Pulsational instability of yellow hypergiants

Instability of population I (X = 0.7, Z = 0.02) massive stars against radial oscillations during the post-main-sequence gravitational contraction of the helium core is investigated. Initial stellar masses are in the range 65M _⊙ ≤ M _ZAMS ≤ 90M _⊙. In hydrodynamic computations of self-exciting stellar oscillations we assumed that energy transfer in the envelope of the pulsating star is due to radiative heat conduction and convection. The convective heat transfer was treated in the framework of the theory of time-dependent turbulent convection. During evolutionary expansion of outer layers after hydrogen exhaustion in the stellar core the star is shown to be unstable against radial oscillations while its effective temperature is T _eff > 6700 K for M _ZAMS = 65M _⊙ and T _eff > 7200 K for M _ZAMS = 90M _⊙. Pulsational instability is due to the κ-mechanism in helium ionization zones and at lower effective temperature oscillations decay because of significantly increasing convection. The upper limit of the period of radial pulsations on this stage of evolution does not exceed ≈200 day. Radial oscillations of the hypergiant resume during evolutionary contraction of outer layers when the effective temperature is T _eff > 7300 K for M _ZAMS = 65M _⊙ and T _eff > 7600 K for M _ZAMS = 90M _⊙. Initially radial oscillations are due to instability of the first overtone and transition to fundamental mode pulsations takes place at higher effective temperatures (T _eff > 7700 K for M _ZAMS = 65M _⊙ and T _eff > 8200 K for M _ZAMS = 90M _⊙). The upper limit of the period of radial oscillations of evolving blueward yellow hypergiants does not exceed ≈130 day. Thus, yellow hypergiants are stable against radial stellar pulsations during the major part of their evolutionary stage.     

Instability of LBV stars against radial oscillations

Hydrodynamic calculations of nonlinear radial oscillations of LBV stars with effective temperatures 1.5 × 10⁴ K ⩽ T _eff ⩽ 3 × 10⁴ K and luminosities 1.2 × 10⁶ L _⊙ ⩽ L ⩽ 1.9 × 10⁶ L _⊙ have been performed. Models for the evolutionary sequences of Population I stars (X = 0.7, Z = 0.02) with initial masses 70M _⊙ ⩽ M _ZAMS ⩽ 90M _⊙ at the initial helium burning stage have been used as the initial conditions. The radial oscillations develop on a dynamical time scale and are nonlinear traveling waves propagating from the core boundary to the stellar surface. The amplitude of the velocity variations for the outer layers is several hundred km s⁻¹, while the bolometric magnitude variations are within ΔM _bol ⩽ 0_· ^m 2. The onset of oscillations is not related to the κ-mechanism and is attributable to the instability of a self-gravitating envelope gas whose adiabatic index is close to its critical value of Γ₁ = 4/3 due to the dominant contribution of radiation in the internal energy and pressure. The interval of magnitude variation periods (6 days ≤ II ≤ 31 days) encompasses all currently available estimates of the microvariability periods for LBV stars, suggesting that this type of nonstationarity is pulsational in origin.     

Mass-luminosity relation for massive stars

A catalog of massive (⩾10 M _⊙) stars in binary and multiple systems with well-known masses and luminosities has been compiled. The catalog is analyzed using a theoretical mass-luminosity relation. This relation allows both normal main-sequence stars and stars with peculiarities: with clear manifestations of mass transfer, mass accretion, and axial rotation, to be identified. Least-squares fitting of the observational data in the range of stellar masses 10M _⊙ ⩽ M ≲ 50 M _⊙ yields the relation L ∼ M ^2.76. An erratum to this article is available at .     

The Yields of r-Process Elements and Chemical Evolution of the Galaxy

The supernova yields of r-process elements are obtained as a function of the mass of their progenitor stars from the abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor stars on the left-side [{Ba/Mg}]--[{Mg/H}] boundary with a procedure proposed by Tsujimoto and Shigeyama. The ejected masses of r-process elements associated with stars of progenitor mass M _ms ≤ 18 M _⊙ are infertile sources and the SNe II with 20 M _⊙ ≤ M _ms ≤ 40 M _⊙ are the dominant source of r-process nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The ratio of these stars 20 M _⊙ ≤ M _ms ≤ 40 M _⊙ with compared to the all massive stars is about∼ 18%. In this paper, we present a simple model that describes a star's [r/Fe] in terms of the nucleosynthesis yields of r-process elements and the number of SN II explosions. Combined the r-process yields obtained by our procedure with the scatter model of the Galactic halo, the observed abundance patterns of the metal-poor stars can be well reproduced.     

