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We introduce the public version of the BAyesian STellar Algorithm (BASTA), an open-source code written in PYTHON to determine stellar properties based on a set of astrophysical observables. BASTA has been specifically designed to robustly combine large data sets that include asteroseismology, spectroscopy, photometry, and astrometry. We describe the large number of asteroseismic observations that can be fit by the code and how these can be combined with atmospheric properties (as well as parallaxes and apparent magnitudes), making it the most complete analysis pipeline available for oscillating main-sequence, subgiant, and red giant stars. BASTA relies on a set of pre-built stellar isochrones or a custom-designed library of stellar tracks, which can be further refined using our interpolation method (both along and across stellar tracks or isochrones). We perform recovery tests with simulated data that reveal levels of accuracy at the few percent level for radii, masses, and ages when individual oscillation frequencies are considered, and show that asteroseismic ages with statistical uncertainties below 10 per cent are within reach if our stellar models are reliable representations of stars. BASTAis extensively documented and includes a suite of examples to support easy adoption and further development by new users., Funding for the Stellar Astrophysics Centre is provided by The Danish National Research Foundation (Grant agreement No. DNRF106). VAB-K acknowledges support from VILLUM FONDEN (research grant 10118), the Independent Research Fund Denmark (Research grant 7027-00096B), and the Carlsberg foundation (grant agreement CF19-0649). SC acknowledges support from Premiale INAF MITiC (PI: B. Garilli), from Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) (Iniziativa specifica TAsP), from Progetto Mainstream INAF (PI: S. Cassisi) and grant AYA2013- 42781P from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain. AMS is partially supported by grant PID2019-108709GB-I00 of the MICINN of Spain. AS acknowledge support from the European Research Council Consolidator Grant funding scheme (project ASTEROCHRONOMETRY, G.A. n. 772293, http://www.asterochronometry.eu).

Asteroseismology is a powerful tool to infer fundamental stellar properties. The use of these asteroseismic-inferred properties in a growing number of astrophysical contexts makes it vital to understand their accuracy. Consequently, we performed a hare-and-hounds exercise where the hares simulated data for 6 artificial main-sequence stars and the hounds inferred their properties based on different inference procedures. To mimic a pipeline such as that planned for the PLATO mission, all hounds used the same model grid. Some stars were simulated using the physics adopted in the grid, others a different one. The maximum relative differences found (in absolute value) between the inferred and true values of the mass, radius, and age were 4.32 per cent, 1.33 per cent, and 11.25 per cent, respectively. The largest systematic differences in radius and age were found for a star simulated assuming gravitational settling, not accounted for in the model grid, with biases of -0.88 per cent (radius) and 8.66 per cent (age). For the mass, the most significant bias (-3.16 per cent) was found for a star with a helium enrichment ratio outside the grid range. Moreover, a ~7 per cent dispersion in age was found when adopting different prescriptions for the surface corrections or shifting the classical observations by $\pm 1\sigma$. The choice of the relative weight given to the classical and seismic constraints also impacted significantly the accuracy and precision of the results. Interestingly, only a few frequencies were required to achieve accurate results on the mass and radius. For the age the same was true when at least one $l=2$ mode was considered., Comment: Accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

We describe the target selection procedure by which stars are selected for 2-minute and 20-second observations by TESS. We first list the technical requirements of the TESS instrument and ground systems processing that limit the total number of target slots. We then describe algorithms used by the TESS Payload Operation Center (POC) to merge candidate targets requested by the various TESS mission elements (the Target Selection Working Group, TESS Asteroseismic Science Consortium, and Guest Investigator office). Lastly, we summarize the properties of the observed TESS targets over the two-year primary TESS mission. We find that the POC target selection algorithm results in 2.1 to 3.4 times as many observed targets as target slots allocated for each mission element. We also find that the sky distribution of observed targets is different from the sky distributions of candidate targets due to technical constraints that require a relatively even distribution of targets across the TESS fields of view. We caution researchers exploring statistical analyses of TESS planet-host stars that the population of observed targets cannot be characterized by any simple set of criteria applied to the properties of the input Candidate Target Lists., 15 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in PASP

HARPS spectra with signal-to-noise ratios S/N > 600 at 6000 A were analysed with MARCS model atmospheres to obtain 1D LTE abundances of C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Sr, and Y for 72 nearby solar-type stars with metallicities in the range -0.3 < [Fe/H] < +0.3 and ASTEC stellar models were used to determine stellar ages from effective temperatures, luminosities obtained via Gaia DR2 parallaxes, and heavy element abundances. The resulting age-metallicity distribution appears to consist of two distinct populations: a sequence of old stars with a steep rise of [Fe/H] to about +0.3 dex at an age of ~7 Gyr and a younger sequence with [Fe/H] increasing from -0.3 dex to about +0.2 dex over the last six Gyr. Furthermore, the trends of several abundance ratios, [O/Fe], [Na/Fe], [Ca/Fe], and [Ni/Fe], as a function of stellar age split into two corresponding sequences. The [Y/Mg]-age relation, on the other hand, shows no offset between the two age sequences and has no significant dependence on [Fe/H], but the components of a visual binary star, zeta Reticuli, have a large and puzzling deviation. The split of the age-metallicity distribution into two sequences may be interpreted as evidence of two episodes of accretion of gas onto the Galactic disk with a quenching of star formation in between. Some of the [X/Fe]-age relations support this scenario but other relations are not so easy to explain, which calls for a deeper study of systematic errors in the derived abundances as a function of [Fe/H], in particular 3D non-LTE effects., 15 pages, 19 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

