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In this study, we test whether the power law slopes (α F ) for fluxes (F), and (α E ) for energies (E) are universal in their size distributions, N (F) ∝ F − α F and N (E) ∝ E − α E , in astrophysical observations of galactic, extragalactic, and black hole systems. This is a test of fundamental importance for self-organized criticality (SOC) systems. The test decides whether (i) power laws are a natural consequence of the scale-freeness and inherent universality of SOC systems, or (ii) if they depend on more complex physical scaling laws. The former criterion allows quantitative predictions of the power-law-like size distributions, while the latter criterion requires individual physical modeling for each SOC variable and data set. Our statistical test, carried out with 61 published data sets, is consistent with the former option, which implies that observed power laws can simply be derived from the scale-freeness and do not require specific physical models to understand their statistical distributions. The observations show a mean and standard deviation of α F = 1.78 ± 0.29 for SOC fluxes and α E = 1.66 ± 0.22 for SOC fluences, and thus are consistent with the prediction of the fractal-diffusive SOC model, with α F = 1.80 and α E = 1.67. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HD 327083 is a binary system that consists of two supergiant components and exhibits the B[e] phenomenon. In this paper, we report the determination of a new set of the system's fundamental parameters using a combination of photometric and spectroscopic data as well as the Gaia EDR3 distance. We found that the orbital period of the system is 107.68 ± 0.02 days. The spectral line content implies the effective temperatures of ≈7000 K and 25,400 ± 1400 K, while the photometric variations are consistent with the radii of ≈106 R ⊙ and ≈10 R ⊙ for the cool and hot components, respectively. The absorption lines of the cool component show a radial velocity semiamplitude of 48.3 ± 1.7 km s−1, similar to that of the emission lines that originate around the hot component. The inclination of the system to the line of sight is 47 − 20 + 17 °. Modeling of the system's evolutionary history suggests that the components have masses of ∼12.5 M ⊙ and currently undergo mass transfer between them. This configuration, which takes in heating of the surface of the cool component by the radiation from the hot one, can reproduce the photometric and spectroscopic data and is in agreement with previous infrared observations of the circumbinary disk. The results of this study further confirm the hypothesis that the reason for the presence of the B[e] phenomenon in most objects is a consequence of the evolution of various binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe four different approaches for the detection of magnetospheric accretion among Herbig Ae/Be stars with accretion disks. Studies of several unique objects have been carried out. One of the objects is the Herbig Ae star HD101412 with a comparatively strong magnetic field. The second is the early-type Herbig B6e star HD259431. The existence of a magnetosphere in these objects was not recognized earlier. In both cases, a periodicity in the variation of some line parameters, originating near the region of the disk/star interaction, has been found. The third object is the young binary system HD104237, hosting a Herbig Ae star and a T Tauri star. Based on the discovery of periodic variations of equivalent widths of atmospheric lines in the spectrum of the primary, we have concluded that the surface of the star is spotted. Comparing our result with an earlier one, we argue that these spots can be connected with the infall of material from the disk onto the stellar surface through a magnetosphere. The fourth example is the Herbig Ae/Be star HD37806. Signatures of magnetospheric accretion in this object have been identified using a different method. They were inferred from the short-term variability of the He I l5876 line profile forming in the region of the disk/star interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TU Tau (=HD 38218 = HIP 27135) is a binary system consisting of a C-N carbon star primary and an A-type secondary. We report on new photometry and spectroscopy which tracked the recent disappearance of the A-star secondary. The dimming of the A star was gradual and irregular, with one or more brief brightenings, implying the presence of nonhomogeneities in the carbon star outflow. We also present evidence that the A star is actively accreting s -process enriched material from the carbon star and suggest that it will therefore eventually evolve into a Barium giant. This is an important system as well because the A-type star can serve as a probe of the outer atmosphere of the carbon star.

Phase curves, or the change in observed illumination of the planet as it orbits around its host star, help us to characterize their atmospheres. However, the variability of the host star can make their detection challenging. The presence of starspots, faculae, flares, and rotational effects introduce brightness variations that can hide other flux variations related to the presence of an exoplanet: ellipsoidal variation, Doppler boosting, and a combination of reflected light and thermal emission from the planet. Here we present a study to quantify the effect of stellar variability on the detectability of phase curves in the optical. In the first stage we simulated ideal data, with different white noise levels, and with cadences and total duration matching a quarter of the Kepler mission. We performed injection and recovery tests to evaluate the minimum number of planetary orbits that need to be observed in order to determine the amplitude of the phase curve with an accuracy of 15%. We also evaluate the effect of a simplistic stellar variability signal with low amplitude in order to provide strong constraints on the minimum number of orbits needed under these ideal conditions. In the second stage we applied these methods to data from Q9 of the Kepler mission, known for its low instrumental noise. The injection and recovery tests are performed on a selected sample of the less noisy stars in different effective temperature ranges. Even for the shortest explored planet period of 1 day, we find that observing a