Chromospheric Ca II H and K emission among subdwarfs

Echelle spectra have been obtained of the Ca  II H and K lines for a sample of metal-poor subdwarf stars as well as for a number of nearby Population I dwarfs selected from among those included in the Mount Wilson HK survey. The main conclusion of this paper is that Ca  II H- and K-line emission does occur among subdwarfs. It is particularly notable among those subdwarfs with colours of B − V ≥0.75; all such stars observed exhibit chromospheric emission, although emission is observed among some subdwarfs bluer than this colour. The Ca  II K emission profile in most subdwarfs exhibits an asymmetry of V / R >1, similar to that seen in the integrated light of the solar disc. Two quantitative indicators of the contrast between the peaks in the emission profile and the neighbouring photospheric line profile are introduced. Measurements of these indicators show that the level of Ca  II emission among the subdwarfs is similar to that among low-activity Population I dwarfs.     

The masses of sdB and sdO stars

Mass is a fundamental parameter, but the masses are not well known for most hot subdwarfs. We propose a method of determining the masses of hot subdwarfs. Using this method, we studied the masses of hot subdwarfs from the ESO supernova Ia progenitor survey and the Hamburg quasar survey. The study shows that most of the subdwarf B stars have masses between 0.42 and 0.54 M _⊙, whilst most sdO stars are in the range 0.40～0.55 M _⊙. Comparing our study to the theoretical mass distributions of Han et al. (Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 341:669, 2003), we found that sdO stars with mass less than ～0.5 M _⊙ may evolve from sdB stars, whilst most high-mass (>0.5 M _⊙) sdO stars result from mergers directly.     

X-ray stars observed in LAMOST spectral survey

X-ray stars have been studied since the beginning of X-ray astronomy. Investigating and studying the chromospheric activity from X-ray stellar optical spectra is highly significant in providing insights into stellar magnetic activity. The big data of LAMOST survey provides an opportunity for researching stellar optical spectroscopic properties of X-ray stars. We inferred the physical properties of X-ray stellar sources from the analysis of LAMOST spectra. First, we cross-matched the X-ray stellar catalogue (12254 X-ray stars) from ARXA with LAMOST data release 3 (DR3), and obtained 984 good spectra from 713 X-ray sources. We then visually inspected and assigned spectral type to each spectrum and calculated the equivalent width (EW) of H\(\alpha\) line using the Hammer spectral typing facility. Based on the EW of H\(\alpha\) line, we found 203 spectra of 145 X-ray sources with H\(\alpha\) emission above the continuum. For these spectra we also measured the EWs of H\(\beta\), H\(\gamma\), H\(\delta\) and Ca ii IRT lines of these spectra. After removing novae, planetary nebulae and OB-type stars, we found there are 127 X-ray late-type stars with H\(\alpha\) line emission. By using our spectra and results from the literature, we found 53 X-ray stars showing H\(\alpha\) variability; these objects are Classical T Tauri stars (CTTs), cataclysmic variables (CVs) or chromospheric activity stars. We also found 18 X-ray stars showing obvious emissions in the Ca ii IRT lines. Of the 18 X-ray stars, 16 are CTTs and 2 are CVs. Finally, we discussed the relationships between the EW of H\(\alpha\) line and X-ray flux.     

Helium-rich hot subdwarfs and single low-mass white dwarfs: formation mechanisms and further implications

Variations in the mass loss from single stars have been used to explain the existence of hot subdwarf stars and the existence of single low-mass white dwarfs (LMWDs). Hence remaining uncertainty in mass loss from single red-giant stars is important to the understanding of these problems. However, natural formation channels for hot subdwarfs and single LMWDs have also been proposed which do not rely on unexplained mass loss from single red-giant stars. We outline these, and discuss how the different mechanisms could be distinguished. For example, a formation channel for single LMWDs which involves the break-up of a binary system by a type Ia supernova should produce a population of single LMWDs with a distinct kinematic signature. If that population is found to exist, it could be used to study one of the popular single-degenerate formation channels for type Ia supernovae in a previously impossible way. In addition, we examine the formation of helium-rich sdO stars—which are shown to emerge from one of the previously existing binary formation channels for hot subdwarfs. Both the SN Ia formation mechanism for single LMWDs and the formation channel for He-sdOs are a natural consequence of existing models. Hence if these formation channels do not work at all, then the result is a significant one.     

