Effect of Coriolis force on the shapes of rotating stars and stars in binary systems

In this paper an attempt has been made to determine the effect of Coriolis force on the shapes of Roche equipotential surfaces of rotating stars and stars in binary systems. Equations of Roche equipotential surfaces have been obtained for rotating and binary stars which take into account the effects of Coriolis force besides the centrifugal and gravitational forces. Shapes of Roche equipotentials and values of Roche limits are obtained for different values of angular velocity of rotation for rotating stars and for different values of mass ratios for the binary stars. The obtained results have been compared with the corresponding results in which the effect of Coriolis force has not been considered.     

Parameters of the spiral structure of the galaxy from data on δ Cephei stars

We determined the locations of Galactic spiral arm segments for various age groups from the available data on the positions, ages, radial velocities, and proper motions of 440 δ Cephei variables using a previously developed technique. We obtained such parameters of the Galactic spiral structure as the arm pitch angle, , and the pattern speed, Ω_P = 21.7 ± 2.8 km s^?1 kpc^?1, which are comparable to and Ω_P = 20.4 ± 2.5 km s^?1 kpc^?1, respectively, determined previously from open star clusters. Based on the radial velocities and proper motions of the sample stars, we derived the rotation curve of the Galaxy for the range of Galactocentric distances approximately from 6 to 15 kpc. Using the pattern speed, we determined the positions of the corotation region and the inner and outer Lindblad resonances. We estimated the perturbation amplitudes of the Galactic velocity field, f _R = ?1.8 ± 2.5 km s^?1 and f _? = +4.0 ± 3.4 km s^?1.     

Horizontal branch stars: the interplay between observations and theory,and insights into the formation of the Galaxy

We review and discuss horizontal branch (HB) stars in a broad astrophysical context, including both variable and non-variable stars. A reassessment of the Oosterhoff dichotomy is presented, which provides unprecedented detail regarding its origin and systematics. We show that the Oosterhoff dichotomy and the distribution of globular clusters in the HB morphology-metallicity plane both exclude, with high statistical significance, the possibility that the Galactic halo may have formed from the accretion of dwarf galaxies resembling present-day Milky Way satellites such as Fornax, Sagittarius, and the LMC—an argument which, due to its strong reliance on the ancient RR Lyrae stars, is essentially independent of the chemical evolution of these systems after the very earliest epochs in the Galaxy’s history. Convenient analytical fits to isochrones in the HB type–[Fe/H] plane are also provided. In this sense, a rediscussion of the second-parameter problem is also presented, focusing on the cases of NGC 288/NGC 362, M13/M3, the extreme outer-halo globular clusters with predominantly red HBs, and the metal-rich globular clusters NGC 6388 and NGC 6441. The recently revived possibility that the helium abundance may play an important role as a second parameter is also addressed, and possible constraints on this scenario discussed. We critically discuss the possibility that the observed properties of HB stars in NGC 6388 and NGC 6441 might be accounted for if these clusters possess a relatively minor population of helium-enriched stars. A technique is proposed to estimate the HB types of extragalactic globular clusters on the basis of integrated far-UV photometry. The importance of bright type II Cepheids as tracers of faint blue HB stars in distant systems is also emphasized. The relationship between the absolute V magnitude of the HB at the RR Lyrae level and metallicity, as obtained on the basis of trigonometric parallax measurements for the star RR Lyr, is also revisited. Taking into due account the evolutionary status of RR Lyr, the derived relation implies a true distance modulus to the LMC of (m–M)₀=18.44±0.11. Techniques providing discrepant slopes and zero points for the M _V (RRL)–[Fe/H] relation are briefly discussed. We provide a convenient analytical fit to theoretical model predictions for the period change rates of RR Lyrae stars in globular clusters, and compare the model results with the available data. Finally, the conductive opacities used in evolutionary calculations of low-mass stars are also investigated. M. Catelan is John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellow.     

