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At least 1,747 records · Page 97

EMISSA (Exploring Millimeter Indicators of Solar-Stellar Activity): I. The initial millimeter–centimeter main-sequence star sample

Due to their wide wavelength coverage across the millimeter to centimeter (mm–cm) range and their increased sensitivity, modern interferometric arrays facilitate observations of the thermal and non-thermal radiation that is emitted from different layers in the outer atmospheres of stars. We study the spectral energy distribution (S obs (ν)) of main-sequence stars based on archival observations in the mm–cm range with the aim to study their atmospheric stratification as a function of stellar type. The main-sequence stars with significant detection in mm bands were identified in the ALMA Science Archive. These data were then complemented with spectral flux data in the extreme ultraviolet to cm range as compiled from various catalogues and observatory archives. We compared the resultant S obs (ν) of each star with a photospheric emission model (S mod (ν)) calculated with the PHOENIX code. The departures of S obs (ν) from S mod (ν) were quantified in terms of a spectral flux excess parameter (ΔS/S mod ) and studied as a function of stellar type. The initial sample consists of 12 main-sequence stars across a broad range of spectral types from A1 to M3.5 and the Sun-as-a-star as reference. The stars with T eff = 3000–7000 K (F–M type) showed a systematically higher S obs (ν) than S mod (ν) in the mm–cm range. Their ΔS/S mod exhibits a monotonic rise with decreasing frequency. The steepness of this rise is higher for cooler stars in the T eff = 3000–7000 K range, although the single fully convective star (T eff ~ 3000 K) in the sample deviates from this trend. Meanwhile, Sobs(ν) of the A-type stars agrees with S mod (ν) within errors. The systematically high ΔS/S mod in F–M stars indicates hotter upper atmospheric layers, that is, a chromosphere and corona in these stars, like for the Sun. The mm–cm ΔS/S mod spectrum offers a way to estimate the efficiency of the heating mechanisms across various outer atmospheric layers in main-sequence stars, and thereby to understand their structure and activity. We emphasise the need for dedicated surveys of main-sequence stars in the mm–cm range.

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The Origin of B-type Runaway Stars: Non-LTE Abundances as a Diagnostic

There are two accepted mechanisms to explain the origin of runaway OB-type stars: the binary supernova (SN) scenario and the cluster ejection scenario. In the former, an SN explosion within a close binary ejects the secondary star, while in the latter close multibody interactions in a dense cluster cause one or more of the stars to be ejected from the region at high velocity. Both mechanisms have the potential to affect the surface composition of the runaway star. tlusty non-LTE model atmosphere calculations have been used to determine the atmospheric parameters and the C, N, Mg, and Si abundances for a sample of B-type runaways. These same analytical tools were used by Hunter et al. for their analysis of 50 B-type open-cluster Galactic stars (i.e., nonrunaways). Effective temperatures were deduced using the Si-ionization balance technique, surface gravities from Balmer line profiles, and microturbulent velocities derived using the Si spectrum. The runaways show no obvious abundance anomalies when compared with stars in the open clusters. The runaways do show a spread in composition that almost certainly reflects the Galactic abundance gradient and a range in the birthplaces of the runaways in the Galactic disk. Since the observed Galactic abundance gradients of C, N, Mg, and Si are of a similar magnitude, the abundance ratios (e.g., N/Mg) are as obtained essentially uniform across the sample.

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Multidimensional Simulations of Core Convection

The cores of main sequence intermediate- and high-mass stars are convective. Mixing at the radiative–convective boundary, waves excited by the convection, and magnetic fields generated by convective dynamos all influence the main sequence and post-main sequence evolution of these stars. These effects must be understood to accurately model the structure and evolution of intermediate- and high-mass stars. Unfortunately, there are many challenges in simulating core convection due to the wide range of temporal and spatial scales, as well as many important physics effects. In this review, we describe the latest numerical strategies to address these challenges. We then describe the latest state-of-the-art simulations of core convection, summarizing their main findings. These simulations have led to important insights into many of the processes associated with core convection. Two outstanding problems with multidimensional simulations are, 1. it is not always straightforward to extrapolate from simulation parameters to the parameters of real stars; and 2. simulations using different methods sometimes appear to arrive at contradictory results. To address these issues, next generation simulations of core convection must address how their results depend on stellar luminosity, dimensionality, and turbulence intensity. Furthermore, code comparison projects will be essential to establish robust parameterizations that will become the new standard in stellar modeling.

