10 research outputs found
Calibrating angular momentum transport in intermediate-mass stars from gravity-mode asteroseismology
The physical mechanisms driving the transport of angular momentum in stars
are not fully understood, as current models cannot explain the observed stellar
rotation profiles across all stages of evolution. By making use of pulsating
F-type dwarfs, this work aims at (i) observationally calibrating the efficiency
of angular momentum transport, assuming a constant uniform viscosity, and (ii)
testing how well state-of-the-art rotating stellar models with angular momentum
(AM) transport by rotationally-induced processes can explain observed rotation
profiles. In both cases, the aim is to simultaneously reproduce the measured
near-core rotation and core-to-surface rotation ratio. Asteroseismic modelling
is applied to a sample of seven slowly rotating pulsators, to derive (core)
masses and ages from their gravity-mode oscillations. This work focuses on the
main sequence, using models that start with an initial uniform rotation
frequency at the start of core-hydrogen burning that is a free parameter. Two
treatments of AM transport are considered: (i) a constant uniform viscosity,
and (ii) rotationally-induced processes. Next, the initial rotation frequency
of each star is derived from the observed present-day near-core rotation
frequency for both treatments. To explain the near-core rotation rate at the
inferred age, initial rotation frequencies at the zero-age main sequence need
to be below 10 percent of the initial critical break-up frequency. A diffusive
approximation of angular momentum transport can in general explain the observed
rotation profiles of the six slowly-rotating F-type dwarfs, for average values
of the viscosity between 2x10^5 and 5x10^7 cm^2/s or when the viscosity is
computed from rotationally-induced mechanisms. Yet, for three stars in the
sample, the core-to-surface rotation fraction from rotationally-induced
mechanisms is predicted to be higher than observed.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics, 13 page
The first two-dimensional stellar structure and evolution models of rotating stars
Rotation is a key ingredient in the theory of stellar structure and
evolution. Until now, stellar evolution codes operate in a 1-D framework for
which the validity domain in regards to the rotation rate is not well
understood. This letter aims at presenting the first results of self-consistent
stellar models in two spatial dimensions that compute the time evolution of a
star and its rotation rate along the main sequence together with a comparison
to observations. We make use of an extended version of the ESTER code that
solves the stellar structure of a rotating star in two dimensions with time
evolution, including chemical evolution, and an implementation of rotational
mixing. We have computed evolution tracks for a 12Msun model, once for an
initial rotation rate equal to 15% of the critical frequency, and once for 50%.
We first show that our model initially rotating at 15% of the critical
frequency is able to reproduce all the observations of the Cephei star
HD 192575 recently studied by Burssens et al. with asteroseismology. Beyond the
classical surface parameters like effective temperature or luminosity, our
model also reproduces the core mass along with the rotation rate of the core
and envelope at the estimated age of the star. This particular model also shows
that the meridional circulation has a negligible influence on the transport of
chemical elements, like nitrogen, for which the abundance may be increased at
the stellar surface. Furthermore, it shows that in the late main sequence,
nuclear evolution is faster than the relaxation time needed to reach a steady
state of the star angular momentum distribution. We have demonstrated that we
have successfully taken the new step towards 2-D evolutionary modelling of
rotating stars. It opens new perspectives on the understanding of the dynamics
of fast rotating stars and on the way rotation impacts stellar evolution.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters, 9 page
Constraining stellar evolution theory with asteroseismology of Doradus stars using deep learning
The efficiency of the transport of angular momentum and chemical elements
inside intermediate-mass stars lacks proper calibration, thereby introducing
uncertainties on a star's evolutionary pathway. Improvements require better
estimation of stellar masses, evolutionary stages, and internal mixing
properties. We aim to develop a neural network approach for asteroseismic
modelling and test its capacity to provide stellar masses, ages, and
overshooting parameter for a sample of 37 Doradus stars. Here, our
goal is to perform the parameter estimation from modelling of individual
periods measured for dipole modes with consecutive radial order. We have
trained neural networks to predict theoretical pulsation periods of high-order
gravity modes as well as the luminosity, effective temperature, and surface
gravity for a given mass, age, overshooting parameter, diffusive envelope
mixing, metallicity, and near-core rotation frequency. We have applied our
neural networks for Computing Pulsation Periods and Photospheric Observables,
C-3PO, to our sample and compute grids of stellar pulsation models for the
estimated parameters. We present the near-core rotation rates (from literature)
as a function of the inferred stellar age and critical rotation rate. We assess
the rotation rates of the sample near the start of the main sequence assuming
rigid rotation. Furthermore, we measure the extent of the core overshoot region
and find no correlation with mass, age, or rotation. The neural network
approach developed in this study allows for the derivation of stellar
properties dominant for stellar evolution -- such as mass, age, and extent of
core-boundary mixing. It also opens a path for future estimation of mixing
profiles throughout the radiative envelope, with the aim to infer those
