Galactic archaeology: mapping and dating stellar populations with asteroseismology of red-giant stars

in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2013), 429

Our understanding of how the Galaxy was formed and evolves is severely hampered by the lack of precise constraints on basic stellar properties such as distances, masses and ages. Here, we show that solar ... [more ▼]

Our understanding of how the Galaxy was formed and evolves is severely hampered by the lack of precise constraints on basic stellar properties such as distances, masses and ages. Here, we show that solar-like pulsating red giants represent a well-populated class of accurate distance indicators, spanning a large age range, which can be used to map and date the Galactic disc in the regions probed by observations made by the CoRoT and Kepler space telescopes. When combined with photometric constraints, the pulsation spectra of such evolved stars not only reveal their radii, and hence distances, but also provide well-constrained estimates of their masses, which are reliable proxies for the ages of the stars. As a first application, we consider red giants observed by CoRoT in two different parts of the Milky Way, and determine precise distances for ˜2000 stars spread across nearly 15 000 pc of the Galactic disc, exploring regions which are a long way from the solar neighbourhood. We find significant differences in the mass distributions of these two samples which, by comparison with predictions of synthetic models of the Milky Way, we interpret as mainly due to the vertical gradient in the distribution of stellar masses (hence ages) in the disc. In the future, the availability of spectroscopic constraints for this sample of stars will not only improve the age determination, but also provide crucial constraints on age-velocity and age-metallicity relations at different Galactocentric radii and heights from the plane. [less ▲]

Modelling a high-mass red giant observed by CoRoT

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2012), 538

Context. The advent of space-borne photometers such as CoRoT and Kepler has opened up new fields in asteroseismology. This is especially true for red giants as only a few of these stars were known to ... [more ▼]

Context. The advent of space-borne photometers such as CoRoT and Kepler has opened up new fields in asteroseismology. This is especially true for red giants as only a few of these stars were known to oscillate with small amplitude, solar-like oscillations before the launch of CoRoT. <BR /> Aims: The G6 giant HR 2582 (HD 50890) was observed by CoRoT for approximately 55 days. We present here the analysis of its light curve and the characterisation of the star using different observables, such as its location in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and seismic observables. <BR /> Methods: Mode frequencies are extracted from the observed Fourier spectrum of the light curve. Numerical stellar models are then computed to determine the characteristics of the star (mass, age, etc.) from the comparison with observational constraints. <BR /> Results: We provide evidence for the presence of solar-like oscillations at low frequency, between 10 and 20 μHz, with a regular spacing of (1.7 ± 0.1) μHz between consecutive radial orders. Only radial modes are clearly visible. From the models compatible with the observational constraints used here, We find that HR 2582 (HD 50890) is a massive star with a mass in the range (3-5 M[SUB]&sun;[/SUB]), clearly above the red clump. It oscillates with rather low radial order (n = 5-12) modes. Its evolutionary stage cannot be determined with precision: the star could be on the ascending red giant branch (hydrogen shell burning) with an age of approximately 155 Myr or in a later phase (helium burning). In order to obtain a reasonable helium amount, the metallicity of the star must be quite subsolar. Our best models are obtained with a mixing length significantly smaller than that obtained for the Sun with the same physical description (except overshoot). The amount of core overshoot during the main-sequence phase is found to be mild, of the order of 0.1 H[SUB]p[/SUB]. <BR /> Conclusions: HR 2582 (HD 50890) is an interesting case as only a few massive stars can be observed due to their rapid evolution compared to less massive red giants. HR 2582 (HD 50890) is also one of the few cases that can be used to validate the scaling relations for massive red giants stars and its sensitivity to the physics of the star. The CoRoT space mission, launched on 2006 December 27, was developed and is operated by the CNES with participation of the Science Programs of ESA; ESA's RSSD, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Germany and Spain. [less ▲]

Asteroseismology of old open clusters with Kepler: direct estimate of the integrated red giant branch mass-loss in NGC 6791 and 6819

in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2012), 419

Mass-loss of red giant branch (RGB) stars is still poorly determined, despite its crucial role in the chemical enrichment of galaxies. Thanks to the recent detection of solar-like oscillations in G-K ... [more ▼]