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COOL-LAMPS. I. An Extraordinarily Bright Lensed Galaxy at Redshift 5.04

In this paper, we report the discovery of COOL J1241+2219, a strongly lensed galaxy at redshift z = 5.043 ± 0.002 with observed magnitude z AB = 20.47, lensed by a moderate-mass galaxy cluster at z = 1.001 ± 0.001. COOL J1241+2219 is the brightest lensed galaxy currently known at optical and near-infrared wavelengths at z $\gtrsim$ 5; it is ~5 times brighter than the prior record-holder lensed galaxy, and several magnitudes brighter than the brightest unlensed galaxies known at these redshifts. It was discovered as part of COOL-LAMPS, a collaboration initiated to find strongly lensed systems in recent public optical imaging data. We characterize the lensed galaxy, as well as the central galaxy of the lensing cluster using ground-based grizJH imaging and optical spectroscopy. We report model-based magnitudes, and derive stellar masses, dust content, metallicity, and star-formation rates via stellar-population synthesis modeling. Our lens mass modeling, based on ground-based imaging, implies a median source magnification of ~30, which puts the stellar mass and star-formation rate (in the youngest age bin, closest to the epoch of observation) at logM* = ${10.11}_{-0.26}^{+0.21}$ and SFR = ${27}_{-9}^{+13} M_⊙$ yr –1 , respectively. We constrain a star-formation history for COOL J1241+2219 consistent with constant star formation across ~1 Gyr of cosmic time, and that places this galaxy on the high-mass end of the star-forming main sequence. COOL J1241+2219 is two to four times more luminous than a galaxy with the characteristic UV luminosity at these redshifts. The UV continuum slope β = –2.2 ± 0.2 places this galaxy on the blue side of the observed distribution of galaxies at z = 5, although the lack of Lyα emission indicates dust sufficient to suppress this emission.

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Velocity dispersion of M87 using a population model

The velocity dispersion of M 87 (NGC 4486) is determined using (1) a single star of class K0 III and (2) two different population models to represent the spectral region of the G-band. Although the models fit the overall spectrum better than the single-star, there is only a small difference in the derived velocity dispersion. This work revises the earlier velocity dispersion result of Brandt and Roosen (1969) down to 350 km/sec, in agreement with Faber and Jackson (1976) and Sargent et al. (1978).

Angione, R. J.↗

An Investigation of the Formation and Line Properties of MgH in 3D Hydrodynamical Model Stellar Atmospheres

Studies of the isotopic composition of magnesium in cool stars have so far relied upon the use of 1D model atmospheres. Since the isotopic ratios derived are based on asymmetries of optical MgH lines, it is important to test the impact from other effects affecting line asymmetries, like stellar convection. Here, we present a theoretical investigation of the effects of including self-consistent modeling of convection. Using spectral syntheses based on 3D hydrodynamical CO{sup 5}BOLD models of dwarfs (4000 K ≲ T {sub eff} ≲ 5160 K, 4.0 ≤ logg ≤ 4.5, −3.0⩽[Fe/H]⩽−1.0) and giants (T {sub eff} ∼ 4000 K, logg = 1.5, −3.0⩽[Fe/H]⩽−1.0), we perform a detailed analysis comparing 3D and 1D syntheses. We describe the impact on the formation and behavior of MgH lines from using 3D models, and perform a qualitative assessment of the systematics introduced by the use of 1D syntheses. Using 3D model atmospheres significantly affect the strength of the MgH lines, especially in dwarfs, with 1D syntheses requiring an abundance correction of up to +0.69 dex, with the largest for our 5000 K models. The corrections are correlated with T {sub eff} and are also affected by the metallicity. The shape of the strong {sup 24}MgH component in the 3D syntheses is poorly reproduced in 1D. This results in 1D syntheses underestimating {sup 25}Mg by up to ∼5 percentage points and overestimating {sup 24}Mg by a similar amount for dwarfs. This discrepancy increases with decreasing metallicity. {sup 26}Mg is recovered relatively well, with the largest difference being ∼2 percentage points. The use of 3D for giants has less impact, due to smaller differences in the atmospheric structure and a better reproduction of the line shape in 1D.