The stellar mass spectrum of the open cluster NGC 3293

We have obtained and analyzed UBVRI CCD frames of the young, 4–10 Myr, open cluster NGC 3293 and the surrounding field in order to study its stellar content and determine the cluster’s IMF. We found significantly fewer lower mass stars, M≤2.5M _⊙, than expected. This is particularly so if a single age for the cluster of 4.6 Myr is adopted as derived from fitting evolutionary models to the upper main sequence. Some intermediate-mass stars near the main sequence in the HR diagram imply an age for the cluster of about 10 Myr. When compared with the Scalo (The stellar initial mass function. ASP conference series, vol. 24, p. 201, 1998) IMF scaled to the cluster IMF in the intermediate mass range, 2.5≤M/M _⊙≤8.0 where there is good agreement, the high mass stars have a distinctly flatter IMF, indicating an over abundance of these stars, and there is a sharp turnover in the distribution at lower masses. The radial density distribution of cluster stars in the massive and intermediate mass regimes indicate that these stars are more concentrated to the cluster core whereas the lower-mass stars show little concentration. We suggest that this is evidence supporting the formation of massive stars through accretion and/or coagulation processes in denser cluster cores at the expense of the lower mass proto-stars. R.W. Slawson and E.P. Horch are guest investigators at the University of Toronto Southern Observatory, Las Campanas, Chile.     

Effect of tidal evolution in determining the ages of eclipsing-variable early main sequence close binary systems

New Claret evolutionary model-tracks, constructed for the first time for studying close binary systems (CBS) including tidal evolution constants, are used to determine the age of 112 eclipsing-variable stars in the Svechnikov-Perevozkina catalog by the method of isochrones. There is some interest in comparing the calculated ages with previous estimates obtained for these same close binary systems using evolutionary modeltracks for individual stars taking their mass loss into account. A correlation of the ages of the principal and secondary components is noted, which is most marked for massive close binaries with principal components having masses M₁ ≥ 3 M_⊙. A rejuvenating effect is found to occur for the systems studied here as calculated on the new tracks; it is most distinct for low-mass close binaries with a total mass M₁ + M₂ ≤ 3.5 M_⊙ and is predicted theoretically in terms of magnetic braking. The calculated broadband grid of isochrones, from zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) to the age of the galaxy, can be used for estimating the ages of close binaries from other catalogs. Ages are given for the 112 eclipsing-variable close binaries with detached components lying within the main sequence. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 299–312 (May 2007).     

Mass—luminosity relation and pulsational properties of Wolf—Rayet stars

The evolution of Population I stars with initial masses 70M _⊙ ≤ M _ZAMS ≤ 130M _⊙ is considered. The computations were performed under various assumptions about the mass loss rate and were terminated at the phase of gravitational contraction after core helium exhaustion. The mass loss rate at the helium burning phase, ?_3α , is shown to be the main parameter that determines the coefficients of the mass—luminosity relation for Wolf—Rayet stars. Several more accurate mass—luminosity relations for mass loss rates ? = f _3α ?_3α , where 0.5 ≤ f _3α ≤ 3, are suggested, along with the mass—luminosity relation that combines all of the evolutionary sequences considered. The results of the stellar evolution computations were used as initial conditions in solving the hydrodynamic equations describing the spherically symmetric motions of a self-gravitating gas. The outer layers of massive Population I stars are unstable against radial oscillations throughout the helium burning phase. The oscillation amplitude is largest at enhanced carbon and oxygen abundances in the outer stellar layers, i.e., at a lower initial stellar mass M _ZAMS or a lower mass loss rate during the entire preceding evolution. In the course of evolution, the radial oscillation amplitude decreases and the small nonlinearity of the oscillations at M < 10M _⊙ allow the integral of mechanical work W done by an elementary spherical layer of gas in a closed thermodynamic cycle to be calculated with the necessary accuracy. The maximum of the radial dependence of W is shown to be located in layers with a gas temperature T ～ 2 × 10⁵ K, where the oscillations are excited by the iron Z-bump κ-mechanism. Comparison of the radial dependences of the integral of mechanical work W and the amplitude of the radiative flux variations suggests that the nonlinear radial oscillations of more massive Wolf—Rayet stars are also excited by the κ-mechanism.     