Mass-loss of red giant branch (RGB) stars is still poorly determined, despite its crucial role in the chemical enrichment of galaxies. Thanks to the recent detection of solar-like oscillations in G-K giants in open clusters with Kepler, we can now directly determine stellar masses for a statistically significant sample of stars in the old open clusters NGC 6791 and 6819. The aim of this work is to constrain the integrated RGB mass-loss by comparing the average mass of stars in the red clump (RC) with that of stars in the low-luminosity portion of the RGB [i.e. stars with L≲L(RC)]. Stellar masses were determined by combining the available seismic parameters ν[SUB]max[/SUB] and Δν with additional photometric constraints and with independent distance estimates. We measured the masses of 40 stars on the RGB and 19 in the RC of the old metal-rich cluster NGC 6791. We find that the difference between the average mass of RGB and RC stars is small, but significant [? (random) ±0.04 (systematic) M[SUB]&sun;[/SUB]]. Interestingly, such a small ? does not support scenarios of an extreme mass-loss for this metal-rich cluster. If we describe the mass-loss rate with Reimers prescription, a first comparison with isochrones suggests that the observed ? is compatible with a mass-loss efficiency parameter in the range 0.1 ≲η≲ 0.3. Less stringent constraints on the RGB mass-loss rate are set by the analysis of the ˜2 Gyr old NGC 6819, largely due to the lower mass-loss expected for this cluster, and to the lack of an independent and accurate distance determination. In the near future, additional constraints from frequencies of individual pulsation modes and spectroscopic effective temperatures will allow further stringent tests of the Δν and ν[SUB]max[/SUB] scaling relations, which provide a novel, and potentially very accurate, means of determining stellar radii and masses. [less ▲]

Mixed modes in red-giant stars observed with CoRoT

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2011), 532

Context. The CoRoT mission has provided thousands of red-giant light curves. The analysis of their solar-like oscillations allows us to characterize their stellar properties. <BR /> Aims: Up to now, the ... [more ▼]

Context. The CoRoT mission has provided thousands of red-giant light curves. The analysis of their solar-like oscillations allows us to characterize their stellar properties. <BR /> Aims: Up to now, the global seismic parameters of the pressure modes have been unable to distinguish red-clump giants from members of the red-giant branch. As recently done with Kepler red giants, we intend to analyze and use the so-called mixed modes to determine the evolutionary status of the red giants observed with CoRoT. We also aim at deriving different seismic characteristics depending on evolution. <BR /> Methods: The complete identification of the pressure eigenmodes provided by the red-giant universal oscillation pattern allows us to aim at the mixed modes surrounding the ℓ = 1 expected eigenfrequencies. A dedicated method based on the envelope autocorrelation function is proposed to analyze their period separation. <BR /> Results: We have identified the mixed-mode signature separation thanks to their pattern that is compatible with the asymptotic law of gravity modes. We have shown that, independent of any modeling, the g-mode spacings help to distinguish the evolutionary status of a red-giant star. We then report the different seismic and fundamental properties of the stars, depending on their evolutionary status. In particular, we show that high-mass stars of the secondary clump present very specific seismic properties. We emphasize that stars belonging to the clump were affected by significant mass loss. We also note significant population and/or evolution differences in the different fields observed by CoRoT. The CoRoT space mission, launched 2006 December 27, was developed and is operated by the CNES, with participation of the Science Programs of ESA, ESAŠs RSSD, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, and Spain.Apeendix A is available in electronic form at <A href="http://www.aanda.org">http://www.aanda.org</A> [less ▲]

Kepler Detected Gravity-Mode Period Spacings in a Red Giant Star

in Science (2011), 332

Stellar interiors are inaccessible through direct observations. For this reason, helioseismologists made use of the Sun’s acoustic oscillation modes to tune models of its structure. The quest to detect ... [more ▼]

Stellar interiors are inaccessible through direct observations. For this reason, helioseismologists made use of the Sun’s acoustic oscillation modes to tune models of its structure. The quest to detect modes that probe the solar core has been ongoing for decades. We report the detection of mixed modes penetrating all the way to the core of an evolved star from 320 days of observations with the Kepler satellite. The period spacings of these mixed modes are directly dependent on the density gradient between the core region and the convective envelope. [less ▲]