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The star-formation history in the last 10 billion years from CIB cross-correlations

ABSTRACT The cosmic infrared background (CIB) traces the emission of star-forming galaxies throughout all cosmic epochs. Breaking down the contribution from galaxies at different redshifts to the observed CIB maps would allow us to probe the history of star formation. In this paper, we cross-correlate maps of the CIB with galaxy samples covering the range z ≲ 2 to measure the bias-weighted star-formation rate (SFR) density 〈bρSFR〉 as a function of time in a model independent way. This quantity is complementary to direct measurements of the SFR density ρSFR, giving a higher weight to more massive haloes, and thus provides additional information to constrain the physical properties of star formation. Using cross-correlations of the CIB with galaxies from the DESI Legacy Survey and the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey, we obtain high signal-to-noise ratio measurements of 〈bρSFR〉, which we then use to place constraints on halo-based models of the star-formation history. We fit halo-based SFR models to our data and compare the recovered ρSFR with direct measurements of this quantity. We find a qualitatively good agreement between both independent data sets, although the details depend on the specific halo model assumed. This constitutes a useful robustness test for the physical interpretation of the CIB, and reinforces the role of CIB maps as valuable astrophysical probes of the large-scale structure. We report our measurements of 〈bρSFR〉 as well as a thorough account of their statistical uncertainties, which can be used to constrain star-formation models in combination with other data.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Photometry of the 4686 A emission line of gamma(2) Velorum from the South Pole

An automated optical telescope located at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station on Antarctica, has been used to obtain more than 78 h of photometry of the He II emission line (4686 A) of the spectroscopic binary gamma(2) Velorum. These data were obtained on seven different days during the 1987 austral winter; the longest continuous run spans 19 h. Two independent period search techniques have been used to search for periodic behavior in the strength of the He II emission line of this Wolf-Rayet star. They are: (1) power spectrum analysis and (2) a first-order sine function fit to the data using least squares. Various multiplicities of a period on the order of 1.3 h with amplitudes of a few percent are found in most of these data. According to recent theoretical models of Wolf-Rayet stars, fluctuations in the He II emission line may indicate vibrational instability in gamma(2) Vel. These pulsations may, in turn, give rise to shocks which propagate outward and which may provide the necessary conditions for periodic changes in the state of a given region of the atmosphere to occur.

Taylor, Maryjane↗

Modeling Stellar Jitter and its Effects on the Stellar Spectrum for More Precise Radial Velocity Measurements

Detection of Earth-size exoplanets is a technological and data analysis challenge. Future progress in Earth-mass exoplanet detection is expected from the development of extreme precision radial velocity (EPRV) measurements. The required precision of these measurements necessitates developing a new physics-based data analysis methodology to discriminate planetary signals from host-star-related effects, taking stellar variability and instrumental uncertainties into account. In this work, we investigate and quantify stellar disturbances of the planet-hosting solar-type star HD121504 from 3D radiative modeling obtained with the StellarBox code. The model was used to determine the statistical properties of the turbulent plasma and to obtain synthetic spectroscopic observations for several Fe I lines at different locations on the stellar disk to mimic high-resolution spectroscopic observations. Presented are the initial results of our effort to characterize stellar jitter properties as well as future objectives.

