Search

The acoustic glitches' signature present in solar-like stars holds invaluable information. Indeed, it is caused by a sharp variation in the sound speed, therefore carrying localized information. One such glitch is the helium glitch caused by the hydrogen and first and second partial helium ionization region, allowing us to constrain the surface helium abundance. However, the function adjusted to the glitch signature depends non-linearly on the acoustic depth at which it occurs, He. Retrieving the faint glitch signature and estimating τHe are difficult but crucial tasks to accurately measure the glitch parameters and, ultimately, accurately infer the helium abundance. In this paper, we aim at providing a way to estimate τHe using precise seismic indicators, independent of stellar modelling. Consequently, we aim at improving the WhoSGlAd (Who le S pectrum and Gl itches Ad justment) method by automatically providing a model-independent measure of the glitch's parameters. We compute the evolution of T He, a dimensionless form of the acoustic depth, along a grid of models and adjust an empirical linear relation between T He and the mean large separation and frequency ratio as defined in WhoSGlAd. We further optimize over the value of this estimate to ensure the stability and accuracy of the approach. The proposed approach provides an excellent estimate of the acoustic depth and allows us to swiftly retrieve the glitch signature of observed spectra. We demonstrate that the we can accurately model the helium abundance of four Kepler targets by comparing model (both versions of WhoSGlAd) and literature values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of space photometry with CoRoT and Kepler has allowed for the gathering of exquisite and extensive time series for a wealth of main-sequence stars, including γ Doradus stars, whose detailed seismology was not achievable from the ground. γ Doradus stars present an incredibly rich pulsation spectra, with gravito-inertial modes, in some cases supplemented with δ Scuti-like pressure modes – for the hybrid stars – and, in many cases, with Rossby modes. The present paper aims to show that in addition to these modes which have been established in the radiative envelope, pure inertial modes that are trapped in the convective core can be detected in Kepler observations of γ Doradus stars thanks to their resonance with the gravito-inertial modes. We started by using a simplified model of perturbations in a full sphere of uniform density. Under these conditions, the spectrum of pure inertial modes is known from analytical solutions of the so-called Poincaré equation. We then computed coupling factors, which helped select the pure inertial modes which interact best with the surrounding dipolar gravito-inertial modes. Using complete calculations of gravito-inertial modes in realistic models of γ Doradus stars, we are able to show that the pure inertial and gravito-inertial resonances appear as "dips" in the gravito-inertial mode period spacing series at spin parameters that are close to those predicted by the simple model. We find the first evidence of such dips in the Keplerγ Doradus star KIC 5608334. Finally, using complete calculations in isolated convective cores, we find that the spin parameters of the pure inertial and gravito-inertial resonances are also sensitive to the density stratification of the convective core. In conclusion, we have discovered that certain dips in gravito-inertial mode period spacings that have been observed in some Kepler stars are, in fact, signatures of resonances with pure-inertial modes that are trapped in the convective core. This holds the promise that it would be possible to finally access the central conditions, namely, the rotation and density stratification, of intermediate-mass stars in the main sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We develop a method that provides a comprehensive analysis of the oscillation spectra of solar-like pulsators. We define new seismic indicators that should be as uncorrelated and as precise as possible and should hold detailed information about stellar interiors. This is essential to improve the quality of the results obtained from asteroseismology as it will provide better stellar models which in turn can be used to refine inferences made in exoplanetology and galactic archaeology. Methods. The presented method – WhoSGlAd – relies on Gram-Schmidt's orthogonalisation process. A Euclidean vector sub-space of functions is defined and the oscillation frequencies are projected over an orthonormal basis in a specific order. This allowed us to obtain independent coefficients that we combined to define independent seismic indicators. Results. The developed method has been shown to be stable and to converge efficiently for solar-like pulsators. Thus, detailed and precise inferences can be obtained on the mass, the age, the chemical composition and the undershooting in the interior of the studied stars. However, attention has to be paid when studying the helium glitch as there seems to be a degeneracy between