H2O and HDO bands in the spectra of late-type dwarfs

We discuss techniques and results of computations of the infrared spectra of late-type dwarfs. Our computations of the synthetic spectra and spectral energy distributions in the infrared (λλ 1–10 µm) were carried out assuming LTE, using the grids of M-and L-dwarf model atmospheres of Allard and Hauschildt (1995) and Tsuji (1998), taking into account the opacities due to H₂O and HDO absorption bands. We discuss the use of HDO bands formed in the infrared spectra of cool dwarfs to realize the “deuterium test” recently proposed for the identi fication of substellar-mass objects and large planets and to refine scenarios for the evolution of young stars and substellar objects.     

Resonance potassium and sodium lines in the spectra of ultracool dwarfs

We discuss the methodological problems and results of computations of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of L dwarfs. Over a wide wavelength interval (λλ4000–10 000 Å), the spectra of these stars are determined to a considerable extent by absorption in resonance lines of potassium (7666.961, 7701.031 Å) and sodium (5891.518, 5897.489 Å). We compute the extended wings of these lines using the theory of quasi-stationary broadening. We compute the cores and nearby wings (up to Δλ = 40 Å from the line center) of the KI and NaI lines in a collisional approximation (van der Waals theory). In our modeling of the SED of the ultracool dwarf 2MASS J15232263+3014562 (L8), we find that the observations agree best with the COND atmospheric models of Allard et al. with T _eff = 2200 K and log g = 6.0.     

Analysis of the spectral energy distributions of four cool R CrB stars near the brightness maximum

The effective temperatures T _eff and carbon and nitrogen abundances in the atmospheres of the cool R CrB stars ES Aql, SV Sge, Z UMi, and NSV 11154 have been determined by modeling their spectral energy distributions in the optical and near-infrared. The hydrogen-deficient model atmospheres were computed using the SAM12 code in the classical approximation, taking into account sources of opacity characteristic of the atmospheres of R CrB stars. The influence of the hydrogen deficiency on theoretical stellar spectra is analyzed. The resulting effective-temperature estimates for ES Aql, SV Sge, Z UMi, and NSV 11154 are in the range T _eff = 4600–5200 K. The carbon abundances log n(C) in the atmospheres of ES Aql, SV Sge, and Z UMi are 8.9–10.1, corresponding to [C/Fe] values typical of the atmospheres of R CrB stars. The nitrogen abundances are lower than those determined in other studies, and differ considerably from star to star. The mean [N/Fe] value for these three stars is ≈1.5 dex lowthan the mean [N/Fe] for known warm R CrB stars. Abnormally high estimates were obtained for the atmosphere of NSV 11154: log n(C) = 10.8 and log n(N) = 10.0. The approximate log g estimates agree with the conclusion from photometric observations that cool R CrB stars have lower luminosities than hotter R CrB stars.     

Collision-induced absorption of radiation in the atmospheres of late-type stars

Problems associated with taking into account absorption induced by collisions between hydrogen and helium atoms, helium atoms and hydrogen molecules, and hydrogen molecules, resulting in the formation of short-lived, quasi-molecular complexes are discussed, together with opacity in the atmospheres of late-type stars due to such absorption. There is good agreement between such opacities computed using codes developed by the author and by R. Kurucz. To demonstrate the importance of including collision-induced opacity, theoretical fluxes are compared to the observed spectral energy distribution of the metal-poor L subdwarf SDSS J125637.13-022452.4. The spectral energy distribution of this object can be reproduced with an effective temperature of T_eff = 2600 K only if collision-induced absorption is taken into account.     

Non-LTE effects in Mg I lines for various types of stars

We have performed a detailed statistical-equilibrium analysis based on a 49-level model of the magnesium atom for the atmospheres of stars of various spectral types: T _eff=4500–12000 K, logg=0.0–4.5, and [M/H]=0 to ?3. In the atmospheres of stars with T _eff>5500 K, deviations from LTE for Mg I are due to photoionization by ultraviolet radiation from the 3p level; i.e., neutral magnesium is in a state of “superionization.” When T _eff<5500 K, the populations of the Mg I levels differ from their LTE values due to radiative processes in bound-bound transitions. We analyzed Mg I lines in the solar spectrum in order to empirically refine certain atomic parameters (the van der Waals broadening constant C ₆ and cross sections for photoionization and collisional interactions with hydrogen atoms) and the magnesium abundance in the solar atmosphere. We studied non-LTE effects for five Mg I lines for a wide range of stellar parameters. In the case of dwarfs and subdwarfs, the magnitude of non-LTE corrections to magnesium abundances does not exceed 0.1 dex for the λλ 4571, 4703, 5528, and 5711 Å lines but can be as large as ±0.2 dex for the λλ 3829–3838, 5172, and 5183 Å lines. The non-LTE corrections for giants and supergiants do not exceed 0.15 dex for the λλ 4571 and 5711 Å lines but can reach ±0.20 dex and even more for the λλ 4703, 5528, 3829–3838, 5172, and 5183 Å lines.     

