The Newly Discovered Pulsating Low Mass White Dwarfs: An Extension of the ZZ Ceti Instability Strip

in Astrophysical Journal (2013), 762

In light of the exciting discovery of g-mode pulsations in extremely low-mass, He-core DA white dwarfs, we report on the results of a detailed stability survey aimed at explaining the existence of these ... [more ▼]

In light of the exciting discovery of g-mode pulsations in extremely low-mass, He-core DA white dwarfs, we report on the results of a detailed stability survey aimed at explaining the existence of these new pulsators as well as their location in the spectroscopic Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. To this aim, we calculated some 28 evolutionary sequences of DA models with various masses and chemical layering. These models are characterized by the so-called ML2/α = 1.0 convective efficiency and take into account the important feedback effect of convection on the atmospheric structure. We pulsated the models with the nonadiabatic code MAD, which incorporates a detailed treatment of time-dependent convection. On the other hand, given the failure of all nonadiabatic codes, including MAD, to account properly for the red edge of the strip, we resurrect the idea that the red edge is due to energy leakage through the atmosphere. We thus estimated the location of that edge by requiring that the thermal timescale in the driving region—located at the base of the H convection zone—be equal to the critical period beyond which l = 1 g-modes cease to exist. Using this approach, we find that our theoretical ZZ Ceti instability strip accounts remarkably well for the boundaries of the empirical strip, including the low-gravity, low-temperature regime where the three new pulsators are found. We also account for the relatively long periods observed in these stars, and thus conclude that they are true ZZ Ceti stars, but with low masses. [less ▲]

Towards Precise Asteroseismology of Solar-Like Stars

in Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings series (2013), 31

Adiabatic modeling of solar-like oscillations cannot exceed a certain level of precision for fitting individual frequencies. This is known as the problem of near-surface effects on the mode physics. We ... [more ▼]

Adiabatic modeling of solar-like oscillations cannot exceed a certain level of precision for fitting individual frequencies. This is known as the problem of near-surface effects on the mode physics. We present a theoretical study which addresses the problem of frequency precision in non-adiabatic models using a time-dependent convection treatment. We find that the number of acceptable model solutions is significantly reduced and more precise constraints can be imposed on the models. Results obtained for a specific star (β Hydri) lead to very good agreement with both global and local seismic observables. This indicates that the accuracy of model fitting to seismic data is greatly improved when a more complete description of the interaction between convection and pulsation is taken into account. [less ▲]

Pulsations of rapidly rotating stars. I. The ACOR numerical code

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2012), 547

Context. Very high precision seismic space missions such as CoRoT and Kepler provide the means of testing the modeling of transport processes in stellar interiors. For some stars, such as solar-like and ... [more ▼]

Context. Very high precision seismic space missions such as CoRoT and Kepler provide the means of testing the modeling of transport processes in stellar interiors. For some stars, such as solar-like and red giant stars, a rotational splitting is measured. However, to fully exploit these splittings and constrain the rotation profile, one needs to be able to calculate them accurately. For some other stars, such as δ Scuti and Be stars, for instance, the observed pulsation spectra are modified by rotation to such an extent that a perturbative treatment of the effects of rotation is no longer valid. <BR /> Aims: We present here a new two-dimensional non-perturbative code called ACOR (adiabatic code of oscillation including rotation) that allows us to compute adiabatic non-radial pulsations of rotating stars without making any assumptions on the sphericity of the star, the fluid properties (i.e., baroclinicity) or the rotation profile. <BR /> Methods: The 2D non-perturbative calculations fully take into account the centrifugal distortion of the star and include the full influence of the Coriolis acceleration. The numerical method is based on a spectral approach for the angular part of the modes and a fourth-order finite differences approach for the radial part. <BR /> Results: We test and evaluate the accuracy of the calculations by comparing them with those coming from the TOP (two-dimensional oscillation program) for the same polytropic models. We illustrate the effects of rapid rotation on stellar pulsations through the phenomenon of avoided crossings. <BR /> Conclusions: As shown by the comparison with the TOP for simple models, the code is stable, and gives accurate results up to near-critical rotation rates. [less ▲]

Theoretical Instability Domains of Massive Stars

in ASP Conference Proceeding, Vol. 462, 27 (2012, September 01)

Massive stars are characterized by a large radiation over gas pressure ratio. With increasing stellar initial mass, they suffer stronger stellar winds, and the induced mass-loss affects the evolution and ... [more ▼]

Massive stars are characterized by a large radiation over gas pressure ratio. With increasing stellar initial mass, they suffer stronger stellar winds, and the induced mass-loss affects the evolution and internal structure on the main sequence and on the post-main sequence. Recent ground-based observations and space missions have shown the presence of pulsations in massive stars, such as acoustic and gravity modes excited by the κ-mechanism and even solar-like oscillations. Strange modes could also be excited in the most massive stars (Aerts et al. 2010). We computed evolutionary tracks and non-adiabatic frequencies for initial masses ranging from 15 to 70 M[SUB]&sun;[/SUB] on the main sequence and on the post-main sequence taking mass loss into account and we discuss in this paper the results for 25 M[SUB]&sun;[/SUB] models. [less ▲]

