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.     

Diagnostics for accretion disks around UX Ori stars based on Balmer, Paschen, and Brackett Lines

We have modeled the H_α, H_β, and H_γ (Balmer series), P₁₄ (Paschen series), and Br_γ (Brackett series) hydrogen lines formed in the inner regions of the accretion disk around the Herbig Ae star UX Ori. Our calculations are based on spectra obtained with the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) and the IRTF. We computed a grid of non-LTE models for a radiating area in the accretion disk and determined the basic parameters of the lines using the method of Sobolev. Analyzing the theoretical and observed line profiles, equivalent widths, and luminosities, we have estimated the accretion rate and electron-temperature distribution in the inner parts of the accretion disk. The accretion rate of UX Ori is about $\dot M_a = (3 - 10) \times 10^{ - 9} M_ \odot /yr$ , and the temperature distribution is consistent with the power law T(r)=T(r _*)(r/r _*)^?1/n , where the electron temperature near the stellar surface T(r _*) is 15000–20000 K and the power-law index n≈2–3 is about two to three. The resulting value for $\dot M_a $ eliminates problems connected with the application of magnetospheric accretion models to Herbig Ae/Be stars. Another important conclusion is that, at the estimated accretion rate, the energy release is substantially (about two orders of magnitude) lower than the stellar luminosity. Therefore, the optical radiation of UX Ori accretion disks cannot appreciably contribute to the observed variability of these stars, which must be determined mainly by variability in the circumstellar extinction.     

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.     

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.     

The accretion activity of the Ae Herbig star CQ Tau

Results of spectral observations of the isolated Ae Herbig star CQ Tau obtained in 1995–1998 in the H_α line and near the sodium resonance doublet are presented, together with simultaneous photometric monitoring of the star. CQ Tau is a member of the family of young UX Ori stars with nonperiodic Algol-like brightness decreases. The star is surrounded by an accretion disk, in which its emission-line spectrum and part of its absorption-line spectrum are formed. The strong variability of the H_α, D NaI, and HeI 5876 Å lines testifies that the gaseous disk is appreciably inhomogeneous in both the radial and azimuthal directions. This inhomogeneity probably results from uneven feeding by the circumstellar material from the peripheral regions of the circumstellar disk. Over the four years of observations, we observed the star in deep minima three times (ΔV～2). On these nights, an increase in the H_α equivalent width followed the decrease in radiation flux. In the two deepest minima, the normally two-component line profile had only a single component with a nearly symmetrical profile. This behavior of the H_α line is in good agreement with the results of numerical modeling of Algol-like minima and can be used to estimate the parameters of the dust clouds eclipsing the star and inner accretion disk. These estimates suggest that the circumstellar dust clouds can approach very close to the star and be sublimated there.     

Atmospheric lithium abundances of the carbon giants AQ And,HK Lyr,UX Dra,and WZ Cas

The LTE lithium abundances, logN (Li), have been determined for the atmospheres of the four carbon giants AQ And, HK Lyr, UX Dra, and WZ Cas, applying the synthetic-spectrum technique to the LiI λ670.8 nm resonance doublet. We used estimates of the effective temperatures T _eff, metallicities, elemental abundances, and carbon-isotope ratios for these stars from the literature [12C/13C]. The resulting lithium abundances depend significantly on the adopted T _eff, so that we can find each star’s range of possible logN(Li) values for a given range of effective temperatures (ΔT _eff = 200−300 K). The uncertainty in the derived logN(Li) values is 1.3 for AQ And and UX Dra, 0.5 for HK Lyr, and 0.8 for WZ Cas. Our most probable logN(Li) values (or ranges) are −1.25 for AQ And, −1.2 for HK Lyr, −1.0 ≤ logN(Li) ≤ +0.3 for UX Dra, and 4.3 ≤ logN(Li) ≤ 4.8 for WZ Cas. The derived C/O ratios for the stellar atmospheres also depend on T _eff. Possible uncertainties in other atmospheric parameters do not change logN(Li) by more than 0.2.     

Lithium abundances in sunspots from observations made in 2014

Spectra of sunspots in the regions of the Li I 6708 Å line and certain Fe I and Ca I lines are presented. The observations wee carried out in August 2014 using a CCD array mounted at the BST-2 telescope of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. Sunspot models based on the observed Fe I and Ca I line profiles have been computed, and used together with the observed Li I 6708 Å profiles to determine the lithium abundances. The mean lithium abundance for the sunspots observed on August 26, 2014 is logA(Li) = 1.2 (on a scale for which logA(H) = 12.0). Sunspot spectra obtained on October 8, 2011 were also analyzed, yielding logA(Li) = 1.02.     

