The initial mass function of the rich young cluster NGC 1818 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We use deep Hubble Space Telescope photometry of the rich, young (∼20- to 45-Myr old) star cluster NGC 1818 in the Large Magellanic Cloud to derive its stellar mass function (MF) down to  ∼0.15 M_⊙  . This represents the deepest robust MF thus far obtained for a stellar system in an extragalactic, low-metallicity  ([Fe/H]≃−0.4 dex)  environment. Combining our results with the published MF for masses above  1.0 M_⊙  , we obtain a complete present-day MF. This is a good representation of the cluster's initial MF (IMF), particularly at low masses, because our observations are centred on the cluster's uncrowded half-mass radius. Therefore, stellar and dynamical evolution of the cluster will not have affected the low-mass stars significantly. The NGC 1818 IMF is well described by both a lognormal and a broken power-law distribution with slopes of  Γ= 0.46 ± 0.10  and  Γ≃−1.35  (Salpeter-like) for masses in the range from 0.15 to  0.8 M_⊙  and greater than  0.8 M_⊙  , respectively. Within the uncertainties, the NGC 1818 IMF is fully consistent with both the Kroupa solar neighbourhood and the Chabrier lognormal mass distributions.     

Time-dependent convection seismic study of five γ Doradus stars

We apply for the first time the time-dependent convection (TDC) treatment of Gabriel and Grigahcène et al. to the photometric mode identification in γ Doradus (γ Dor) stars. We consider the influence of this treatment on the theoretical amplitude ratios and phase differences. Comparison with the observed amplitudes and phases of the stars γ Dor, 9 Aurigae, HD 207223 = HR 8330, HD 12901 and 48501 is presented and enables us to identify the degree ℓ of the pulsation modes for four of them. We also determine the mode stability for different models of these stars. We show that our TDC models agree better with observations than with frozen convection models. Finally, we compare the results obtained with different values of the mixing-length parameter α.     

Long Secondary Periods in variable red giants

We present a study of a sample of Large Magellanic Cloud red giants exhibiting Long Secondary Periods (LSPs). We use radial velocities obtained from VLT spectral observations and MACHO and OGLE light curves to examine properties of the stars and to evaluate models for the cause of LSPs. This sample is much larger than the combined previous studies of Hinkle et al. and Wood, Olivier & Kawaler.
Binary and pulsation models have enjoyed much support in recent years. Assuming stellar pulsation, we calculate from the velocity curves that the typical fractional radius change over an LSP cycle is greater than 30 per cent. This should lead to large changes in T _eff that are not observed. Also, the small light amplitude of these stars seems inconsistent with the radius amplitude. We conclude that pulsation is not a likely explanation for the LSPs. The main alternative, physical movement of the star – binary motion – also has severe problems. If the velocity variations are due to binary motion, the distribution of the angle of periastron in our large sample of stars has a probability of  1.4 × 10⁻³  that it comes from randomly aligned binary orbits. In addition, we calculate a typical companion mass of  0.09 M_⊙  . Less than 1 per cent of low-mass main-sequence stars have companions near this mass  (0.06–0.12 M_⊙)  whereas ∼25–50 per cent of low-mass red giants end up with LSPs. We are unable to find a suitable model for the LSPs and conclude by listing their known properties.     

The cooling of shock-compressed primordial gas

We find that at redshifts   z ≳ 10, HD  line cooling allows strongly shocked primordial gas to cool to the temperature of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). This temperature is the minimum value attainable via radiative cooling. Provided that the abundance of HD, normalized to the total number density, exceeds a critical level of  ∼10⁻⁸  , the CMB temperature floor is reached in a time which is short in comparison to the Hubble time. We estimate the characteristic masses of stars formed out of shocked primordial gas in the wake of the first supernovae, and resulting from the virialization of dark matter haloes during hierarchical structure formation to be  ∼10 M_⊙  . In addition, we show that cooling by HD enables the primordial gas in relic H  ii regions to cool to temperatures considerably lower than those reached via H₂ cooling alone. We confirm that HD cooling is unimportant in cases where the primordial gas does not go through an ionized phase, as in the formation process of the very first stars in   z ≳ 20  minihaloes of mass  ∼10⁶ M_⊙  .     

