854 research outputs found
A connection between the morphology of the X-ray emission and rotation for solar-type stars in open clusters
It is suggested that the three-segmented morphology of the soft X-ray
emission from cluster and field stars may be understood in terms of the recent
classification of rotating stars into three kinds: those lying on the
convective sequence, on the interface sequence, or in the gap between them.Comment: 7 pages, 1 (color) figure, accepted by ApJ Letter
Rotation periods of late-type stars in the young open cluster IC 2602
We present the results of a monitoring campaign aimed at deriving rotation
periods for a representative sample of stars in the young (30 Myr) open cluster
IC 2602. Rotation periods were derived for 29 of 33 stars monitored. The
periods derived range from 0.2d (one of the shortest known rotation periods of
any single open cluster star) to about 10d (which is almost twice as long as
the longest period previously known for a cluster of this age). We are able to
confirm 8 previously known periods and derive 21 new ones, delineating the long
period end of the distribution. Despite our sensitivity to longer periods, we
do not detect any variables with periods longer than about 10d. The combination
of these data with those for IC 2391, an almost identical cluster, leads to the
following conclusions:
1) The fast rotators in a 30 Myr cluster are distributed across the entire
0.5 < B-V < 1.6 color range.
2) 6 stars in our sample are slow rotators, with periods longer than 6d.
3) The amplitude of variability depends on both the color and the period. The
dependence on the latter might be important in understanding the selection
effects in the currently available rotation period database and in planning
future observations.
4) The interpretation of these data in terms of theoretical models of
rotating stars suggests both that disk-interaction is the norm rather than the
exception in young stars and that disk-locking times range from zero to a few
Myr.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
X-Shooter spectroscopy of FU Tau A
We have analyzed a broad-band optical and near-infrared spectrum of FU Tau A,
a presumed young brown dwarf in the Taurus star forming region that has
intrigued both theorists and observers by its over-luminosity in the HR diagram
with respect to standard pre-main sequence evolutionary models. The new data,
obtained with the X-Shooter spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope, include
an unprecedented wealth of information on stellar parameters and simultaneously
observed accretion and outflow indicators for FU Tau A. We present the first
measurements of gravity (log g = 3.5 +- 0.5), radial velocity (RV = 22.5 +- 2.9
km/s), rotational velocity (v sin(i) = 20 +- 5 km/s) and lithium equivalent
width (W_Li = 430 +- 20 mAA) for FUTau A. From the rotational velocity and the
published period we infer a disk inclination of i ~ 50^deg. The lithium content
is much lower than theoretically expected for such a young very low mass
object, adding another puzzling feature to this object's properties. We
determine the mass accretion rate of FU Tau A from comparison of the
luminosities of 24 emission lines to empirical calibrations from the literature
and find a mean of log (dM/dt)_acc [M_sun/yr] = -9.9 +- 0.2. The accretion rate
determined independently from modeling of the excess emission in the Balmer and
Paschen continua is consistent with this value. The corresponding accretion
luminosity is too small to make a significant contribution to the bolometric
luminosity. The existence of an outflow in FU Tau A is demonstrated through the
first detection of forbidden emission lines from which we obtain an estimate
for the mass loss rate, log (dM/dt)_out [M_sun/yr] < -10.4. The mass outflow
and inflow rates can be combined to yield (dM/dt)_out / (dM/dt)_acc ~ 0.3, a
value that is in agreement with jet launching models.Comment: 12 pages, accepted for publication in A&
A New X-Ray Analysis of the Open Cluster Blanco 1 Using Wide-Field BVIc Photometric and Proper Motion Surveys
We perform a new analysis of the extant ROSAT and XMM-Newton X-ray surveys of
the southern open cluster Blanco 1, utilizing new BVIc photometric and proper
motion data sets. In our study, we match optical counterparts to 47 X-ray
sources associated with Blanco 1 cluster members, 6 of which were listed in
previous X-ray studies as cluster nonmembers. Our new catalog of optical
counterparts to X-ray sources clearly traces out the Blanco 1 main sequence in
a CMD, extending from early G to mid-M spectral types. Additionally, we derive
new Lx as well as Lx/Lbol ratios for confirmed cluster members. We compare
these X-ray properties to other young open clusters, including the coeval
Pleiades cluster, to investigate the relationship between age and X-ray
activity. We find that stars in Blanco 1 generally exhibit X-ray properties
similar to those of other open clusters, namely increasing Lx/Lbol with
reducing mass for earlier-type stars, and a saturation limit of Lx/Lbol at a
magnitude of 10^-3 for stars with V-Ic > 1.25. More generally, the X-ray
detected stars in Blanco 1 have X-ray emission magnitudes that agree with the
overall trends seen in the other young clusters. In a direct comparison of
Blanco 1 to the Pleiades open cluster, members of both clusters have similar
X-ray characteristics; however, there does appear to be some discrepancies in
the distribution of Lx/Lbol as a function of color that may be related to
scatter seen in the Pleiades CMD. Moreover, previous comparisons of this nature
for Blanco 1 were not possible due to the reliance on photographic photometry.
