Spectroscopic Survey of δ Sct Stars

The methods used to derive effective temperatures, projected rotational velocities and surface gravities of a sample of low and high-amplitude δ Sct stars are presented here. Effective temperatures were derived using Hα and Hβ line profiles whereas rotational velocities were calculated following the method described in Solano & Fernley (1997). Surface gravities were obtained using Hipparcos parallaxes and evolutionary models (Claret 1995). The results of this analysis will be published in a subsequent paper (Solano & Pintado 1999). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evolutionary stellar population synthesis at high spectral resolution: optical wavelengths

We present the single stellar population (SSP) synthesis results of our new synthetic stellar atmosphere models library with a spectral sampling of 0.3 Å, covering the wavelength range from 3000 to 7000 Å for a wide range of metallicities (twice solar, solar, half solar and 1/10 solar). The stellar library is composed of 1650 spectra computed with the latest improvements in stellar atmospheres. In particular, it incorporates non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) line-blanketed models for hot  ( T _eff≥ 27 500 K)  , and LTE line-blanketed models (Phoenix) for cool  (3000 ≤ T _eff≤ 4500 K)  stars. Because of the high spectral resolution of this library, evolutionary synthesis models can be used to predict the strength of numerous weak absorption lines and the evolution of the profiles of the strongest lines over a wide range of ages. The SSP results have been calculated for ages from 1 Myr to 17 Gyr using the stellar evolutionary tracks provided by the Geneva and Padova groups. For young stellar populations, our results have a very detailed coverage of high-temperature stars with similar results for the Padova and Geneva isochrones. For intermediate and old stellar populations, our results, once degraded to a lower resolution, are similar to the ones obtained by other groups (limitations imposed by the stellar evolutionary physics notwidthstanding). The limitations and advantages of our models for the analysis of integrated populations are described. The full set of the stellar library and the evolutionary models are available for retrieval at the websites http://www.iaa.csic.es/~rosa and http://www.iaa.csic.es/~mcs/sed@ , or on request from the first two authors.     

High-resolution optical spectroscopy of the sharp-lined B-type star HD 83206

Very-high-resolution ( R ∼160 000) spectroscopic observations are presented for the early B-type star, HD 83206. Because it has very sharp metal lines, this star affords an opportunity to test theories of model atmospheres and line formation. Non-LTE model atmosphere calculations have been used to estimate the atmospheric parameters and absolute metal abundances (C, N, O, Mg and Si); an LTE analysis was also undertaken to investigate the validity of this simpler approach and to estimate an iron abundance. For the non-LTE calculations, there is excellent agreement with observations of the Balmer lines H α and H δ and the lines of Si  ii and Si  iii for atmospheric parameters of T _eff≃21 700±600 K and log  g ≃4.00±0.15 dex. The agreement is less convincing for the LTE calculations, and a higher gravity is deduced. Careful comparison of the metal line profiles with non-LTE calculations implies that the projected rotational and microturbulent velocities have maximum values of ≃5 and ≃2 km s⁻¹, respectively. The latter value is smaller than has often been adopted in LTE model atmosphere analyses of main-sequence stars. Non-LTE absolute metal abundances are estimated, and a comparison with those for normal B-type stars (deduced using similar non-LTE techniques) shows no significant differences. A comparison of the abundances deduced using non-LTE and LTE calculations implies systematic differences of 0.1–0.2 dex, showing the importance of using a non-LTE approach when accurate absolute abundances are required. Its location in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram and normal metal abundance lead us to conclude that HD 83206 is probably a main-sequence B-type star. As such, it is among the sharpest-lined young B-type star discovered to date.     

Empirical NLTE analyses of solar spectral lines

A method is suggested for empirical NLTE analyses of solar spectral lines. Special depthdependent departure coefficients (x) are introduced and the formulas are given for further application. From test calculations it is shown that the separation of the departure coefficients for the upper and the lower level from each other and from the uncertainties in several input parameters (oscillator strength times abundance, turbulent velocities and damping constant) is greatly facilitated when spectral lines are analysed on the disk, around the limb, as well as in the flash spectrum. Therefore it is necesssary that all accessible line data are used, from accurate line profiles to equivalent widths or integrated intensities. To reduce the number of independent variables the analysis should include many multiplets between a few spectroscopic terms.We discuss the advantages of translating the departure coefficients into a set of temperatures. Some published LTE and NLTE analyses are compared in terms of these temperatures. The results do not show inexplicable contradictions. For several atomic spectra the departures from LTE seem large enough to be established quantitatively by the detailed method suggested in this paper.     