An extremely slow nova?

The binary companion to the peculiar F supergiant HD 172481 is shown to be a Mira variable with a pulsation period of 312 d. Its characteristics are within the normal range found for solitary Miras of that period, although its pulsation amplitude and mass-loss rate ̇ ∼3×10⁻⁶ M_⊙ yr⁻¹ are higher than average. Reasons are given for suspecting that the F supergiant, which has L ∼10⁴ L_⊙, is a white dwarf burning hydrogen accreted from its companion.     

Excitation of oscillation modes by tides in close binaries: constraints on stellar and orbital parameters

The parameter space favourable for the resonant excitation of free oscillation modes by dynamic tides in close binary components is explored using qualitative considerations to estimate the order of magnitude of the tidal force and the frequency range covered by the tidally induced oscillations. The investigation is valid for slowly rotating stars with masses in the interval between 2 and  20 M_⊙  , and an evolutionary stage ranging from the beginning to the end of the main sequence. Oscillation modes with eigenfrequencies of the order of five times the inverse of the dynamical time-scale  τ_dyn  of the star, i.e. the lowest-order p -modes, the f -mode and the lowest-order g ⁺-modes, are found to be outside the favourable parameter space since their resonant excitation requires orbital eccentricities that are too high for the binary to stay detached when the components pass through the periastron of their relative orbit. Resonances between dynamic tides and g ⁺-modes with frequencies of the order of half of the inverse of the dynamical time-scale of the star on the other hand are found to be favourable for orbital periods up to  ∼200τ_dyn  , provided that the binary mass ratio q is larger than 1/3, and the orbital eccentricity e is larger than ∼0.25. This favourable range comes down to orbital periods of up to 5–12 d in the case of  2–20 M_⊙  zero-age main-sequence binary components, and orbital periods of up to 21–70 d in the case of terminal main-sequence binary components.     

Time-series spectroscopy of the rapidly oscillating Ap star HR 3831

We present time-series spectroscopy of the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star HR 3831. This star has a dominant pulsation period of 11.7 min and a rotation period of 2.85 d. We have analysed 1400 intermediate-resolution spectra of the wavelength region 6100–7100 Å obtained over one week, using techniques similar to those we applied to another roAp star, α  Cir.
We confirm that the H α velocity amplitude of HR 3831 is modulated with rotation phase. Such a modulation was predicted by the oblique pulsator model, and rules out the spotted pulsator model. However, further analysis of H α and other lines reveals rotational modulations that cannot easily be explained using the oblique pulsator model. In particular, the phase of the pulsation as measured by the width of the H α line varies with height in the line.
The variation of the H α bisector shows a very similar pattern to that observed in α Cir, which we have previously attributed to a radial node in the stellar atmosphere. However, the striking similarities between the two stars, despite the much shorter period of α Cir (6.8 min), argues against this interpretation unless the structure of the atmosphere is somewhat different between the two stars. Alternatively, the bisector variation is a signature of the degree ℓ of the mode and not the overtone value n .
High-resolution studies of the metal lines in roAp stars are needed to understand fully the form of the pulsation in the atmosphere.     

Multiperiodicity and physical nature of the δ Sct star GSC 2683-3076

We present the results of a CCD Johnson V and photoelectric Strömgren uvbyβ photometric study of the recently discovered multiperiodic δ Sct star GSC 2683-3076. Our data set mainly consists of 2874 differential measurements in V together with a few data collected into the uvbyβ system. Additional unfiltered CCD measurements were also carried out. A set of seven best-fitting pulsation frequencies representing the light variations of the variable has been detected. The spectral type of the variable is found to be A9V or F0V. Using the uvbyβ indices the following main physical parameters for the variable have been derived: T _eff=7230 K , M _V =1.95 mag , log  g =3.90 , M =1.85 M_⊙ , R =2.30 R_⊙ , ρ =0.16  ρ _⊙ , age =1.0 Gyr , metal abundance [Me/H]=0.16 and distance modulus =8.4 mag . GSC 2683-3076 is found to be a Population I δ Sct star, slightly metal-enriched, evolving on its main-sequence stage. A mixture of radial and non-radial modes seems to be present in the pulsation of this variable. This star is also known as H133 in the young open cluster NGC 6871, however arguments are given that address this star as a non-member of the cluster. The uvbyβ photometry available in the literature for NGC 6871 is also discussed.     