First stars. I. Evolution without mass loss

The first generation of stars was formed from primordial gas. Numerical simulations suggest that the first stars were predominantly very massive, with typical masses M≥100M _⊙. These stars were responsible for the reionization of the universe, the initial enrichment of the intergalactic medium with heavy elements, and other cosmological consequences. In this work, we study the structure of Zero Age Main-Sequence stars for a wide mass and metallicity range and the evolution of 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300M _⊙ galactic and pregalactic Pop III very massive stars without mass loss, with metallicity Z=10⁻⁶ and 10⁻⁹, respectively. Using a stellar evolution code, a system of 10 equations together with boundary conditions are solved simultaneously. For the change of chemical composition, which determines the evolution of a star, a diffusion treatment for convection and semiconvection is used. A set of 30 nuclear reactions are solved simultaneously with the stellar structure and evolution equations. Several results on the main sequence, and during the hydrogen and helium burning phases, are described. Low-metallicity massive stars are hotter and more compact and luminous than their metal-enriched counterparts. Due to their high temperatures, pregalactic stars activate sooner the triple alpha reaction self-producing their own heavy elements. Both galactic and pregalactic stars are radiation pressure dominated and evolve below the Eddington luminosity limit with short lifetimes. The physical characteristics of the first stars have significant influence in predictions of the ionizing photon yields from the first luminous objects; also they develop large convective cores with important helium core masses which are important for explosion calculations.     

Production of dust by massive stars at high redshift

The large amounts of dust detected in sub-millimeter galaxies and quasars at high redshift pose a challenge to galaxy formation models and theories of cosmic dust formation. At z>6 only stars of relatively high mass (>3 M_⊙) are sufficiently short-lived to be potential stellar sources of dust. This review is devoted to identifying and quantifying the most important stellar channels of rapid dust formation. We ascertain the dust production efficiency of stars in the mass range 3–40 M_⊙ using both observed and theoretical dust yields of evolved massive stars and supernovae (SNe) and provide analytical expressions for the dust production efficiencies in various scenarios. We also address the strong sensitivity of the total dust productivity to the initial mass function. From simple considerations, we find that, in the early Universe, high-mass (>3 M_⊙) asymptotic giant branch stars can only be dominant dust producers if SNe generate ≲3×10⁻³ M_⊙ of dust whereas SNe prevail if they are more efficient. We address the challenges in inferring dust masses and star-formation rates from observations of high-redshift galaxies. We conclude that significant SN dust production at high redshift is likely required to reproduce current dust mass estimates, possibly coupled with rapid dust grain growth in the interstellar medium.     

Pulsations of intermediate–mass stars on the asymptotic giant branch

Evolutionary tracks from the zero age main sequence to the asymptotic giant branch were computed for stars with initial masses 2 M _⊙ ≤ M _ZAMS ≤ 5 M _⊙ and metallicity Z = 0.02. Some models of evolutionary sequences were used as initial conditions for equations of radiation hydrodynamics and turbulent convection describing radial stellar pulsations. The early asymptotic giant branch stars are shown to pulsate in the fundamental mode with periods 30 day ? Π ? 400day. The rate of period change gradually increases as the star evolves but is too small to be detected (Π?/Π < 10^?5 yr^?1). Pulsation properties of thermally pulsing AGB stars are investigated on time intervals comprising 17 thermal pulses for evolutionary sequences with initial masses M _ZAMS = 2 M _⊙ and 3 M _⊙ and 6 thermal pulses for M _ZAMS = 4 M _⊙ and 5 M _⊙. Stars with initial masses M _ZAMS ≤ 3 M _⊙ pulsate either in the fundamental mode or in the first overtone, whereas more massive red giants (M _ZAMS ≥ 4 M _⊙) pulsate in the fundamental mode with periods Π ? 10³ day. Most rapid pulsation period change with rate ?0.02 yr^?1 ? Π?/Π ? ?0.01 yr^?1 occurs during decrease of the surface luminosity after the maximum of the luminosity in the helium shell source. The rate of subsequent increase of the period is Π?/Π ? 5 × 10^?3 yr^?1.     