We present new Doppler images of both components of the double-lined binary $\sigma^{2}$ CrB, based on the high-resolution spectroscopic data collected during 11 nights in 2015 March--April. The observed spectra form two independent data sets with sufficient phase coverage. We apply the least-squares deconvolution to all observed spectra to obtain high signal-to-noise mean profiles, from which we derive the Doppler images of both components of $\sigma^{2}$ CrB simultaneously. The surfaces of both F9 and G0 components are dominated by pronounced polar spots. The F9 component exhibits a weak spot at latitude 30$^{\circ}$ and its mid-to-low latitudes are relatively featureless. The G0 star shows an extended spot structure at latitude 30$^{\circ}$, and its surface spot coverage is larger than that of the F9 star, which suggests a higher level of magnetic activity. With the cross-correlation method, we derive a solar-like surface differential rotation on the G0 star of $\sigma^{2}$ CrB for the first time, and the surface shear rate is $\Delta \Omega = 0.180 \pm 0.004$ rad d$^{-1}$ and $\alpha = \Delta \Omega / \Omega_{eq} = 0.032 \pm 0.001$. We do not obtain a clear surface shear law for the F9 star due to the lack of mid-to-low latitude features, but detect a systematic longitude shift of high-latitude spots, which indicates a slower rotation with respect to the co-rotating frame., Comment: 9 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

Asteroseismic analysis of solar-like stars allows us to determine physical parameters such as stellar mass, with a higher precision compared to most other methods. Even in a well-studied cluster such as the Hyades, the masses of the red giant stars are not well known, and previous mass estimates are based on model calculations (isochrones). The four known red giants in the Hyades are assumed to be clump (core-helium-burning) stars based on their positions in colour-magnitude diagrams, however asteroseismology offers an opportunity to test this assumption. Using asteroseismic techniques combined with other methods, we aim to derive physical parameters and the evolutionary stage for the planet hosting star epsilon Tau, which is one of the four red giants located in the Hyades. We analysed time-series data from both ground and space to perform the asteroseismic analysis. By combining high signal-to-noise (S/N) radial-velocity data from the ground-based SONG network with continuous space-based data from the revised Kepler mission K2, we derive and characterize 27 individual oscillation modes for epsilon Tau, along with global oscillation parameters such as the large frequency separation and the ratio between the amplitude of the oscillations measured in radial velocity and intensity as a function of frequency. The latter has been measured previously for only two stars, the Sun and Procyon. Combining the seismic analysis with interferometric and spectroscopic measurements, we derive physical parameters for epsilon Tau, and discuss its evolutionary status., Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Context. We present the first high-cadence multi-wavelength radial-velocity observations of the Sun-as-a-star, carried out during 57 consecutive days using the stellar \'echelle spectrograph at the Hertzsprung SONG Telescope operating at the Teide Observatory. Aims. The aim was to produce a high-quality data set and reference values for the global helioseismic parameters {\nu_{max}}, and {\Delta \nu} of the solar p-modes using the SONG instrument. The obtained data set or the inferred values should then be used when the scaling relations are applied to other stars showing solar-like oscillations which are observed with SONG or similar instruments. Methods. We used different approaches to analyse the power spectrum of the time series to determine {\nu_{max}}; simple Gaussian fitting and heavy smoothing of the power spectrum. {\Delta\nu} was determined using the method of autocorrelation of the power spectrum. The amplitude per radial mode was determined using the method described in Kjeldsen et al. (2008). Results. We found the following values for the solar oscillations using the SONG spectrograph: {\nu_{max}} = 3141 {\pm} 12 {\mu}Hz, {\Delta\nu} = 134.98 {\pm} 0.04 {\mu}Hz and an average amplitude of the strongest radial modes of 16.6 {\pm} 0.4 cm/s. These values are consistent with previous measurements with other techniques., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, letter accepted for A&A

The Stellar Observation Network Group (SONG) is an initiative to build a worldwide network of 1m telescopes with highprecision radial-velocity spectrographs. Here we analyse the first radial-velocity time series of a red-giant star measured by the SONG telescope at Tenerife. The asteroseismic results demonstrate a major increase in the achievable precision of the parameters for redgiant stars obtainable from ground-based observations. Reliable tests of the validity of these results are needed, however, before the accuracy of the parameters can be trusted. We analyse the first SONG time series for the star 46 LMi, which has a precise parallax and an angular diameter measured from interferometry, and therefore a good determination of the stellar radius. We use asteroseismic scaling relations to obtain an accurate mass, and modelling to determine the age. A 55-day time series of high-resolution, high S/N spectra were obtained with the first SONG telescope. We derive the asteroseismic parameters by analysing the power spectrum. To give a best guess on the large separation of modes in the power spectrum, we have applied a new method which uses the scaling of Kepler red-giant stars to 46 LMi. Several methods have been applied: classical estimates, seismic methods using the observed time series, and model calculations to derive the fundamental parameters of 46 LMi. Parameters determined using the different methods are consistent within the uncertainties. We find the following values for the mass M (scaling), radius R (classical), age (modelling), and surface gravity (combining mass and radius): M = 1.09 +- 0.04Msun, R = 7.95 +- 0.11 Rsun, age t = 8.2 +- 1.9Gy, and log g = 2.674 +- 0.013., 7 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables

High-quality astrometric, spectroscopic, interferometric and, importantly, asteroseismic observations are available for $\alpha$ Cen A, which is the closest binary star system to earth. Taking all these constraints into account, we study the internal structure of the star by means of theoretical modelling. Using the Aarhus STellar Evolution Code (ASTEC) and the tools of Computational Bayesian Statistics, in particular a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, we perform statistical inferences for the physical characteristics of the star. We find that $\alpha$ Cen A has a probability of approximately 40% of having a convective core. This probability drops to few percents if one considers reduced rates for the $^{14}$N(p,$\gamma$)$^{15}$O reaction. These convective cores have fractional radii less than 8% when overshoot is neglected. Including overshooting also leads to the possibility of a convective core mostly sustained by the ppII chain energy output. We finally show that roughly 30% of the stellar models describing $\alpha$ Cen A are in the subgiant regime.

