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At least 19 records

MODEL ATMOSPHERES FOR X-RAY BURSTING NEUTRON STARS

The hydrogen and helium accreted by X-ray bursting neutron stars is periodically consumed in runaway thermonuclear reactions that cause the entire surface to glow brightly in X-rays for a few seconds. With models of the emission, the mass and radius of the neutron star can be inferred from the observations. By simultaneously probing neutron star masses and radii, X-ray bursts (XRBs) are one of the strongest diagnostics of the nature of matter at extremely high densities. Accurate determinations of these parameters are difficult, however, due to the highly non-ideal nature of the atmospheres where XRBs occur. Observations from X-ray telescopes such as RXTE and NuStar can potentially place strong constraints on nuclear matter once uncertainties in atmosphere models have been reduced. Here we discuss current progress on modeling atmospheres of X-ray bursting neutron stars and some of the challenges still to be overcome.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Hybrid Star Models in the Light of New Multimessenger Data

Abstract Recent astrophysical mass inferences of compact stars HESS J1731-347 and PSR J0952-0607, with extremely small and large masses respectively, as well as the measurement of the neutron skin of Ca in the CREX experiment challenge and constrain the models of dense matter. We examine the concept of hybrid stars—objects containing quark cores surrounded by nucleonic envelopes—as models that account for these new data along with other inferences. We employ a family of 81 nucleonic equations of state (EOSs) with variable skewness and slope of symmetry energy at saturation density and a constant speed-of-sound EOS for quark matter. For each nucleonic EOS, a family of hybrid EOSs is generated by varying the transition density, the energy jump, and the speed of sound. These models are tested against the data from GW170817 and J1731-347, which favor low-density soft EOS and J0592-0607 and J0740+6620, which require high-density stiff EOS. The addition of J0592-0607's mass measurement to the constraints has no significant impact on the parameter space of the admissible EOS, but allows us to explore the potential effect of pulsars more massive than J0740+6620, if such exists. We then examine the occurrence of twin configurations and quantify the ranges of masses and radii that they can possess. It is shown that including J1731-347 data favors EOSs that predict low-mass twins with M ≲ 1.3 M ⊙ that can be realized if the deconfinement transition density is low. If combined with large speed of sound in quark matter such models allow for maximum masses of hybrid stars in 2.0–2.6 M ⊙ .

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Convective boundary mixing in a post-He core burning massive star model

Convective boundary mixing (CBM) in the advanced evolutionary stages of massive stars is not well understood. Structural changes caused by convection have an impact on the evolution as well as the subsequent supernova, or lack thereof. The effects of convectively driven mixing across convective boundaries during the post He core burn- ing evolution of 25M ⊙ , solar-metallicity, non-rotating stellar models is studied using the MESA stellar evolution code. CBM is modelled using the exponentially decaying dif- fusion coeffcient equation, the free parameter of which, fCBM, is varied systematically throughout the course of the stellar model's evolution with values of (0.002, 0.012, 0.022, 0.032). The effect of varying this parameter produces mass ranges at collapse in the ONe, Si, Fe cores of (1.82M ⊙ , 4.36M ⊙ ), (1.67M ⊙ , 1.99M ⊙ ) and (1.46M ⊙ , 1.70M ⊙ ) respectively, with percent differences from the model with minimal CBM as large as 86.3%. At the presupernova stage, the compactness of the stellar cores from O'Connor & Ott (2011), ξ M , exhibit a range of (0.120, 0.354), suggesting that the extent of CBM in the advanced burning stages of massive stars is an important consideration for the explodability and type of compact remnant. The nucleosynthetic yields from the models, most notably C, O, Ne, Mg and Si are also signi cantly affected by the CBM assumptions, showing non-linear trends with increased mixing. The simulations show that interactions between convective C, Ne and O shells produce signi cant non- linear changes in the evolution, whereas from the end of Si burning, the structural changes attributed to the CBM are dominated by the growth of the convective C shell.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

General Relativistic Radiation MHD Simulations of Supercritical Accretion onto a Magnetized Neutron Star: Modeling of Ultraluminous X-Ray Pulsars