Non-LTE analysis of the formation of EuII lines in the atmospheres of solar-type stars

A method to analyze the statistical equilibrium of the EuII ion based on a 36-level model atom has been developed. The formation of EuII lines without assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) is considered for T _eff=5500–7000 K, logg=4.0, and metallicities [A] from 0 to ?1.5. Non-LTE effects in the level populations are primarily due to radiative pumping of excited states from the ground and low-lying levels, which leads to over-population of upper relative to lower levels. As a result, the studied λ4129 and λ6645 Å lines are weaker than in the LTE case. However, due to the small energy differences between even low-lying EuII levels, collisional coupling is strong, and deviations from LTE in EuII lines are modest: for the Sun, non-LTE corrections to the abundance are only 0.04 dex. The non-LTE effects grow with an increase in the effective temperature and with a decrease in the metallicity, so that non-LTE abundance corrections can reach 0.12 dex for T _eff=5500K, logg=4.0, [A]=?1.5 and 0.1 dex for T _eff=7000K, logg=4.0, [A]=0. The effect of inaccuracy in the atomic parameters for EuII on the non-LTE calculations is examined. Analysis of the profiles of the solar EuII λ4129 and λ6645 Å lines is used to empirically refine estimates of the efficiency of collisional processes in forbidden transitions in establishing the distribution of EuII ions over excited states.     

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.     

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.     

Photometric activity of UX orionis stars and related objects in the near infrared and optical: CO Ori,RR Tau,UX Ori,and VV Ser

This paper continues a study of the photometric activity of UX Ori stars in the optical and near-infrared (JHKLM bands) initiated in 2000. For comparison, the list of program stars contains two Herbig Ae stars that are photometrically quiet in the optical: MWC480 andHD179218. Fadings ofUXOri stars in the optical (V band) due to sporadic increases of the circumstellar extinction are also observed in the infrared (IR), but with decreasing amplitude. Two stars, RR Tau and UX Ori, displayed photometric events when V -band fadings were accompanied by an increase in IR fluxes. Among the two Herbig Ae stars that are photometrically quiet in the optical, MWC 480 proved to be fairly active in the IR. Unlike the UX Ori stars, the variation amplitude of MWC 480 increases from the J band to the M band. In the course of the observations, no deep fadings in the IR bands were detected. This indicates that eclipses of the program stars have a local nature, and are due to extinction variations in the innermost regions of the circumstellar disks. The results presented testify to an important role of the alignment of the circumstellar disks relative to the direction towards the observer in determining the observed IR variability of young stars.     

The chemical compositions and surface structures of two roAp stars with lithium spots (HD 83368 and HD 60435)

The spectra of two roAp stars have been analyzed as part of a project to study lithium in magnetic Ap stars. Variability of the Li I 6708 Å resonance doublet and rare-earth lines was detected, which can be explained using an oblique rotator model with the lithium spots located at the magnetic poles. Synthetic spectra obtained at different rotational phases have yielded the first data on the atmospheric chemical compositions of these spotted stars. Using refined atomic data and the most complete line lists has enabled a detailed study of the spectra near the Li I 6708 Å line and computation of the Li I line profile taking into account the spotted distribution of the lithium over the stellar surfaces. The positions of two lithium spots and lithium abundances for each of the spots have been determined.     

Optical spectra of three AGB stars

The basic parameters and detailed chemical compositions of three asymptotic giant branch stars with similar effective temperatures and surface gravities have been determined using CCD spectra obtained with the échelle spectrometers of the SAO 6-m telescope. The metallicity and chemical composition of the optical counterpart of the OH/IR star IRAS 18123 + 0511 have been derived for the first time. The abundance [X/H]_⊙ of the iron group elements (V, Cr, Fe) is ?0.45 dex. An overabundance of oxygen, [O/Fe]_⊙=1.44 dex, is detected in the atmosphere of this star. The abundances of s-process heavy elements are not enhanced, and are instead underabundant with respect to the metallicity: the average value of [X/Fe]_⊙ for Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd is ?0.25. The derived abundances confirm that IRAS 18123 + 0511 is in the AGB stage of its evolution. The metallicity of the object, together with its radial velocity V _r=78.0 km/s and Galactic latitude |b|=11°, suggest that it belongs to the old disk population. The expansion velocity of the circumstellar envelope, V _exp≈21 km/s, is derived from the positions of circumstellar absorption bands. The set of parameters obtained for the low-metallicity, highlatitude supergiants BD + 18° 2757 and BD + 18° 2890 (with iron abundances [Fe/H]_⊙=2.10 and ?1.48, respectively) confirm that they are evolved halo stars, and probably UU Her-type stars.     