single orbit of the planet fails to detect accurately more than 90% of the inserted amplitude. The best recovery rates, close to 48%, are obtained after 10 orbits of a 1 day period planet with the largest explored amplitude of 150 ppm. The temperature range of the host stars providing better recovery ratios is 5500 K < Teff < 6000 K. Our results provide guidelines to selecting the best targets in which phase curves can be measured to the greatest accuracy, given the variability and effective temperature of its host star, which is of interest for the upcoming TESS, CHEOPS, and PLATO space missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Being the most numerous and oldest stars in the galaxy, M dwarfs are objects of great interest for exoplanet searches. The presence of molecules in their atmosphere complicates our understanding of their atmospheric properties. But great advances have recently been made in the modeling of M dwarfs due to the revision of solar abundances. Aims. We aim to determine stellar parameters of M dwarfs using high resolution spectra (R ∼ 90 000) simultaneously in the visible and the near-infrared. The high resolution spectra and broad wavelength coverage provide an unique opportunity to understand the onset of dust and cloud formation at cool temperatures. Furthermore, this study will help in understanding the physical processes which occur in a cool atmospheres, particularly, the redistribution of energy from the optical to the near-infrared. Methods. The stellar parameters of M dwarfs in our sample have been determined by comparing the high resolution spectra both in the optical and in the near-infrared simultaneously observed by CARMENES with the synthetic spectra obtained from the BT-Settl model atmosphere. The detailed spectral synthesis of these observed spectra both in the optical and in the near-infrared helps to understand the missing continuum opacity. Results. For the first time, we derive fundamental stellar parameters of M dwarfs using the high resolution optical and near-infrared spectra simultaneously. We determine Teff, log g and [M/H] for 292 M dwarfs of spectral type M0 to M9, where the formation of dust and clouds are important. The derived Teff for the sample ranges from 2300 to 4000 K, values of log g ranges from 4.5 ≤ logg ≤ 5.5 and the resulting metallicity ranges from −0.5 ≤ [M/H] ≤ +0.5. We have also explored the possible differences in Teff, log g and [M/H] by comparing them with other studies of the same sample of M dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absorption cells filled with diatomic iodine are frequently employed as wavelength reference for high-precision stellar radial velocity determination due to their long-term stability and low cost. Despite their wide-spread usage in the community, there is little documentation on how to determine the ideal operating temperature of an individual cell. We have developed a new approach to measuring the effective molecular temperature inside a gas absorption cell and searching for effects detrimental to a high-precision wavelength reference, utilizing the Boltzmann distribution of relative line depths within absorption bands of single vibrational transitions. With a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer, we took a series of 632 spectra at temperatures between 23 and 66°C. These spectra provide a sufficient basis to test the algorithm and demonstrate the stability and repeatability of the temperature determination via molecular lines on a single iodine absorption cell. The achievable radial velocity precision σRV is found to be independent of the cell temperature and a detailed analysis shows a wavelength dependence, which originates in the resolving power of the spectrometer in use and the signal-to-noise ratio. Two effects were found to cause apparent absolute shifts in radial velocity, a temperature-induced shift of the order of ∼1 m s−1 K−1 and a more significant effect resulting in abrupt jumps of ≥50 m s−1 is determined to be caused by the temperature crossing the dew point of the molecular iodine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been hypothesized that stellar envelopes with positive binding energy may be ejected if the release of recombination energy can be triggered and the calculation of binding energy includes this contribution. The implications of this hypothesis for the evolution of normal hydrogen-rich stars have been investigated, but the implications for helium stars - which may represent mass-transfer or merger remnants in binary star systems-have not. Making a set of model helium stars, we find that those with masses between 0.9 and 2.4M☉ evolve to configurations with positive binding energy envelopes. We discuss consequences of the ejection hypothesis for such stars and possible observational tests of these predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the masses of 'retired A stars' using asteroseismic detections on seven lowluminosity red-giant and sub-giant stars observed by the NASA Kepler and K2 missions. Our aim is to explore whether masses derived from spectroscopy and isochrone fitting may have been systematically overestimated. Our targets have all previously been subject to longterm radial velocity observations to detect orbiting bodies, and satisfy the criteria used by Johnson et al. to select survey stars which may have had A-type (or early F-type) mainsequence progenitors. The sample actually spans a somewhat wider range in mass, from ≈1 M☉ up to ≈1.7 M☉. Whilst for five of the seven stars the reported discovery mass from spectroscopy exceeds the mass estimated using asteroseismology, there is no strong evidence for a significant, systematic bias across the sample. Moreover, comparisons with other masses from the literature show that the absolute scale of any differences is highly sensitive to the chosen reference literature mass, with the scatter between different literature masses significantly larger than reported error bars. We find that any mass difference can be explained through use of different constraints during the recovery process. We also conclude that underestimated uncertainties on the input parameters can significantly bias the recovered stellar masses, which may have contributed to the controversy on the mass scale for retired A stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is