By performing 2.5-dimensional general relativistic radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we demonstrate supercritical accretion onto a non-rotating, magnetized neutron star, where the magnetic field strength of dipole fields is 10{sup 10} G on the star surface. We found the supercritical accretion flow consists of two parts: the accretion columns and the truncated accretion disk. The supercritical accretion disk, which appears far from the neutron star, is truncated at around ≃3 R {sub *} ( R {sub *} = 10{sup 6} cm is the neutron star radius), where the magnetic pressure via the dipole magnetic fields balances with the radiation pressure of the disks. The angular momentum of the disk around the truncation radius is effectively transported inward through magnetic torque by dipole fields, inducing the spin up of a neutron star. The evaluated spin-up rate, ∼−10{sup −11} s s{sup −1}, is consistent with the recent observations of the ultraluminous X-ray pulsars. Within the truncation radius, the gas falls onto a neutron star along the dipole fields, which results in a formation of accretion columns onto the northern and southern hemispheres. The net accretion rate and the luminosity of the column are ≃66 L {sub Edd}/ c {sup 2} and ≲10 L {sub Edd}, where L {sub Edd} is the Eddington luminosity and c is the light speed. Our simulations support a hypothesis whereby the ultraluminous X-ray pulsars are powered by the supercritical accretion onto the magnetized neutron stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Compiled properties of nucleonic matter and nuclear and neutron star models from nonrelativistic and relativistic interactions

Here, this paper compiles the model parameters and zero-temperature properties of an extensive collection of published theoretical nuclear interactions, including 255 nonrelativistic (Skyrme-like) forces, 270 relativistic mean field (RMF) and point-coupling (RMF-PC) forces, and 13 Gogny-like forces. This forms the most exhaustive tabulation of model parameters to date. The properties of uniform symmetric matter and pure neutron matter at the saturation density are determined. Symmetry properties found from the second-order term of a Taylor expansion in neutron excess are compared with the energy difference of pure neutron and symmetric nuclear matter at the saturation density. Selected liquid-droplet model parameters, including the surface tension and surface symmetry energy, are determined for semi-infinite surfaces. Theoretical liquid droplet model neutron skin thicknesses of the neutron-rich closed-shell nuclei 48 Ca and 208 Pb are compared with published theoretical Hartree-Fock and experimental results. A similar comparison is made between theoretical liquid-droplet and experimental values of dipole polarizabilities. In addition, radii, binding energies, moments of inertia and tidal deformabilities of 1.2⁢M ⊙ , 1.4⁢M ⊙ and 1.6⁢M ⊙ neutron stars are computed. An extensive correlation analysis of bulk matter, nuclear structure, and low-mass neutron star properties is performed and compared with nuclear experiments and astrophysical observations.

nuclear astrophysics↗

M-Star ® Modeling of SME Mixing with Three Impeller Blades

Before a sample of the Slurry Mix Evaporator (SME) can be taken, the SME product sampling procedure requires that the agitator power be stable between 20 and 30 kW for at least one hour. The SME transfer to Melter Feed Tank (MFT) procedure also requires the SME agitator power be stabilized between 20 and 30 kW prior to transfer. These requirements are specified to ensure samples are homogeneous, as discussed in the Waste Form Qualification Report. During SME Batch 804, the agitator power dropped to 19 kW and struggled to achieve and maintain 20 kW. It was later discovered that the cause of the power drop was due to one of the bottom blades of the agitator breaking off. Both the sample and the transfer occurred without the power stabilizing between 20 and 30 kW. Therefore, the quality of SME Batch 804 is indeterminate, and homogeneity was questionable. To evaluate mixing in the SME with a broken agitator containing only three blades (90 degrees apart with space for a missing blade) on the bottom impeller, the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was requested to perform computer simulations of impeller mixing in the SME using M-Star ® software. The simulations will be used to determine if SME Batch 804 was well mixed and satisfies homogeneity requirements.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Turbulence modelling in neutron star merger simulations

Observations of neutron star mergers have the potential to unveil detailed physics of matter and gravity in regimes inaccessible by other experiments. Quantitative comparisons to theory and parameter estimation require nonlinear numerical simulations. However, the detailed physics of energy and momentum transfer between different scales, and the formation and interaction of small scale structures, which can be probed by detectors, are not captured by current simulations. This is where turbulence enters neutron star modelling. This review will outline the theory and current status of turbulence modelling for relativistic neutron star merger simulations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Towards an astronomical foundation model for stars with a transformer-based model