Context: Detailed oscillation spectra comprising individual frequencies for numerous solar-type stars and red giants are or will become available. These data can lead to a precise characterisation of stars. Aims: Our goal is to test and compare different methods for obtaining stellar properties from oscillation frequencies and spectroscopic constraints, in order to evaluate their accuracy and the reliability of the error bars. Methods: In the context of the SpaceInn network, we carried out a hare-and-hounds exercise in which one group produced "observed" oscillation spectra for 10 artificial solar-type stars, and various groups characterised these stars using either forward modelling or acoustic glitch signatures. Results: Results based on the forward modelling approach were accurate to 1.5 % (radius), 3.9 % (mass), 23 % (age), 1.5 % (surface gravity), and 1.8 % (mean density). For the two 1 Msun stellar targets, the accuracy on the age is better than 10 % thereby satisfying PLATO 2.0 requirements. The average accuracies for the acoustic radii of the base of the convection zone, the He II ionisation, and the Gamma_1 peak were 17 %, 2.4 %, and 1.9 %, respectively. Glitch fitting analysis seemed to be affected by aliasing problems for some of the targets. Conclusions: Forward modelling is the most accurate approach, but needs to be complemented by model-independent results from, e.g., glitch analysis. Furthermore, global optimisation algorithms provide more robust error bars., Comment: 29 pages, 13 figures, 20 tables, accepted in A&A

The angle $\psi$ between a planet's orbital axis and the spin axis of its parent star is an important diagnostic of planet formation, migration, and tidal evolution. We seek empirical constraints on $\psi$ by measuring the stellar inclination $i_{\rm s}$ via asteroseismology for an ensemble of 25 solar-type hosts observed with NASA's Kepler satellite. Our results for $i_{\rm s}$ are consistent with alignment at the 2-$\sigma$ level for all stars in the sample, meaning that the system surrounding the red-giant star Kepler-56 remains as the only unambiguous misaligned multiple-planet system detected to date. The availability of a measurement of the projected spin-orbit angle $\lambda$ for two of the systems allows us to estimate $\psi$. We find that the orbit of the hot-Jupiter HAT-P-7b is likely to be retrograde ($\psi=116.4^{+30.2}_{-14.7}\:{\rm deg}$), whereas that of Kepler-25c seems to be well aligned with the stellar spin axis ($\psi=12.6^{+6.7}_{-11.0}\:{\rm deg}$). While the latter result is in apparent contradiction with a statement made previously in the literature that the multi-transiting system Kepler-25 is misaligned, we show that the results are consistent, given the large associated uncertainties. Finally, we perform a hierarchical Bayesian analysis based on the asteroseismic sample in order to recover the underlying distribution of $\psi$. The ensemble analysis suggests that the directions of the stellar spin and planetary orbital axes are correlated, as conveyed by a tendency of the host stars to display large inclination values., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ; 59 pages, 39 figures, 4 tables

Determining the physical characteristics of a star is an inverse problem consisting of estimating the parameters of models for the stellar structure and evolution, and knowing certain observable quantities. We use a Bayesian approach to solve this problem for α Cen A, which allows us to incorporate prior information on the parameters to be estimated, in order to better constrain the problem. Our strategy is based on the use of a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm to estimate the posterior probability densities of the stellar parameters: mass, age, initial chemical composition, etc. We use the stellar evolutionary code ASTEC to model the star. To constrain this model both seismic and non-seismic observations were considered. Several different strategies were tested to fit these values, using either two free parameters or five free parameters in ASTEC. We are thus able to show evidence that MCMC methods become efficient with respect to more classical grid-based strategies when the number of parameters increases. The results of our MCMC algorithm allow us to derive estimates for the stellar parameters and robust uncertainties thanks to the statistical analysis of the posterior probability densities. We are also able to compute odds for the presence of a convective core in α Cen A. When using core-sensitive seismic observational constraints, these can rise above ˜40 per cent. The comparison of results to previous studies also indicates that these seismic constraints are of critical importance for our knowledge of the structure of this star.

We present the results of the asteroseismic analysis of the red-giant star KIC 4351319 (TYC 3124-914-1), observed for 30 days in short-cadence mode with the Kepler satellite. The analysis has allowed us to determine the large and small frequency separations, and the frequency of maximum oscillation power. The high signal-to-noise ratio of the observations allowed us to identify 25 independent pulsation modes whose frequencies range approximately from 300 to 500 muHz. The observed oscillation frequencies together with the accurate determination of the atmospheric parameters (effective temperature, gravity and metallicity), provided by additional ground-based spectroscopic observations, enabled us to theoretically interpret the observed oscillation spectrum. KIC 4351319 appears to oscillate with a well defined solar-type p-modes pattern due to radial acoustic modes and non-radial nearly pure p modes. In addition, several non-radial mixed modes have been identified. Theoretical models well reproduce the observed oscillation frequencies and indicate that this star, located at the base of the ascending red-giant branch, is in the hydrogen-shell burning phase, with a mass of about 1.3 solar masses, a radius of about 3.4 solar radii and an age of about 5.6 Gyr. The main parameters of this star have been determined with an unprecedent level of precision for a red-giant star, with uncertainties of 2% for mass, 7% for age, 1% for radius, and 4% for luminosity.