observationally known about the progenitors of Type Ibc supernovae (SNe) or the typical activity of SNe progenitors in their final years. Here, we analyse deep Large Binocular Telescope imaging data spanning the 4 yr before and after the Type Ibc SN 2012fh using difference imaging. We place 1σ upper limits on the detection of the progenitor star at MU > -3.8, MB > -3.1, MV > -3.8 and MR > -4.0mag. These limits are the tightest placed on a Type Ibc SN to date and they largely rule out single star evolutionary models in favour of a binary channel as the origin of this SN.We also constrain the activity of the progenitor to be small on an absolute scale, with the RMS UBVR optical variability ≲ 2500 L☉ and long-term dimming or brightening trends ≲ 1000 L☉ yr-1 in all four bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a study of a large sample of A and Am stars with spectral types from Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) and light curves from Wide Area Search for Planets (WASP). We find that, unlike normal A stars, δ Sct pulsations in Am stars are mostly confined to the effective temperature range 6900 < Teff < 7600 K.We find evidence that the incidence of pulsations inAmstars decreases with increasingmetallicism (degree of chemical peculiarity). The maximum amplitude of the pulsations in Am stars does not appear to vary significantly with metallicism. The amplitude distributions of the principal pulsation frequencies for both A and Am stars appear very similar and agree with results obtained from Kepler photometry. We present evidence that suggests turbulent pressure is the main driving mechanism in pulsating Am stars, rather than the κ-mechanism, which is expected to be suppressed by gravitational settling in these stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kepler data are used to investigate flares in stars of all spectral types. There is a strong tendency across all spectral types for the most energetic flares to occur among the most rapidly rotating stars. Differential rotation could conceivably play an important role in enhancing flare energies. This idea was investigated, but no correlation could be found between rotational shear and the incidence of flares. Inspection of Kepler light curves shows that rotational modulation is very common over the whole spectral type range. Using the rotational light amplitude, the size distribution of star-spots was investigated. Our analysis suggests that stars with detectable flares have spots significantly larger than non-flare stars, indicating that flare energies are correlated with the size of the active region. Further evidence of the existence of spots on A stars is shown by the correlation between the photometric period and the projected rotational velocity. The existence of spots indicates the presence of magnetic fields, but the fact that A stars lack coronae implies that surface convection is a necessary condition for the formation of the corona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the analytic theory of brown dwarf evolution and the lower mass limit of the hydrogen burning main-sequence stars and introduce some modifications to the existing models. We give an exact expression for the pressure of an ideal nonrelativistic Fermi gas at a finite temperature, therefore allowing for nonzero values of the degeneracy parameter. We review the derivation of surface luminosity using an entropy matching condition and the first-order phase transition between the molecular hydrogen in the outer envelope and the partially ionized hydrogen in the inner region. We also discuss the results of modern simulations of the plasma phase transition, which illustrate the uncertainties in determining its critical temperature. Based on the existing models and with some simple modification, we find the maximum mass for a brown dwarf to be in the range 0.064M⊙–0.087M⊙. An analytic formula for the luminosity evolution allows us to estimate the time period of the nonsteady state (i.e., non-main-sequence) nuclear burning for substellar objects. We also calculate the evolution of very low mass stars. We estimate that ≃11% of stars take longer than 107 yr to reach the main sequence, and ≃5% of stars take longer than 108 yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on high-resolution spectra taken near the He I 6678 Å line for the massive binary system 103 Tau, we have detected a weak absorption component belonging to the binary's secondary component. We have measured the radial velocities of both components, improved the previously known orbital parameters, and determined the new ones. The binary has an orbital period P = 58.305, an orbital eccentricity e = 0.277, a radial velocity semi-amplitude of the bright component K = 44.8 km s, and a component mass ratio M / M = 1.77. The absence of photometric variability and the estimates of physical parameters for the primary component suggest that the binary most likely has a considerable inclination of the orbital plane to the observer, i ≈ 50°−60°. In this case, the secondary component is probably a normal dwarf of spectral type B5-B8. Based on the spectra taken near the H line, we have studied the variability of the emission profile. It is shown to be formed in the Roche lobe of the secondary component, but no traces of active mass exchange in the binary have been detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct a model atom for Ti I-II using more than 3600 measured and predicted energy levels of Ti I and 1800 energy levels of Ti II, and quantum mechanical photoionization crosssections. Non-local thermodynamical equilibrium (NLTE) line formation for Ti I and Ti II is treated through a wide range of spectral types from A to K, including metal-poor stars with [Fe/H] down to -2.6 dex. NLTE leads to weakened Ti I lines and positive abundance corrections. The magnitude of NLTE corrections is smaller compared to the literature data for FGK atmospheres. NLTE leads to strengthened Ti II lines and negative NLTE abundance corrections. For the first time, we have performed NLTE calculations for Ti I-II in the 6500 = Teff ≤ 13 000 K range. For four A-type stars, we derived in LTE an abundance discrepancy of up to 0.22 dex between Ti I and Ti II, which vanishes in NLTE. For four other A-B stars, with only Ti II lines observed, NLTE leads to a decrease of