the influence of the helium abundance and that of the heavy elements on the glitch amplitude. As an example, we analyse the 16CygA (HD 186408) oscillation spectrum to provide an illustration of the capabilities of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Mode identification has remained a major obstacle in the interpretation of pulsation spectra in rapidly rotating stars. This has motivated recent work on calculating realistic multi-colour mode visibilities in this type of star. Aims: We would like to test mode identification methods and seismic diagnostics in rapidly rotating stars, using oscillation spectra that are based on these new theoretical predictions. Methods: We investigate the auto-correlation function and Fourier transform of theoretically calculated frequency spectra, in which modes are selected according to their visibilities. Given that intrinsic mode amplitudes are determined by non-linear saturation and cannot currently be theoretically predicted, we experimented with various ad-hoc prescriptions for setting the mode amplitudes, including using random values. Furthermore, we analyse the ratios between mode amplitudes observed in different photometric bands to see up to what extent they can identify modes. Results: When non-random intrinsic mode amplitudes are used, our results show that it is possible to extract a mean value for the large frequency separation or half its value and, sometimes, twice the rotation rate, from the auto-correlation of the frequency spectra. Furthermore, the Fourier transforms are mostly sensitive to the large frequency separation or half its value. The combination of the two methods may therefore measure and distinguish the two types of separations. When the intrinsic mode amplitudes include random factors, which seems more representative of real stars, the results are far less favourable. It is only when the large separation or half its value coincides with twice the rotation rate, that it might be possible to detect the signature of a frequency regularity. We also find that amplitude ratios are a good way of grouping together modes with similar characteristics. By analysing the frequencies of these groups, it is possible to constrain mode identification, as well as determine the large frequency separation and the rotation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The space-borne missions CoRoT and Kepler have provided a wealth of highly accurate data. However, our inability to properly model the upper-most region of solar-like stars prevents us from making the best of these observations. This problem is called "surface effect" and a key ingredient to solve it is turbulent pressure for the computation of both the equilibrium models and the oscillations. While 3D hydrodynamic simulations help to include properly the turbulent pressure in the equilibrium models, the way this surface effect is included in the computation of stellar oscillations is still subject to uncertainties. Aims. We aim at determining how to properly include the effect of turbulent pressure and its Lagrangian perturbation in the adiabatic computation of the oscillations. We also discuss the validity of the gas-gamma model and reduced gamma model approximations, which have been used to compute adiabatic oscillations of equilibrium models including turbulent pressure. Methods. We use a patched model of the Sun with an inner part constructed by a 1D stellar evolution code (CESTAM) and an outer part by the 3D hydrodynamical code (CO5BOLD). Then, the adiabatic oscillations are computed using the ADIPLS code for the gas-gamma and reduced gamma model approximations and with the MAD code imposing the adiabatic condition on an existing time-dependent convection formalism. Finally, all those results are compared to the observed solar frequencies. Results. We show that the computation of the oscillations using the time-dependent convection formalism in the adiabatic limit improves significantly the agreement with the observed frequencies compared to the gas-gamma and reduced gamma model approximations. Of the components of the perturbation of the turbulent pressure, the perturbation of the density and advection term is found to contribute most to the frequency shift. Conclusions. The turbulent pressure is certainly the dominant factor responsible for the surface effects. Its inclusion into the equilibrium models is thus necessary but not sufficient. Indeed, the perturbation of the turbulent pressure must be properly taken into account for computing adiabatic oscillation frequencies. We propose a formalism to evaluate the frequency shift due to the inclusion of the term with the turbulent pressure perturbation in the variational principle in order to extrapolate our result to other stars at various evolutionary stages. Although this work is limited to adiabatic oscillations and the inclusion of the turbulent pressure, future works will have to account for the nonadiabatic effect and convective backwarming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Asteroseismology is a powerful tool to access