1,291 research outputs found
Modeling CHANDRA Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer Observations of Classical Novae with PHOENIX. I. V4743 Sagittarii
We use the PHOENIX code package to model the X-ray spectrum of Nova V4743
Sagittarii observed with the LETGS onboard the Chandra satellite on March 2003.
Our atmosphere models are 1D spherical, expanding, line blanketed, and in full
NLTE. To analyze nova atmospheres and related systems with an underlying
nuclear burning envelope at X-ray wavelengths, it was necessary to update the
code with new microphysics, as discussed in this paper. We demonstrate that the
X-ray emission is dominated by thermal bremsstrahlung and that the hard X-rays
are dominated by Fe and N absorption. The best fit to the observation is
provided at a temperature of T_eff = 5.8 x 10^5 K, with L_bol = 50 000 L_sun.
The models are calculated for solar abundances. It is shown that the models can
be used to determine abundances in the nova ejecta.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
Spectral Energy Distributions for Disk and Halo M--Dwarfs
We have obtained infrared (1 to 2.5 micron) spectroscopy for 42 halo and disk
dwarfs with spectral type M1 to M6.5. These data are compared to synthetic
spectra generated by the latest model atmospheres of Allard & Hauschildt.
Photospheric parameters metallicity, effective temperature and radius are
determined for the sample. We find good agreement between observation and
theory except for known problems due to incomplete molecular data for metal
hydrides and water. The metal-poor M subdwarfs are well matched by the models
as oxide opacity sources are less important in this case. The derived effective
temperatures for the sample range from 3600K to 2600K; at these temperatures
grain formation and extinction are not significant in the photosphere. The
derived metallicities range from solar to one-tenth solar. The radii and
effective temperatures derived agree well with recent models of low mass stars.Comment: 24 pages including 13 figures, 4 Tables; accepted by Ap
MESAS: Measuring the Emission of Stellar Atmospheres at Submm/mm wavelengths
In the early stages of planet formation, small dust grains grow to become mm
sized particles in debris disks around stars. These disks can in principle be
characterized by their emission at submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths.
Determining both the occurrence and abundance of debris in unresolved
circumstellar disks of A-type main-sequence stars requires that the stellar
photospheric emission be accurately modeled. To better constrain the
photospheric emission for such systems, we present observations of Sirius A, an
A-type star with no known debris, from the JCMT, SMA, and VLA at 0.45, 0.85,
0.88, 1.3, 6.7, and 9.0 mm. We use these observations to inform a PHOENIX model
of Sirius A's atmosphere. We find the model provides a good match to these data
and can be used as a template for the submm/mm emission of other early A-type
stars where unresolved debris may be present. The observations are part of an
ongoing observational campaign entitled Measuring the Emission of Stellar
Atmospheres at Submm/mm wavelengths (MESAS)Comment: 17 pages, 1 figure, Accepted to AJ on April 25th 201
Nickel Mixing in the Outer Layers of SN 1987A
Supernova 1987A remains the most well-observed and well-studied supernova to
date. Observations produced excellent broad-band photometric and spectroscopic
coverage over a wide wavelength range at all epochs. Here, we focus on the very
early spectroscopic observations. Only recently have numerical models been of
sufficient detail to accurately explain the observed spectra. In SN 1987A, good
agreement has been found between observed and synthetic spectra for day one,
but by day four, the predicted Balmer lines become much weaker than the
observed lines. We present the results of work based on a
radiation-hydrodynamic model by Blinnikov and collaborators. Synthetic non-LTE
spectra generated from this model by the general radiation transfer code
PHOENIX strongly support the theory that significant mixing of nickel into the
outer envelope is required to maintain strong Balmer lines. Preliminary results
suggest a lower limit to the average nickel mass of 1.0 \times 10^{-5} solar
masses is required above 5000 \kmps by day four. PHOENIX models thus have the
potential to be a sensitive probe for nickel mixing in the outer layers of a
supernova.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, ApJ, v556 2001 (in press
Determining Parameters of Cool Giant Stars by Modeling Spectrophotometric and Interferometric Observations Using the SAtlas Program
Context: Optical interferometry is a powerful tool for observing the
intensity structure and angular diameter of stars. When combined with
spectroscopy and/or spectrophotometry, interferometry provides a powerful
constraint for model stellar atmospheres. Aims: The purpose of this work is to
test the robustness of the spherically symmetric version of the Atlas stellar
atmosphere program, SAtlas, using interferometric and spectrophotometric
observations. Methods: Cubes (three dimensional grids) of model stellar
atmospheres, with dimensions of luminosity, mass, and radius, are computed to
fit observations for three evolved giant stars, \psi Phoenicis, \gamma
Sagittae, and \alpha Ceti. The best-fit parameters are compared with previous
results. Results: The best-fit angular diameters and values of \chi^2 are
consistent with predictions using Phoenix and plane-parallel Atlas models. The
predicted effective temperatures, using SAtlas, are about 100 to 200 K lower,
and the predicted luminosities are also lower due to the differences in
effective temperatures. Conclusions: It is shown that the SAtlas program is a
robust tool for computing models of extended stellar atmospheres that are
consistent with observations. The best-fit parameters are consistent with
predictions using Phoenix models, and the fit to the interferometric data for
\psi Phe differs slightly, although both agree within the uncertainty of the
interferometric observations.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in A&A as a Research
Not
Spectral synthesis of circumstellar disks - application to white dwarf debris disks
Gas and dust disks are common objects in the universe and can be found around
various objects, e.g. young stars, cataclysmic variables, active galactic
nuclei, or white dwarfs. The light that we receive from disks provides us with
clues about their composition, temperature, and density. In order to better
understand the physical and chemical dynamics of these disks, self-consistent
radiative transfer simulations are inevitable. Therefore, we have developed a
1+1D radiative transfer code as an extension to the well-established model
atmosphere code \verb!PHOENIX!. We will show the potential of the application
of our code to model the spectra of white dwarf debris disks.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to appear in: Proceedings of the 16th European
Workshop on White Dwarf
Molecular line opacity of LiCl in the mid-infrared spectra of brown dwarfs
We present a complete line list for the X 1Sigma+ electronic ground state of
LiCl computed using fully quantum-mechanical techniques. This list includes
transition energies and oscillator strengths in the spectral region
0.3-39,640.7 cm-1 for all allowed rovibrational transitions in absorption
within the electronic ground state. The calculations were performed using an
accurate hybrid potential constructed from a spectral inversion fit of
experimental data and from recent multi-reference single- and double-excitation
configuration interaction calculations. The line list was incorporated into the
stellar atmosphere code PHOENIX to compute spectra for a range of young to old
T dwarf models. The possibility of observing a signature of LiCl in absorption
near 15.8 microns is addressed and the proposal to use this feature to estimate
the total lithium elemental abundance for these cool objects is discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ 613,
Sept. 20 200
- …