This is where the power of precise, homogeneous, and standardized CCD
photometry allows for a high fidelity, detailed study of the X-ray properties
of stars in Blanco 1. [abridged]Comment: 16 Pages, 11 Figures, 4 Tables, accepted for publication in The
Astronomical Journa
Open clusters as key tracers of Galactic chemical evolution. III. Element abundances in Berkeley 20, Berkeley 29, Collinder 261, and Melotte 66
Galactic open clusters are since long recognized as one of the best tools for
investigating the radial distribution of iron and other metals. We employed
FLAMES at VLT to collect UVES spectra of bright giant stars in a large sample
of open clusters, spanning a wide range of Galactocentric distances, ages, and
metallicities. We present here the results for four clusters: Berkeley 20 and
Berkeley 29, the two most distant clusters in the sample; Collinder 261, the
oldest and the one with the minimum Galactocentric distance; Melotte 66.
Equivalent width analysis was carried out using the spectral code MOOG and
Kurucz model atmospheres to derive abundances of Fe, Al, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr,
Ni, Ba; non-LTE Na abundances were derived by direct line-profile fitting. We
obtain subsolar metallicities for the two anticenter clusters Be 20
([Fe/H]=-0.30, rms=0.02) and Be 29 ([Fe/H]=-0.31, rms=0.03), and for Mel 66
([Fe/H]=-0.33, rms=0.03), located in the third Galactic quadrant, while Cr 261,
located toward the Galactic center, has higher metallicity ([Fe/H]=+0.13,
rms=0.05 dex). The alpha-elements Si, Ca and Ti, and the Fe-peak elements Cr
and Ni are in general close to solar; the s-process element Ba is enhanced.
Non-LTE computations of Na abundances indicate solar scaled values, suggesting
that the enhancement in Na previously determined in giants in open clusters
could be due to neglected non-LTE effects. Our results support the presence of
a steep negative slope of the Fe radial gradient up to about 10-11 kpc from the
Galactic center, while in the outer disk the [Fe/H] distribution seems flat.
All the elemental ratios measured are in very good agreement with those found
for disk stars of similar metallicity and no trend with Galactocentric distance
seems to be present.Comment: Accepted for publication on A&
The Factory and The Beehive II. Activity and Rotation in Praesepe and the Hyades
Open clusters are collections of stars with a single, well-determined age,
and can be used to investigate the connections between angular-momentum
evolution and magnetic activity over a star's lifetime. We present the results
of a comparative study of the relationship between stellar rotation and
activity in two benchmark open clusters: Praesepe and the Hyades. As they have
the same age and roughly solar metallicity, these clusters serve as an ideal
laboratory for testing the agreement between theoretical and empirical
rotation-activity relations at 600 Myr. We have compiled a sample of
720 spectra --- more than half of which are new observations --- for 516
high-confidence members of Praesepe; we have also obtained 139 new spectra for
130 high-confidence Hyads. We have collected rotation periods () for
135 Praesepe members and 87 Hyads. To compare emission, an indicator
of chromospheric activity, as a function of color, mass, and Rossby number
, we first calculate an expanded set of values, with which we can
obtain the to bolometric luminosity ratio, ,
even when spectra are not flux-calibrated and/or stars lack reliable distances.