the internal structure of stars. Apart from the important impact of theoretical developments, progress in this field has been commonly associated with the analysis of time-resolved observations. Recently, the so-called macroturbulent broadening has been proposed as a complementary and less expensive way - in terms of observational time - to investigate pulsations in massive stars. Aims. We assess to what extent this ubiquitous non-rotational broadening component which shapes the line profiles of O stars and B supergiants is a spectroscopic signature of pulsation modes driven by a heat mechanism. Methods. We compute stellar main-sequence and post-main-sequence models from 3 to 70 M⊙ with the ATON stellar evolution code, and determine the instability domains for heat-driven modes for degrees ℓ = 1-20 using the adiabatic and non-adiabatic codes LOSC and MAD. We use the observational material compiled in the framework of the IACOB project to investigate possible correlations between the single snapshot line-broadening properties of a sample of ≈260 O and B-type stars and their location inside or outside the various predicted instability domains. Results. We present an homogeneous prediction for the non-radial instability domains of massive stars for degree ℓ up to 20. We provide a global picture of what to expect from an observational point of view in terms of the frequency range of excited modes, and we investigate the behavior of the instabilities with respect to stellar evolution and the degree of the mode. Furthermore, our pulsational stability analysis, once compared to the empirical results, indicates that stellar oscillations originated by a heat mechanism cannot explain alone the occurrence of the large non-rotational line-broadening component commonly detected in the O star and B supergiant domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of mixed modes in subgiants and red giants by the CoRoT and Kepler space-borne missions allows us to investigate the internal structure of evolved low-mass stars, from the end of the main sequence to the central helium-burning phase. In particular, the measurement of the mean core rotation rate as a function of the evolution places stringent constraints on the physical mechanisms responsible for the angular momentum redistribution in stars. It showed that the current stellar evolution codes including the modelling of rotation fail to reproduce the observations. An additional physical process that efficiently extracts angular momentum from the core is thus necessary. Our aim is to assess the ability of mixed modes to do this. To this end, we developed a formalism that provides a modelling of the wave fluxes in both the mean angular momentum and the mean energy equations in a companion paper. In this article, mode amplitudes are modelled based on recent asteroseismic observations, and a quantitative estimate of the angular momentum transfer is obtained. This is performed for a benchmark model of 1.3 M at three evolutionary stages, representative of the evolved pulsating stars observed by CoRoT and Kepler. We show that mixed modes extract angular momentum from the innermost regions of subgiants and red giants. However, this transport of angular momentum from the core is unlikely to counterbalance the effect of the core contraction in subgiants and early red giants. In contrast, for more evolved red giants, mixed modes are found efficient enough to balance and exceed the effect of the core contraction, in particular in the hydrogen-burning shell. Our results thus indicate that mixed modes are a promising candidate to explain the observed spin-down of the core of evolved red giants, but that an other mechanism is to be invoked for subgiants and early red giants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We aim to determine the theoretical instability strips of white dwarfs with diverse H and He content in their atmospheres, from a solar composition to a H-depleted atmosphere. Pulsators with mixed H-He atmospheres are indeed known to exist, and these are the white dwarfs in cataclysmic accreting systems of the GW Lib type. We thus also aim to determine the range of periods of excited pulsation modes, and to qualitatively compare these to the observed periods in GW Lib white dwarf pulsators. Methods. In the first full nonadiabatic stability analysis of pulsators of this kind, we applied a time-dependent convection treatment and an energy leakage argument to compute, for cooling models of white dwarfs with various masses and envelope compositions, the location of the blue and the red edges, as well as the properties of pulsation modes. Results. We find that our derived instability strips form a true continuum in the log g-Teff plane and that their individual location depends uniquely on the assumed atmospheric composition, from the solar composition models at low effective temperatures to the H-depleted models at much higher temperatures. Taking into account our previous results from the ZZ Ceti (pure H atmosphere) and V777 Her (pure He atmosphere) white dwarf pulsators, this