line-to-line scatter. An efficiency of inelastic Ti I + HI collisions was estimated from an analysis of Ti I and Ti II lines in 17 cool stars with -2.6 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ 0.0. Consistent NLTE abundances from Ti I and Ti II were obtained by applying classical Drawinian rates for the stars with log g ≥ 4.1, and neglecting inelastic collisions with HI for the very metal-poor (VMP) giant HD 122563. For the VMP turn-off stars ([Fe/H] ≤ -2 and log g ≤ 4.1), we obtained the positive abundance difference Ti I-II already in LTE, which increases in NLTE. Accurate collisional data for Ti I and Ti II are necessary to help solve this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotational light modulation in Kepler photometry of K-A stars is used to estimate the absolute rotational shear. The rotation frequency spread in 2562 carefully selected stars with known rotation periods is measured using time-frequency diagrams. Because rotational shear is both a function of effective temperature and rotation rate, it is necessary to separate the two effects by calculating the rotation shear in restricted ranges of effective temperature and rotation period. The shear increases to a maximum in F stars, but decreases somewhat in the A stars. Theoretical models reproduce the variation of rotational shear with effective temperature quite well for all rotation rates. The dependence of the shear on the rotation rate is weak in K and G stars, increases rapidly for F stars and is strongest in A stars. For stars earlier than type K, a discrepancy exists between the predicted and observed variation of shear with rotation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 2012 June 10, an Earth-grazer meteor which lasted over 17 s with an absolute magnitude of -4.0 ± 0.5 was observed over Spain. This work focuses on the analysis of this rare event which is, to our knowledge, the faintest Earth-grazing meteor reported in the scientific literature, but also the first one belonging to a meteor shower. Thus, the orbital parameters show that the parent meteoroid belonged to the Daytime ζ-Perseid meteoroid stream. According to our calculations, the meteor was produced by a meteoroid with an initial mass ranging between 115 and 1.5 kg. During its encounter with Earth, the particle travelled about 510 km in the atmosphere. Around 260 g were destroyed in the atmosphere during the luminous phase of the event as a consequence of the ablation process. The modified orbit of the remaining material, which left our planet with a fusion crust, is also calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We extend the catalogue of two-dimensional, Point-Spread-Function-corrected de Vacouleurs, Sérsic, de Vacouleurs+Exponential, and Sérsic+Exponential fits of ~7 × 105 galaxies presented in Meert et al. to include the g and i bands. Fits are analysed using the physically motivated flagging system presented in the original text, making adjustments for the differing signal to noise when necessary. We compare the fits in each of the g, r, and i bands. Fixed aperture magnitudes and colours are also provided for all galaxies. The catalogues are available in electronic format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. We present a grid of computed non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) equivalent widths (EW) and NLTE abundance corrections for four Ba II lines: 4554, 5853, 6141, and 6496 Å. Aims. The grid can be useful in deriving the NLTE barium abundance in stars having parameters in the following ranges: effective temperature from 4000 K to 6500 K, surface gravity log g from 0 to 5, microturbulent velocity 0 km s-1 to 3 km s-1, metallicity [Fe/H] from -2 to +0.5, and [Ba/Fe] from -0.4 to +0.6. The NLTE abundance can be either derived by EW interpolation (using the observed Ba II line EW) or by using the NLTE correction applied to a previously determined LTE abundance. Methods. Ba II line equivalent widths and the NLTE corrections were calculated using the updated MULTI code and the Ba II atomic model that was previously applied to determine the NLTE barium abundance in different types of stars. Results. The grid is available on-line through the web, and we find that the grid Ba NLTE corrections are almost as accurate as direct NLTE profile fitting (to within 0.05-0.08 dex). For the weakest Ba II line (5853 Å) the LTE abundances almost agree with the NLTE abundances, whereas the other three Ba II lines, 4554, 6141, and 6496 Å, need NLTE corrections even at the highest metallicities tested here. The 4554 Å line is extremely strong and should not be used for abundance analysis above [Fe/H] = -1. Furthermore, we tested the impact of different model atmospheres and spectrum synthesis codes and found average differences of 0.06 dex and 0.09 dex, respectively, for all four lines. At these metallicities we find an average ΔNLTE of ±0.1 dex for the three useful Ba lines for subsolar cool dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Since 1995, more than 1500 exoplanets have been discovered around a wide variety of host stars (from M- to A-type stars). Tidal dissipation in stellar convective envelopes is an important factor that shapes the orbital architecture of short-period systems. Aims. Our objective is to understand and evaluate how tidal dissipation in the convective envelope of low-mass stars (from M to F types) depends on their mass, evolutionary stage, and rotation. Methods. Using a simplified two-layer assumption, we analytically compute the frequency-averaged tidal dissipation in the convective envelope. This dissipation is due to the conversion into heat of the kinetic energy of tidal non-wavelike/equilibrium flow and inertial waves because of the viscous friction applied by turbulent convection. Using grids of stellar models allows us to study the variation of the dissipation as a function of stellar mass and age on the pre-main sequence and on the main sequence for stars with masses ranging from 0:4 to 1:4 M☉Results. During their pre-main sequence, all low-mass stars have an increase in the frequency-averaged tidal dissipation for a fixed angular velocity in their convective envelope until they reach a critical aspect and mass ratios (respectivelyα= Rc=Rs and β= Mc=Ms, where Rs; Ms; Rc, and Mc are the star's radius and mass and its radiative core's radius