Amplitudes of solar-like oscillations in red giant stars. Evidence for non-adiabatic effects using CoRoT observations

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2012), 543

Context. A growing number of solar-like oscillations has been detected in red giant stars thanks to the CoRoT and Kepler space-crafts. In the same way as for main-sequence stars, mode driving is ... [more ▼]

Context. A growing number of solar-like oscillations has been detected in red giant stars thanks to the CoRoT and Kepler space-crafts. In the same way as for main-sequence stars, mode driving is attributed to turbulent convection in the uppermost convective layers of those stars. <BR /> Aims: The seismic data gathered by CoRoT on red giant stars allow us to test the mode driving theory in physical conditions different from main-sequence stars. <BR /> Methods: Using a set of 3D hydrodynamical models representative of the upper layers of sub- and red giant stars, we computed the acoustic mode energy supply rate ({p_max}). Assuming adiabatic pulsations and using global stellar models that assume that the surface stratification comes from the 3D hydrodynamical models, we computed the mode amplitude in terms of surface velocity. This was converted into intensity fluctuations using either a simplified adiabatic scaling relation or a non-adiabatic one. <BR /> Results: From L and M (the luminosity and mass), the energy supply rate {p_max} is found to scale as (L/M)[SUP]2.6[/SUP] for both main-sequence and red giant stars, extending previous results. The theoretical amplitudes in velocity under-estimate the Doppler velocity measurements obtained so far from the ground for red giant stars by about 30%. In terms of intensity, the theoretical scaling law based on the adiabatic intensity-velocity scaling relation results in an under-estimation by a factor of about 2.5 with respect to the CoRoT seismic measurements. On the other hand, using the non-adiabatic intensity-velocity relation significantly reduces the discrepancy with the CoRoT data. The theoretical amplitudes remain 40% below, however, the CoRoT measurements. <BR /> Conclusions: Our results show that scaling relations of mode amplitudes cannot be simply extended from main-sequence to red giant stars in terms of intensity on the basis of adiabatic relations because non-adiabatic effects for red giant stars are important and cannot be neglected. We discuss possible reasons for the remaining differences. [less ▲]

Testing the effects of opacity and the chemical mixture on the excitation of pulsations in B stars of the Magellanic Clouds

in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2012), 422

The B-type pulsators known as β Cephei and slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars present pulsations driven by the κ mechanism, which operates thanks to an opacity bump due to the iron-group elements. In low ... [more ▼]

The B-type pulsators known as β Cephei and slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars present pulsations driven by the κ mechanism, which operates thanks to an opacity bump due to the iron-group elements. In low-metallicity environments such as the Magellanic Clouds, β Cep and SPB pulsations are not expected. Nevertheless, recent observations show evidence for the presence of B-type pulsator candidates in both galaxies. We seek an explanation for the excitation of β Cep and SPB modes in those galaxies by examining basic input physics in stellar modelling: (i) the specific metal mixture of B-type stars in the Magellanic Clouds and (ii) the role of a potential underestimation of stellar opacities. We first derive the present-day chemical mixtures of B-type stars in the Magellanic Clouds. Then, we compute stellar models for that metal mixture and perform a non-adiabatic analysis of these models. In the second approach, we simulate parametric enhancements of stellar opacities due to different iron-group elements. We then study their effects in models of B stars and their stability. We find that adopting a representative chemical mixture of B stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud cannot explain the presence of B-type pulsators there. An increase of the opacity in the region of the iron-group bump could drive B-type pulsations, but only if this increase occurs at the temperature corresponding to the maximum contribution of Ni to this opacity bump. We recommend an accurate computation of the Ni opacity to understand B-type pulsators in the Small Magellanic Cloud, as well as the frequency domain observed in some Galactic hybrid β Cep–SPB stars. [less ▲]

Damping rates of solar-like oscillations across the HR diagram. Theoretical calculations confronted to CoRoT and Kepler observations

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2012), 540

The space-borne missions CoRoT and Kepler are providing a rich harvest of high-quality constraints on solar-like pulsators. Among the seismic parameters, mode damping rates remains poorly understood and ... [more ▼]