Our values cover a broader range of stellar masses and colors (roughly
equivalent to spectral types from K0 to M9), and exhibit better agreement
between independent calculations, than existing values. We find no difference
between the two clusters in their equivalent width or
distributions, and therefore take the merged
and data to be representative of 600-Myr-old stars. Our analysis
shows that activity in these stars is saturated for
. Above that value activity declines as a
power-law with slope , before dropping off rapidly
at ...Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures, Accepted by Ap
Element abundances in the metal rich open cluster NGC6253
We have carried out a big FLAMES survey of 10 Galactic open clusters aiming
at different goals. One of them is the determination of chemical abundances, in
order to put constraints on the radial metallicity gradient in the disk and its
evolution. One of the sample clusters is the very metal rich NGC 6253. We have
obtained UVES high resolution spectra of seven candidate cluster members (from
the turn off up to the red clump) with the goal of determining the chemical
composition of NGC 6253 and to investigate its origin and role in the
interpretation of the radial metallicity gradient in the disk. Equivalent width
analysis and spectral synthesis were performed using MOOG and Kurucz model
atmospheres. We derived abundances of Fe, alpha- and Fe-peak elements, the
light element Na and the s-process element Ba. Excluding two likely non-members
and the clump giant, whose metallicity from equivalent widths is overestimated,
we find an average [Fe/H]=+0.36+/-0.07 (rms) for the cluster. For most of the
other elements we derive solar abundance ratios.Comment: accepted by A&A (02/01/2007), 21 pages, 11 ps figure
Lithium abundances from the 6104A line in cool Pleiades stars
Lithium abundances determined by spectral synthesis from both the 6708A
resonance line and the 6104 subordinate line are reported for 11 late-type
Pleiades stars, including spectra previously analysed by Russell (1996). We
report a 0.7 dex scatter in the abundances from 6708A, and a scatter at least
as large from the 6104A line. We find a reasonable correllation between the
6104A and 6708A Li abundances, although four stars have 6104A-determined
abundances which are significantly larger than the 6708-determined values, by
up to 0.5 dex, suggesting problems with the homogeneous, one-dimensional
atmospheres being used. We show that these discrepancies can be explained,
although probably not uniquely, by the presence of star spots with plausible
coverage fractions. The addition of spots does not significantly reduce the
apparent scatter in Li abundances, leaving open the possibility that at least
some of the spread is caused by real star-to-star differences in pre-main-
sequence Li depletion.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures; Accepted by A&A 17/05/0
X-Shooter spectroscopy of young stellar objects: II. Impact of chromospheric emission on accretion rate estimates
Context. The lack of knowledge of photospheric parameters and the level of
chromospheric activity in young low-mass pre-main sequence stars introduces
uncertainties when measuring mass accretion rates in accreting (Class II) Young
Stellar Objects. A detailed investigation of the effect of chromospheric
emission on the estimates of mass accretion rate in young low-mass stars is
still missing. This can be undertaken using samples of young diskless (Class
III) K and M-type stars. Aims. Our goal is to measure the chromospheric
activity of Class III pre main sequence stars to determine its effect on the
estimates of accretion luminosity (Lacc) and mass accretion rate (Macc) in
young stellar objects with disks. Methods. Using VLT/X-Shooter spectra we have
analyzed a sample of 24 non-accreting young stellar objects of spectral type
between K5 and M9.5. We identify the main emission lines normally used as
tracers of accretion in Class II objects, and we determine their fluxes in
order to estimate the contribution of the chromospheric activity to the line
luminosity. Results. We have used the relationships between line luminosity and
accretion luminosity derived in the literature for Class II objects to evaluate
the impact of chromospheric activity on the accretion rate measurements. We
find that the typical chromospheric activity would bias the derived accretion
luminosity by Lacc,noise< 10-3Lsun, with a strong dependence with the Teff of
the objects. The noise on Macc depends on stellar mass and age, and the typical
values of log(Macc,noise) range between -9.2 to -11.6Msun/yr. Conclusions.
Values of Lacc< 10-3Lsun obtained in accreting low-mass pre main sequence stars
through line luminosity should be treated with caution as the line emission may
be dominated by the contribution of chromospheric activity.Comment: accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic
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