Final evolution of stars in the range 103–104 M ⊙

The final dynamical collapse of oxygen cores of 10³ and 10⁴ M which undergo the pair formation instability is computed. These cores are found to suffer complete collapse, presumably to form black holes, in contrast to cores of 100M which have previously been found to explode completely, leaving no remnant. These calculations represent a first attempt to ascertain the outcome of evolution over several decades of mass previously unexplored. The outcome may have some relevance to models of X-ray sources in globular clusters.     

Pulsations of the High-Amplitude δ Scuti star YZ Bootis

We present a study on pulsations of the high-amplitudeδScuti star YZ Boo based on photometric observations in Johnson V and R bands with both the Nanshan 1-m telescope of Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory(XAO)and the Xinglong 85-cm telescope of National Astronomical Observatories,Chinese Academy of Sciences(NAOC).Fourier analysis of the light curves reveals the fundamental radial mode and its five harmonics,with the fourth and fifth being newly detected.Thirtynine new times of maximum light are determined from the light curves,and combined with those in the literature,we construct the O-C diagram,derive a new ephemeris and determine a new value for the updated period of 0.104091579(2).In addition,the O-C diagram reveals an increasing rate of period change for YZ Boo.Theoretical models are calculated and constrained with the observationally determined parameters of YZ Boo.The mass and age of YZ Boo are hence derived as M=1.61±0.05 M_⊙ and age=(1.44±0.14)×10~9 yr,respectively.With both the frequency of the fundamental radial mode and the rate of period change,YZ Boo is located at the post main sequence stage.     

Analysis of the X-ray emission from OB stars Ⅲ: low-resolution spectra of OB stars

This paper is the third in our series of papers devoted to the investigation of X-ray emission from OB stars.In our two previous papers,we study the high-resolution X-ray spectra of 32 O stars and 25 B stars to investigate the correlations between the properties of X-ray emission and stellar parameters.We checked if the X-ray hardness and post-shock plasma temperature grow with increasing stellar magnetic field,mass loss rate and terminal wind velocity.Our previous analysis of high-resolution spectra showed that the correlations are weak or even absent.In the present paper,we analyzed low-resolution X-ray spectra,using model-independent X-ray hardness values for checking the above mentioned dependencies.We establish that X-ray luminosities L_X weakly depend on the stellar magnetic field.At the same time,Lx ∝ M~(0.5) and L_X ∝ E_(kin)~(0.5),where M is the mass loss rate and E_(kin) is the kinetic energy of the wind.The X-ray luminosities decrease with growing magnetic confinement parameter η.We also argue that there is an additional(probably non-thermal) component contributed to the stellar X-ray emission.     

Constraints on Bose–Einstein condensate stars as neutron stars models from new observational data

We evaluate the feasibility of Bose–Einstein condensate stars (BECS) as models for the interior of neutron stars (NSs). BECS are compact objects composed of bosons, formed through the spin-parallel pairing of neutrons. Here, we utilize the astronomical data from GW170817, XMMU J173203.3-344518 (the lightest NS known), and a novel lower limit on NS core heat capacity to scrutinize the compatibility of BECS with these recent observations of NSs. Our specific focus is to constrain the values of the scattering length $a$, parameter determining the strength of particle interactions in the model. Our analysis suggests that if the stars involved in GW170817 were BECSs, the scattering length of their constituent bosons should fall within the $4$ to $10$ fm range. Additionally, at a scattering length of $a\sim 3.1-4$ fm, stars with mass and radius characteristics akin to XMMU J173203.3-344518 are identified. Moreover, we find that the heat capacity depends on the mass and temperature of BECS, and surpasses the established lower bound for NS cores when $a>2-5$ fm. In summary, our results endorse BECS models with $a\sim 4$ fm, providing NS observables in agreement with diverse observations and contributing to the understanding of NS interiors.     