Abundance analysis of the γ Doradus–δ Scuti hybrid metallic line (Am) star HD 8801

Low frequency oscillation, typical for γ Doradus g‐mode type stellar core sensitive pulsation, as well as higher frequency δ Scuti type pulsation typical for p ‐modes, sensitive to the envelope, make HD 8801 a remarkable hybrid pulsator with the potential to probe a stellar structure over a wide range of radius. In addition HD 8801 is a rare pulsating metallic line (Am) star. We determined the astro‐physical fundamental parameters to locate HD 8801 in the H‐R diagram. We analyzed the element abundances, paying close attention to the errors involved, and confirm the nature of HD 8801 as a metallic line (Am) star. We also determined an upper limit on the magnetic field strength. Our abundance analysis is based on classical techniques, but uses for the final step a model atmosphere calculated with the abundances determined by us. We also discuss spectropolarimetric observations obtained for HD 8801. This object is remarkable in several respects. It is a nonmagnetic metallic line (Am) star, pulsating simultaneously in p‐ and g‐modes, but also shows oscillations with periods in between these two domains, whose excitation requires explanation. Overall, the pulsational incidence in unevolved classical Am stars is believed to be quite low; HD 8801 does not conform to this picture. Finally, about 75 % of Am stars are located in short‐period binaries, but there is no evidence that HD 8801 has a companion. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Spatial distribution of stars and brown dwarfs in σ Orionis

I have re-visited the spatial distribution of stars and high-mass brown dwarfs in the σ Orionis (σ Ori) cluster (∼3 Ma, ∼360 pc). The input was a catalogue of 340 cluster members and candidates at separations less than 30 arcmin to σ Ori AB. Of them, 70 per cent have features of extreme youth. I fitted the normalized cumulative number of objects counting from the cluster centre to several power-law, exponential and King radial distributions. The cluster seems to have two components: a dense core that extends from the centre to   r ≈  20 arcmin and a rarified halo at larger separations. The radial distribution in the core follows a power law proportional to r ¹, which corresponds to a volume density proportional to   r ⁻²  . This is consistent with the collapse of an isothermal spherical molecular cloud. The stars more massive than  3.7 M_⊙  concentrate, however, towards the cluster centre, where there is also an apparent deficit of very low mass objects  ( M < 0.16 M_⊙)  . Last, I demonstrated through Monte Carlo simulations that the cluster is azimuthally asymmetric, with a filamentary overdensity of objects that runs from the cluster centre to the Horsehead Nebula.     

On the first generation of stars

We argue that the first stars may have spanned the conventional mass range rather than be identified with the very massive objects  (∼100–10³ M_⊙)  favoured by numerical simulations. Specifically, we find that magnetic field generation processes acting in the first protostellar systems suffice to produce fields that exceed the threshold for magneto-rotational instability (MRI) to operate, and thereby allow the MRI dynamo to generate equipartition-amplitude magnetic fields on protostellar mass scales below  ∼50 M_⊙  . Such fields allow primordial star formation to occur at essentially any metallicity by regulating angular momentum transfer, fragmentation, accretion and feedback in much the same way as occurs in conventional molecular clouds.     

The rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 99563 and its distorted dipole pulsation mode

We undertook a time-series photometric multisite campaign for the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star HD 99563 and also acquired mean light observations over four seasons. The pulsations of the star, which show flatter light maxima than minima, can be described with a frequency quintuplet centred on 1557.653 μHz and some first harmonics of it. The amplitude of the pulsation is modulated with the rotation period of the star that we determine with 2.91179 ± 0.00007 d from the analysis of the stellar pulsation spectrum and of the mean light data. We break up the distorted oscillation mode into its pure spherical harmonic components and find it is dominated by the ℓ= 1 pulsation, and also has a notable ℓ= 3 contribution, with weak ℓ= 0 and 2 components. The geometrical configuration of the star allows us to see both pulsation poles for about the same amount of time; HD 99563 is only the fourth roAp star for which both pulsation poles are seen and only the third where the distortion of the pulsation modes has been modelled. We point out that HD 99563 is very similar to the well-studied roAp star HR 3831. Finally, we note that the visual companion of HD 99563 is located in the δ Scuti instability strip and may thus show pulsation. We show that if the companion was physical, the roAp star would be a 2.03-M_⊙, object, seen at a rotational inclination of 44°, which then predicts a magnetic obliquity     .     

