospheric structure of cool stars

A quantitative investigation is conducted concerning the effect of TiO opacities on the atmospheric temperature structure in late-type stars. Model atmospheres are computed, taking into account opacity-sampling (OS) or straight-mean (SM) opacities for three singlet and three triplet band systems of TiO. Model atmospheres using OS and SM opacities for TiO are compared with models having no TiO, giving attention to the effects of TiO opacities on the temperature structures of various atmospheres and the usefulness of straight-mean TiO opacities in model atmosphere calculations. The results of the model-atmosphere calculations are presented in two graphs. TiO opacities produce a global atmospheric heating which may reach several hundred kelvins. It is shown quantitatively that the TiO molecule is an important source of atmospheric opacity in cool stars of solar composition. The relative importance of TiO opacities to the thermal structure of a stellar atmosphere is influenced in the outer layers by CO and H2O cooling effects and in the deeper layers by CO, CN, and metal line absorption.

Krupp, B. M.↗

Cooling of pulsars.

The effects of the magnetic field and superfluidity on the cooling of neutron stars during the stage when they can be observed as pulsars are considered. A neutron-star model with a stellar mass of 1.07 solar mass, a radius of 12.33 km, and a central energy density of 7.39 x 10 to the 14th power gauss/cu cm was chosen. It appears that during the earlier periods while the star cools by neutrino emission, surface temperatures are somewhat higher at a given age in the presence of stronger magnetic fields. An interesting result is that most pulsars may be very cold.

Tsuruta, S.↗