SMD↗

The threshold for stellar winds in hot main-sequence stars

The profiles of ultraviolet resonance lines of C IV were surveyed in a sample of 29 cluster and association members in the spectral type range O9-B2 III-V, together with a few field stars of interest. The temperatures and gravities of the stars were taken from the model atmosphere analysis by Grigsby, Morrison, & Anderson (1992), and the luminosities were estimated on the basis of cluster and association distances from the recent literature. A parameter P(sub w) was defined in order to describe the degree and assymetry of the C IV profile. This parameter, together with total C IV equivalent width, was found to be well correlated with stellar luminosity and temperature. A few anomalous stars were noted: tau Sco, HD 66665, HD 13621, and the ON stars HD12323 and HD 201345. The results suggest a sudden onset of observable mass loss at T(effective) = 27,500 +/- 500 K, log (L/solar luminosity) = 4.4 +/- 0.12, in agreement with the previous study by Prinja (1989). At T(effective) = 28,000 K and log g = 4, our non-LTE model atmospheres show an enhancement in the ground-state population of C(+3) in their topmost layer, which could be responsible for initiation of the winds via radiation pressure on the C(+3) ions, or for the onset of visibility of C(+3) ions in the wind because of an increase in the optical depth in the C IV lines in the outermost layers.

Grigsby, James A.↗

EVIDENCE FOR CLUSTER TO CLUSTER VARIATIONS IN LOW-MASS STELLAR ROTATIONAL EVOLUTION

The concordance model for angular momentum evolution postulates that star-forming regions and clusters are an evolutionary sequence that can be modeled with assumptions about protostar–disk coupling, angular momentum loss from magnetized winds that saturates in a mass-dependent fashion at high rotation rates, and core-envelope decoupling for solar analogs. We test this approach by combining established data with the large h Per data set from the MONITOR project and new low-mass Pleiades data. We confirm prior results that young low-mass stars can be used to test star–disk coupling and angular momentum loss independent of the treatment of internal angular momentum transport. For slow rotators, we confirm the need for star–disk interactions to evolve the ONC to older systems, using h Per (age 13 Myr) as our natural post-disk case. There is no evidence for extremely long-lived disks as an alternative to core-envelope decoupling. However, our wind models cannot evolve rapid rotators from h Per to older systems consistently, and we find that this result is robust with respect to the choice of angular momentum loss prescription. We outline two possible solutions: either there is cosmic variance in the distribution of stellar rotation rates in different clusters or there are substantially enhanced torques in low-mass rapid rotators. We favor the former explanation and discuss observational tests that could be used to distinguish them. If the distribution of initial conditions depends on environment, models that test parameters by assuming a universal underlying distribution of initial conditions will need to be re-evaluated.

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Acid rain: Mesoscale model

A mesoscale numerical model of the Florida peninsula was formulated and applied to a dry, neutral atmosphere. The prospective use of the STAR-100 computer for the submesoscale model is discussed. The numerical model presented is tested under synoptically undisturbed conditions. Two cases, differing only in the direction of the prevailing geostrophic wind, are examined: a prevailing southwest wind and a prevailing southeast wind, both 6 m/sec at all levels initially.