Calculation of profiles of CIV,NV, OVI,and SiIV resonance lines formed in accretion shocks in T Tauri stars: A plane layer

We have calculated profiles of the CIV 1550, NV 1240, OVI 1035, and SiIV 1400 resonance doublets for a plane-parallel shock viewed at various angles. Calculations were performed for the range of preshock gas velocities V₀ and gas densities ρ₀ appropriate for classical T Tauri stars. The parameters of accretion shocks in young stars can be determined by comparing the calculated and observed profiles of the studied lines and their relative intensities. It is not possible to derive the parameters of the accreting gas from the line profiles without knowing the geometry of the accretion zone. The relation I _v (µ,V₀,ρ₀) for a plane shock, where I _v is the intensity μ=cosθ, can be used to determine the accretion parameters by either choosing a geometry for the radiating region or using a technique similar to Doppler tomography. The results obtained for DR Tau, T Tau, and RY Tau indicate that, in contrast to current concepts, the inner regions of the accretion disk are not disrupted by the magnetic field of the star, and the disk reaches the stellar surface. As a result, only a small fraction of the accreted matter passes through the shock and falls onto the star.     

Modeling the spectral energy distributions of L dwarfs

Mechanisms for the formation of the optical (λλ500–950 nm) spectra of L dwarfs—stars and sub-stellar objects with T _eff<2200 K—are discussed. Their spectral energy distributions are determined primarily by the K I and Na I resonance-doublet absorption lines. The equivalent widths of these absorption lines formally computed using the dusty model atmospheres of Tsuji can reach several thousand angstroms. In this case, the extended wings of these lines form a pseudo-continuum for weaker absorption lines and even molecular bands. Mechanisms for the broadening of alkali-element lines in the atmospheres of late-type stars due to interactions between neutral atoms and hydrogen molecules are analyzed. The computed optical spectral energy distributions of several L dwarfs are compared with their observed spectra.     

Atmospheric chemical composition of the peculiar carbon giant TU Gem

The evolutionary status of the bright peculiar carbon giant TU Gemis fairly uncertain. The possibility that this is aCH star—aGalactic halo star with characteristic chemical-composition anomalies—is considered. Unfortunately, data on the atmospheric chemical composition of TUGem are relatively few and are ambiguous. The results of an analysis of a moderate-resolution optical and near-infrared spectrum of TU Gem obtained on the 2-m telescope of Terskol Peak Observatory (Northern Caucasus) is presented. The atmospheric parameters of TU Gem T _eff = 3100 K, C/O = 1.10, and [N/Fe] = 0.0 for the derived metallicity [Fe/H] = 0.0 are taken from [1]. The abundances of Na, Mg, Ca, Ti, and Cr are estimated to be normal or slightly enhanced, and the lithium abundance is log N(Li) = +0.1. The abundances of s-process elements are substantially enhanced in the atmosphere of TU Gem, namely, [s/Fe] ≈ 2, for both light and heavy s-process elements. The range of uncertainty in [Fe/H] is 0.0?0.3, and the uncertainties in other estimates are Δ[M/Fe]≈ ±0.3 and Δ[s/Fe] = ±0.5. The results show that TU Gem is an anomalous carbon giant, but not a CH star.     

Effects of spot structure of lines of rare earths and non-LTE effects on lithium abundance estimates for two roAp stars

Taking into account blending of the lithium 6108 Å line profile by adjacent rare-earth lines together with their spotted surface structure does not appreciably affect lithium abundance estimates for the atmospheres of HD 83368 and HD 60435 but provides a better fit of the observed and stimulated line profiles. Our computed non-LTE corrections reduce the lithium abundance estimates by 0.1–0.2 dex for both stars. Given the uncertainties in the lithium abundances, it is not possible to be certain whether the lithium abundances in roAp stars, or at least in their spots, exceed the cosmic (primordial) value.     