Non-LTE analysis of the formation of KI lines in the spectra of A-K stars

The non-LTE formation of KI lines in the spectra of A-K stars is analyzed. The computations are based on a 36-level model of the neutral potassium atom for blanketed LTE Kurucz model atmospheres with T _eff=4000–10000 K, logg=0.0–4.5, and [M/H]=(0.0)–(?2.0). The KI atoms in the atmospheres of these stars are in states of moderate and strong “over-recombination.” A number of atomic parameters are refined using the profiles and equivalent widths of five lines in the solar spectrum. The classical van der Waals damping constants must be increased by factors of 2–60 to fit the observed profiles. The non-LTE solar potassium abundance—logε (K)=5.14—corresponds to the meteoritic abundance. Non-LTE corrections to the potassium abundance are important and equal to ?0.4...?0.7 dex for the λ7699 Å line and ?0.15...?0.3 dex for the λλ12522, 12432, and 11769 Å lines.     

CaII line formation in the spectra of irradiated atmospheres

We have studied the effect of external radiation on the formation of LTE and non-LTECaII lines in the spectra of A-M-star atmospheres. Three frequency distributions were chosen for the external radiation: X-ray radiation specified by the power law \(I_v^ + = I_{0^v } ^{ - 0.6} \) at 1–16.5 keV and UV radiation specified by blackbody distributions with the temperatures T_rad=50000 and 15000 K. We analyze the influence of variations in the irradiating flux and its angle of incidence on the profiles and equivalent widths of the λλ3933, 3968 Å resonance doublet and the λλ8498, 8542, 8662 Å infrared triplet. For any type of external radiation, allowing for deviations from LTE decreases the reflection effects for the CaII lines. We conclude that the CaII profiles do not display emission components in the spectra of optically thick stellar atmospheres irradiated by X-rays. Therefore, CaII emission lines observed in the radiation of cataclysmic variables must be formed in an optically thin plasma. CaII emission lines are likely to form in the spectra of stars with UV irradiation if CaII is the dominant ionization state in atmospheric layers close to the depths at which the continuum is formed. As a result, the spectra of symbiotic variables with hot primaries can contain CaII lines originating on the surfaces of the M-giants and supergiant secondaries due to reflection effects. These lines can be used to analyze the reflection effects and the temperature structure in the atmospheres of the secondaries only if non-LTE effects are included. In the spectra of close binaries with cool white dwarfs, CaII emission lines originate in the irradiated atmospheres of the secondaries under conditions close to thermalization. These lines can be used to study the reflection effects and calcium abundances even in an LTE approximation. We calculated the profiles and equivalent widths of CaII lines in the spectra of the four precataclysmic variables BE UMa, EG UMa, MS Peg, and HR Cam. The observed and theoretical reflection effects in the λλ3933, 8542 Å emission lines for the specified parameters of the systems and a solar calcium abundance in the atmospheres of the red dwarfs are in good agreement.     

A model for the spectrum of Sakurai's object (V4334 Sgr)

Theoretical spectral energy distributions for Sakurai's object at 300–1000 nm are derived. A model-atmosphere grid with T _eff=5000–6250 K and logg=0.0–1.0 is computed for the chemical composition of Sakurai's object using opacity sampling including molecular and atomic absorption. Opacity due to absorption in 20 band systems of diatomic molecules is computed using the JOLA technique. The theoretical fluxes are compared with the observed energy distribution in a spectrum of Sakurai's object taken in April 1997. It is shown that (a) the theoretical energy distributions agree well qualitatively with the observed spectrum and depend strongly on the effective temperature; (b) C₂ and CN molecular bands are dominant in the visible and near-infrared spectrum, while atomic absorption is important at UV and blue wavelengths; and (c) comparison of the observed and computed spectra yields an effective temperature for Sakurai's object in April 1997 T _eff≈5250–5500 K. The dependence of the computed spectra at 300–1000 nm on the input parameters and adopted approximations is also discussed.     