and mass). Next, the dissipation evolves on the main sequence to an asymptotic value that is highest for 0:6 M☉ K-type stars and that then decreases by several orders of magnitude with increasing stellar mass. Finally, the rotational evolution of low-mass stars strengthens the importance of tidal dissipation during the pre-main sequence for star-planet and multiple star systems. Conclusions. As shown by observations, tidal dissipation in stars' convection zones varies over several orders of magnitude as a function of stellar mass, age, and rotation. We demonstrate that i) it reaches a maximum value on the pre-main sequence for all stellar masses and ii) on the main sequence and at fixed angular velocity, it is at a maximum for 0:6 M☉K-type stars and decreases with increasing mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. We have discovered four new HgMn stars while monitoring a sample of apparently slowly rotating superficially normal bright late-B and early-A stars in the northern hemisphere. Aims. Important classification lines of Hg II and Mn II are found as conspicuous features in the high resolution SOPHIE spectra of these stars (R = 75 000). Methods. Several lines of Hg II, Mn II and Fe II were synthesized using model atmospheres and the spectrum synthesis code SYNSPEC48, including hyperfine structure of various isotopes when relevant. These synthetic spectra were compared to high-resolution observations of these stars that have a high signal-to-noise ratio to derive abundances of these key elements. Results. The four stars are found to have distinct enhancements of Hg and Mn, which shows that they are not superficially normal B and A stars, but are new HgMn stars and need to be reclassified as such. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The project Massive Unseen Companions to Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS (MUCHFUSS) aims to find sdBs with compact companions such as massive white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. Here we provide classifications, atmospheric parameters, and a complete radial velocity (RV) catalogue containing 1914 single measurements for a sample of 177 hot subluminous stars discovered based on SDSS DR7; 110 stars show significant RV variability, while 67 qualify as candidates. We constrain the fraction of close massive compact companions of hydrogen-rich hot subdwarfs in our sample to be smaller than ~1.3%, which is already close to the theoretical predictions. However, the sample might still contain such binaries with longer periods exceeding ~8 d. We detect a mismatch between the ΔRVmax-distribution of the sdB and the more evolved sdOB and sdO stars, which challenges our understanding of their evolutionary connection. Furthermore, irregular RV variations of unknown origin with amplitudes of up to ~180 km s-1 on timescales of years, days, and even hours have been detected in some He-sdO stars. They might be connected to irregular photometric variations in some cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed a fine analysis of the normal sharp-lined A0 IV star γ Geminorum with spectra having signal-to-noise ratios at the continuum of 500-1200 that were consistent with previous studies of this series. Our spectra have wavelength ranges of λλ3829-4730, 4873-4931, 4983-5042, and 5070-5210. The spectra measured with the program REDUCE have a two-pixel resolution of 0.072 Å. We used ATLAS9 models and the program WIDTH9 to derive the abundances of the metals. Most derived abundances are close to solar with the abundances of the heaviest elements Zr, Ba, La, Ce, and Nd showing greater than solar values. This suggests by comparison with the abundances of other normal and Am stars that Gem might exhibit an incipient Am star phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The 440 Myr old main-sequence A-star Fomalhaut is surrounded by an eccentric debris belt with sharp edges. This sort of a morphology is usually attributed to planetary perturbations, but the orbit of the only planetary candidate detected so far, Fomalhaut b, is too eccentric to efficiently shape the belt. Alternative models that could account for the morphology without invoking a planet are stellar encounters and gas-dust interactions. Aims. We aim to test the possibility of gas-dust interactions as the origin of the observed morphology by putting upper limits on the total gas content of the Fomalhaut belt. Methods. We derive upper limits on the C ıı 158 Îm and O ı 63 Îm emission by using non-detections from the Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) onboard the Herschel Space Observatory. Line fluxes are converted into total gas mass using the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) code radex. We consider two different cases for the elemental abundances of the gas: solar abundances and abundances similar to those observed for the gas in the Î Pictoris debris disc. Results. The gas mass is shown to be below the millimetre dust mass by a factor of at least ~3 (for solar abundances) respectively ~300 (for Î Pic-like abundances). Conclusions. The lack of gas co-spatial with the dust implies that gas-dust interactions cannot efficiently shape the Fomalhaut debris belt. The morphology is therefore more likely due to a yet unseen planet (Fomalhaut c) or stellar encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The analysis of stellar oscillations is one of the most reliable ways to probe stellar interiors. Recent space missions such as Kepler have provided us with an opportunity to study these oscillations with unprecedented detail. For many multi-periodic pulsators such as γ Doradus stars, this led to the detection of dozens to hundreds of oscillation frequencies that could not be found from ground based observations. Aims. We aim to detect non-uniform period spacings in the Fourier spectra of a sample of γ Doradus stars observed by Kepler. Such detection is complicated by both the large number of significant frequencies in the space photometry and by overlapping nonequidistant rotationally split multiplets. Methods. Guided by theoretical properties of gravity-mode oscillation of γ Doradus stars, we developed a period-spacing detection method and applied it to Kepler observations of a few stars, after having tested the performance from simulations. Results. The application of the technique