On the origin of high-velocity runaway stars

We explore the hypothesis that some high-velocity runaway stars attain their peculiar velocities in the course of exchange encounters between hard massive binaries and a very massive star (either an ordinary  50–100 M_⊙  star or a more massive one, formed through runaway mergers of ordinary stars in the core of a young massive star cluster). In this process, one of the binary components becomes gravitationally bound to the very massive star, while the second one is ejected, sometimes with a high speed. We performed three-body scattering experiments and found that early B-type stars (the progenitors of the majority of neutron stars) can be ejected with velocities of  ≳200–400 km s⁻¹  (typical of pulsars), while  3–4 M_⊙  stars can attain velocities of  ≳300–400 km s⁻¹  (typical of the bound population of halo late B-type stars). We also found that the ejected stars can occasionally attain velocities exceeding the Milky Ways's escape velocity.     

Eight new δ Scuti stars

HD 23194, a member of the Pleiades, was found to pulsate with a period of about 30 min. The literature on the star is reviewed, and it is concluded that it may be a marginal Am star in a binary system. HD 95321 is an evolved Am ( ρ Puppis) star with a 5.1-h periodicity. Mode identification of its pulsation, based on multicolour photometry, suggests that the oscillation is probably non-radial with ℓ=2. We also report on the discovery of six other new δ Scuti stars, some of which may be pulsating in gravity modes.     

Orbital solution and fundamental parameters of σ Scorpii

The first orbital solution for the spectroscopic pair in the multiple star system σ Scorpii, determined from measurements with the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer, is presented. The primary component is of β Cephei variable type and has been one of the most intensively studied examples of its class. The orbital solution, when combined with radial velocity results found in the literature, yields a distance of  174⁺²³₋₁₈ pc  , which is consistent with, but more accurate than the Hipparcos value. For the primary component we determine  18.4 ± 5.4 M_⊙, −4.12 ± 0.34 mag  and  12.7 ± 1.8 R_⊙  for the mass, absolute visual magnitude and radius, respectively. A B1 dwarf spectral type and luminosity class for the secondary is proposed from the mass determination of  11.9 ± 3.1 M_⊙  and the estimated system age of 10 Myr.     

The Galactic hybrid Wolf–Rayet WN 7o/CE + O7V((f)) binary system WR 145

A spectroscopic study of the binary Wolf–Rayet (WR)+O system WR 145 is performed, in order to determine the radial velocity orbits of the individual stars, the angle of orbital inclination and the stellar masses. The emission and absorption components are separated from the original spectra, allowing us to confirm the spectral classification WN 7o/CE of the hybrid WR component and to derive a spectral classification O7V((f)) for the O star. A study of the wind-collision properties is performed. Fitting the radial velocity and full width at half-maximum of the excess emission with Lührs' model results in an inclination angle of   i = 63°  , leading to estimates of the stellar masses:   M _WR= 18 M_⊙  and   M _O= 31 M_⊙  . Both of these masses are compatible with those of other stars of similar types.     

Stellar contents and star formation in the young star cluster Be 59

We present   UBV  I _c   CCD photometry of the young open cluster Be 59 with the aim to study the star formation scenario in the cluster. The radial extent of the cluster is found to be ∼10 arcmin (2.9 pc). The interstellar extinction in the cluster region varies between   E ( B − V ) ≃ 1.4  to 1.8 mag. The ratio of total-to-selective extinction in the cluster region is estimated as  3.7 ± 0.3  . The distance of the cluster is found to be  1.00 ± 0.05 kpc  . Using near-infrared (NIR) colours and slitless spectroscopy, we have identified young stellar objects (YSOs) in the open cluster Be 59 region. The ages of these YSOs range between <1 and ∼2 Myr, whereas the mean age of the massive stars in the cluster region is found to be ∼2 Myr. There is evidence for second-generation star formation outside the boundary of the cluster, which may be triggered by massive stars in the cluster. The slope of the initial mass function, Γ, in the mass range  2.5 < M /M_⊙≤ 28  is found to be  −1.01 ± 0.11  which is shallower than the Salpeter value (−1.35), whereas in the mass range  1.5 < M /M_⊙≤ 2.5  the slope is almost flat. The slope of the K -band luminosity function is estimated as  0.27 ± 0.02  , which is smaller than the average value (∼0.4) reported for young embedded clusters. Approximately 32 per cent of Hα emission stars of Be 59 exhibit NIR excess indicating that inner discs of the T Tauri star (TTS) population have not dissipated. The Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) and IRAS-HIRES images around the cluster region are also used to study the emission from unidentified infrared bands and to estimate the spatial distribution of optical depth of warm and cold interstellar dust.     