We investigate the possibility of nearly-equally spaced periods in 13 hot subdwarf B (sdB) stars observed with the Kepler spacecraft and one observed with CoRoT. Asymptotic limits for gravity (g-)mode pulsations provide relationships between equal period spacings of modes with differing degrees and relationships between periods of the same radial order but differing degrees. Period transforms, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, and linear least-squares fits have been used to detect and determine the significance of equal period spacings. We have also used Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the likelihood that the detected spacings could be produced randomly. Period transforms for nine of the Kepler stars indicate ell=1 period spacings, with five also showing peaks for ell=2 modes. 12 stars indicate ell=1 modes using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test while another shows solely ell=2 modes. Monte Carlo results indicate that equal period spacings are significant in 10 stars above 99% confidence and 13 of the 14 are above 94% confidence. For 12 stars, the various methods find consistent regular period spacing values to within the errors, two others show some inconsistencies, likely caused by binarity, and the last has significant detections but the mode assignment disagrees between methods. We find a common ell=1 period spacing spanning a range from 231 to 272 s allowing us to correlate pulsation modes with 222 periodicities and that the ell=2 period spacings are related to the ell=1 spacings by the asymptotic relationship $1/\sqrt{3}$. We briefly discuss the impact of equal period spacings which indicate low-degree modes with a lack of significant mode trappings.

The stratification near the base of the Sun's convective envelope is governed by processes of convective overshooting and element diffusion, and the region is widely believed to play a key role in the solar dynamo. The stratification in that region gives rise to a characteristic signal in the frequencies of solar p modes, which has been used to determine the depth of the solar convection zone and to investigate the extent of convective overshoot. Previous helioseismic investigations have shown that the Sun's spherically symmetric stratification in this region is smoother than that in a standard solar model without overshooting, and have ruled out simple models incorporating overshooting, which extend the region of adiabatic stratification and have a more-or-less abrupt transition to subadiabatic stratification at the edge of the overshoot region. In this paper we consider physically motivated models which have a smooth transition in stratification bridging the region from the lower convection zone to the radiative interior beneath. We find that such a model is in better agreement with the helioseismic data than a standard solar model.

Through the observational study of stellar pulsations, the internal structure of stars can be probed and theoretical models can be tested. The main sequence -γ Doradus (Dor) and δ Scuti (Sct) stars with masses 1.2–2.5 M⊙ are particularly interesting for asteroseismic study. The -γ Dor stars pulsate in high-order gravity (g) modes, with pulsational periods of order of one day. The δ Sct stars, on the other hand, show low-order g and pressure (p) modes with periods of order of 2 hours. Theory predicts the existence of ‘hybrid’ stars, i.e. stars pulsating in both types of modes, in an overlap region between the instability strips of -γ Dor and δ Sct stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Hybrid stars are particularly interesting as the two types of modes probe different regions of the stellar interior and hence provide complementary model constraints. Before the advent of Kepler, only a few hybrid stars had been confirmed. The Kepler satellite is providing a true revolution in the study of and search for hybrid stars. Analysis of the first 50 days of Kepler data of hundreds of -γ Dor and δ Sct candidates reveals extremely rich frequency spectra, with most stars showing frequencies in both the δ Sct and -γ Dor frequency range. As these results show that there are practically no pure δ Sct or -γ Dor pulsators, a new observational classification scheme is proposed by Grigahcene et al. (2010). We present their results and characterize 234 stars in terms of δ Sct, -γ Dor, δ Sct/-γ Dor or -γ Dor/δ Sct hybrids (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

In order to make astroseismology a powerful tool to explore stellar interiors, different numerical codes should give the same oscillation frequencies for the same input physics. This work is devoted to test, compare and, if needed, optimize the seismic codes used to calculate the eigenfrequencies to be finally compared with observations. The oscillation codes of nine research groups in the field have been used in this study. The same physics has been imposed for all the codes in order to isolate the non-physical dependence of any possible difference. Two equilibrium models with different grids, 2172 and 4042 mesh points, have been used, and the latter model includes an explicit modelling of semiconvection just outside the convective core. Comparing the results for these two models illustrates the effect of the number of mesh points and their distribution in particularly critical parts of the model, such as the steep composition gradient outside the convective core. A comprehensive study of the frequency differences found for the different codes is given as well. These differences are mainly due to the use of different numerical integration schemes. The use of a second-order integration scheme plus a Richardson extrapolation provides similar results to a fourth-order integration scheme. The proper numerical description of the Brunt-Vaisala frequency in the equilibrium model is also critical for some modes. An unexpected result of this study is the high sensitivity of the frequency differences to the inconsistent use of values of the gravitational constant (G) in the oscillation codes, within the range of the experimentally determined ones, which differ from the value used to compute the equilibrium model., Comment: 18 pages, 34 figures

We have made velocity observations of the star alpha Cen B from two sites, allowing us to identify 37 oscillation modes with l=0-3. Fitting to these modes gives the large and small frequency separations as a function of frequency. The mode lifetime, as measured from the scatter of the oscillation frequencies about a smooth trend, is similar to that in the Sun. Limited observations of the star delta Pav show oscillations centred at 2.3 mHz with peak amplitudes close to solar. We introduce a new method of measuring oscillation amplitudes from heavily-smoothed power density spectra, from which we estimated amplitudes for alpha Cen A and B, beta Hyi, delta Pav and the Sun. We point out that the oscillation amplitudes may depend on which spectral lines are used for the velocity measurements.

We have determined from interferometry the radius of the nearby star τ Cet, using recent observations with the VINCI instrument on VLTI using the siderostats. The limb-darkened disk diameter is determined, with an unprecedented internal precision of 0.5%, to be 1.971 ± 0.009(int.) ± 0.05(ext.) mas, corresponding to a physical radius of 0.773 ± 0.004(int.) ± 0.02(ext.) R� . With this determination τ Cet becomes a prime target for asteroseismic campaigns to determine its internal structure, and thereby test stellar evolution theory. We discuss implications for asteroseismology and present predictions for oscillation properties.

In the near future frequencies of solar-like oscillation will be observed by the several planned space missions. In order to assess the information that will be available from such observations, we consider theoretical predictions of the frequency spectrum of oscillations of the star η Bootis, which shows solar-type pulsations. We present results obtained by comparing “classical” evolution models with models computed by taking into account overshooting from the convective core.