resulted in the clear detection of non-uniform period spacing series for three out of the five treated Kepler targets. Disadvantages of the technique are also discussed, and include the disability to distinguish between different values of the spherical degree and azimuthal order of the oscillation modes without additional theoretical modelling. Conclusions. Despite the shortcomings, the method is shown to allow solid detections of period spacings for γ Doradus stars, which will allow future asteroseismic analyses of these stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White dwarfs (WDs) are excellent forensic tools for studying end-of-life issues surrounding low- and intermediate-mass stars, and the old, solar metallicity open star cluster Messier 67 is a proven laboratory for the study of stellar evolution for solar-type stars. In this paper, we present a detailed spectroscopic study of brighter (Mg ≤ 12.4) WDs in Messier 67, and in combination with previously published proper motion membership determinations, we identify a clean, representative sample of cluster WDs, including 13 members with hydrogen-dominated atmospheres, at least one of which is a candidate double degenerate, and 5 members with helium-dominated atmospheres. Using this sample we test multiple predictions surrounding the final stages of stellar evolution in solar-type stars. In particular, the stochasticity of the integrated mass lost by ∼1.5 solar mass stars is less than 7% of the WD remnant mass. We identify WDs likely resulting from binary evolution, including at least one blue straggler remnant and two helium-core WDs. We observe no evidence of a significant population of helium-core WDs formed by enhanced mass loss on the red giant branch of the cluster. The distribution of WD atmospheric compositions is fully consistent with that in the field, limiting proposed mechanisms for the suppression of helium atmosphere WD formation in star clusters. In short, the WD population of Messier 67 is fully consistent with basic predictions of single- and multiple-star stellar evolution theories for solar metallicity stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carry out a comprehensive study of supernova ejecta-companion interaction in massive binary systems. Our aim is to physically understand the kinematics of the interaction and predict observational signatures. To do this, we perform simulations over a vast parameter space of binary configurations, varying the masses of the progenitor and companion, structure of the companion, explosion energy, and orbital separation. Our results were not so consistent with the classical models developed by Wheeler et al. (1975), sometimes deviating by an order of magnitude. Therefore, we construct an alternative simple model that explains the simulated results reasonably well and that can be used to estimate impact velocities for arbitrary explosion profiles and companion star structures. We then investigate the long term evolution after the supernova, where the companion can be inflated by the energy injected into the star. We find that the companion can become more than an order of magnitude overluminous immediately after the supernova but quickly fades away after ∼10 years and returns to its original luminosity in about a thermal timescale of the star. Finally, we also discuss the possible surface contamination of heavy elements from the slower ejecta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HD 50138 is one of the brightest B[e] stars and is located at a distance of ∼380 pc with strong infrared excess. The star was observed in [O i] 63 μm and [C ii] 158 μm with high velocity resolution with upGREAT on SOFIA. The velocity-resolved [O i] emission provides evidence for a large gas disk, ∼760 au in size, around HD 50138. Whereas previous interferometric observations gave strong evidence for a hot gas and dust disk in Keplerian rotation, our observations are the first to provide unambiguous evidence for a large warm disk around the star. Herschel/PACS observations showed that the [C ii] emission is extended, therefore the [C ii] emission most likely originates from an ionized gas shell created by a past outflow event. We confirm the isolated nature of HD 50138. It is far from any star-forming region and has low proper motion. Neither is there any sign of a remnant cloud from which it could have formed. The extended disk around the star appears to be carbon-poor. It shows OH and [O i] emission, but no CO. The CO abundance appears to be at least an order of magnitude lower than that of OH. Furthermore, 13CO is enriched by more than a factor of five, confirming that the star is not a Herbig Be star. Finally, we note that our high-spectral-resolution [O i] and [C ii] observations provide a very accurate heliocentric velocity of the star, 40.8 ± 0.2 km s−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the next closest approach of the orbiting star S2/S0-2 to the Galactic supermassive black hole (SMBH), it is estimated that radial velocity (RV) measurements with an uncertainty of a few 10 km s−1 will allow us to detect post-Newtonian effects throughout 2018. To evaluate the best achievable uncertainty in RV and its stability, we carried out near-infrared, high-resolution (R ∼ 20000) spectroscopic monitoring observations of S2 using the Subaru telescope and its near-infrared spectrograph IRCS from 2014 to 2016. Br-γ absorption lines have been detected in the 2015 and 2016 spectra, but have not been clearly detected in the 2014 spectrum. The detected Br-γ absorption lines are used to determine the RVs of S2. The statistical uncertainties are derived using the jackknife analysis, and spectra combined from divided subdata sets. The wavelength calibrations in our three-year monitoring are stable: short-term (hours to days) uncertainties in RVs are ≲ 0.5 km s−1, and the long-term (three years) uncertainty is 1.2 km s−1. We thoroughly analyzed possible sources of systematic uncertainties, such as the incomplete subtraction of OH skylines. The relevant uncertainties are estimated to be less than several km s−1. The final results using the Br-γ line are 877 ± 25 km s−1 in 2015, and 1109 ± 14 km s−1 in 2016. When we use two He  i lines at 2.113 μm in addition to Br-γ, the mean RV and its standard error are 1114 km s−1 and 5 km s−1, respectively, in 2016. However, we