The evolution of low-metallicity asymptotic giant branch stars and the formation of carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars

We investigate the behaviour of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars between metallicities   Z = 10⁻⁴  and 10⁻⁸. We determine which stars undergo an episode of flash-driven mixing, where protons are ingested into the intershell convection zone, as they enter the thermally pulsing AGB phase and which undergo third dredge-up. We find that flash-driven mixing does not occur above a metallicity of   Z = 10⁻⁵  for any mass of star and that stars above  2 M_⊙  do not experience this phenomenon at any metallicity. We find carbon ingestion (CI), the mixing of carbon into the tail of hydrogen-burning region, occurs in the mass range  2 M_⊙  to around  4 M_⊙  . We suggest that CI may be a weak version of the flash-driven mechanism. We also investigate the effects of convective overshooting on the behaviour of these objects. Our models struggle to explain the frequency of Carbon-Enhanced Metal-Poor (CEMP) stars that have both significant carbon and nitrogen enhancement. Carbon can be enhanced through flash-driven mixing, CI or just third dredge-up. Nitrogen can be enhanced through hot bottom burning and the occurrence of hot dredge-up also converts carbon into nitrogen. The C/N ratio may be a good indicator of the mass of the primary AGB stars.     

Towards mode selection in δ Scuti stars: regularities in observed and theoretical frequency spectra

Only a fraction of the theoretically predicted non-radial pulsation modes have so far been observed in δ Scuti stars. Nevertheless, the large number of frequencies detected in recent photometric studies of selected δ Scuti stars allow us to look for regularities in the frequency spacing of modes. Mode identifications are used to interpret these results.
Statistical analyses of several δ Scuti stars (FG Vir, 44 Tau, BL Cam and others) show that the photometrically observed frequencies are not distributed at random, but that the excited non-radial modes cluster around the frequencies of the radial modes over many radial orders.
The observed regularities can be partly explained by modes trapped in the stellar envelope. This mode selection mechanism was proposed by Dziembowski & Królikowska and shown to be efficient for  ℓ= 1  modes. New pulsation model calculations confirm the observed regularities.
We present the s – f diagram, which compares the average separation of the radial frequencies ( s ) with the frequency of the lowest frequency unstable radial mode ( f ). This provides an estimate for the  log  g   value of the observed star, if we assume that the centres of the observed frequency clusters correspond to the radial mode frequencies. This assumption is confirmed by examples of well-studied δ Scuti variables in which radial modes were definitely identified.     

The depletion of carbon by extra mixing in metal-poor giants

There is an apparent dichotomy between the metal-poor  ([Fe/H]≤−2)  yet carbon-normal giants and their carbon-rich counterparts. The former undergo significant depletion of carbon on the red giant branch after they have undergone first dredge-up, whereas the latter do not appear to experience significant depletion. We investigate this in the context that the extra mixing occurs via the thermohaline instability that arises due to the burning of  ³He  . We present the evolution of [C/Fe], [N/Fe] and  ¹²C/¹³C  for three models: a carbon-normal metal-poor star, and two stars that have accreted material from a  1.5 M_⊙  AGB companion, one having received  0.01 M_⊙  of material and the other having received  0.1 M_⊙  . We find the behaviour of the carbon-normal metal-poor stars is well reproduced by this mechanism. In addition, our models also show that the efficiency of carbon-depletion is significantly reduced in carbon-rich stars. This extra-mixing mechanism is able to reproduce the observed properties of both carbon-normal and carbon-rich stars.