Influence of α-enhancement on effective temperatures of hot subdwarfs

Observations of metal elements in some halo or bulge globular clusters and in some elliptical galaxies have shown the α-enhancement phenomenon. Hot subdwarfs are important stars, e.g., they are important sources of far-ultraviolet light in the Galaxy and have successfully been used to explain the UV-upturn in elliptical galaxies. Therefore, we try to study the impacts of α-enhancement on hot subdwarfs. In our calculation, the value of the metallicity is 0.02, all the core masses of hot subdwarfs are 0.475 M _⊙, and the envelope masses of the hot subdwarfs are 0.001, 0.005 and 0.016 M _⊙, respectively. We find that the influences of α-enhancement on luminosity and evolutionary age of hot subdwarfs are not visible. But α-enhancement can make the effective temperatures of hot subdwarfs become higher, and the thicker their envelopes are, the more obvious this influence is.     

A search for previously unrecognized metal-poor subdwarfs in the Hipparcos astrometric catalogue

We have identified 317 stars included in the Hipparcos astrometric catalogue that have parallaxes measured to a precision of better than 15 per cent, and the location of which in the ( M _V ,( B − V ) _T ) diagram implies a metallicity comparable to or less than that of the intermediate-abundance globular cluster M5. We have undertaken an extensive literature search to locate Strömgren, Johnson/Cousins and Walraven photometry for over 120 stars. In addition, we present new UBV ( RI )_C photometry of 201 of these candidate halo stars, together with similar data for a further 14 known metal-poor subdwarfs. These observations provide the first extensive data set of R _C I _C photometry of metal-poor, main-sequence stars with well-determined trigonometric parallaxes. Finally, we have obtained intermediate-resolution optical spectroscopy of 175 stars.
47 stars still lack sufficient supplementary observations for population classification; however, we are able to estimate abundances for 270 stars, or over 80 per cent of the sample. The overwhelming majority have near-solar abundance, with their inclusion in the present sample stemming from errors in the colours listed in the Hipparcos catalogue. Only 44 stars show consistent evidence of abundances below [Fe/H]=−1.0 . Nine are additions to the small sample of metal-poor subdwarfs with accurate photometry. We consider briefly the implication of these results for cluster main-sequence fitting.     

氦白矮星与小质量主序星并合及脉动热亚矮星的形成

sdBVrs型热亚矮星是一类特殊的热亚矮星,观测显示它们同时具有p模和g模的脉动.目前这一类热亚矮星的演化起源仍然缺乏完备的解释.对氦白矮星与小质量主序星并合模型进行详细计算表明,并合模型的结果符合sdBVrs型热亚矮星的表面有效温度、重力加速度等观测特征,并且能够激发出稳定的p模和g模脉动.因此,氦白矮星与小质量主序星并合是形成sdBVrs型热亚矮星可能的渠道之一.     

Photospheric and chromospheric activity of the short period X-ray and Algol eclipsing binary UX CrB

We present six \(\mbox{V}R_{c}I_{c}\) light curves of UX CrB from observations carried out from 2011–2015. We also obtained three optical spectra using the 2.16-m optical telescope and LAMOST survey at the national astronomical observatories. We classified its spectral type as \(\mbox{G2}\pm\mbox{2V}\). We noticed that there are strong absorptions in the H_α, H_β, Ca ii H&K and infrared triplet lines in the observed spectra. By subtracting away the photospheric contribution, we also noticed that there are small excess emissions in these chromospheric active lines, which indicate there are weak chromospheric activities. We tried and obtained four photometric solutions with different spot positions from our full and high time-resolution light curves in 2012, using the updated Wilson-Devinney code. The model with two spots on the primary produced the best result for explaining the observed light curves from 2012. Moreover, we explained all other light curves based on our photometric solution using our 2012 light curves. There are two active longitudes at about 68^° and 255^°. We noticed that the starspots have both long-time (years) and short-time (about two months) variation by analyzing the light curves and its starspot parameters. There is also an obvious oscillation of light curve maximum between 0.25 and 0.75 phases by analyzing the values of \(\mbox{Max.~I} - \mbox{Max.~II}\). We conclude UX CrB are the evolved main-sequence stars with strong photometric and chromospheric activities.     