Hsu, H. M.↗

Bolometric temperature and young stars in the Taurus and Ophiuchus complexes

We calculated bolometric temperature (T(sub bol)) and luminosity (L(sub bol)) for 128 young stellar objects (YSOs) in Taurus, 74 in the Ophiuchus 'core', and 33 in the Ophiuchus 'off-core' region. We have constructed the bolometric luminosity-temperature (BLT) diagram, the log-log plot of L(sub bol) versus T(sub bol), for the three samples. T(sub bol) is defined as the temperature of a blackbody having the same frequency as the observed continuum spectrum. It measures the redness (or coldness) of an astronomical source. The BLT diagram is analogous to the H-R diagram and allows for a direct and quantitative comparison of YSOs at a wide variety of evolutionary states, ranging from the most deeply embedded stars to T Tauri stars nearly on the main sequence. We found (1) T(sub bol) increases monotonically from embedded sources (approximately 60-500 K) to classical T Tauri stars (approximately 1000-3000 K) to weak-line T Tauri stars (approximately 2000-5000 K); (2) T(sub bol) correlates reasonably well with the age inferred from the evolutionary models of pre-main-sequence stars and protostars for embedded 'protostars' and weak-line T Tauri stars. There is no significant correlation for the classical T Tauri stars. These results can be understood in terms of dissipation of circumstellar dust envelope and disk during the early stages of stellar evolution. Sources in the three regions have different distributions in the BLT diagram. The Ophiuchus core has the highest fraction of cold sources among the three regions. These cold sources are also more luminous than the YSOs in the other regions. The Ophiuchus off-core sample is dominated by the more evolved pre-main-sequence stars. The Taurus sources have distributions intermediate in L(sub bol), T(sub bol), and age between the Ophiuchus core and off-core distributions. These may suggest differences in the star formation history, and possibly in the stellar masses and mass accretion rates in these star-forming regions.

Chen, H.↗

Optical digital techniques

Optical interface losses between transmitter-to-fiber interface, connector-to-connector interface, and fiber-to-receiver interface were studied. System effects such as pulse dispersion, risetimes of the sources and detectors, type of fibers used, output power of the sources, and detector sensitivity were considered. Data bus systems such as TEE, Star, and Hybrid were analyzed. The matter of single fiber versus bundle technologies for future avionics systems was considered. The existing data bus system on Space Shuttle was examined and an optical analog was derived for a fiber bundle system, along with the associated power margin. System tests were performed on a feasibility model of a 9-port Star data bus system including BER, star losses, connector losses, etc. The same system was subjected to EMI between the range of 200 Hz to 10 GHz at 20V/m levels. A lightning test was also performed which simulated the conditions similar to those on Space Shuttle. The data bus system was found to be EMI and lightning hard. It is concluded that an optical data bus system is feasible for shuttle orbiter type vehicles.

Source record↗

Progenitors and explosion properties of supernova remnants hosting central compact objects: II. A global systematic study with a comparison to nucleosynthesis models

ABSTRACT Core-collapse explosions of massive stars leave behind neutron stars, with a known diversity that includes the ‘Central Compact Objects’ (CCOs). Typified by the neutron star discovered near the centre of the Cas A supernova remnant (SNR), CCOs have been observed to shine only in X-rays. To address their supernova progenitors, we perform a systematic study of SNRs that contain a CCO and display X-ray emission from their shock-heated ejecta. We make use of X-ray data primarily using the Chandra X-ray observatory, complemented with XMM–Newton. This study uses a systematic approach to the analysis of each SNR aimed at addressing the supernova progenitor as well as the explosion properties (energy and ambient density). After fitting for the ejecta abundances estimated from a spatially resolved spectroscopic study, we compare the data to six nucleosynthesis models making predictions on supernova ejecta yields in core-collapse explosions. We find that the explosion models commonly used by the astrophysics community do not match the ejecta yields for any of the SNRs, suggesting additional physics, for example multidimensional explosion models or updated progenitor structures, are required. Overall we find low-mass (≤25 solar masses) progenitors among the massive stars population and low-energy explosions (<1051 ergs). We discuss degeneracies in our model fitting, particularly how altering the explosion energy affects the estimate of the progenitor mass. Our systematic study highlights the need for improving on the theoretical models for nucleosynthesis predictions as well as for sensitive, high-resolution spectroscopy observations to be acquired with next generation X-ray missions.