UVbYβ electrophotometry of the RR Lyrae stars

The behaviour of the spectral metallicity parameters S of the RR Lyrae stars in the course of light change is considered. Electrophotometry results of 9 stars of the given class inUVbY are presented. Analysis of the data obtained shows that the variables for which variation of S with the light phase was established do not show any real variations of metallicity indexm ₁.     

Does the energy of type IIP supernovae depend on the stellar mass?

The oxygen density in the central zone of the ejecta of nine type IIP supernovae (SNe IIP) at the nebular phase has been determined from the [O I] 6300, 6364 Å doublet lines. In combination with the known estimates for two supernovae, the results of measurements show that the oxygen densities on day 300 are distributed in a narrow range, (2.3 ± 1) × 109 cm^?3. This result does not depend on the distance, extinction, and model assumptions. Analysis of the density distribution found leads to the conclusion that the SN IIP explosion energy increases with stellar mass.     

The effect of mass loss on the β Cephei instability strip

In this paper we aim to suggest on a speculative basis that the existence of mass loss by stellar wind in massive stars (M>10 M ) may affect the properties of the Cephei instability strip, and remove some of the difficulties encountered in the interpretation of their pulsation.     

Influence of the convective mixing-length parameter α on the chemical abundances in the case of metal-poor giant HD 122563

One-dimensional(1 D) model atmospheres are still the most commonly used tool for the determination of stellar chemical composition. Convection in the model is usually treated by mixing-length theory(MLT). The mixing-length parameter α is generally calibrated from the Sun and applied to all other stars.The metal-poor giant, HD 122563, is an important benchmark star to test stellar atmosphere and interior physics. We investigate the influence of the convection mixing-length parameter α on the determination of chemical abundances of Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Sr, Y, Zr and Ba in the case of HD 122563, taking advantage of a high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio HARPS spectrum. The abundance discrepancies ?[X/H] that occur due to α variation rarely exceed 0.05 dex and most are less than 0.03 dex. We calculate the discrepancy ?[X/H] using a line-by-line differential analysis. The abundance discrepancies do not have direct relation with either line strength or the excitation potential. For 1 D stellar atmospheric analysis of HD 122563, the accuracy of abundance determination does not strongly depend on the choice of mixing-length parameter α(causing average discrepancies of 0.03 dex), while the uncertainties in the effective temperature and surface gravity play a more important role.     

The neutron stars of Soft X–ray Transients

Summary. Soft X–ray Transients (SXRTs) have long been suspected to contain old, weakly magnetic neutron stars that have been spun up by accretion torques. After reviewing their observational properties, we analyse the different regimes that likely characterise the neutron stars in these systems across the very large range of mass inflow rates, from the peak of the outbursts to the quiescent emission. While it is clear that close to the outburst maxima accretion onto the neutron star surface takes place, as the mass inflow rate decreases, accretion might stop at the magnetospheric boundary because of the centrifugal barrier provided by the neutron star. For low enough mass inflow rates (and sufficiently short rotation periods), the radio pulsar mechanism might turn on and sweep the inflowing matter away. The origin of the quiescent emission, observed in a number of SXRTs at a level of , plays a crucial role in constraining the neutron star magnetic field and spin period. Accretion onto the neutron star surface is an unlikely mechanism for the quiescent emission of SXRTs, as it requires very low magnetic fields and/or long spin periods. Thermal radiation from a cooling neutron star surface in between the outbursts can be ruled out as the only cause of the quiescent emission. We find that accretion onto the neutron star magnetosphere and shock emission powered by an enshrouded radio pulsar provide far more plausible models. In the latter case the range of allowed neutron star spin periods and magnetic fields is consistent with the values recently inferred from the properties of kHz quasi-periodic oscillation in low mass X–ray binaries. If quiescent SXRTs contain enshrouded radio pulsars, they provide a missing link between X–ray binaries and millisecond pulsars. Received 4 November 1997; Accepted 15 April 1998     