A photometric and spectroscopic study of the binary V1430 Aql

We present the first infrared light curves of the binary V1430 Aql, in the bands J and K, plus V, R and I light curves and spectra covering the ranges of H_β, H_α and Ca II-IRT lines. Our VRIJK data, together with published radial velocity curves, are analyzed to determine the orbital and stellar parameters of the system. Both stellar components present spectroscopic evidence of chromospheric activity, with emission excesses in the H_β, H_α and Ca II-IRT lines. The measured ratio of the lines H_β/H_α emission excesses can be interpreted as originated in plages. Our light curves also show photometric evidence of cool spots at least on one of the stars.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">GALEX</Emphasis> far-ultraviolet observations of metal-poor subdwarfs

Far-ultraviolet photometry derived from the GALEX satellite observatory has been compiled for a sample of metal-poor subdwarfs with \(\mathrm{[Fe/H]} < -1.0\). The FUV properties of these subdwarfs are compared with those of a set of Population I dwarfs that are known to have low levels of chromospheric activity. Comparisons are made via a number of photometric plots, including an absolute FUV magnitude versus \((V-K_{s})\) diagram, two-colour diagrams involving both \((m_{ \mathrm{FUV}}-B)\) and \((m_{\mathrm{FUV}}-V)\) versus \(B-V\), and a two-colour diagram composed of \((m_{\mathrm{FUV}}-V)\) versus \((V-K_{s})\). The warmest subdwarfs with \((V-K_{s}) \sim1.2\mbox{--}1.4\) show FUV excesses ranging from \(\sim2\mbox{--}3~\mbox{mag}\) relative to the Population I dwarfs, with the amount of FUV enhancement decreasing among subdwarfs of decreasing effective temperature. The coolest dwarfs that are compared have \((V-K_{s}) \sim1.8\), and among these stars the subdwarfs with \(-2.0 \leq{\mathrm{[Fe/H]}} \leq-1.0\) approach the locus of low activity Population I dwarfs in the \((m_{\mathrm{FUV}}-V, V-K_{s})\) diagram. In the \((m_{\mathrm{FUV}}-B, B-V)\) diagram the subdwarfs in this metallicity range overlap the Population I dwarf sequence for \((B-V) > 0.6\). The behaviour of the subdwarfs is consistent with their FUV fluxes being determined by a combination of a photospheric FUV spectrum, the strength of which diminishes towards cooler effective temperatures, and a spectrum of emission lines arising from a chromosphere and/or transition region which are of comparable strength between the coolest dwarfs and subdwarfs.     

M-giant star candidates identified in LAMOST DR 1

We perform a discrimination procedure with the spectral index diagram of TiO 5 and Ca H2+Ca H3 to separate M giants from M dwarfs. Using the M giant spectra identified from LAMOST DR1 with high signal-to-noise ratio, we have successfully assembled a set of M giant templates, which show more reliable spectral features. Combining with the M dwarf/subdwarf templates in Zhong et al., we present an extended library of M-type templates which includes not only M dwarfs with a well-defined temperature and metallicity grid but also M giants with subtypes from M0 to M6. Then, the template-fitting algorithm is used to automatically identify and classify M giant stars from LAMOST DR1. The resulting catalog of M giant stars is cross-matched with 2MASS J H Ks and WISE W1/W2 infrared photometry. In addition, we calculated the heliocentric radial velocity of all M giant stars by using the cross-correlation method with the template spectrum in a zero-velocity rest frame.Using the relationship between the absolute infrared magnitude MJ and our classified spectroscopic subtype, we derived the spectroscopic distance of M giants with uncertainties of about 40%. A catalog of 8639 M giants is provided. As an additional result of this analysis, we also present a catalog of 101 690 M dwarfs/subdwarfs which are processed by our classification pipeline.     

Photometric and spectroscopic observations of three rapidly rotating late‐type stars: EY Dra,V374 Peg,and GSC 02038‐00293

Here, BV (RI)_C broad band photometry and intermediate resolution spectroscopy in H_α region are presented for two rapidly rotating late‐type stars: EY Dra and V374 Peg. For a third rapid rotator, GSC 02038‐00293, intermediate resolution H_α spectroscopy and low resolution spectroscopy are used for spectral classification and stellar parameter investigation of this poorly known object. The low resolution spectrum of GSC 02038‐00293 clearly indicates that it is a K‐type star. Its intermediate resolution spectrum can be best fitted with a model with T_eff = 4750 K and v sin i = 90 km s^–1, indicating a very rapidly rotating mid‐K star. The H_α line strength is variable, indicating changing chromospheric emission on GSC 02038‐00293. In the case of EY Dra and V374 Peg, the stellar activity in the photosphere is investigated from the photometric observations, and in the chromosphere from the H_α line. The enhanced chromospheric emission in EY Dra correlates well with the location of the photospheric active regions, indicating that these features are spatially collocated. Hints of this behaviour are also seen in V374 Peg, but it cannot be confirmed from the current data. The photospheric activity patterns in EY Dra are stable during one observing run lasting several nights, whereas in V374 Peg large night‐tonight variations are seen. Two large flares, one in the H_α observations and one from the broadband photometry, and twelve smaller ones were detected in V374 Peg during the observations spanning nine nights. The energy of the photometrically detected largest flare is estimated to be 4.25 × 10³¹– 4.3 × 10³² erg, depending on the waveband. Comparing the activity patterns in these two stars, which are just below and above the mass limit of full convection, is crucial for understanding dynamo operation in stars with different internal structures (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The most metal-poor quadruple system of subdwarfs G89-14