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COOL SUBDWARF INVESTIGATIONS. III. DYNAMICAL MASSES OF LOW-METALLICITY SUBDWARFS

We report dynamical mass measurements for the components of the previously known double-lined spectroscopic subdwarfs G 006-026 B and C using the Fine Guidance Sensors on the Hubble Space Telescope . To build the empirical mass–luminosity relation for low-metallicity subdwarfs, we collect four other subdwarf systems with dynamical masses that we compare to theoretical models for various metallicities on the mass–luminosity relation. For most stars, they fall in the regions where the models predict them to be low metallicity. This effort highlights the scarcity of dynamical masses for subdwarfs, and that much work remains to be done to improve the mass errors and metallicity measurements of low-mass subdwarfs in our Galaxy.

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Discovery of an Obscured Supernova in Arp 299

The galaxy merger Arp 299, at a distance of 40 Mpc, is one of the most extensively studied interacting starburst galaxies known. It has been the site of 4 known supernovae (SNe) since 1990. Arp 299 contains a number of strong radio and infrared condensations, with the strongest starburst occurring in 'Source A,' in the nuclear region of the eastern galaxy. Source A has an inferred supernova rate of 0.5-0.7/yr, and its star formation peaked 6-8 Myr ago. Our recent observations identify a new radio-loud SN in Source A, which occurred sometime between April 2002 and February 2003. We imaged Arp 299 at milliarcsecond resolution at two epochs, in April 2002 and February 2003, using the Very Long Baseline Array and (at the first epoch) the Green Bank Telescope. In 2002, four compact radio sources were found in Source A at 2.3 GHz, with flux densities ranging from 0.3 to 1.7 mJy. In 2003, 8.4 GEz images revealed a new 3 mJy source, as well as the four objects detected a year earlier. The new radio SN is more than 1000 times more powerful than the galactic supernova remnant Cassiopeia A and is located located only 12 milliarcseconds (2.5 pc projected) from the strongest source seen in 2002. Milliarcsecond radio imaging is the only technique that could have detected this supernova, since it is embedded within an 80 mJy VLA source and buried in gas and dust (Av 15-25 mag). We suggest that both the new supernova and its nearest neighbor are occurring within a super star cluster, perhaps a newly formed globular cluster akin to those seen in a number of nearby galaxies and particularly galaxy mergers. If so, we are observing this cluster just as its massive stars have begun to explode into a very dense surrounding medium. The likelihood that most supernovae in such a medium will be radio-loud implies that future VLBI imaging over a number of years could lead to a direct measurement of the supernova rate in the Source A starburst, placing powerful constraints on models of present-day star formation processes.

Neff, Susan↗

WISE J072003.20-084651.2B is a Massive T Dwarf

We present individual dynamical masses for the nearby M9.5+T5.5 binary WISE J072003.20-084651.2AB, a.k.a. Scholz’s star. Combining high-precision Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope/WIRCam photocenter astrometry and Keck adaptive optics resolved imaging, we measure the first high-quality parallactic distance ($6.80^{+0.05}_{-0.06}$ pc) and orbit ($8.06^{+0.24}_{-0.25}$yr period) for this system composed of a low-mass star and brown dwarf. We find a moderately eccentric orbit ($e = 0.240^{+0.009}_{-0.010}$), incompatible with previous work based on less data, and dynamical masses of 99 ± 6 M Jup and 66 ± 4 M Jup for the two components. The primary mass is marginally inconsistent (2.1σ) with the empirical mass–magnitude–metallicity relation and models of main-sequence stars. The relatively high mass of the cold (T eff = 1250 ± 40 K) brown dwarf companion indicates an age older than a few gigayears, in accord with age estimates for the primary star, and is consistent with our recent estimate of ≈70 M Jup for the stellar/substellar boundary among the field population. Our improved parallax and proper motion, as well as an orbit-corrected system velocity, improve the accuracy of the system’s close encounter with the solar system by an order of magnitude. WISE J0720-0846AB passed within 68.7 ± 2.0 kau of the Sun 80.5 ± 0.7 kyr ago, passing through the outer Oort cloud where comets can have stable orbits.

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