HARPS-N spectra with S/N > 250 and MARCS model atmospheres were used to derive abundances of C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Y in ten stars from the Kepler LEGACY sample (including the binary pair 16 Cyg A and B) selected to have metallicities in the range -0.15 < [Fe/H] < +0.15 and ages between 1 and 7 Gyr. Stellar gravities were obtained from seismic data and effective temperatures were determined by comparing non-LTE iron abundances derived from FeI and FeII lines. Available non-LTE corrections were also applied when deriving abundances of the other elements. The results support the [X/Fe]-age relations previously found for solar twins. [Mg/Fe], [Al/Fe], and [Zn/Fe] decrease by ~0.1 dex over the lifetime of the Galactic thin disk due to delayed contribution of iron from Type Ia supernovae relative to prompt production of Mg, Al, and Zn in Type II supernovae. [Y/Mg] and [Y/Al], on the other hand, increase by ~0.3 dex, which can be explained by an increasing contribution of s-process elements from low-mass AGB stars as time goes on. The trends of [C/Fe] and [O/Fe] are more complicated due to variations of the ratio between refractory and volatile elements among stars of similar age. Two stars with about the same age as the Sun show very different trends of [X/H] as a function of elemental condensation temperature Tc and for 16 Cyg, the two components have an abundance difference, which increases with Tc. These anomalies may be connected to planet-star interactions., 13 pages with 7 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

We confirm the Kepler planet candidate Kepler-410b (KOI-42b) as a Neptune sized exoplanet on a 17.8 day, eccentric orbit around the bright (Kp = 9.4) star Kepler-410A. This is the third brightest confirmed planet host star in the Kepler field and one of the brightest hosts of all currently known transiting exoplanets. Kepler-410 consists of a blend between the fast rotating planet host star (Kepler-410A) and a fainter star (Kepler-410B), which has complicated the confirmation of the planetary candidate. Employing asteroseismology, using constraints from the transit light curve, adaptive optics and speckle images, and Spitzer transit observations, we demonstrate that the candidate can only be an exoplanet orbiting Kepler-410A. Via asteroseismology we determine the following stellar and planetary parameters with high precision; M$_\star = 1.214 \pm 0.033$ M$_\odot$, R$_\star = 1.352 \pm 0.010$ R$_\odot$, Age = $2.76 \pm 0.54$ Gyr, planetary radius ($2.838 \pm 0.054$ R$_\oplus$), and orbital eccentricity ($0.17^{+0.07}_{-0.06}$). In addition, rotational splitting of the pulsation modes allows for a measurement of Kepler-410A's inclination and rotation rate. Our measurement of an inclination of $82.5^{+7.5}_{-2.5}$ [$^\circ$] indicates a low obliquity in this system. Transit timing variations indicate the presence of at least one additional (non-transiting) planet in the system., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ

Measurements of both solar irradiance and p-mode oscillation frequencies indicate that the structure of the Sun changes with the solar cycle. Balmforth, Gough & Merryfield investigated the effect of symmetrical thermal disturbances on the solar structure and the resulting pulsation frequency changes. They concluded that thermal perturbations alone cannot account for the variations in both irradiance and p-mode frequencies, and that the presence of a magnetic field affecting acoustical propagation is the most likely explanation of the frequency change, in the manner suggested earlier by Gough & Thompson and by Goldreich et al. Numerical simulations of Boussinesq convection in a magnetic field have shown that at high Rayleigh number the magnetic field can modify the preferred horizontal length scale of the convective flow. Here, we investigate the effect of changing the horizontal length scale of convective eddies on the linewidths of the acoustic resonant mode peaks observed in helioseismic power spectra. The turbulent fluxes in these model computations are obtained from a time-dependent, non-local generalization of the mixing-length formalism. The modelled variations are compared with p-mode linewidth changes revealed by the analysis of helioseismic data collected by the Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network (BiSON); these low-degree (low-l) observations cover the complete falling phase of solar activity cycle 22. The results are also discussed in the light of observations of solar-cycle variations of the horizontal size of granules and with results from 2D simulations by Steffen of convective granules.

ABSTRA C T Determination of the rotation of the solar core requires very accurate data on splittings for the low-degree modes which penetrate to the core, as well as for modes of higher degree to suppress the contributions from the rest of the Sun to the splittings of the low-degree modes. Here we combine low-degree data based on 32 months of observations with the BiSON network and data from the LOWL instrument. The data are analysed with a technique that specifically aims at obtaining an inference of rotation that is localized to the core. Our analysis provides what we believe is the most stringent constraint to date on the rotation of the deep solar interior.

The splitting of the frequencies of the global resonant acoustic modes of the Sun by large-scale flows and rotation permits study of the variation of angular velocity Ω with both radius and latitude within the turbulent convection zone and the deeper radiative interior. The nearly uninterrupted Doppler imaging observations, provided by the Solar Oscillations Investigation (SOI) using the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft positioned at the L1 Lagrangian point in continuous sunlight, yield oscillation power spectra with very high signal-to-noise ratios that allow frequency splittings to be determined with exceptional accuracy. This paper reports on joint helioseismic analyses of solar rotation in the convection zone and in the outer part of the radiative core. Inversions have been obtained for a medium-l mode set (involving modes of angular degree l extending to about 250) obtained from the first 144 day interval of SOI-MDI observations in 1996. Drawing inferences about the solar internal rotation from the splitting data is a subtle process. By applying more than one inversion technique to the data, we get some indication of what are the more robust and less robust features of our inversion solutions. Here we have used seven different inversion methods. To test the reliability and sensitivity of these methods, we have performed a set of controlled experiments utilizing artificial data. This gives us some confidence in the inferences we can draw from the real solar data. The inversions of SOI-MDI data have confirmed that the decrease of Ω with latitude seen at the surface extends with little radial variation through much of the convection zone, at the base of which is an adjustment layer, called the tachocline, leading to nearly uniform rotation deeper in the radiative interior. A prominent rotational shearing layer in which Ω increases just below the surface is discernible at low to mid latitudes. Using the new data, we have also been able to study the solar rotation closer to the poles than has been achieved in previous investigations. The data have revealed that the angular velocity is distinctly lower at high latitudes than the values previously extrapolated from measurements at lower latitudes based on surface Doppler observations and helioseismology. Furthermore, we have found some evidence near latitudes of 75° of a submerged polar jet which is rotating more rapidly than its immediate surroundings. Superposed on the relatively smooth latitudinal variation in Ω are alternating zonal bands of slightly faster and slower rotation, each extending some 10° to 15° in latitude. These relatively weak banded flows have been followed by inversion to a depth of about 5% of the solar radius and appear to coincide with the evolving pattern of torsional oscillations reported from earlier surface Doppler studies.