Rotational evolution of the Sun

The evolutionary behaviour of rotating solar models with different initial angular-momentum distributions has been investigated through the pre-Main-Sequence and Main-Sequence phases. The angular momentum was removed from the convective evelope of the solar models according to the Kawaler's model of magnetic stellar wind (Kawaler, 1988). The models show that (i) the surface rotational velocities of the solar mass stars are independent of initial angular momentum for ages greater than 10⁸ years and (ii) it is not possible to explain the neutrino problem and the sufficient depletion of lithium in the Sun.     

Atmospheric Parameters and Abundances of sdB Stars

We summarize recent results of quantitative spectral analyses using NLTE and metal line-blanketed LTE model atmospheres. Temperatures and gravities derived for hundreds of sdB stars are now available and allow us to investigate systematic uncertainties of T _e ff, log g scales and to test the theory of stellar evolution and pulsations. Surface abundance patterns of about two dozen sdB stars are surprisingly homogenous. In particular the iron abundance is almost solar for most sdBs. We highlight one iron-deficient and three super metal-rich sdBs, a challenge to diffusion theory. sdB stars are slowly rotating stars unless they are in close binary systems, which is hard to understand if the sdB stars were formed in merger events. The only exception is the pulsator PG 1605+072 rotating at vsin i= 39 km/s. Signatures of stellar winds from sdB stars may have been found.     

A Note on the Supersonic Convection in Stellar Atmospheres

By using a non-local convection theory, both the local and nonlocal convective envelope models of evolutionary series of stars with masses from 1 to 30 solar masses are calculated. The problem of supersonic convection is reviewed. The results show that the convective velocities in the stellar atmosphere are seriously overestimated by the local mixing-length theory. Convection is strongly supersonic in the atmospheres of yellow giant and super-giants, while the local mixing-length theory is used. However, it becomes subsonic for most stars when convection returns to the normal nonlocal treatment. Convection velocities increase with increase of luminosities of stars. There is still weak supersonic convection in few red and yellow giant and super-giants. It is suspected whether this supersonic convection in stellar atmospheres is true.     

Analyses of Wolf-Rayet ultraviolet spectra

Ultraviolet spectra of population I WR stars obtained from IUE archive are used to determine fundamental stellar parameters. Terminal velocities for 85 galactic and LMC Wolf-Rayet stars were obtained by means of the empirical relation between spectral quantities easily measured in low resolution and high-resolution terminal velocity measurements. Temperatures and so-called transformed radii were derived based on available contour plots of spectral characteristics for a grid of NLTE models. The effect of the reddening law on stellar far ultraviolet continua is emphasized and the revised extinction curve towards WR stars is used for dereddening. For the sample of stars attributed to open clusters or associations we construct the stellar distance scale and adopt it for the other WR stars. The remaining fundamental parameters are derived and HR diagram for population I WR stars is presented.     

Disentangling Metallicity and Age for Turnoff Stars

This is a progress report on calculations of near-ultraviolet spectrawith Ben Dorman at NASA/Goddard, for the ultimate purpose of extractingage and metallicity from extragalactic spectra. We are calculating fromfirst principles a grid of spectra covering 2200–3400 Å using theKurucz program SYNTHE, beginning with stars of metallicity less thanone-fifth solar ([Fe/H] < ?0.7). For these stars, LTE calculationsusing known opacities and line lists including only transitions measuredin the laboratory, coupled with standard line-blanketed LTE models, providea satisfactory match to the spectra of turnoff stars of temperaturesT _eff = 5750 K – 6250 K. For more metal-rich stars, two problemsarise: lines without a laboratory identification become increasinglyinfluential, and the cores of all strong lines become too strong. Theseproblems must be addressed to match near-UV spectra of turnoff stars ofsolar metallicity or higher.     