The system of subdwarfs G89-14 is one of the most metal-poor multiple stars with an atmospheric metal abundance [m/H] = ?1.9. Speckle interferometry at the 6-m BTA telescope has revealed that G89-14 consists of four components. Measurements of the magnitude difference between the components and published data have allowed their masses to be estimated: M _A ≈ 0.67 M _⊙, M _B ≈ 0.24M _⊙,M _C ≈ 0.33M _⊙, andM _D ≈ 0.22M _⊙. The ratio of the orbital periods of the subsystems has been obtained, 0.52 yr: 3000 yr: 650 000 yr (1: 5769: 1 250 000), indicative of a high degree of hierarchy o fG89-14 and its internal dynamical stability. The calculated Galactic orbital elements and the low metallicity of the quadruple system suggest that it belongs to the Galactic halo.     

The HYPER-MUCHFUSS project—the constant high-velocity population

The HYPER-MUCHFUSS (HYPER-velocity stars or Massive Unseen Companions of Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS) project targets a population of high-velocity subluminous B stars to discover either close binaries with massive unseen companions or hyper-velocity stars. We re-observed high-velocity subdwarf selected candidates from the SDSS spectroscopic Data Release 6. Starting in 2007 we used several instruments and have now reached a completion level of 33% (from 265 targets), whereas we found at least 16 close binaries. Here we present results for two of our 39 hyper-velocity star candidates. From the available Digitized Sky Surveys photographic plates we measured a significant proper motion for 14 stars. Combining this information with a detailed spectroscopic analysis allows for the first time a complete determination of the 3D-trajectories for a high-velocity sample. We present our preliminary results for the two subdwarfs J1644+4523 and J1211+1437. Assuming the Standard Allen and Santillan (Rev. Mex. Astron. Astrofis. 22:255, 1991) potential the first one is bound and originates in the central region of the Galaxy. The subdwarf B star J1211+1437 is possibly unbound and seems to originate in the Galactic rim. We also performed numerical kinematical experiments with increased dark matter halo mass. and found that the origin of J1644+4523 in the central region is not changed but the time-of-flight is drastically shortened. J1211+1437 would be bound and probably belongs to population II.     

On the relative residual intensities of the calcium H and K lines

We have observed the solar Caii H and K lines to obtain well-calibrated ratios of their core residual intensities. From three independent calibrations, one using a standard lamp, we conclude that the residual intensity ratio r(K₃)/r(H₃) is 1.048 ± 0.03 in the quiet chromosphere and 1.20 ± 0.03 in a plage region. These ratios correspond closely to those observed in stars with quiet and active chromospheres, respectively. For a chromospheric model suggested by the calcium lines and a four-level Caii ion, we compute H and K line profiles varying the direct collisional coupling and indirect radiative and collisional coupling via the 3 ² D level. We conclude that enhanced chromospheric activity in the sun and late-type stars results more from a steepening of the chromospheric thermal gradient than from a change in density.Kitt Peak National Observatory Contribution No. 530.Of the University of Colorado and the National Bureau of Standards.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

A study on the Hα line asymmetry of chromospheric flares

The asymmetry of H_α line profiles is an important characteristic in the spectral observations of chromospheric flares, as well as one of the important observational facts of the dynamical process in solar flares. Based on the observed data of the solar spectrograph of Purple Mountain Observatory, some typical asymmetric H_α line profiles are presented. Taking the effects of the nonthermal excitation and ionization of hydrogen atoms into consideration, the asymmetry characteristics of H_α line profiles under different atmospheric models are calculated, and a semi-empirical study on the observed line profiles is thereby made. The results indicate that the downward motion of the chromospheric condensation region can cause the red and blue asymmetries of H_α spectra. We have tried to reproduce the observed asymmetry characteristics in specific flares. It is found that, besides the energy flux of nonthermal particles, the magnitude of spectral index and the height of the velocity field affect the line profile, the flare's atmospheric background model also has some influence on the line profile.     