Merging of components in close binaries: Type Ia supernovae,massive white dwarfs,and Ap stars

The “Scenario Machine” (a computer code designed for studies of the evolution of close binaries) was used to carry out a population synthesis for a wide range of merging astrophysical objects: main-sequence stars with main-sequence stars; white dwarfs with white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; neutron stars with neutron stars and black holes; and black holes with black holes. We calculate the rates of such events, and plot the mass distributions for merging white dwarfs and main-sequence stars. It is shown that Type Ia supernovae can be used as standard candles only after approximately one billion years of evolution of galaxies. In the course of this evolution, the average energy of Type Ia supernovae should decrease by roughly 10%; the maximum and minimum energies of Type Ia supernovae may differ by no less than by a factor of 1.5. This circumstance must be taken into account at estimating the parameters of the Universe expansion acceleration. According to theoretical estimates, the most massive—as a rule, magnetic—white dwarfs probably originate from mergers of white dwarfs of lower mass. At least some magnetic Ap and Bp stars may form in mergers of low-mass main-sequence stars (M ? 1.5 M _⊙) with convective envelopes.     

The Problem of Spectral Mimicry of Supergiants

The phenomenon of spectral mimicry refers to the fact that hypergiants and post-AGB supergiants—stars of different masses in fundamentally different stages of their evolution—have similar optical spectra, and also share certain other characteristics (unstable extended atmospheres, expanding dust–gas envelopes, high IR excesses). As a consequence, it is not always possible to distinguish post-AGB stars from hypergiants based on individual spectral observations in the optical. Examples of spectral mimicry are analyzed using uniform, high-quality spectral material obtained on the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory in the course of long-term monitoring of high-luminosity stars. It is shown that unambiguously resolving the mimicry problem for individual stars requires the determination of a whole set of parameters: luminosity, wind parameters, spectral energy distribution, spectral features, velocity field in the atmosphere and circumstellar medium, behavior of the parameters with time, and the chemical composition of the atmosphere.     

Activity cycles of M dwarfs

We have determined activity cycles for coolest M dwarfs using photometry from the ASAS survey. The time scales of brightness variations were determined for the program stars using calculated amplitude power spectra and wavelet spectra. Most of ther program stars display periodicities in their light-curve variations, with periods from hundreds of days to years. Analysis of diagrams plotting P _cyc/P _rot versus 1/P _rot in logarithmic coordinates shows that the data for all our program objects fit the general relation quite well. No differences in the activity cycles are found for our sample stars, which have different masses and thus internal structures, some having convective envelopes and others being totally convective. Our analysis indicates that the slope i of this relation is close to unity, regardless of whether it is determined from all data, from data for the shortest cycles, or from data for the longest cycles. This value of i differs from values in the literature for stars of other spectral types. Our analysis of the P _cyc-P _rot relation indicates that the activity cycles for the studied sample of M dwarfs do not depend on the rotation periods of these objects. The data for the studied objects do not agree with any of the relations for relatively young (active) stars or older (less active) stars. The studied M dwarfs probably form another branch of low-mass stars that display more random, irregular magnetic activity on their surfaces, which is generated and supported by the distributed dynamo mechanism or a small-scale dynamo mechanism.     

Molecular bands in the spectra of M stars

The profiles of the main molecular bands in the spectral-energy distributions (SEDs) of M stars have been calculated. The calculations of the individual band profiles were performed using the just-overlapping-lines approximation. Information about the oscillator strengths and the sources of the spectroscopic data for specific transitions between electronic levels of molecules is provided. The calculations of theoretical SEDs for M stars were performed using available lists of molecular lines for sources of bound-bound opacity in the atmospheres of oxygen-sequence stars. The observed SEDs of the oxygen-sequence red giant HD 148783 (30 Her) and the M dwarf 2MASS J22424129?2659272 are reproduced. The dependence of the calculated SEDs of the M giant on the adopted metallicity and carbon abundance is studied. The observed SEDs of HD 148783 and 2MASS J22424129?2659272 are described well by theoretical spectra calculated for model atmospheres with T _eff/log g/[Fe/H] = 3250/ ? 0.4/0 and 3000/5.0/0, respectively.     

