4,549 research outputs found
Quasi-molecular lines in Lyman wings of cool DA white dwarfs; Application to FUSE observations of G231-40
We present new theoretical calculations of the total line profiles of Lyman
alpha and Lyman beta which include perturbations by both neutral hydrogen AND
protons and all possible quasi-molecular states of H_2 and H_2^+. They are used
to improve theoretical modeling of synthetic spectra for cool DA white dwarfs.
We compare them with FUSE observation of G231-40. The appearance of the line
wings between Lyman alpha and Lyman beta is shown to be sensitive to the
relative abundance of hydrogen ions and neutral atoms, and thereby to provide a
temperature diagnostic for stellar atmospheres and laboratory plasmas.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysic
The Effective temperature scale of M dwarfs from spectral synthesis
We present a comparison of low-resolution spectra of 60 stars covering the
whole M-dwarf sequence. Using the most recent PHOENIX BT-Settl stellar model
atmospheres (see paper by F. Allard, in this book) we do a first quantitative
compari- son to our observed spectra in the wavelength range 550-950 nm. We
perform a first confrontation between models and observations and we assign an
effective tempera- tures to the observed M-dwarfs. Teff-spectral type relations
are then compared with the published ones. This comparison also aims at
improving the models' opacities.Comment: To be published in the on-line version of the Proceedings of Cool
Stars 16 (ASP Conference Series) New version with bibliography correcte
Progress in Modeling Very Low Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs, and Planetary Mass Objects
We review recent advancements in modeling the stellar to substellar
transition. The revised molecular opacities, solar oxygen abundances and cloud
models allow to reproduce the photometric and spectroscopic properties of this
transition to a degree never achieved before, but problems remain in the
important M-L transition characteristic of the effective temperature range of
characterizable exoplanets. We discuss of the validity of these classical
models. We also present new preliminary global Radiation HydroDynamical M
dwarfs simulations.Comment: Submitted to Mem. S. A. It. Supp
Photospheric properties and fundamental parameters of M dwarfs
M dwarfs are an important source of information when studying and probing the
lower end of the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram, down to the hydrogen-burning
limit. Being the most numerous and oldest stars in the galaxy, they carry
fundamental information on its chemical history. The presence of molecules in
their atmospheres, along with various condensed species, complicates our
understanding of their physical properties and thus makes the determination of
their fundamental stellar parameters more challenging and difficult. The aim of
this study is to perform a detailed spectroscopic analysis of the
high-resolution H-band spectra of M dwarfs in order to determine their
fundamental stellar parameters and to validate atmospheric models. The present
study will also help us to understand various processes, including dust
formation and depletion of metals onto dust grains in M dwarf atmospheres. The
high spectral resolution also provides a unique opportunity to constrain other
chemical and physical processes that occur in a cool atmosphere The
high-resolution APOGEE spectra of M dwarfs, covering the entire H-band, provide
a unique opportunity to measure their fundamental parameters. We have performed
a detailed spectral synthesis by comparing these high-resolution H-band spectra
to that of the most recent BT-settl model and have obtained fundamental
parameters such as effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity
(Teff, log g and [Fe/H]) respectively.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Phase-Dependent Properties of Extrasolar Planet Atmospheres
Recently the Spitzer Space Telescope observed the transiting extrasolar
planets, TrES-1 and HD209458b. These observations have provided the first
estimates of the day side thermal flux from two extrasolar planets orbiting
Sun-like stars. In this paper, synthetic spectra from atmospheric models are
compared to these observations. The day-night temperature difference is
explored and phase-dependent flux densities are predicted for both planets. For
HD209458b and TrES-1, models with significant day-to-night energy
redistribution are required to reproduce the observations. However, the
observational error bars are large and a range of models remains viable.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
UHE nuclei propagation and the interpretation of the ankle in the cosmic-ray spectrum
We consider the stochastic propagation of high-energy protons and nuclei in
the cosmological microwave and infrared backgrounds, using revised photonuclear
cross-sections and following primary and secondary nuclei in the full 2D
nuclear chart. We confirm earlier results showing that the high-energy data can
be fit with a pure proton extragalactic cosmic ray (EGCR) component if the
source spectrum is \propto E^{-2.6}. In this case the ankle in the CR spectrum
may be interpreted as a pair-production dip associated with the propagation. We
show that when heavier nuclei are included in the source with a composition
similar to that of Galactic cosmic-rays (GCRs), the pair-production dip is not
present unless the proton fraction is higher than 85%. In the mixed composition
case, the ankle recovers the past interpretation as the transition from GCRs to
EGCRs and the highest energy data can be explained by a harder source spectrum
\propto E^{-2.2} - E^{-2.3}, reminiscent of relativistic shock acceleration
predictions, and in good agreement with the GCR data at low-energy and holistic
scenarios.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to A&A Letters (minor changes, two
figures replaced, two references added
Interference-filter-stabilized external-cavity diode lasers
We have developed external-cavity diode lasers, where the wavelength
selection is assured by a low loss interference filter instead of the common
diffraction grating. The filter allows a linear cavity design reducing the
sensitivity of the wavelength and the external cavity feedback against
misalignment. By separating the feedback and wavelength selection functions,
both can be optimized independently leading to an increased tunability of the
laser. The design is employed for the generation of laser light at 698, 780 and
852 nm. Its characteristics make it a well suited candidate for space-born
lasers.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
Detection and characterisation of two VLM binaries: LP 1033-31 and LP 877-72
Using the high-resolution near-infrared adaptive optics imaging from the NaCo
instrument at the Very Large Telescope, we report the discovery of a new binary
companion to the M-dwarf LP 1033-31 and also confirm the binarity of LP 877-72.
We have characterised both the stellar systems and estimated the properties of
their individual components. We have found that LP 1033-31 AB with the spectral
type of M4.5+M4.5 has a projected separation of 6.71.3 AU. Whereas with
the spectral type of M1+M4, the projected separation of LP 877-72 AB is
estimated to be 45.80.3 AU. The binary companions of LP 1033-31 AB are
found to have similar masses, radii, effective temperatures, and log with
the estimated values of 0.200.04 , 0.220.03
, 3200 K, 5.060.04. However, the primary of LP 877-72 AB
is found to be twice as massive as the secondary with the derived mass of
0.5200.006 . The radius and log for the primary of LP
877-72 AB are found to be 1.8 and 0.95 times that of the secondary component
with the estimated values of 0.4920.011 and
4.7680.005, respectively. With an effective temperature of 375015 K,
the primary of LP 877-72 AB is also estimated to be 400 K hotter than the
secondary component. We have also estimated the orbital period of LP 1033-31
and LP 877-72 to be 28 and 349 yr, respectively. The binding
energies for both systems are found to be 10 erg, which signifies
both systems are stable.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
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