Carbon Abundance in Early B-Stars. I. NLTE Calculations for ΓPeg.

NLTE calculations of carbon abundance in Peg atmosphere revealed a slight deficiency of this element ([C/H] =–0.25). A short discussion of this result is given. The list of CII that could be used for LTE calculation of carbon abundance in hot stars is presented.     

High-resolution spectroscopy of ROSAT-discovered weak-line T Tauri stars near Lupus

We present high-resolution optical echelle spectroscopy for a large fraction of the Li-rich late-type stars recently discovered in the vicinity of the Lupus dark clouds. Our results confirm the high Li  i   λ 6708 equivalent widths previously estimated from medium-resolution spectra, thus adding strength to the conclusion that the large majority of these stars are still in the pre-main-sequence phase of their evolution, contrary to claims from other authors that many of them might be zero-age main-sequence stars. We present a statistical approach to derive a mean distance for the sample, and find that it is consistent with, or slightly lower than, the Hipparcos distance of the Lupus star-forming region. The radial velocities measured for part of these stars are consistent with those observed for the Lupus star-forming region, while stars outside the dark clouds show a mean difference of the order of 3 km s⁻¹. The projected rotational velocities show a lack of slow rotators, which is interpreted as a consequence of the X-ray selection of the sample. The Li-rich stars in Lupus studied in this work yield a fairly 'clean' sample of very young stars, while in other star-forming regions a larger fraction of older zero-age main-sequence stars has been found among ROSAT -discovered Li-rich stars. We argue that this fact reflects the relation of these stars with the Gould Belt.     

Rotation of pre-main-sequence stars in NGC 2264 and the solar angular momentum problem

Preliminary measurements of rotational velocities of pre-main sequence stars indicate that stars evolving into early F or late A spectral type have rotational velocities which are consistent with present Main-Sequence stars of similar spectral type. Stars evolving into G type, however, have rotational velocities which are as high as 100 km s^–1 and would reach the Main Sequence with velocities of 150 km s^–1. This requires the presence of a strong stellar wind to carry off considerable angular momentum in order to slow down the Sun to its present low rotational velocity.Paper presented at the Conference on Protostars and Planets, held at the Planetary Science Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, between January 3 and 7, 1978.     

Stars of extragalactic origin in the solar neighborhood

For 77 main-sequence F–G stars in the solar neighborhood with published iron, magnesium, and europium abundances determined from high-dispersion spectra and with the ages estimated from theoretical isochrones, we calculated the spatial velocities using Hipparcos data and the Galactic orbital elements. A comparison with the orbital elements of the globular clusters that are known to have been accreted by our Galaxy in the past reveals stars of extragalactic origin. We show that the abundance ratios of r-and α-elements in all the accreted stars differ sharply from those in the stars that are genetically associated with the Galaxy. According to current theoretical models, europium is produced mainly in low-mass type-II supernovae (SNe II), while magnesium is synthesized in large quantities in high-mass SN II progenitors. Since all the old accreted stars of our sample exhibit a significant Eu overabundance relative to Mg, we conclude that the maximum masses of the SN II progenitors outside the Galaxy were much lower than those inside it. On the other hand, only a small number of young accreted stars exhibit low negative ratios [Eu/Mg]<0. This can be explained by the delay of primordial star formation and the explosions of high-mass SNe II in a relatively small part of extragalactic space. We provide evidence that the interstellar medium was weakly mixed at the early evolutionary stages of the Galaxy formed from a single protogalactic cloud, and that the maximum mass of the SN II progenitors increased in it with time simultaneously with the increase in mean metallicity.     

Spectroscopic analysis of southern B and Be stars

Spectroscopic monitoring of 141 southern field B-type stars, 114 of them known to exhibit the Be phenomenon, allowed the estimation of their projected rotational velocities, effective temperatures and superficial gravities from both line and equivalent width fitting procedures. Stellar ages, masses and bolometric luminosities were derived from internal structure models. Without taking into account the effects of gravity darkening, we note the occurrence of the Be phenomenon in later stages of main-sequence phase.     

