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At least 37 records · Page 2

Determining neutron star properties by fitting oblate-star waveform models to X-ray burst oscillations

We describe sophisticated new Bayesian analysis methods that make it possible to estimate quickly the masses and radii of rapidly rotating, oblate neutron stars by fitting oblate-star waveform models to energy-resolved observations of the waveforms of X-ray burst oscillations produced by such stars. We find that a 25% variation of the temperature of the hot spot in the north-south direction does not significantly bias estimates of the mass M and equatorial radius R{sub eq} derived by fitting a model that assumes a uniform-temperature spot. Our results show that fits of oblate-star waveform models to waveform data can simultaneously determine M and R{sub eq} with 1σ uncertainties ≲7% if (1) the star's rotation rate is ≳ 600 Hz; (2) the spot center and observer's sightline are both within 30{sup ∘} of the star's rotational equator; and (3) ∼10{sup 7} counts are collected during burst oscillations that have a fractional rms amplitude ≳10%. A fractional amplitude of ∼10% is realistic, and the accepted NICER and proposed LOFT and AXTAR space missions could collect 10{sup 7} counts from a single star by combining data from many X-ray bursts from the star. Uncertainties ≲7% are small enough to improve substantially our understanding of cold, ultradense matter.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Anisotropic stars for spherically symmetric spacetimes satisfying the Karmarkar condition

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

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

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

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

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A PARAMETRIC STUDY OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE HIGH-REDSHIFT OVERPRODUCTION OF STARS IN MODELED DWARF GALAXIES

Both numerical hydrodynamic and semi-analytic cosmological models of galaxy formation struggle to match observed star formation histories of galaxies in low-mass halos (M {sub H} ≲ 10{sup 11} M {sub ☉}), predicting more star formation at high redshift and less star formation at low redshift than observed. The fundamental problem is that galaxies' gas accretion and star formation rates are too closely coupled in the models: the accretion rate largely drives the star formation rate. Observations point to gas accretion rates that outpace star formation at high redshift, resulting in a buildup of gas and a delay in star formation until lower redshifts. We present three empirical adjustments of standard recipes in a semi-analytic model motivated by three physical scenarios that could cause this decoupling: (1) the mass-loading factors of outflows driven by stellar feedback may have a steeper dependence on halo mass at earlier times, (2) the efficiency of star formation may be lower in low-mass halos at high redshift, and (3) gas may not be able to accrete efficiently onto the disk in low-mass halos at high redshift. These new recipes, once tuned, better reproduce the evolution of f {sub *}≡ M {sub *}/M {sub H} as a function of halo mass as derived from abundance matching over redshifts z = 0 to 3, though they have different effects on cold gas fractions, star formation rates, and metallicities. Changes to gas accretion and stellar-driven winds are promising, while direct modification of the star formation timescale requires drastic measures that are not physically well motivated.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

IMPACT OF H{sub 2}-BASED STAR FORMATION MODEL ON THE z {>=} 6 LUMINOSITY FUNCTION AND THE IONIZING PHOTON BUDGET FOR REIONIZATION

We present the results of a numerical study examining the effect of an H{sub 2}-based star formation (SF) model on the rest-frame UV luminosity function and star formation rate function (SFRF) of z {>=} 6 galaxies, and the implications for reionization. Using cosmological hydrodynamical simulations outfitted with an H{sub 2}-SF model, we find good agreement with our previous results (non-H{sub 2} SF model) and observations at M{sub uv} {<=} -18. However, at M{sub uv} > -18, we find that the LF deviates from both our previous work and current observational extrapolations, producing significantly fewer low-luminosity galaxies and exhibiting additional turnover at the faint end. We constrain the redshift evolution of this turnover point using a modified Schechter function that includes additional terms to quantify the turnover magnitude (M{sub uv}{sup t}) and subsequent slope ({beta}). We find that M{sub uv}{sup t} evolves from M{sub uv}{sup t}=-17.33 (at z = 8) to -15.38 (z = 6), while {beta} becomes shallower by {Delta}{beta} = 0.22 during the same epoch. This occurs in an M{sub uv} range that will be observable by James Webb Space Telescope. By integrating the SFRF, we determine that even though the H{sub 2}-SF model significantly reduces the number density of low-luminosity galaxies at M{sub uv} > -18, it does not suppress the total SFR density enough to affect the capability of SF to maintain reionization.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Surface Temperature Mapping Models for STAR and CTF

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

42 ENGINEERING↗

RED GIANTS IN ECLIPSING BINARY AND MULTIPLE-STAR SYSTEMS: MODELING AND ASTEROSEISMIC ANALYSIS OF 70 CANDIDATES FROM KEPLER DATA