profiles for large samples of Doradus stars.Comment: 35 pages, 63 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Asteroseismic modeling of gravity modes in slowly rotating A/F stars with radiative levitation
It has been known for several decades that transport of chemical elements is
induced by the process of microscopic atomic diffusion. Yet, the effect of
atomic diffusion, including radiative levitation, has hardly been studied in
the context of gravity mode pulsations of core-hydrogen burning stars. In this
paper, we study the difference in the properties of such modes for models with
and without atomic diffusion. We perform asteroseismic modeling of two slowly
rotating A- and F-type pulsators, KIC11145123 () and KIC9751996 (),
respectively, based on the periods of individual gravity modes. For both stars,
we find models whose g-mode periods are in very good agreement with the {\it
Kepler\/} asteroseismic data, keeping in mind that the theoretical/numerical
precision of present-day stellar evolution models is typically about two orders
of magnitude lower than the measurement errors. Using the Akaike Information
Criterion (AIC) we have made a comparison between our best models with and
without diffusion, and found very strong evidence for signatures of atomic
diffusion in the pulsations of KIC11145123. In the case of KIC9751996 the
models with atomic diffusion are not able to explain the data as well as the
models without it. Furthermore, we compare the observed surface abundances with
those predicted by the best fitting models. The observed abundances are
inconclusive for KIC9751996, while those of KIC11145123 from the literature can
better be explained by a model with atomic diffusion.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap
A calibration point for stellar evolution from massive star asteroseismology
Massive stars are progenitors of supernovae, neutron stars and black holes.
During the hydrogen-core burning phase their convective cores are the prime
drivers of their evolution, but inferences of core masses are subject to
unconstrained boundary mixing processes. Moreover, uncalibrated transport
mechanisms can lead to strong envelope mixing and differential radial rotation.
Ascertaining the efficiency of the transport mechanisms is challenging because
of a lack of observational constraints. Here we deduce the convective core mass
and robustly demonstrate non-rigid radial rotation in a supernova progenitor,
the solar-mass hydrogen-burning star HD 192575, using
asteroseismology, TESS photometry, high-resolution spectroscopy, and Gaia
astrometry. We infer a convective core mass (
solar masses), and find the core to be rotating between 1.4 and 6.3 times
faster than the stellar envelope depending on the location of the rotational
shear layer. Our results deliver a robust inferred core mass of a massive star
using asteroseismology from space-based photometry. HD 192575 is a unique
anchor point for studying interior rotation and mixing processes, and thus also
angular momentum transport mechanisms inside massive stars.Comment: 41 pages, 5 figures, 1 table. Version comment: updated erroneous
affiliatio
Weighing stars from birth to death : mass determination methods across the HRD
Funding: C.A., J.S.G.M., and M.G.P. received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 670519: MAMSIE). N.B. gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Royal Society (University Research Fellowships) and from the European Research Council (ERC-CoG-646928, Multi-Pop).The mass of a star is the most fundamental parameter for its structure, evolution, and final fate. It is particularly important for any kind of stellar archaeology and characterization of exoplanets. There exist a variety of methods in astronomy to estimate or determine it. In this review we present a significant number of such methods, beginning with the most direct and model-independent approach using detached eclipsing binaries. We then move to more indirect and model-dependent methods, such as the quite commonly used isochrone or stellar track fitting. The arrival of quantitative asteroseismology has opened a completely new approach to determine stellar masses and to complement and improve the accuracy of other methods. We include methods for different evolutionary stages, from the pre-main sequence to evolved (super)giants and final remnants. For all methods uncertainties and restrictions will be discussed. We provide lists of altogether more than 200 benchmark stars with relative mass accuracies between [0.3 ,2 ]% for the covered mass range of M ∈[0.1 ,16 ] M⊙ , 75 % of which are stars burning hydrogen in their core and the other 25 % covering all other evolved stages. We close with a recommendation how to combine various methods to arrive at a "mass-ladder" for stars.PostprintPeer reviewe
Weighing stars from birth to death: mass determination methods across the HRD
The mass of a star is the most fundamental parameter for its structure,
evolution, and final fate. It is particularly important for any kind of stellar
archaeology and characterization of exoplanets. There exists a variety of
methods in astronomy to estimate or determine it. In this review we present a
significant number of such methods, beginning with the most direct and
model-independent approach using detached eclipsing binaries. We then move to
more indirect and model-dependent methods, such as the quite commonly used
isochrone or stellar track fitting. The arrival of quantitative
asteroseismology has opened a completely new approach to determine stellar
masses and to complement and improve the accuracy of other methods. We include
methods for different evolutionary stages, from the pre-main sequence to
evolved (super)giants and final remnants. For all methods uncertainties and
restrictions will be discussed. We provide lists of altogether more than 200
benchmark stars with relative mass accuracies between for the
covered mass range of M\in [0.1,16]\,\msun, of which are stars burning
hydrogen in their core and the other covering all other evolved stages.