implies that all of these instability domains are connected via the same fundamental driving mechanism. Applying our results to the case of white dwarf pulsators of the GW Lib type, we find that our theoretical instability strips can qualitatively account for all of the known cases. The computed range of periods of excited modes also compares qualitatively very well to the observed ones. Conclusions. The GW Lib pulsators are very similar in nature to ZZ Ceti and V777 Her white dwarfs. It is the diverse chemical compositions in their atmosphere and envelope that defines their specific pulsation properties. Beyond GW Lib pulsators, white dwarfs can sometimes exhibit mixed H-He atmospheres, such as in the recently found proto-He white dwarf pulsators. Our results open the way towards quantitative asteroseismology of these various kinds of white dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Determining stellar characteristics such as the radius, mass or age is crucial when studying stellar evolution or exoplanetary systems, or when characterising stellar populations in the Galaxy. Asteroseismology is the golden path to accurately obtain these characteristics. In this context, a key question is how to make these methods less model-dependent. Aims. Building on the previous work of Daniel Reese, we wish to extend the Substractive Optimally Localized Averages (SOLA) inversion technique to new stellar global characteristics beyond the mean density. The goal is to provide a general framework in which to estimate these characteristics as accurately as possible in low-mass main-sequence stars. Methods. First, we describe our framework and discuss the reliability of the inversion technique and possible sources of error. We then apply this methodology to the acoustic radius, an age indicator based on the sound speed derivative and the mean density, and compare it to estimates based on the average large and small frequency separations. These inversions are carried out for several test cases including various metallicities, different mixing-lengths, non-adiabatic effects, and turbulent pressure. Results. We observe that the SOLA method yields accurate results in all test cases whereas results based on the large and small frequency separations are less accurate and more sensitive to surface effects and structural differences in the models. If we include the surface corrections of Kjeldsen et al. (2008, ApJ, 683, L175), we obtain results of comparable accuracy for the mean density. Overall, the mean density and acoustic radius inversions are more robust than the inversions for the age indicator. Moreover, the current approach is limited to relatively young stars with radiative cores. Increasing the number of observed frequencies improves the reliability and accuracy of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

γ Doradus stars pulsate with high-order gravity modes having typical frequencies which can be comparable to or higher than their rotation frequencies. Therefore, rotation has a non-negligible effect on their oscillation properties. To explore the rotation–pulsation coupling in γ Dor stars, we perform a non-adiabatic study including the traditional approximation of rotation on a grid of spherical stellar models covering the mass range 1.4 < M* < 2.1 M⊙. This approximation allows us to treat the effect of the Coriolis force on the frequencies and the stability of high-order g modes.The effect of the Coriolis force depends on the kind of mode considered (prograde sectoral or not) and increases with their periods. As a consequence, we first find that the period spacing between modes is no longer periodically oscillating around a constant value. Secondly, we show that the frequency gap (5–15 cycles day−1) arising from stable modes between γ Dor-type high-order g modes and δ Scuti-type modes can be easily filled by g-mode frequencies shifted to higher values by the rotation. Thirdly, we analyse the combined effect of diffusive mixing and the Coriolis force on the period spacings. And finally, we predict a slight broadening of the γ Dor instability strip. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context. A growing number of solar-like oscillations has been detected in red giant stars thanks to the CoRoT and Kepler space-crafts. In the same way as for main-sequence stars, mode driving is attributed to turbulent convection in the uppermost convective layers of those stars. Aims. The seismic data gathered by CoRoT on red giant stars allow us to test the mode driving theory in physical conditions different from main-sequence stars. Methods. Using a set of 3D hydrodynamical models representative of the upper layers of sub- and red giant stars, we computed the acoustic mode energy supply rate (). Assuming adiabatic pulsations and using global stellar models that assume that the surface stratification comes from the 3D hydrodynamical models, we computed the mode amplitude in terms of surface velocity. This was converted into intensity fluctuations using either a simplified adiabatic scaling relation or a non-adiabatic