Red giant stars are proving to be an incredible source of information for testing models of stellar evolution, as asteroseismology has opened up a window into their interiors. Such insights are a direct result of the unprecedented data from space missions CoRoT and Kepler as well as recent theoretical advances. Eclipsing binaries are also fundamental astrophysical objects, and when coupled with asteroseismology, binaries provide two independent methods to obtain masses and radii and exciting opportunities to develop highly constrained stellar models. The possibility of discovering pulsating red giants in eclipsing binary systems is therefore an important goal that could potentially offer very robust characterization of these systems. Until recently, only one case has been discovered with Kepler. We cross-correlate the detected red giant and eclipsing-binary catalogs from Kepler data to find possible candidate systems. Light-curve modeling and mean properties measured from asteroseismology are combined to yield specific measurements of periods, masses, radii, temperatures, eclipse timing variations, core rotation rates, and red giant evolutionary state. After using three different techniques to eliminate false positives, out of the 70 systems common to the red giant and eclipsing-binary catalogs we find 13 strong candidates (12 previously unknown) to be eclipsing binaries, one to be a non-eclipsing binary with tidally induced oscillations, and 10 more to be hierarchical triple systems, all of which include a pulsating red giant. The systems span a range of orbital eccentricities, periods, and spectral types F, G, K, and M for the companion of the red giant. One case even suggests an eclipsing binary composed of two red giant stars and another of a red giant with a {delta}-Scuti star. The discovery of multiple pulsating red giants in eclipsing binaries provides an exciting test bed for precise astrophysical modeling, and follow-up spectroscopic observations of many of the candidate systems are encouraged. The resulting highly constrained stellar parameters will allow, for example, the exploration of how binary tidal interactions affect pulsations when compared to the single-star case.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

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

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

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

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

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

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

COMPACT REMNANT MASS FUNCTION: DEPENDENCE ON THE EXPLOSION MECHANISM AND METALLICITY

The mass distribution of neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes provides vital clues into the nature of stellar core collapse and the physical engine responsible for supernova explosions. A number of supernova engines have been proposed: neutrino- or oscillation-driven explosions enhanced by early (developing in 10-50 ms) and late-time (developing in 200 ms) convection as well as magnetic field engines (in black hole accretion disks or neutron stars). Using our current understanding of supernova engines, we derive mass distributions of stellar compact remnants. We provide analytic prescriptions for both single-star models (as a function of initial star mass) and for binary-star models-prescriptions for compact object masses for major population synthesis codes. These prescriptions have implications for a range of observations: X-ray binary populations, supernova explosion energies, and gravitational wave sources. We show that advanced gravitational radiation detectors (like LIGO/VIRGO or the Einstein Telescope) will be able to further test the supernova explosion engine models once double black hole inspirals are detected.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Modeling Neutron Star Matter in the Age of Multimessenger Astrophysics

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

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

CO-SPATIAL LONG-SLIT UV/OPTICAL SPECTRA OF TEN GALACTIC PLANETARY NEBULAE WITH HST/STIS. II. NEBULAR MODELS, CENTRAL STAR PROPERTIES, AND He+CNO SYNTHESIS

The goal of the present study is twofold. First, we employ new HST/STIS spectra and photoionization modeling techniques to determine the progenitor masses of eight planetary nebulae (IC 2165, IC 3568, NGC 2440, NGC 3242, NGC 5315, NGC 5882, NGC 7662, and PB 6). Second, for the first time we are able to compare each object’s observed nebular abundances of helium, carbon, and nitrogen with abundance predictions of these same elements by a stellar model that is consistent with each object’s progenitor mass. Important results include the following: (1) the mass range of our objects’ central stars matches well with the mass distribution of other central stars of planetary nebulae and white dwarfs; (2) He/H is above solar in all of our objects, in most cases likely due to the predicted effects of first dredge-up; (3) most of our objects show negligible C enrichment, probably because their low masses preclude third dredge-up; (4) C/O versus O/H for our objects appears to be inversely correlated, which is perhaps consistent with the conclusion of theorists that the extent of atmospheric carbon enrichment from first dredge-up is sensitive to a parameter whose value increases as metallicity declines; (5) stellar model predictions of nebular C and N enrichment are consistent with observed abundances for progenitor star masses ≤1.5 M{sub ⊙}. Finally, we present the first published photoionization models of NGC 5315 and NGC 5882.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A CENSUS OF OXYGEN IN STAR-FORMING GALAXIES: AN EMPIRICAL MODEL LINKING METALLICITIES, STAR FORMATION RATES, AND OUTFLOWS

In this contribution, we present the first census of oxygen in star-forming galaxies in the local universe. We examine three samples of galaxies with metallicities and star formation rates (SFRs) at z = 0.07, 0.8, and 2.26, including the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and DEEP2 survey. We infer the total mass of oxygen produced and mass of oxygen found in the gas-phase from our local SDSS sample. The star formation history is determined by requiring that galaxies evolve along the relation between stellar mass and SFR observed in our three samples. We show that the observed relation between stellar mass and SFR for our three samples is consistent with other samples in the literature. The mass-metallicity relation is well established for our three samples, and from this we empirically determine the chemical evolution of star-forming galaxies. Thus, we are able to simultaneously constrain the SFRs and metallicities of galaxies over cosmic time, allowing us to estimate the mass of oxygen locked up in stars. Combining this work with independent measurements reported in the literature, we conclude that the loss of oxygen from the interstellar medium of local star-forming galaxies is likely to be a ubiquitous process with the oxygen mass loss scaling (almost) linearly with stellar mass. We estimate the total baryonic mass loss and argue that only a small fraction of the baryons inferred from cosmological observations accrete onto galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A RARE EARLY-TYPE STAR REVEALED IN THE WING OF THE SMALL MAGELLANIC CLOUD