Evolution and Period Change in RR Lyr Variables of the Globular Cluster M 3

The grid of evolutionary tracks of population II stars with initial masses 0.81 M_⊙ ≤ M_ZAMS ≤ 0.85 M_⊙ and chemical composition of the globular cluster M3 is computed. Selected models of horizontal branch stars were used as initial conditions for solution of the equations of radiation hydrodynamics and time–dependent convection describing radial stellar oscillations. The boundaries of the instability strip on the Herztsprung–Russel diagram were determined using ≈100 hydrodynamic models of RR Lyr pulsating variables. For each evolutionary track crossing the instability strip the pulsation period was determined as a function of evolutinary time. The rate of period change of most variables is shown to range within ?0.02 ≤ \(\dot{\Pi}\) ≤ 0.05 day/10⁶ yr. Theoretical estimate of the mean period change rate obtained by the population synthesis method is 〈\(\dot{\Pi}\)〉 = 6.0 × 10^?3 day/10⁶ yr and agrees well with observations of RR Lyr variables of the globular cluster M3.     

Relativistic evolution of 103 M ⊙ star

A fully relativistic evolution of 10³ M is described for initial composition ofY=Z=0. Our results show that (a) a great part of the star is in radiative equilibrium, (b) the maximal red-shift for main-sequence 10³ M stars is significantly less than for isentropic models, and (c) a very low amount of CNO elements (<10^–8 by mass) is formed at any stage before hydrogen is completely consumed and hence such stars cannot be the progenitors of Population II stars.     

Composite spectra

Composite-spectrum binary stars generally consist of a late-type giant and a main-sequence star of type A or B. Their spectra are therefore rather confusing; but by a technique of digital subtraction of the spectra of appropriate single late-type giants, composite spectra can be split into their individual components. In favourable cases the radial velocities of both components can be measured and the mass ratio determined. The procedures are illustrated by reference to HR 6902, a fifth-magnitude composite-spectrum binary. Its components are shown to have spectral types of G9 II and B8 V, with a mass ratio of 1.31, and its orbit is determined. There is some evidence that the system shows eclipses. If it does, the masses of the components are 3.9 and 3.0M⊙ respectively, and HR 6902 becomes the sixth known member of the important class ofζ Aur binaries.     

The effect of screening factors and thermonuclear reaction rates in the pre-main sequence evolution of low mass stars

In understanding the nucleosynthesis of the elements in stars, one of the most important quantities is the reaction rate and it must be evaluated in terms of the stellar temperature T, and its determination involves the knowledge of the excitation function σ(E) of the specific nuclear reaction leading to the final nucleus. In this paper, the effect of thermonuclear reaction rates to the pre-main sequence evolution of low mass stars having masses 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1M_⊙ are studied by using our modified Stellar Evolutionary Program.     

The evolutionary behaviour of population III intermediate mass stars

Assuming the Big-Bang nucleosynthesis was responsible for the formation of helium, the evolution of first-generation intermediate-mass stars of 5, 7, and 9M with no metals have been studied from the threshold of stability through the stage of helium exhaustion in the cores of the stars. Hydrogen Main-Sequence positions are marked at effective temperatures higher than those of normal stars. The evolutionary tracks during the hydrogen burning phase start to be similar to those of normal stars when the CN-cycle reactions, which are controlled by the triple-alpha reactions, become operative for hydrogen depletion. Helium Main Sequence of Population III stars of intermediate mass occurs at the high effective temperature region of the H-R diagram and stars stay as blue stars until the end of the core helium exhaustion phase. The total time elapsed is in the range of 3×10⁷ and 10⁸yr. The stars with the initial masses of 5, 7, and 9M developed a moderately electron degenerate complete hydrogen-exhausted region with masses of 0.77, 1.06, and 1.42M , respectively, in which the most abundant element is carbon.     