Observations of the Sun with the LOWL instrument provide a homogeneous set of solar p-mode frequencies from low to intermediate degree which allows one to determine the structure of much of the solar interior avoiding systematic errors that are introduced when different data sets are combined, i.e., principally the effects of solar cycle changes on the frequencies. Unfortunately, the LOWL data set contains very few of the lowest-degree modes, which are essential for determining reliably the structure of the solar core - in addition, these lowest-degree data have fairly large associated uncertainties. However, observations made by the Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network (BiSON) in integrated sunlight provide high-accuracy measurements of a large number of low-degree modes. In this paper we demonstrate that the low-degree mode set of the LOWL data can be successfully combined with the more accurate BiSON data, provided the observations are contemporaneous for those frequencies where the solar-cycle-induced effects are important. We show that this leads to a factor-of-two decrease in the error on the inferred sound speed in the solar core. We find that the solar sound speed is higher than in solar models for r < 0.2Rsun. The density of the solar core is, however, lower than that in solar models., Plain TeX, using MN.tex, v. 1.6. 10 pages, 10 figures. Submitted to Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc

The medium-l program of the Michelson Doppler Imager instrument on board SOHO provides continuous observations of oscillation modes of angular degree, l, from 0 to ∼ 300. The data for the program are partly processed on board because only about 3% of MDI observations can be transmitted continuously to the ground. The on-board data processing, the main component of which is Gaussian-weighted binning, has been optimized to reduce the negative influence of spatial aliasing of the high-degree oscillation modes. The data processing is completed in a data analysis pipeline at the SOI Stanford Support Center to determine the mean multiplet frequencies and splitting coefficients.

GOLF in-flight commissioning and calibration was carried out during the first four months, most of which represented the cruise phase of SOHO towards its final LI orbit. The initial performance of GOLF is shown to be within the design specification, for the entire instrument as well as for the separate sub-systems. Malfunctioning of the polarising mechanisms after 3 to 4 months operation has led to the adoption of an unplanned operating sequence in which these mechanisms are no longer used. This mode, which measures only the blue wing of the solar sodium lines, detracts little from the detection and frequency measurements of global oscillations, but does make more difficult the absolute velocity calibration, which is currently of the order of 20%. Data continuity in the new mode is extremely high and the instrument is producing exceptionally noise-free p-mode spectra. The data set is particularly well suited to the study of effects due to the excitation mechanism of the modes, leading to temporal variations in their amplitudes. The g modes have not yet been detected in this limited data set. In the present mode of operation, there are no indications of any degradation which would limit the use of GOLF for up to 6 years or more.

Stars hosting hot Jupiters are often observed to have high obliquities, whereas stars with multiple coplanar planets have been seen to have low obliquities. This has been interpreted as evidence that hot-Jupiter formation is linked to dynamical disruption, as opposed to planet migration through a protoplanetary disk. We used asteroseismology to measure a large obliquity for Kepler-56, a red giant star hosting two transiting coplanar planets. These observations show that spin-orbit misalignments are not confined to hot-Jupiter systems. Misalignments in a broader class of systems had been predicted as a consequence of torques from wide-orbiting companions, and indeed radial velocity measurements revealed a third companion in a wide orbit in the Kepler-56 system., United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Science Mission Directorate), United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA Postdoctoral Program at Ames Research Center), National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF Graduate Research Fellowship), National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, grant DGE1144469), Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO, contract PRODEX COROT), United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA Kepler Participating Scientist program), National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF grant AST-1105930), David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (Hubble Fellow)

Accurately determining the properties of stars is of prime importance for characterizing stellar populations in our Galaxy. The field of asteroseismology has been thought to be particularly successful in such an endeavor for stars in different evolutionary stages. However, to fully exploit its potential, robust methods for estimating stellar parameters are required and independent verification of the results is mandatory. With this purpose, we present a new technique to obtain stellar properties by coupling asteroseismic analysis with the InfraRed Flux Method. By using two global seismic observables and multi-band photometry, the technique allows us to obtain masses, radii, effective temperatures, bolometric fluxes, and hence distances for field stars in a self-consistent manner. We apply our method to 22 solar-like oscillators in the Kepler short-cadence sample, that have accurate Hipparcos parallaxes. Our distance determinations agree to better than 5%, while measurements of spectroscopic effective temperatures and interferometric radii also validate our results. We briefly discuss the potential of our technique for stellar population analysis and models of Galactic Chemical Evolution., Comment: 28 pages, 5 figures, ApJ, accepted