Sk 183 is the visually brightest star in the N90 nebula, a young star-forming region in the Wing of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We present new optical spectroscopy from the Very Large Telescope which reveals Sk 183 to be one of the most massive O-type stars in the SMC. Classified as an O3-type dwarf on the basis of its nitrogen spectrum, the star also displays broadened He I absorption, which suggests a later type. We propose that Sk 183 has a composite spectrum and that it is similar to another star in the SMC, MPG 324. This brings the number of rare O2- and O3-type stars known in the whole of the SMC to a mere four. We estimate physical parameters for Sk 183 from analysis of its spectrum. For a single-star model, we estimate an effective temperature of 46 {+-} 2 kK, a low mass-loss rate of {approx}10{sup -7} M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}, and a spectroscopic mass of 46{sup +9}{sub -8} M{sub Sun} (for an adopted distance modulus of 18.7 mag to the young population in the SMC Wing). An illustrative binary model requires a slightly hotter temperature ({approx}47.5 kK) for the primary component. In either scenario, Sk 183 is the earliest-type star known in N90 and will therefore be the dominant source of hydrogen-ionizing photons. This suggests Sk 183 is the primary influence on the star formation along the inner edge of the nebula.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Sub-saturation matter in compact stars: Nuclear modelling in the framework of the extended Thomas-Fermi theory

A recently introduced analytical model for the nuclear density profile [1] is implemented in the Extended Thomas-Fermi (ETF) energy density functional. This allows to (i) shed a new light on the issue of the sign of surface symmetry energy in nuclear mass formulas, as well as to (ii) show the importance of the in-medium corrections to the nuclear cluster energies in thermodynamic conditions relevant for the description of core-collapse supernovae and (proto)-neutron star crust.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

TOWARD A UNIFICATION OF STAR FORMATION RATE DETERMINATIONS IN THE MILKY WAY AND OTHER GALAXIES

The star formation rate (SFR) of the Milky Way remains poorly known, with often-quoted values ranging from 1 to 10 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}. This situation persists despite the potential for the Milky Way to serve as the ultimate SFR calibrator for external galaxies. We show that various estimates for the Galactic SFR are consistent with one another once they have been normalized to the same initial mass function (IMF) and massive star models, converging to 1.9 {+-} 0.4 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}. However, standard SFR diagnostics are vulnerable to systematics founded in the use of indirect observational tracers sensitive only to high-mass stars. We find that absolute SFRs measured using resolved low/intermediate-mass stellar populations in Galactic H II regions are systematically higher by factors of {approx}2-3 compared with calibrations for SFRs measured from mid-IR and radio emission. We discuss some potential explanations for this discrepancy and conclude that it could be allayed if (1) the power-law slope of the IMF for intermediate-mass (1.5 M{sub Sun} < m < 5M{sub Sun }) stars were steeper than the Salpeter slope or (2) a correction factor was applied to the extragalactic 24 {mu}m SFR calibrations to account for the duration of star formation in individual mid-IR-bright H II regions relative to the lifetimes of O stars. Finally, we present some approaches for testing whether a Galactic SFR of {approx}2 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1} is consistent with what we would measure if we could view the Milky Way as external observers. Using luminous radio supernova remnants and X-ray point sources, we find that the Milky Way deviates from expectations at the 1{sigma}-3{sigma} level, hinting that perhaps the Galactic SFR is overestimated or extragalactic SFRs need to be revised upward.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SEMIREGULAR VARIABLES WITH PERIODS LYING BETWEEN THE PERIOD-LUMINOSITY SEQUENCES C', C, AND D

We analyze the distribution of semiregular variables and Mira stars in the period-luminosity plane. Our sample consists of 6169 oxygen-rich long-period variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud included in the OGLE-III Catalog of Variable Stars. There are many stars with periods that lie between the well-known sequences C and C'. Most of these stars are multi-periodic and the period ratios suggest that these stars oscillate in the same mode as the sequence C stars. Models suggest that this mode is the fundamental radial pulsation mode. The stars with primary periods between sequences C and C' preferentially lie on an additional sequence (named F), and a large fraction of these stars also have long secondary periods (LSPs) that lie between sequences C and D. There are also a small number of stars with primary periods lying between sequences C and D. The origin of this long-period variability is unknown, as is the cause of sequence D variability. In addition, the origin of sequence F is unknown but we speculate that sequence F variability may be excited by the same phenomenon that causes the LSPs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

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

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

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