Lithium and the 6Li-7Li isotope ratio in the atmospheres of some sharp-lined roAp stars

The λ 6708 Å and 6103 Å lithium lines in the high-resolution spectra of some sharp-lined roAp stars are analyzed using three spectral-synthesis codes STARSP, ZEEMAN2, and SYNTHM. The lines from the VALD database were supplemented with lines of rare-earth elements from the DREAM database and new lines calculated using the NIST energy levels. Our synthetic-spectrum calculations take into account magnetic splitting and other line-broadening effects. Lithium overabundances were found in the atmospheres of the stars based on our analysis of both lithium lines, along with high values of the ⁶Li-⁷Li isotope ratio (0.2–0.5). This can be explained if lithium is produced in spallation reactions and the surface ⁶Li and ⁷Li is preserved by strong magnetic fields in the upper layers of the stellar atmospheres, around the poles of the dipole field. The asymmetry of lithium lines to the red may be due to the action of shocks in the optically thin upper atmosphere, with the shocked material subsequently falling onto the star.     

Detection of spectral variability of the optical component of the IR source IRAS 20508+2011

Our high-resolution spectral observations have revealed variability of the optical spectrum of the cool star identified with the IR source IRAS 20508+2011. We measured the equivalent widths of numerous absorption lines of neutral atoms and ions at wavelengths 4300–7930 Å, along with the corresponding radial velocities. Over the four years of our observations, the radial velocity derived from photospheric absorption lines varied in the interval V _r⊙ = 15–30 km/s. In the same period, the Hα profile varied from being an intense bell-shaped emission line with a small amount of core absorption to displaying two-peaked emission with a central absorption feature below the continuum level. At all but one epoch, the positions of the metallic photospheric lines were systematically shifted relative to the Hα emission: ΔV _r = V _r(met) ? V _r(Hα, emis) ≈ ?23 km/s. The Na D doublet displayed a complex profile with broad (half-width ≈ 120 km/s) emission and photospheric absorption, as well as an interstellar component. We used model atmospheres to determine the physical parameters and chemical composition of the star’s atmosphere: T _eff = 4800 K, log g = 1.5, ξ_t = 4.0 km/s. The metallicity of the star differs little from the solar value: [Fe/H]_⊙ = ?0.36. We detected overabundances of oxygen [O/Fe]_⊙ = +1.79 (with the ratio [C/O] ≈ ?0.9), and α-process elements, as well as a deficit of heavy metals. The entire set of the star’s parameters suggests that the optical component of IRAS 20508+2011 is an “O-rich” AGB star with luminosity M _v ≈ ?3^m that is close to its evolutionary transition to the post-AGB stage.     

Analysis of optical spectra of V1357 Cyg≡Cyg X-1

Optical spectra and light curves of the massive X-ray binary V1357 Cyg are analyzed. The calculations were based on models of irradiated plane-parallel stellar atmospheres, taking into account reflection of the X-ray radiation, asphericity of the stellar surface, and deviations from LTE for several ions. Comparison of observed spectra obtained in 2004?C2005 at the Bohyunsan Observatory (South Korea) revealed variations of the depths of HI lines by up to 18% and of HeI and heavy elements lines by up to 10%. These variations are not related to the orbital motion of the star, and are probably due to variations of the stellar wind intensity. Perturbations of the thermal structure of the atmosphere due to irradiation in various states of Cyg X-1 (including outburst) do not lead to the formation of a hot photosphere with an electron temperature exceeding the effective temperature. As a result, variations of the profiles of optical lines of HI, HeI, and heavy elements due to the orbital motion of the star and variations of the irradiating X-ray flux do not exceed 1% of the residual intensities. Allowing for deviations from LTE enhances the HI and HeI lines by factors of two to three and the MgII lines by a factor of nine, and is therefore required for a fully adequate analysis of the observational data. Analysis of the HI, HeI, and HeII lines profiles yielded the following set of parameters for theOstar at the observing epoch: T _eff = 30 500±500 K, log g = 3.31±0.05, [He/H] = 0.42 ± 0.05. The observed HeI line profiles have emission components that are formed in the stellar wind and increase with the line intensity. The abundances of 11 elements in the atmospheres of V1357 Cyg and ?? Cam, which has a similar spectral type and luminosity class, are derived. The chemical composition of V1357 Cyg is characterized by a strong excess of helium, nitrogen, neon, and silicon, which is related to the binarity of the system.