A newH α survey of chromospherically active binaries (II)

We have obtained CCD spectra for 30 chromospherically active binaries using the 2.16 m telescope at Beijing Observatory in 1995. Our purpose was to search for the presence ofH emission which is characteristic of stars with extreme levels of chromospheric activity. Spectra of V711 Tau, V471 Tau, HD 12545 and V833 Tau presentedH emission above the continuum in the different degree. TheH behavior of the other observed 26 active binaries, which were unknown in CABS (1993), has been discovered in this paper. TheH profiles of the most among 26 systems are partially filled-in by chromospheric emission. TheH profiles of a few systems show a pure absorption line. The results are given in Table I.supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Rotations of the sun and stars and their activity

An equation for determining the magnetic activity cycle for the lower main-sequence stars is derived on the basis of the results of an analysis of magnetic structure drift with the solar activity cycle. The equation correlates the star activity cycle with the period of its rotation T _rot, the B?V color index, and the average chromospheric emission level 〈R′_HK>. The activity cycles for 30 stars (14 young and 16 old) entering the Wilson sample are calculated. The calculated magnetic activity cycles are found to be in good agreement with the observed ones.     

Photospheric and chromospheric activity on EY Dra

Magnetic activity in the photosphere and chromosphere of the M dwarf EY Dra is studied and possible correlations between the two are investigated using photometric observations in the V and R bands and optical and near infrared spectroscopy. The longitudinal spot configuration in the photosphere is obtained from the V band photometry, and the chromospheric structures are investigated using variations in the Hα line profile and observations of the Paschen β line. The shape of the V band light‐curve indicates two active regions on the stellar surface, about 0.4 in phase apart. The spectroscopic observations show enhanced Hα emission observed close to the phases of the photometrically detected starspots. This could indicate chromospheric plages associated with the photospheric starspots. Some indications of prominence structures are also seen. The chromospheric pressure is limited to log m_TR < –4 based on the non‐detection of emission in the Paschen β wavelength region. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The G‐dwarf problem in the solar neighbourhood: II. Halo subdwarfs

The oxygen abundance distribution in solar neighbourhood halo subdwarfs is deduced, using two alternative, known empirical relationships, involving the presence or the absence of [O/Fe] plateau for low [Fe/H] values, from a sample of 372 kinematically selected halo stars, for which the iron abundance distribution has been determined by Ryan & Norris (1991). The data are interpreted by a simple, either homogeneous or inhomogeneous model of chemical evolution, using an updated value of the solar oxygen abundance. The effect of changing the solar oxygen abundance, the power‐law exponent in the initial mass function, and the rate of oxygen nucleosyntesis, keeping the remaining input parameters unchanged, is investigated, and a theorem is stated. In all cases, part of the gas must necessarily be inhibited from forming stars, and no disk contamination has to be advocated for fitting the empirical oxygen abundance distribution in halo subdwarfs of the solar neighbourhood (EGD). Then a theorem is stated, which allows a one‐to‐one correspondence between simple, homogeneous models with and without inhibited gas, related to same independent parameters of chemical evolution, except lower stellar mass limit, real yield, and inhibition parameter. The mutual correlations between the latter parameters are also specified. In addition the starting point, and the point related to the first step, of the theoretical distribution of oxygen abundance (TGD) predicted by simple, inhomogeneous models, is calculated analytically. The mean oxygen abundance of the total and only inhibited gas, respectively, are also determined. Following the idea of a universal, initial mass function (IMF), a power‐law with both an exponent p = 2.9, which is acceptably close to Scalo IMF for m ≳ m_⊙, and an exponent p = 2.35, i.e. Salpeter IMF, have been considered. In general, both the age‐metallicity relationship and the empirical distribution of oxygen abundance in G dwarfs of the disk solar neighbourhood, are fitted by power‐law IMF exponents in the range 2.35 ≤ p ≤ 2.9. Acceptable models predict about 15% of the total mass in form of long‐lived stars and remnants, at the end of halo evolution, with a mean gas oxygen abundance which is substantially lower than the mean bulge and initial disk oxygen abundance. To avoid this discrepancy, either the existence of a still undetected, baryonic dark halo with about 15% of the total mass, or an equal amount of gas loss during bulge and disk formation, is necessary. The latter alternative implies a lower stellar mass limit close to 0.2 m_⊙, which is related to a power‐law IMF exponent close to 2.77. Acceptable models also imply a rapid halo formation, mainly during the first step, Δt = 0.5 Gyr, followed by a period (three steps) where small changes occur. Accordingly, statistical fluctuations are found to produce only minor effects on the evolution.