have found a larger scatter around the expected RV curve with the best-fitting orbiting parameters of S2, implying additional uncertainties not yet considered. The difference between the RVs estimated by Newtonian mechanics and general relativity will reach about 200 km s−1 near the next pericenter passage in 2018. Therefore, in addition to astrometric and spectroscopic data obtained with other telescopes, RV measurements with Subaru in 2018 will form important data sets with which to detect general relativistic effects from the SMBH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the origin of the abundance peculiarities of non-magnetic A-type stars, we present the first detailed chemical abundance analysis of a metallic line star HD 23193 (A2m) and an A-type subgiant HD 170920 (A5), which could have been a HgMn star on the main sequence. Our analysis is based on medium (R ∼ 14,000) and high (R ∼ 40,000) resolution spectroscopic data of the stars. The abundances of 18 elements are derived: C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Sr, Y, and Ba. The masses of HD 23193 and HD 170920 are estimated from evolutionary tracks as 2.3 ± 0.1 M⊙ and 2.9 ± 0.1 M⊙. The ages are found to be 635 ± 33 Myr for HD 23193 and 480 ± 50 Myr for HD 170920 using isochrones. The abundance pattern of HD 23193 shows deviations from solar values in the iron-peak elements and indicates remarkable overabundances of Sr (1.16), Y (1.03), and Ba (1.24) with respect to the solar abundances. We compare the derived abundances of this moderately rotating ( km s−1) Am star to the theoretical chemical evolution models including rotational mixing. The theoretically predicted abundances resemble our derived abundance pattern, except for a few elements (Si and Cr). For HD 170920, we find nearly solar abundances, except for C (−0.43), S (0.16), Ti (0.15), Ni (0.16), Zn (0.41), Y (0.57), and Ba (0.97). Its low rotational velocity ( km s−1), reduced carbon abundance, and enhanced heavy element abundances suggest that the star is most likely an evolved HgMn star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present ∼0.″4 resolution images of CO(3–2) and associated continuum emission from the gas-bearing debris disk around the nearby A star 49 Ceti, observed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA). We analyze the ALMA visibilities in tandem with the broadband spectral energy distribution to measure the radial surface density profiles of dust and gas emission from the system. The dust surface density decreases with radius between ∼100 and 310 au, with a marginally significant enhancement of surface density at a radius of ∼110 au. The SED requires an inner disk of small grains in addition to the outer disk of larger grains resolved by ALMA. The gas disk exhibits a surface density profile that increases with radius, contrary to most previous spatially resolved observations of circumstellar gas disks. While ∼80% of the CO flux is well described by an axisymmetric power-law disk in Keplerian rotation about the central star, residuals at ∼20% of the peak flux exhibit a departure from axisymmetry suggestive of spiral arms or a warp in the gas disk. The radial extent of the gas disk (∼220 au) is smaller than that of the dust disk (∼300 au), consistent with recent observations of other gas-bearing debris disks. While there are so far only three broad debris disks with well characterized radial dust profiles at millimeter wavelengths, 49 Ceti’s disk shows a markedly different structure from two radially resolved gas-poor debris disks, implying that the physical processes generating and sculpting the gas and dust are fundamentally different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at testing the validity of our magnesium atomic model and investigating the effects of non-local thermodynamical equilibrium (NLTE) on the formation of the H-band neutral magnesium lines, we derive the differential Mg abundances from selected transitions for 13 stars either adopting or relaxing the assumption of local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE). Our analysis is based on high-resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio H-band spectra from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) and optical spectra from several instruments. The absolute differences between the Mg abundances derived from the two wavelength bands are always less than 0.1 dex in the NLTE analysis, while they are slightly larger for the LTE case. This suggests that our Mg atomic model is appropriate for investigating the NLTE formation of the H-band Mg lines. The NLTE corrections for the Mg i H-band lines are sensitive to the surface gravity, becoming larger for smaller log g values, and strong lines are more susceptible to departures from LTE. For cool giants, NLTE corrections tend to be negative, and for the strong line at 15765 Å they reach −0.14 dex in our sample, and up to −0.22 dex for other APOGEE stars. Our results suggest that it is important to include NLTE corrections in determining Mg abundances from the H-band Mg i transitions, especially when strong lines are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present and (1-0), (2-1), and (3-2) maps toward the core-forming Perseus B1-E clump using observations from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, the Submillimeter Telescope of the Arizona Radio Observatory, and the IRAM 30 m telescope. We find that the and line emission both have very complex velocity structures, indicative of multiple velocity components within the ambient gas. The (1–0) transitions reveal a radial velocity gradient across B1-E of that increases from northwest to southeast, whereas the majority of the Perseus cloud has a radial velocity gradient increasing from southwest to northeast. In contrast, we see no evidence of a velocity gradient associated with the denser Herschel-identified substructures in B1-E. Additionally, the denser substructures have much lower systemic motions than the ambient clump material, which indicates that they are likely decoupled from the large-scale gas. Nevertheless, these substructures themselves have broad line widths (∼0.4 ) similar to that of the gas in the clump, which suggests they inherited their kinematic properties from the larger-scale, moderately dense gas. Finally, we find evidence of depletion only toward one substructure, B1-E2, which is also the only object with narrow (transonic) line widths. We suggest that as prestellar cores form, their chemical and kinematic properties are linked in evolution, such that these objects must first dissipate their turbulence before they deplete in CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used the Submillimeter Array to image, at ∼1.