Final evolutionary stages of 8–10M ⊙ stars

Star evolution at constant mass is typically considered as well defined, given initial mass and composition. However, in the stellar mass range of 8–10M , large uncertainties — as to the treatment of convection and hydrodynamical burning, or that of electron captures — exist. They are the key to the issue whether electron captures induce star collapse or the star is disrupted by a deflagration. The final fate of the star strongly depends, therefore, on the adopted treatment for those problems. This paper is aimed at analyzing such a dependence.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

Speckle interferometry of magnetic stars with the BTA. II. Results of 2010–2012 observations

We present the results of speckle interferometric observations of 156 stars possessing global magnetic fields, carried out with the 6-m BTA telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. Virtually all stars were observed between 2010 and 2012. Thirty-four stars were resolved into individual components (31 double and 3 triple), of which 14 binary systems (BD+41○43, HD2887, HD30466, HD36540, HD36955, HD37479, HD61045, HD89069, HD144334, HD164258, HD349321, HD343872, HD184471, HD196691) and 2 triple systems (HD37140, HD338226) were for the first time resolved by the astrometric method.     

The magnetic geometry and structure of the giant post-flare arch of 21–22 May, 1980

On 21–22 May, 1980 the HXIS instrument aboard SMM imaged an enormous, more-or-less stationary, X-ray arch structure near the position of a large two-ribbon flare which immediately preceded it in time. As described by vestka et al. (1982), the arch remained visible for up to 10 hours. Previous inferences of the height, orientation, and physical parameters of this feature have been based largely on the X-ray data and on radio observations of the associated stationary Type I noise storm. In the present paper we use the observed photospheric line-of-sight magnetic field distribution to compute, in the current-free approximation, the three-dimensional topology of the coronal field above the flare site. Comparing the HXIS intensity contours of the arch to the projected shapes of the field lines suggests that the arch is indeed aligned with certain coronal flux tubes and allows an independent determination of the geometrical arch parameters to be made. This procedure indicates that the true height of the arch is about 70000 km, i.e., appreciably less than was suggested previously (although it is still certainly to be classified as a giant feature of the post-flare evolution).These results suggest that the arch may be a by-product of magnetic reconnection occurring far above the flare site, analogous to the post-flare loops seen at lower heights. Unlike the latter, however, the field lines undergoing reconnection here link more distant parts of the active region; i.e., they do not represent direct linkages across the magnetic neutral line and thus appear to be topologically quite distinct from those which thread the underlying post-flare loops. In fact, of this group of peripheral field lines, the arch could simply comprise the lowest-lying ones to have been opened up by the flare process (and the first to reconnect again). This would explain why both the arch and the post-flare loops were visible early in the decay phase, being products of separate reconnection processes. Moreover, because of the lower plasma density and longer cooling times of the arch, this feature persisted long after the post-flare loops faded from view. A calculation of the magnetic energy liberated by reconnection shows that this process is easily capable of satisfying the overall energy requirements of the arch (the latter as determined from observations).On leave from Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, U.S.A.     

Metal abundances of subdwarf B stars—the extended sample

The formation of sdBs as well as the chemical composition of their atmospheres is still puzzling. While helium and other light elements are depleted relative to solar values, heavy elements are highly enriched. Diffusion processes in the hot, radiative atmosphere of these stars are the most likely explanation. Although several attempts have been made, it has not yet been possible to model all the observed features of sdB atmospheres. A drawback of most prior studies was the small sample size. We present a detailed abundance analysis of 139 sdBs. A general trend of enrichment was found with increasing temperature for most of the heavier elements. The lighter elements like carbon, oxygen and nitrogen are depleted and less affected by temperature. Although there is considerable scatter from one star to the other, the general abundance patterns in most sdBs are similar. An interplay between gravitational settling, radiative levitation and weak winds is most likely responsible. About 3% of the analysed stars show an enrichment in carbon and helium, which cannot be explained in the framework of diffusion alone. Nuclear processed material must have been transported to the surface somehow.