NLTE formation of the resonance Ba II line λ 455.4 nm in the solar atmosphere

We consider the NLTE formation of the resonance Ba II line λ 455.4 nm in the solar spectrum for three one-dimensional and one three-dimensional hydrodynamic models of the quiet solar atmosphere. The sensitivity of the line to atomic parameters, microturbulent and macroturbulent velocities, as well as to oscillator strength and barium abundance uncertainties was examined. The wings of the barium line are shown to be most sensitive to the van der Waals broadening constant. Another important parameter is the barium abundance. Our NLTE estimate of the solar barium abundance (A _Ba = 2.16) derived with allowance made for the nonuniform solar atmosphere structure is in good agreement with earlier results. The influence of granular convective motions on the line profile shape was studied, and the profiles formed in granules and in intergranular lanes are shown to be asymmetric and differently shaped. We demonstrate that the theoretical profiles match well the observed ones when the NLTE effects and the granular structure are taken into account.     

PopStar I: evolutionary synthesis model description

We present new evolutionary synthesis models for simple stellar populations for a wide range of ages and metallicities. The models are based on the Padova isochrones. The core of the spectral library is provided by the medium resolution Lejeune et al. atmosphere models. These spectra are complemented by Non Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (NLTE) atmosphere models for hot stars that have an important impact on the stellar cluster's ionizing spectra: O, B and WR stellar spectra at the early ages, and spectra of post asymptotic giant branch stars and planetary nebulae, at intermediate and old ages. At young ages, our models compare well with other existing models, but we find that the inclusion of the nebular continuum, not considered in several other models, significantly reddens the integrated colours of very young stellar populations. This is consistent with the results of spectral synthesis codes particularly devised for the study of starburst galaxies. At intermediate and old ages, the agreement with the literature model is good and, in particular, we reproduce the observed colours of star clusters in Large Magellanic Cloud well. Given the ability to produce good integrated spectra from the far-ultraviolet to the infrared at any age, we consider that our models are particularly suited for the study of high-redshift galaxies. These models are available on the web site http://www.fractal-es.com/SEDmod.htm and also through the Virtual Observatory Tools on the PopStar server.     

关于恒星大气超声对流的注释

1引言尽管有诸多的不满之处,由于其物理上的直观性和应用上的简单性,至今混合长理论仍几乎是唯一一个广泛用于恒星结构、演化和脉动计算的恒星对流理论.混合长理论预言,在红、黄巨星和超巨星大气中,对流是超声速的.我们曾指出,混合长理论隐含了一个假定,对流是亚声速的.对于超声速对流,无论从物理的真实性,还是从混合长公式的数学表述来看,混合长理论都是不正确的.因此超声对流的真实性是存在问题     

Influence of departures from LTE on oxygen abundance determination in the atmospheres of A-K stars

We have performed non-LTE calculations for O I with a multilevel model atom using currently available atomic data for a set of parameters corresponding to stars of spectral types from A to K. Departures from LTE lead to a strengthening of O I lines, and the difference between the non-LTE and LTE abundances (non-LTE correction) is negative. The non-LTE correction does not exceed 0.05 dex in absolute value for visible O I lines for main-sequence stars in the entire temperature range. For the infrared O I 7771 Å line, the non-LTE correction can reach ?1.9 dex. The departures from LTE are enhanced with increasing temperature and decreasing surface gravity. We have derived the oxygen abundance for three A-type mainsequence stars with reliably determined parameters (Vega, Sirius, HD 32115). For each of the stars, allowance for the departures from LTE leads to a decrease in the difference between the abundances from infrared and visible lines, for example, for Vega from 1.17 dex in LTE to 0.14 dex when abandoning LTE. In the case of Procyon and the Sun, inelastic collisions with HI affect the statistical equilibrium of OI, and agreement between the abundances from different lines is achieved when using Drawin’s classical formalism. Based on the O I 6300, 6158, 7771-5, and 8446 Å lines of the solar spectrum, we have derived the mean oxygen abundance log ? = 8.74 ± 0.05 using a classical plane-parallel model solar atmosphere and log ? _+3D = 8.78 ± 0.03 by applying the 3D corrections taken from the literature.