When the core hydrogen is exhausted during stellar evolution, the central region of a star contracts and the outer envelope expands and cools, giving rise to a red giant, in which convection occupies a large fraction of the star. Conservation of angular momentum requires that the cores of these stars rotate faster than their envelopes, and indirect evidence supports this. Information about the angular momentum distribution is inaccessible to direct observations, but it can be extracted from the effect of rotation on oscillation modes that probe the stellar interior. Here, we report the detection of non-rigid rotation in the interiors of red-giant stars by exploiting the rotational frequency splitting of recently detected mixed modes. We demonstrate an increasing rotation rate from the surface of the star to the stellar core. Comparing with theoretical stellar models, we conclude that the core must rotate at least ten times faster than the surface. This observational result confirms the theoretical prediction of a steep gradient in the rotation profile towards the deep stellar interior., to appear as a Letter to Nature

Frequencies of solar acoustic oscillations can be analysed asymptotically in terms of a function determined by the sound speed in the bulk of the Sun and a function determined predominantly by conditions near the solar surface. The latter depends mainly on the frequency and is related to the phase shift induced by the reflection at the solar surface; it has been shown to be a useful diagnostic of conditions in the second helium ionization zone, providing information about the composition and equation of state of that region. However, uncertainties in the treatment of the layers immediately below the solar photosphere and the solar atmosphere introduce a contribution to the phase function which is mainly a slowly varying function of frequency

The evolved main-sequence Sun-like stars KIC 10273246 (F-type) and KIC 10920273 (G-type) were observed with the NASA Kepler satellite for approximately ten months with a duty cycle in excess of 90%. Such continuous and long observations are unprecedented for solar-type stars other than the Sun. We aimed mainly at extracting estimates of p-mode frequencies - as well as of other individual mode parameters - from the power spectra of the light curves of both stars, thus providing scope for a full seismic characterization. The light curves were corrected for instrumental effects in a manner independent of the Kepler Science Pipeline. Estimation of individual mode parameters was based both on the maximization of the likelihood of a model describing the power spectrum and on a classic prewhitening method. Finally, we employed a procedure for selecting frequency lists to be used in stellar modeling. A total of 30 and 21 modes of degree l=0,1,2 - spanning at least eight radial orders - have been identified for KIC 10273246 and KIC 10920273, respectively. Two avoided crossings (l=1 ridge) have been identified for KIC 10273246, whereas one avoided crossing plus another likely one have been identified for KIC 10920273. Good agreement is found between observed and predicted mode amplitudes for the F-type star KIC 10273246, based on a revised scaling relation. Estimates are given of the rotational periods, the parameters describing stellar granulation and the global asteroseismic parameters $\Delta\nu$ and $\nu_{\rm{max}}$., Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures, to be published in Astronomy & Astrophysics

We have studied solar-like oscillations in ~800 red-giant stars using Kepler long-cadence photometry. The sample includes stars ranging in evolution from the lower part of the red-giant branch to the Helium main sequence. We investigate the relation between the large frequency separation (Delta nu) and the frequency of maximum power (nu_max) and show that it is different for red giants than for main-sequence stars, which is consistent with evolutionary models and scaling relations. The distributions of nu_max and Delta nu are in qualitative agreement with a simple stellar population model of the Kepler field, including the first evidence for a secondary clump population characterized by M ~> 2 M_sun and nu_max ~ 40-110 muHz. We measured the small frequency separations delta nu_02 and delta nu_01 in over 400 stars and delta nu_03 in over 40. We present C-D diagrams for l=1, 2 and 3 and show that the frequency separation ratios delta nu_02/Delta nu and delta nu_01/Delta nu have opposite trends as a function of Delta nu. The data show a narrowing of the l=1 ridge towards lower nu_max, in agreement with models predicting more efficient mode trapping in stars with higher luminosity. We investigate the offset epsilon in the asymptotic relation and find a clear correlation with Delta nu, demonstrating that it is related to fundamental stellar parameters. Finally, we present the first amplitude-nu_max relation for Kepler red giants. We observe a lack of low-amplitude stars for nu_max ~> 110 muHz and find that, for a given nu_max between 40-110 muHz, stars with lower Delta nu (and consequently higher mass) tend to show lower amplitudes than stars with higher Delta nu., 12 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

We present the results of modelling the subgiant star $\beta$ Hydri using the seismic observational constraints. We have computed several grids of stellar evolutionary tracks using Aarhus STellar Evolution Code (ASTEC, Christensen-Dalsgaard, 2008a), with and without helium diffusion and settling. For those models on each track that are located at the observationally determined position of $\beta$ Hydri in the HR diagram, we have calculated the oscillation frequencies using Aarhus adiabatic pulsation package (ADIPLS, Christensen-Dalsgaard, 2008b). Applying the near-surface corrections to the calculated frequencies using the empirical law presented by Kjeldsen et al. (2008), we have compared the corrected model frequencies with the observed frequencies of the star. We show that after correcting the frequencies for the near-surface effects, we have a fairly good fit for both $l$=0 and $l$=2 frequencies. We also have good agreement between the observed and calculated $l$=1 mode frequencies although there is room for improvement in order to fit all the observed mixed modes simultaneously., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Published by ApSS

We present a seismic analysis of the pulsating hot B subdwarf KPD 1943+4058 (KIC 005807616) on the basis of the long-period, gravity-mode pulsations recently uncovered by Kepler. This is the first time that g-mode seismology can be exploited quantitatively for stars on the extreme horizontal branch, all previous successful seismic analyses having been confined so far to short-period, p-mode pulsators. We demonstrate that current models of hot B subdwarfs can quite well explain the observed g-mode periods, while being consistent with independent constraints provided by spectroscopy. We identify the 18 pulsations retained in our analysis as low-degree (l = 1 and 2), intermediate-order (k = –9 through –58) g-modes. The periods (frequencies) are recovered, on average, at the 0.22% level, which is comparable to the best results obtained for p-mode pulsators. We infer the following structural and core parameters for KPD 1943+4058 (formal fitting uncertainties only): T eff = 28,050 ± 470 K, log g = 5.52 ± 0.03, M * = 0.496 ± 0.002 M ☉, log (M env/M *) = –2.55 ± 0.07, log (1 – M core/M *) = –0.37 ± 0.01, and X core(C+O) = 0.261 ± 0.008. We additionally derive the age of the star since the zero-age extended horizontal branch 18.4 ± 1.0 Myr, the radius R = 0.203 ± 0.007 R ☉, the luminosity L = 22.9 ± 3.13 L ☉, the absolute magnitude MV = 4.21 ± 0.11, the reddening index E(B – V) = 0.094 ± 0.017, and the distance d = 1180 ± 95 pc.