The space-borne missions CoRoT and Kepler are providing a rich harvest of high-quality constraints on solar-like pulsators. Among the seismic parameters, mode damping rates remains poorly understood and are thus barely used to infer the physical properties of stars. Nevertheless, thanks to the CoRoT and Kepler spacecrafts it is now possible to measure damping rates for hundreds of main-sequence and thousands of red-giant stars with unprecedented precision. By using a non-adiabatic pulsation code including a time-dependent convection treatment, we compute damping rates for stellar models that are representative of solar-like pulsators from the main-sequence to the red-giant phase. This allows us to reproduce the observations of both CoRoT and Kepler, which validates our modeling of mode damping rates and thus the underlying physical mechanisms included in the modeling. By considering the perturbations of turbulent pressure and entropy (including the perturbation of the dissipation rate of turbulent energy into heat) by the oscillation in our computation, we succeed in reproducing the observed relation between damping rates and effective temperature. Moreover, we discuss the physical reasons for mode damping rates to scale with effective temperature, as observationally exhibited. Finally, this opens the way for the use of mode damping rates to probe turbulent convection in solar-like stars. [less ▲]

Pulsations of rapidly rotating evolved stars

in proceedings of the 20th Stellar Pulsation Conference Series, Granada sept 2011 (2012), 1301

A new two dimensional non-perturbative code to compute accurate oscillation modes of rapidly rotating stars is presented. The 2D calculations fully take into account the centrifugal distorsion of the star ... [more ▼]

A new two dimensional non-perturbative code to compute accurate oscillation modes of rapidly rotating stars is presented. The 2D calculations fully take into account the centrifugal distorsion of the star while the non perturbative method includes the full influence of the Coriolis acceleration. This 2D non-perturbative code is used to study pulsational spectra of highly distorted evolved models of stars. 2D models of stars are obtained by a self consistent method which distorts spherically averaged stellar models a posteriori. We are also able to compute gravito-acoustic modes for the first time in rapidly rotating stars. We present the dynamics of pulsation modes in such models, and show regularities in their frequency spectra. [less ▲]

Energetic Aspects of Non-Radial Solar-Like Oscillations in Red Giants

in Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings (2012)

The non-radial oscillations discovered by CoRoT (see e.g. de Ridder et al. (2009)) and by Kepler(see e.g. Bedding et al. (2010)) in thousands of red giants constitute a wonderful mine of information to ... [more ▼]

The non-radial oscillations discovered by CoRoT (see e.g. de Ridder et al. (2009)) and by Kepler(see e.g. Bedding et al. (2010)) in thousands of red giants constitute a wonderful mine of information to determine their global characteristics and probe their internal structure. A. Miglio and J. Montalbán have presented in detail in this conference the seismic structure of red giants, the information hold by their oscillation frequencies, and how it can be used. An adiabatic analysis of the oscillations was sufficient at this level as the frequencies are mainly determined by the deep layers were the oscillatons are quasi-adiabatic. We consider here energetic aspects of non-radial oscillations in red-giants. Non-adiabatic models of solar-like oscillations are required to determine the theoretical amplitude and lifetimes of the modes. These parameters allow us to determine how power spectra are expected to look like, depending on the structure of the red giant. Comparison with the observed measures gives thus additional constraints on the models. [less ▲]

Quantitative estimates of the constraints on solar-like models imposed by observables

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2011), 532

Context. Seismic parameters such as the large Δ[SUB]0[/SUB] and small δ[SUB]02[/SUB] frequency separations are now being measured in a very large number of stars and begin to be used to test the physics ... [more ▼]

Context. Seismic parameters such as the large Δ[SUB]0[/SUB] and small δ[SUB]02[/SUB] frequency separations are now being measured in a very large number of stars and begin to be used to test the physics of stellar models. <BR /> Aims: We estimate the influence of different observed quantities (oscillation frequencies, interferometry, etc.) and the impact of their accuracy in constraining stellar model parameters. <BR /> Methods: To relate the errors in observed quantities to the precision of the theoretical model parameters, we analyse the behaviour of the χ[SUP]2[/SUP] fitting function around its minimum using the singular value decomposition (SVD) formalism. A new indicator called "weighting" quantifies the relative importance of observational constraints on the determination of each physical parameter individually. These tools are applied to a grid of evolutionary sequences for solar-like stellar models with varying age and mass, and to a real case: HD 49933 - a typical case for which seismic observations are available from space using CoRoT. <BR /> Results: The mass ℳ is always the best determined parameter. The new indicator "weighting" allows us to rank the importance of the different constraints: the mean large separation Δ[SUB]0[/SUB], the radius R/R[SUB]&sun;[/SUB], the mean small separation δ[SUB]02[/SUB], the luminosity L/L[SUB]&sun;[/SUB], the effective temperature T[SUB]eff[/SUB]. If the metallicity and age parameters are known, for example in an open cluster, using either individual or mean frequency separations yields the same uncertainties for masses less than 1.1 M[SUB]&sun;[/SUB]. For HD 49933 the combination of ℳ and Y[SUB]0[/SUB]: ℳ[SUP]2[/SUP]Y[SUB]0[/SUB] is well determined because of their correlation. However, they are poorly constrained individually. The frequency difference δ[SUB]01[/SUB], if known with an error of about 0.3%, can determine the size of the convective core overshooting with about 3% accuracy. Appendices A and B are available in electronic form at <A href="http://www.aanda.org">http://www.aanda.org</A> [less ▲]