ABSTRACT Rapid strides are currently being made in the field of artificial intelligence using transformer-based models like Large Language Models (LLMs). The potential of these methods for creating a single, large, versatile model in astronomy has not yet been explored. In this work, we propose a framework for data-driven astronomy that uses the same core techniques and architecture as used by LLMs. Using a variety of observations and labels of stars as an example, we build a transformer-based model and train it in a self-supervised manner with cross-survey data sets to perform a variety of inference tasks. In particular, we demonstrate that a single model can perform both discriminative and generative tasks even if the model was not trained or fine-tuned to do any specific task. For example, on the discriminative task of deriving stellar parameters from Gaia XP spectra, we achieve an accuracy of 47 K in Teff, 0.11 dex in log g, and 0.07 dex in [M/H], outperforming an expert XGBoost model in the same setting. But the same model can also generate XP spectra from stellar parameters, inpaint unobserved spectral regions, extract empirical stellar loci, and even determine the interstellar extinction curve. Our framework demonstrates that building and training a single foundation model without fine-tuning using data and parameters from multiple surveys to predict unmeasured observations and parameters is well within reach. Such ‘Large Astronomy Models’ trained on large quantities of observational data will play a large role in the analysis of current and future large surveys.

Leung, Henry W. (ORCID:0000000200362752)↗

Study of the agreement between binary neutron star ejecta models derived from numerical relativity simulations

Neutron star mergers have recently become a tool to study extreme gravity, nucleosynthesis, and the chemical composition of the Universe. To date, there has been one joint gravitational and electromagnetic observation of a binary neutron star merger, GW170817, as well as a solely gravitational observation, GW190425. In order to accurately identify and interpret electromagnetic signals of neutron star mergers, better models of the matter outflows generated by these mergers are required. We compare a series of ejecta models to see where they provide strong constraints on the amount of ejected mass expected from a system, and where systematic uncertainties in current models prevent us from reliably extracting information from observed events. We also examine 2396 neutron star equations of state compatible with GW170817 to see whether a given ejecta mass could be reasonably produced with a neutron star of said equation of state, and whether different ejecta models provide consistent predictions. We find that the difference between models is often comparable to or larger than the error generally assumed for these models, implying better constraints on the models are needed. In conclusion, we also note that the extrapolation of outflow models outside of their calibration window, while commonly needed to analyze gravitational wave events, is extremely unreliable and occasionally leads to completely unphysical results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Different to the core: The pre-supernova structures of massive single and binary-stripped stars

The majority of massive stars live in binary or multiple systems and will interact with a companion during their lifetimes, which helps to explain the observed diversity of core-collapse supernovae. Donor stars in binary systems can lose most of their hydrogen-rich envelopes through mass transfer. As a result, not only are the surface properties affected, but so is the core structure. However, most calculations of the core-collapse properties of massive stars rely on single-star models. We present a systematic study of the difference between the pre-supernova structures of single stars and stars of the same initial mass (11–21 M ⊙ ) that have been stripped due to stable post-main-sequence mass transfer at solar metallicity. We present the pre-supernova core composition with novel diagrams that give an intuitive representation of the isotope distribution. As shown in previous studies, at the edge of the carbon-oxygen core, the binary-stripped star models contain an extended gradient of carbon, oxygen, and neon. This layer remains until core collapse and is more extended in mass for higher initial stellar masses. It originates from the receding of the convective helium core during core helium burning in binary-stripped stars, which does not occur in single-star models. We find that this same evolutionary phase leads to systematic differences in the final density and nuclear energy generation profiles. Binary-stripped star models have systematically higher total masses of carbon at the moment of core collapse compared to single-star models, which likely results in systematically different supernova yields. In about half of our models, the silicon-burning and oxygen-rich layers merge after core silicon burning. We discuss the implications of our findings for the “explodability”, supernova observations, and nucleosynthesis of these stars. Our models are publicly available and can be readily used as input for detailed supernova simulations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Anisotropic stars for spherically symmetric spacetimes satisfying the Karmarkar condition

A new class of solution describing an anisotropic stellar configuration satisfying Karmarkar’s condition i.e. spherically symmetric metric of embedding class 1, is reported. It has been shown that the compact star model is physically well-behaved and meet all the physical requirements for a stable configuration in hydrostatic equilibrium. Our model describes compact stars like Vela X-1 and 4U1608-52 to a very good approximation. - Highlights: • We consider the Einstein field equations for spherically symmetric spacetimes of embedding class one. • We explore the Karmarkar condition for spherically symmetric, bounded matter configurations. • The Karmarkar condition reduces the solution-generating method to the Einstein field equations to a single metric function. • By specifying this metric function we generate physically plausible stellar configurations with anisotropic pressure.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Convective shells in the interior of Cepheid variable stars: Overshooting models based on hydrodynamic simulations