″5 resolution, C2H emission from the circumstellar disk orbiting the nearby (D = 54 pc), ∼8 Myr-old, ∼0.8 classical T Tauri star TW Hya. The SMA imaging reveals that the C2H emission exhibits a ring-like morphology. Based on a model in which the C2H column density follows a truncated radial power-law distribution, we find that the inner edge of the ring lies at ∼45 AU, and that the ring extends to at least ∼120 AU. Comparison with previous (single-dish) observations of C2H emission indicates that the C2H molecules are subthermally excited and, hence, that the emission arises from the relatively warm ( K), tenuous ( cm−3) upper atmosphere of the disk. Based on these results and comparisons of the SMA C2H map with previous submillimeter and scattered-light imaging, we propose that the C2H emission most likely traces particularly efficient photo-destruction of small grains and/or photodesorption and photodissociation of hydrocarbons derived from grain ice mantles in the surface layers of the outer disk. The presence of a C2H ring in the TW Hya disk hence likely serves as a marker of dust grain processing and radial and vertical grain size segregation within the disk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years realistic 3D numerical models of the solar atmosphere have become available. The models attempt to recreate the solar atmosphere and mimic observations in the best way, in order to make it possible to couple complicated observations with physical properties such as the temperatures, densities, velocities, and magnetic fields. We here present a study of synthetic spectra created using the Bifrost code in order to assess how well they fit with previously taken solar data. A study of the synthetic intensity, nonthermal line widths, Doppler shifts, and correlations between any two of these three components of the spectra first assuming statistical equilibrium is made, followed by a report on some of the effects nonequilibrium ionization will have on the synthesized spectra. We find that the synthetic intensities compare well with the observations. The synthetic observations depend on the assumed resolution and point-spread function (PSF) of the instrument, and we find a large effect on the results, especially for intensity and nonthermal line width. The Doppler shifts produce the reported persistent redshifts for the transition region (TR) lines and blueshifts for the upper TR and corona lines. The nonthermal line widths reproduce the well-known turnoff point around (2–3) × 105 K, but with much lower values than those observed. The nonthermal line widths tend to increase with decreasing assumed instrumental resolution, also when nonequilibrium ionization is included. Correlations between the nonthermal line width of any two TR line studies as reported by Chae et al. are reproduced, while the correlations of intensity to line width are reproduced only after applying a PSF to the data. Doppler shift correlations reported by Doschek for the TR lines and correlations of Doppler shift to nonthermal line width of the Fe xii19.5 line reported by Doschek et al. are reproduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results of radial-velocity follow-up observations for the two Kepler evolved stars Kepler-91 (KOI-2133) and KOI-1894, which had been announced as candidates to host transiting giant planets, with the Subaru 8.2 m telescope and the High Dispersion Spectrograph (HDS). By global modeling of the high-precision radial-velocity data taken with Subaru/HDS and photometric data taken by the Kepler mission accounting for orbital brightness modulations (ellipsoidal variations, reflected/emitted light, etc.) of the host stars, we independently confirmed that Kepler-91 hosts a transiting planet with a mass of 0.66 (Kepler-91b), and newly detected an offset of ∼20 m s−1 between the radial velocities taken at ∼1 yr interval, suggesting the existence of an additional companion in the system. As for KOI-1894, we detected possible phased variations in the radial velocities and light curves with 2–3σ confidence level, which could be explained as a reflex motion and ellipsoidal variation of the star caused by a transiting sub-Saturn-mass (∼0.18 ) planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a complete characterization of the astrophysical properties of the σ Ori Aa, Ab, B hierarchical triple system and an improved set of orbital parameters for the highly eccentric σ Ori Aa, Ab spectroscopic binary. We compiled a spectroscopic data set comprising 90 high-resolution spectra covering a total time span of 1963 days. We applied the Lehman-Filhés method for a detailed orbital analysis of the radial velocity curves and performed a combined quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the σ Ori Aa, Ab, B system by means of the stellar atmosphere code FASTWIND. We used our own plus other available information on photometry and distance to the system for measuring the radii, luminosities, and spectroscopic masses of the three components. We also inferred evolutionary masses and stellar ages using the Bayesian code BONNSAI. The orbital analysis of the new radial velocity curves led to a very accurate orbital solution of the σ Ori Aa, Ab pair. We provided indirect arguments indicating that σ Ori B is a fast-rotating early B dwarf. The FASTWIND+BONNSAI analysis showed that the Aa, Ab pair contains the hottest and most massive components of the triple system while σ Ori B is a bit cooler and less massive. The derived stellar ages of the inner pair are intriguingly younger than the one widely accepted for the σ Orionis cluster, at 3 ± 1 Ma. The outcome of this study will be of key importance for a precise determination of the distance to the σ Orionis cluster, the interpretation of the strong X-ray emission detected for σ Ori Aa, Ab, B, and the investigation of the formation and evolution of multiple massive stellar systems and substellar objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]