one. Results. From L and M (the luminosity and mass), the energy supply rate is found to scale as (L/M)2.6 for both main-sequence and red giant stars, extending previous results. The theoretical amplitudes in velocity under-estimate the Doppler velocity measurements obtained so far from the ground for red giant stars by about 30%. In terms of intensity, the theoretical scaling law based on the adiabatic intensity-velocity scaling relation results in an under-estimation by a factor of about 2.5 with respect to the CoRoT seismic measurements. On the other hand, using the non-adiabatic intensity-velocity relation significantly reduces the discrepancy with the CoRoT data. The theoretical amplitudes remain 40% below, however, the CoRoT measurements. Conclusions. Our results show that scaling relations of mode amplitudes cannot be simply extended from main-sequence to red giant stars in terms of intensity on the basis of adiabatic relations because non-adiabatic effects for red giant stars are important and cannot be neglected. We discuss possible reasons for the remaining differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The B-type pulsators known as β Cephei and slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars present pulsations driven by the κ mechanism, which operates thanks to an opacity bump due to the iron-group elements. In low-metallicity environments such as the Magellanic Clouds, β Cep and SPB pulsations are not expected. Nevertheless, recent observations show evidence for the presence of B-type pulsator candidates in both galaxies. We seek an explanation for the excitation of β Cep and SPB modes in those galaxies by examining basic input physics in stellar modelling: (i) the specific metal mixture of B-type stars in the Magellanic Clouds and (ii) the role of a potential underestimation of stellar opacities. We first derive the present-day chemical mixtures of B-type stars in the Magellanic Clouds. Then, we compute stellar models for that metal mixture and perform a non-adiabatic analysis of these models. In the second approach, we simulate parametric enhancements of stellar opacities due to different iron-group elements. We then study their effects in models of B stars and their stability. We find that adopting a representative chemical mixture of B stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud cannot explain the presence of B-type pulsators there. An increase of the opacity in the region of the iron-group bump could drive B-type pulsations, but only if this increase occurs at the temperature corresponding to the maximum contribution of Ni to this opacity bump. We recommend an accurate computation of the Ni opacity to understand B-type pulsators in the Small Magellanic Cloud, as well as the frequency domain observed in some Galactic hybrid β Cep-SPB stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Since the early days of helioseismology, adiabatic models have shown their limits for a precise fitting of individual oscillation frequencies. This discrepancy, which also exists for solar-type stars, is known to originate near the surface superadiabatic convective region where the interaction between oscillations and convection is likely to have a large effect on the frequencies. We present an asteroseismic study to address the adequacy of time-dependent convection (TDC) non-adiabatic models to better reproduce the observed individual frequencies. We select, for this purpose, three solar-like stars, in addition to the Sun, to which we fit the observed frequencies in a grid of TDC non-adiabatic models. The best model selection is done by applying a maximum likelihood method. The results are compared to pure adiabatic and near-surface corrected adiabatic models. We show that, first, TDC models give very good agreement for the mode frequencies and average lifetimes. In the solar case, the frequency discrepancy is reduced to <1.75 μHz over 95 per cent of the modes considered. Secondly, TDC models give an asteroseismic insight into the usually unconstrained ad hoc stellar parameters, such as the mixing-length parameter αMLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The determination of the location of the theoretical ZZ Ceti instability strip in the log g-Teff diagram has remained a challenge over the years due to the lack of a suitable treatment for convection in these stars. For the first time, a full nonadiabatic approach including time-dependent convection is applied to ZZ Ceti pulsators, and we provide the appropriate details related to the inner workings of the driving mechanism. Methods. We used the nonadiabatic pulsation code MAD with a representative evolutionary sequence of a 0.6 M☉ DA white dwarf. This sequence is made of state-of-the-art models that include a detailed modeling of the feedback of convection on the atmospheric structure. The assumed convective efficiency in these models is the so-calledML2/α = 1.0 version. We also carried out, for comparison purposes, nonadiabatic computations within the frozen convection approximation, as well as calculations based on models with