We close with a recommendation how to combine various methods to arrive at a
"mass-ladder" for stars.Comment: Invited review article for The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. 146
pages, 16 figures, 11 tables. Accepted version by the Journal. It includes
summary figure of accuracy/precision of methods for mass ranges and summary
table for individual method
Predictions for Gravity-mode Periods and Surface Abundances in Intermediate-mass Dwarfs from Shear Mixing and Radiative Levitation
International audienceThe treatment of chemical mixing in the radiative envelopes of intermediate-mass stars has hardly been calibrated so far. Recent asteroseismic studies demonstrated that a constant diffusion coefficient in the radiative envelope is not able to explain the periods of trapped gravity modes in the oscillation spectra of γ Doradus pulsators. We present a new generation of MESA stellar models with two major improvements. First, we present a new implementation for computing radiative accelerations and Rosseland mean opacities that requires significantly less CPU time. Second, the inclusion of shear mixing based on rotation profiles computed with the 2D stellar structure code ESTER is considered. We show predictions for the mode periods of these models covering stellar masses from 1.4 to 3.0 M ⊙ across the main sequence, computed for different metallicities. The morphology of the chemical mixing profile resulting from shear mixing in combination with atomic diffusion and radiative levitation does allow for mode trapping, while the diffusion coefficient in the outer envelope is large (>106 cm2 s-1). Furthermore, we make predictions for the evolution of surface abundances for which radiative accelerations can be computed. We find that the N/C and C/O abundance ratios correlate with stellar age. We predict that these correlations are observable with precisions ≲ 0.1 dex on these ratios, given that a precise age estimate can be made
A homogeneous spectroscopic analysis of a
Context. Asteroseismic modelling of the internal structure of main-sequence stars born with a convective core has so far been based on homogeneous analyses of space photometric Kepler light curves of four years in duration, to which most often incomplete inhomogeneously-deduced spectroscopic information was added to break degeneracies.
Aims. Our goal is twofold: (1) to compose an optimal sample of gravity-mode pulsators observed by the Kepler space telescope for joint asteroseismic and spectroscopic stellar modelling, and (2) to provide spectroscopic parameters for its members, deduced in a homogeneous way.
Methods. We assembled HERMES high-resolution optical spectroscopy at the 1.2 m Mercator telescope for 111 dwarfs, whose Kepler light curves allowed for the determination of their near-core rotation rates. Our spectroscopic information offers additional observational input to also model the envelope layers of these non-radially pulsating dwarfs.
Results. We determined stellar parameters and surface abundances from atmospheric analysis with spectrum normalisation based on a new machine-learning tool. Our results suggest a systematic overestimation of metallicity ([M/H]) in the literature for the studied F-type dwarfs, presumably due to normalisation limitations caused by the dense line spectrum of these rotating stars. CNO surface abundances were found to be uncorrelated with the rotation properties of the F-type stars. For the B-type stars, we find a hint of deep mixing from C and O abundance ratios; N abundance uncertainties are too great to reveal a correlation of N with the rotation of the stars.
Conclusions. Our spectroscopic stellar parameters and abundance determinations allow for the future joint spectroscopic, astrometric (Gaia), and asteroseismic modelling of this legacy sample of gravity-mode pulsators, with the aim of improving our understanding of transport processes in the core-hydrogen burning phase of stellar evolution
Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA): Time-dependent Convection, Energy Conservation, Automatic Differentiation, and Infrastructure
peer reviewedWe update the capabilities of the open-knowledge software instrument Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA). The new auto_diff module implements automatic differentiation in MESA, an enabling capability that alleviates the need for hard-coded analytic expressions or finite-difference approximations. We significantly enhance the treatment of the growth and decay of convection in MESA with a new model for time-dependent convection, which is particularly important during late-stage nuclear burning in massive stars and electron-degenerate ignition events. We strengthen MESA’s implementation of the equation of state, and we quantify continued improvements to energy accounting and solver accuracy through a discussion of different energy equation features and enhancements. To improve the modeling of stars in MESA, we describe key updates to the treatment of stellar atmospheres, molecular opacities, Compton opacities, conductive opacities, element diffusion coefficients, and nuclear reaction rates. We introduce treatments of starspots, an important consideration for low-mass stars, and modifications for superadiabatic convection in radiation-dominated regions. We describe new approaches for increasing the efficiency of calculating monochromatic opacities and radiative levitation, and for increasing the efficiency of evolving the late stages of massive stars with a new operator-split nuclear burning mode. We close by discussing major updates to MESA’s software infrastructure that enhance source code development and community engagement