Context. Because Cepheid variable stars have long been used as a cosmic benchmark for scaling distances in our Galaxy and beyond, the accuracy of stellar evolution models for Cepheids have wide-reaching effects. However, our understanding of the dynamics in the interiors of these physically complex stars is limited. Aims. Our goal is to provide a detailed multi-dimensional picture of hydrodynamic convection and convective boundary mixing in the interior of Cepheids. Methods. Using the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA), we studied the structure of intermediate-mass stars that cross the instability strip. Then, we performed two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of six stars with the fully compressible Multidimensional Stellar Implicit Code (MUSIC). Our simulations did not model the radial pulsations but focused on the interior structure of this family of stars. We developed and applied a new statistical analysis to examine convection and convective boundary mixing in the interior of these stellar simulations. Results. Based on a grid of MESA models, we demonstrated that a common structure for intermediate mass Cepheids includes an interior convective shell as well as a thin outer convective envelope. Using the extreme value theory approach to analyze our MUSIC simulation data, we found that overshooting above the convective shell fills the space between these convectively unstable layers. We developed a new statistical analysis that provides a clearer picture of how overshooting fills this layer; it also allowed us to formulate a detailed comparison between overshooting above and below the convective shell. Our analysis effectively decomposes the overshooting layer into two layers: a weak overshooting layer and a strong overshooting layer. Statistically, this is accomplished by decomposing the strongly non-Gaussian probability density function into a mixture of gamma distributions. Using our mixture model, we showed that the ratio of overshooting lengths above and below the convective shell depends directly on the radial extent of the convective shell as well as its depth in the star. We proposed a new form for the diffusion coefficient that addresses the need for overlapping overshooting layers between convective shells. We introduced the idea of a “super-mixing layer” where overshooting from both the convective shell and the convective envelope results in efficient mixing and could be viewed as merging the two adjacent convective zones.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Surface Temperature Mapping Models for STAR and CTF

This milestone presents a demonstration of a surface mapping model to map the surface temperature for single-phase STAR-CCM+ to Cobra-TF using average temperature data. This model can be used to generate high-resolution surface temperature data. This can be accomplished with linear equations or with an alternative non-linear model. Improvements and a path forward for the surface mapping model to be applied to two-phase temperature mappings is also laid out in this milestone report.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Intermediate-mass Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars and Sources of {sup 26}Al, {sup 60}Fe, {sup 107}Pd, and {sup 182}Hf in the Solar System

We explore the possibility that the short-lived radionuclides {sup 26}Al, {sup 60}Fe, {sup 107}Pd, and {sup 182}Hf inferred to be present in the proto-solar cloud originated from 3–8 M{sub ⊙} asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Models of AGB stars with initial mass above 5 M{sub ⊙} are prolific producers of {sup 26}Al owing to hot bottom burning (HBB). In contrast, {sup 60}Fe, {sup 107}Pd, and {sup 182}Hf are produced by neutron captures: {sup 107}Pd and {sup 182}Hf in models ≲5 M{sub ⊙}, and {sup 60}Fe in models with higher mass. We mix stellar yields from solar-metallicity AGB models into a cloud of solar mass and composition to investigate whether it is possible to explain the abundances of the four radioactive nuclides at the Sun’s birth using one single value of the mixing ratio between the AGB yields and the initial cloud material. We find that AGB stars that experience efficient HBB (⩾6 M{sub ⊙}) cannot provide a solution because they produce too little {sup 182}Hf and {sup 107}Pd relative to {sup 26}Al and {sup 60}Fe. Lower-mass AGB stars cannot provide a solution because they produce too little {sup 26}Al relative to {sup 107}Pd and {sup 182}Hf. A self-consistent solution may be found for AGB stars with masses in between (4–5.5 M{sub ⊙}), provided that HBB is stronger than in our models and the {sup 13}C(α, n){sup 16}O neutron source is mildly activated. If stars of M<5.5 M{sub ⊙} are the source of the radioactive nuclides, then some basis for their existence in proto-solar clouds needs to be explored, given that the stellar lifetimes are longer than the molecular cloud lifetimes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NuGrid stellar data set – II. Stellar yields from H to Bi for stellar models with MZAMS = 1–25 M⊙ and Z = 0.0001–0.02