The influence of the upper layers of a star on p-mode frequencies can be described asymptotically by means of a phase function, which depends essentially only on the frequency of the mode. Here the extent to which the phase function may provide formation about the superficial layers of a star is investigated. In particular, a linear relation is derived between the phase-function differences and differences in equilibrium structure of the upper layers of two models

Oscillations occur in stars of most masses and essentially all stages of evolution. Asteroseismology is the study of the frequencies and other properties of stellar oscillations, from which we can extract fundamental parameters such as density, mass, radius, age and rotation period. We present an overview of asteroseismic analysis methods, focusing on how this technique may be used as a tool to measure stellar properties relevant to planet transit studies. We also discuss details of the Kepler Asteroseismic Investigation -- the use of asteroseismology on the Kepler mission in order to measure basic stellar parameters. We estimate that applying asteroseismology to stars observed by Kepler will allow the determination of stellar mean densities to an accuracy of 1%, radii to 2-3%, masses to 5%, and ages to 5-10% of the main-sequence lifetime. For rotating stars, the angle of inclination can also be determined., To appear in the Proceedings of the 253rd IAU Symposium: "Transiting Planets", May 2008, Cambridge, MA

The interpretation by Hill and Caudell (1979) of some of their solar oscillation data as being due to g modes of degree greater than 20 seems to imply that the solar convection zone is much shallower than that in standard solar models, probably representing only a few per cent of the radius. We attempt here to match the observed periods in models of this nature; the rather complicated spectrum of oscillations in such models can be understood in terms of the asymptotic behavior of modes of large degree. Possible excitation mechanisms for the modes are briefly discussed.

We have carried out a multi-site campaign to measure oscillations in the F5 star Procyon A. We obtained high-precision velocity observations over more than three weeks with eleven telescopes, with almost continuous coverage for the central ten days. This represents the most extensive campaign so far organized on any solar-type oscillator. We describe in detail the methods we used for processing and combining the data. These involved calculating weights for the velocity time series from the measurement uncertainties and adjusting them in order to minimize the noise level of the combined data. The time series of velocities for Procyon shows the clear signature of oscillations, with a plateau of excess power that is centred at 0.9 mHz and is broader than has been seen for other stars. The mean amplitude of the radial modes is 38.1 +/- 1.3 cm/s (2.0 times solar), which is consistent with previous detections from the ground and by the WIRE spacecraft, and also with the upper limit set by the MOST spacecraft. The variation of the amplitude during the observing campaign allows us to estimate the mode lifetime to be 1.5 d (+1.9/-0.8 d). We also find a slow variation in the radial velocity of Procyon, with good agreement between different telescopes. These variations are remarkably similar to those seen in the Sun, and we interpret them as being due to rotational modulation from active regions on the stellar surface. The variations appear to have a period of about 10 days, which presumably equals the stellar rotation period or, perhaps, half of it. The amount of power in these slow variations indicates that the fractional area of Procyon covered by active regions is slightly higher than for the Sun., accepted for publication in ApJ. Minor change to Fig 11

We have observed oscillations in the nearby G2 subgiant star beta Hyi using high-precision velocity observations obtained over more than a week with the HARPS and UCLES spectrographs. The oscillation frequencies show a regular comb structure, as expected for solar-like oscillations, but with several l=1 modes being strongly affected by avoided crossings. The data, combined with those we obtained five years earlier, allow us to identify 28 oscillation modes. By scaling the large frequency separation from the Sun, we measure the mean density of beta Hyi to an accuracy of 0.6%. The amplitudes of the oscillations are about 2.5 times solar and the mode lifetime is 2.3 d. A detailed comparison of the mixed l=1 modes with theoretical models should allow a precise estimate of the age of the star., 13 pages, 14 figures, accepted by ApJ. Fixed minor typo (ref to Fig 14)

Traditional observations of the properties of stars generally provide tests of only the gross aspects of stellar structure and evolution. The limitation lies in the amount and precision of the available data of relevance to the structure of the stellar interior, i.e., the determination of stellar effective temperatures, surface composition, luminosities and, in a few cases, masses. Additional constraints on the observed stars, such as the common age and composition normally assumed for stars in clusters or multiple systems, clearly increase the information. However, detailed information on the physics and processes of stellar interiors requires more extensive data, with a dependence on stellar structure sufficiently simple to allow unambiguous interpretation. Such data are offered by observations of stellar pulsation frequencies: they can be observed with great accuracy and their dependence of stellar structure is generally well understood. In particular, the richness and precision of the observed frequencies of solar oscillation are now offering a detailed view on the interior properties of a star.

Splitting of the sun's global oscillation frequencies by large-scale flows can be used to investigate how rotation varies with radius and latitude within the solar interior. The nearly uninterrupted observations by the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) yield oscillation power spectra with high duty cycles and high signal-to-noise ratios. Frequency splittings derived from GONG observations confirm that the variation of rotation rate with latitude seen at the surface carries through much of the convection zone, at the base of which is an adjustment layer leading to latitudinally independent rotation at greater depths. A distinctive shear layer just below the surface is discernible at low to mid-latitudes.