Supersoft X-ray sources. parameters of stellar atmospheres

ROSAT spectra of 11 supersoft X-ray sources are approximated with theoretical spectra obtained in LTE models for the atmospheres of hot white dwarfs with line blanketing. The confidence intervals of parameters derived from these approximations—T_eff, log, g, N_H, and R²/d²—are determined. The results are compared with predictions for a model with stable/recurrent thermonuclear burning on the white-dwarf surface.     

DY Persei,the coolest metal-poor R CrB carbon star

We have derived the atmospheric parameters of the R CrB carbon star DY Per. The spectrum of DY Per near its maximum brightness was obtained using the 2.6-m ZTSh telescope of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, and has a resolution of about 1.74 Å per pixel. We compare the absolute observed and theoretical spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of DY Per for λλ 430–730 nm for the first time. The model atmospheres were computed using a code written by Ya.V. Pavlenko in the classical approximation, taking into account the main opacity sources in carbon-star atmospheres. The theoretical SEDs were computed using the list of atomic lines from the VALD database and the molecular line lists from CD-ROM No. 18 of Kurucz’s database. The estimated by spectral synthesis effective temperature of DY Per is in the range of 2900–3100 K, if we assume log g = 0. We find a metal deficiency in the atmosphere of DY Per. Quantitative estimates of the overall metallicity, carbon and nitrogen abundances, and the H/He ratio are somewhat uncertain: ?2 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ ?0.5, 0.65 ≤ [C/Fe] ≤ 1.35, 0.0 ≤ [N/Fe] ≤ 0.8, 1/9 ≤ H/He ≤ 9/1. These high H/He values do not quite agree with qualitative observational estimates made by other authors. Our results confirm that DY Per is a unique stellar object. This is the coolest and possibly the most metal-poor of all known R CrB stars. We conclude that the large deficiencies of metals and hydrogen lead to [C/Fe] values in the atmosphere of DY Per characteristic of R CrB stars.     

Lithium lines in the spectra of M dwarfs: UX Tau C

The results of numerical modeling of lithium lines in the spectra of M dwarfs are discussed. The behavior of the lithium lines relative to the local pseudocontinuum formed by molecular bands is analyzed as a function of model atmosphere parameters: effective temperature T _eff, gravity logg, and metallicity μ The molecular opacity was computed using the just overlapping line approximation (JOLA) and “line-by-line” methods. The pseudo-equivalent widths of lithium lines depend appreciably on metallicity μ and weakly on T{nteff}. The lithium abundance in the atmosphere of UX Tau C is redetermined. Previous studies underestimated the lithium abundance in this star as a result of the use of insufficiently accurate molecular-line lists. The new lithium abundance log N (Li)=3.2±0.3was derived by comparing the observed profiles of the 670.8 nm resonance doublet lines with profiles calculated using the new TiO line list of Plez.¹ The new abundance agrees with the atmospheric lithium abundances of the other two components in the stellar system, providing further evidence that the three stars in the UX Tau system have the same age. A comparison of the observed spectra of UX Tau C near the lithium resonance doublet (665–680 nm) with spectra computed using JOLA and line-by-line methods suggests that the list of Plez is the best currently available.     

Non-LTE effects in Na I spectral lines in stellar atmospheres

The paper examines the statistical equilibrium of Na I in stellar atmospheres with a wide range of parameters: T _eff=4000?12500 K, logg=0.0?4.5, and heavy element content [A] from 0.5 to ?4.0. The effect of the “overrecombination” of Na I (i.e., excess relative to the equilibrium number density of Na I) is present over the entire range of parameters considered, and increases with T _eff and luminosity. Na I lines are stronger than in the LTE case, so that non-LTE corrections to the sodium abundance, Δ_NLTE, are negative. Eight Na I lines commonly employed in abundance analyses are used to construct the dependences of the non-LTE corrections on T _eff, logg, and metallicity. The non-LTE corrections are small only for the Na I λλ615.4, 616.0 nm lines in main-sequence stars: |Δ_NLTE| ≤0.08 dex. In all other cases, Δ_NLTE depends strongly on T _eff and logg, and a non-LTE treatment must be applied if the sodium abundance is to be determined with an accuracy no worse than 0.1 dex. The profiles of solar Na I lines are analyzed in order to empirically refine two types of atomic parameters required for the subsequent analysis of the stellar spectra. In the solar atmosphere, inelastic collisions with hydrogen atoms influence the statistical equilibrium of Na I only weakly, and the classical Unsold formula underestimates the van der Waals constant C ₆. The empirical correction ΔlogC ₆ is from 0.6 to 2 for various Na I lines. The sodium abundance in the solar atmosphere is determined based on line-profile analyses, yielding different results depending on whether the model atmospheres of Kurucz (log?_Na=6.20±0.02) or Holweger and Muller (log?_Na=6.28±0.03) are applied.     