We provide here a significant extension of the NuGrid Set 1 models in mass coverage and towards lower metallicity, adopting the same physics assumptions. The combined data set now includes the initial masses M ZAMS /M ⊙ = 1, 1.65, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 15, 20, 25 for Z = 0.02, 0.01, 0.006, 0.001, 0.0001 with α-enhanced composition for the lowest three metallicities. These models are computed with the MESA stellar evolution code and are evolved up to the AGB, the white dwarf stage, or until core collapse. The nucleosynthesis was calculated for all isotopes in post-processing with the NuGrid MPPNP code. Explosive nucleosynthesis is based on semi-analytic 1D shock models. Metallicity-dependent mass-loss, convective boundary mixing in low- and intermediate-mass models and H and He core burning massive star models are included. Convective O-C shell mergers in some stellar models lead to the strong production of odd-Z elements P, Cl, K, and Sc. In AGB models with hot dredge-up, the convective boundary mixing efficiency is reduced to accommodate for its energetic feedback. In both low-mass and massive star models at the lowest metallicity, H-ingestion events are observed and lead to i-process nucleosynthesis and substantial 15 N production. Finally, complete yield data tables, derived data products and online analytic data access are provided.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Modeling Neutron Star Matter in the Age of Multimessenger Astrophysics

Abstract The interpretation of available and forthcoming data obtained from multimessenger astrophysical observations—potentially providing unprecedented access to neutron star properties—will require the development of novel, accurate theoretical models of dense matter. Of great importance, in this context, will be the capability for devising a description of thermal effects applicable to the study of quantities other than the equation of state, such as the transport coefficients and the neutrino mean free path in the nuclear medium. A formalism based on correlated basis states and the cluster expansion technique has been previously employed to derive a well-behaved effective interaction—suitable for use in standard perturbation theory—from a state-of-the-art nuclear Hamiltonian, including phenomenological two- and three-nucleon potentials. Here, we provide a comprehensive and self-contained account of the extension of this approach to the treatment of finite-temperature effects, and report the results of numerical calculations of a number of properties of nuclear matter with arbitrary neutron excess and temperature up to 50 MeV.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Probing the Dusty Stellar Populations of the Local Volume Galaxies with JWST /MIRI

The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) for the James Webb Space Telescope ( JWST ) will revolutionize our understanding of infrared stellar populations in the Local Volume. Using the rich Spitzer -IRS spectroscopic data set and spectral classifications from the Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution (SAGE)–Spectroscopic survey of more than 1000 objects in the Magellanic Clouds, the Grid of Red Supergiant and Asymptotic Giant Branch Star Model (grams), and the grid of YSO models by Robitaille et al., we calculate the expected flux densities and colors in the MIRI broadband filters for prominent infrared stellar populations. We use these fluxes to explore the JWST /MIRI colors and magnitudes for composite stellar population studies of Local Volume galaxies. MIRI color classification schemes are presented; these diagrams provide a powerful means of identifying young stellar objects, evolved stars, and extragalactic background galaxies in Local Volume galaxies with a high degree of confidence. Finally, we examine which filter combinations are best for selecting populations of sources based on their JWST colors.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NuGrid stellar data set. I. Stellar yields from H to BI for stars with metallicities Z = 0.02 and Z = 0.01

We provide a set of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis calculations that applies established physics assumptions simultaneously to low- and intermediate-mass and massive star models. Our goal is to provide an internally consistent and comprehensive nuclear production and yield database for applications in areas such as presolar grain studies. Our non-rotating models assume convective boundary mixing (CBM) where it has been adopted before. We include 8 (12) initial masses for Z = 0.01 (0.02). Models are followed either until the end of the asymptotic giant branch phase or the end of Si burning, complemented by simple analytic core-collapse supernova (SN) models with two options for fallback and shock velocities. The explosions show which pre-SN yields will most strongly be effected by the explosive nucleosynthesis. We discuss how these two explosion parameters impact the light elements and the s and p process. For low- and intermediate-mass models, our stellar yields from H to Bi include the effect of CBM at the He-intershell boundaries and the stellar evolution feedback of the mixing process that produces the {sup 13}C pocket. All post-processing nucleosynthesis calculations use the same nuclear reaction rate network and nuclear physics input. We provide a discussion of the nuclear production across the entire mass range organized by element group. The entirety of our stellar nucleosynthesis profile and time evolution output are available electronically, and tools to explore the data on the NuGrid VOspace hosted by the Canadian Astronomical Data Centre are introduced.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