Theoretical rates of pulsation period change in the Galactic Cepheids

Theoretical estimates of the rates of radial pulsation period change in Galactic Cepheids with initial masses 5.5 M _⊙ ≤ M _ZAMS ≤ 13 M _⊙, chemical composition X = 0.7, Z = 0.02 and periods 1.5 day ≤ Π ≤ 100 day are obtained from consistent stellar evolution and nonlinear stellar pulsation computations. Pulsational instability was investigated for three crossings of the instability strip by the evolutionary track in the HR diagram. The first crossing occurs at the post-main sequence helium core gravitational contraction stage which proceeds in the Kelvin-Helmholtz timescale whereas the second and the third crossings take place at the evolutionary stage of thermonuclear core helium burning. During each crossing of the instability strip the period of radial pulsations is a quadratic function of the stellar evolution time. Theoretical rates of the pulsation period change agree with observations but the scatter of observational estimates of \(\dot \Pi\) noticeably exceeds the width of the band \(\left( {\delta \log \left| {\dot \Pi } \right| \leqslant 0.6} \right)\) confining evolutionary tracks in the period-period change rate diagram. One of the causes of the large scatter with very high values of \(\dot \Pi\) in Cepheids with increasing periods might be the stars that cross the instability strip for the first time. Their fraction ranges from 2% for M _ZAMS = 5.5 M _⊙ to 9% for M _ZAMS = 13 M _⊙ and variables α UMi and IX Cas seem to belong to such objects.     

Pregalactic-primordial low-mass stars

The Main-Sequence positions as well as the evolutionary behavior of Population III stars up to an evolution age of 2×10¹⁰ yr, taking this time as the age of the Universe, have been investigated in the mass range 0.2 and 0.8M . While Population III stars with masses greater than 0.3M develop a radiative core during the approach to the Main Sequence, stars with masses smaller than 0.3M reach the Main Sequence as a wholly convective stars. Population III stars with masses greater than 0.5M show a brightening of at most 2.2 in bolometric magnitude when the evolution is terminated as compared to the value which corresponds to zero-age Main Sequence. The positions of stars with masses smaller than 0.5M remain almost the same in the H-R diagram.If Population III stars have formed over a range of redshifts, 6相似文献   

Radial Velocity and Light Curves Analysis of the Contact Binary V839 Ophiuchi

Complete UBV light curves of the W Ursae Majoris binary V839 Ophobtained in the year 2000 are presented. The available spectroscopic data of V839 Oph is new and we used the first radial velocity data of this system obtained by Rucinski and Lu (1999)for analysis. The radial velocity and light curves analysis was made with the latest version of Wilson programme (1998) and the geometric and physical elements of the system are derived. By searching the simultaneous solutions of the system we have determined the masses and radii of the components: 1.61M _⊙and 1.49402R _⊙ for the primary component; 0.50M _⊙and 0.90147R _⊙ for the secondary component. We estimate deffective temperatures of 6650±18 (K) for the primary and6554±15 (K) for the secondary component. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evolution and the period-luminosity relation for red supergiants in the Magellanic Clouds

Excitation of radial pulsations in red supergiants of Magellanic Clouds is investigated using the stellar evolution calculations and the self-consistent solution of the equations of radiation hydrodynamics and turbulent convection. The stars with initial masses 6M _⊙ ≤ M _ZAMS ≤ 28M _⊙ and the initial chemical composition X = 0.7, 0.004 ≤ Z ≤ 0.008 are shown to be unstable against fundamental mode oscillations with periods from 17 to 1200 days as they become helium burning red supergiants. The period-luminosity relation slightly depends on the mass loss rate varying with a factor of three, whereas its dependence on the metal abundance is given by δM _bol = 0.89δ log Z. In comparison with galactic red supergiants the low metal abundances in red supergiants of Magellanic Clouds are responsible for their higher effective temperatures and substantially narrower ranges of evolutionary radius change during helium burning. Therefore on the period-mass diagram the red supergiants of Magellanic Clouds are located within the strip with width of δ logM ≈ 0.09, so that the uncertainty of mass evaluation of the red supergiant with the known pulsation period is nearly 25%.     

Interactive Winds in Low-Mass Evolved Stars

Hypersonic flows occur in the late evolutionary stages of low to intermediate mass stars (M _ZAMS < 8M⊙). We present, from an observational point of view, the story of the matter ejected and shaped by different stellar winds. From the end of the Asymptotic Giant Branch to the Planetary Nebulae phases, the temperature and density both of the star and of the gas and dust envelope show drastic variations over a few thousand of years. We present multiwavelength (X-ray to radio) signatures of the outflows, observed through spectra and images of the consecutive phases, and discuss some open questions (bipolar morphology, microstructures,...). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.