The effects of deviations from LTE in sulphur lines for late-type stars

We analyze the formation of lines of neutral sulfur in the spectra of F-K stars taking into account the effects of deviations from local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE). Our calculations were carried out for Kurucz model atmospheres with T _eff = 5000–6500 K, log g = 2?4 and [Fe/H] = ?4?0, using a 65-level model of the SI atom. Deviations from LTE affect lines of different multiplets of the sulfur atom differently. Non-LTE corrections, which are relatively small (to ?0.10 dex) for the 6543–6557 Å lines, increase to ?0.26 dex for the 8694 Å line, and reach ?1.1 dex for the 9212–9237 Å IR triplet. The model of the atom was verified by modeling the sulfur lines of the studied multiplets in the spectra of the Sun, two main sequence stars, and two supergiants. Good consistency with the observed line profiles was obtained. Failure to take into account strong non-LTE-effects may explain the large sulfur excesses detected in stars with very low metal abundances.     

Evolutionary changes in the optical spectrum of the peculiar supergiant IRC+10420

We present new spectroscopic observations of the peculiar supergiant IRC+10420. In 1997–2000, we obtained three high signal-to-noise ratio spectra of the object at 4300–8000 Å with a spectral resolution of 15 000 (20 km/ s) using the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. From our 2000 spectrum, we estimate the spectral type of IRC+10420 to be A2, corresponding to a temperature of ～9200 K. Many emission lines were detected, identified with lines of Fe I; Fe II, Ti II, Cr II, and Sc II ions; and [O I], [Fe II], and [Ca II] forbidden lines. The radial velocity derived from absorption lines without obvious emission components (He I λ5876, O I, N I, Si II) and from absorption components of the Balmer lines is 93±1 km/s. The redshift of photospheric lines relative to the star’s center-of-mass velocity is interpreted as a consequence of scattering in the expanding, optically thick dust envelope. Both emission and absorption lines show a correlation between radial velocity and oscillator strength. We found variability in the relative intensities of the H _α and H _β emission components. We conclude that IRC+10420 is rapidly evolving towards a Wolf-Rayet stage; the current rate of the photospheric temperature increase is ～120 K per year. Based on the intensity of the O I (λ7773) triplet, we estimate the star’s luminosity to be M _bol=?9.5^m. In all 1997–2000 spectra of IRC+10420, the He I λ5876 line has a significant equivalent width of at least 200 mÅ; this may be possible in the presence of such a low temperature due to the star’s high luminosity and the enhanced helium abundance in the supergiant’s atmosphere.     

Non-stationary wind in the system of the infrared source RAFGL 5081

Based on long-term spectral monitoring with high spectral resolution, the optical spectrum of the weak central star of the IR source RAFGL 5081 has been studied for the first time. The spectral type of the star is close to G5–8 II, and its effective temperature is T_eff ≈ 5400 K. An unusual spectral phenomenon was discovered: splitting of the profiles of broad, stationary absorption lines of medium and low intensity. The heliocentric radial velocities V _r of all components of metal absorption lines, the Na I D lines, and the Hα line were measured for all the observation epochs. The constancy of the absorption lines rules out the possibility that the line splitting is due to binarity. The radial velocities of the wind components in the profiles of the Na I D and Hα lines reach ?250 and ?600 km/s, respectively. These profiles have narrow components, whose number, depth, and position vary with time. The time variability and multicomponent structure of the profiles of the Na I D and Hα lines indicates inhomogeneity and instability of the circumstellar envelope of RAFGL 5081. The presence of components with velocity V _r (IS) = ?65 km/s in the Na I (1) lines provides evidence that RAFGL 5081 is located behind the Perseus arm, i.e, no closer than 2 kpc. It is noted that RAFGL 5081 is associated with the reflection nebula GN 02.44.7.