standard grey atmospheres. Results. We find that pulsational driving in ZZ Ceti stars is concentrated at the base of the superficial H convection zone, but at depths, near the blue edge of the instability strip, somewhat larger than those obtained with the frozen convection approach. Despite the fact that this approach is formally invalid in such stars, particularly near the blue edge of the instability strip, the predicted boundaries are not dramatically different in both cases. The revised blue edge for a 0.6 M☉ model is found to be around Teff = 11 970 K, some 240 K hotter than the value predicted within the frozen convection approximation, in rather good agreement with the empirical value. On the other hand, our predicted red edge temperature for the same stellar mass is only about 5600 K (80 K hotter than with the frozen convection approach), much lower than the observed value. Conclusions. We correctly understand the development of pulsational instabilities of a white dwarf as it cools at the blue edge of the ZZ Ceti instability strip. Our current implementation of time-dependent convection however still lacks important ingredients to fully account for the observed red edge of the strip. We will explore a number of possibilities in the future papers of this series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to their past history on the main-sequence phase, supergiant massive stars develop a convective shell around the helium core. This intermediate convective zone (ICZ) plays an essential role in governing which g-modes are excited. Indeed, a strong radiative damping occurs in the high-density radiative core but the ICZ acts as a barrier preventing the propagation of some g-modes into the core. These g-modes can thus be excited in supergiant stars by the κ-mechanism in the superficial layers due to the opacity bump of iron, at . However, massive stars are submitted to various complex phenomena such as rotation, magnetic fields, semiconvection, mass loss, overshooting. Each of these phenomena exerts a significant effect on the evolution and some of them could prevent the onset of the convective zone. We develop a numerical method which allows us to select the reflected, thus the potentially excited, modes only. We study different cases in order to show that mass loss and overshooting, in a large enough amount, reduce the extent of the ICZ and are unfavourable to the excitation of g-modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a seismic study of the β Cephei star θ Ophiuchi. Our analysis is based on the observation of one radial mode, one rotationally split triplet and three components of a rotationally split quintuplet for which the m values were well identified by spectroscopy. We identify the radial mode as fundamental, the triplet as p1 and the quintuplet as g1. Our non-local thermodynamic equilibrium abundance analysis results in a metallicity and CNO abundances in full agreement with the most recent updated solar values. With and , and using the Asplund et al. mixture but with a Ne abundance about 0.3 dex larger, the matching of the three independent modes enables us to deduce constrained ranges for the mass and central hydrogen abundance of θ Oph and to prove the occurrence of core overshooting . We also derive an equatorial rotation velocity of . Moreover, we show that the observed non-equidistance of the triplet can be reproduced by the second-order effects of rotation. Finally, we show that the observed rotational splitting of two modes cannot rule out a rigid rotation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We apply for the first time the time-dependent convection (TDC) treatment of Gabriel and Grigahcène et al. to the mode identification and seismic study of δ Sct stars. We consider the influence of this treatment on the photometric amplitude ratios and phase differences, and compare our TDC results to frozen convection (FC) results. We also compare the results obtained with different values of the mixing-length (ML) parameter α. Finally, we identify the modes and perform a seismic study of the stars V784 Cassiopeae (Cas), 1 Monocerotis (Mon) and 28 Andromedae (And), and show that our TDC models agree better with observations than FC models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We apply for the first time the time-dependent convection (TDC) treatment of Gabriel and Grigahcène et al. to the photometric mode identification inγ Doradus (γ Dor) stars. We consider the influence of this treatment on the theoretical amplitude ratios and phase differences. Comparison with the observed amplitudes and phases of the starsγ Dor, 9 Aurigae, HD 207223= HR 8330, HD 12901 and 48501 is presented and enables us to identify the degreeℓ of the pulsation modes for four of them. We also determine the mode stability for different models of these stars. We show that our TDC models agree better with observations than with frozen convection models. Finally, we compare the results obtained with different values of the mixing-length parameterα. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]