Survival of a convective core in low-mass solar-like pulsator HD 203608

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2010), 514

Context. A 5-night asteroseismic observation of the F8V star HD 203608 was conducted in August 2006 with harps, followed by an analysis of the data, and a preliminary modeling of the star (Mosser et al ... [more ▼]

Context. A 5-night asteroseismic observation of the F8V star HD 203608 was conducted in August 2006 with harps, followed by an analysis of the data, and a preliminary modeling of the star (Mosser et al. 2008). The stellar parameters were significantly constrained, but the behavior of one of the seismic indexes (the small spacing δν[SUB]01[/SUB]) could not be fitted with the observed one, even with the best considered models. <BR /> Aims: We study the possibility of improving the agreement between models and observations by changing the physical properties of the inner parts of the star (to which δν[SUB]01[/SUB] is sensitive). <BR /> Methods: We show that, in spite of its low mass, it is possible to produce models of HD 203608 with a convective core. No such model was considered in the preliminary modeling. In practice, we obtain these models here by assuming some extra mixing at the edge of the early convective core. We optimized the model parameters using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. <BR /> Results: The agreement between the new best model with a convective core and the observations is much better than for the models without. All the observational parameters are fitted within 1-Ï observational error bars. This is the first observational evidence of a convective core in an old and low-mass star such as HD 203608. In standard models of low-mass stars, the core withdraws shortly after the ZAMS. The survival of the core until the present age of HD 203608 provides very strong constraints on the size of the mixed zone associated to the convective core. Using overshooting as a proxy to model the processes of transport at the edge of the core, we find that to reproduce both global and seismic observations, we must have α[SUB]{ov[/SUB]} = 0.17 ± 0.03 H[SUB]p[/SUB] for HD 203608. We revisit the process of the extension of the core lifetime due to overshooting in the particular case of HD 203608. [less ▲]

The Asteroseismic Potential of Kepler: First Results for Solar-Type Stars

in Astrophysical Journal Letters (2010), 713

We present preliminary asteroseismic results from Kepler on three G-type stars. The observations, made at one-minute cadence during the first 33.5 days of science operations, reveal high signal-to-noise ... [more ▼]

We present preliminary asteroseismic results from Kepler on three G-type stars. The observations, made at one-minute cadence during the first 33.5 days of science operations, reveal high signal-to-noise solar-like oscillation spectra in all three stars: about 20 modes of oscillation may be clearly distinguished in each star. We discuss the appearance of the oscillation spectra, use the frequencies and frequency separations to provide first results on the radii, masses, and ages of the stars, and comment in the light of these results on prospects for inference on other solar-type stars that Kepler will observe. [less ▲]

Asteroseismology of solar-type stars with Kepler I: Data analysis

in Astronomische Nachrichten (2010), 331

We report on the first asteroseismic analysis of solar-type stars observed by Kepler. Observations of three G-type stars, made at one-minute cadence during the first 33.5 days of science operations ... [more ▼]

We report on the first asteroseismic analysis of solar-type stars observed by Kepler. Observations of three G-type stars, made at one-minute cadence during the first 33.5 days of science operations, reveal high signal-to-noise solar-like oscillation spectra in all three stars: About 20 modes of oscillation can clearly be distinguished in each star. We discuss the appearance of the oscillation spectra, including the presence of a possible signature of faculae, and the presence of mixed modes in one of the three stars. [less ▲]

HD 203608, a quiet asteroseismic target in the old galactic disk

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2008), 488

Context: We conducted a 5-night observing run with the spectrometer harps at the ESO 3.6-m telescope in August 2006, to continue exploring the asteroseismic properties of F-type stars. In fact, Doppler ... [more ▼]

Context: We conducted a 5-night observing run with the spectrometer harps at the ESO 3.6-m telescope in August 2006, to continue exploring the asteroseismic properties of F-type stars. In fact, Doppler observations of F-type on the main sequence are demanding and remain currently limited to a single case (HD 49933). Comparison with photometric results obtained with the CoRoT space mission (Convection, Rotation and planetary Transits) on similar stars will be possible with an enhanced set of observations. Aims: We selected the 4th magnitude F8V star HD 203608 to investigate the oscillating properties of a low-metallicity star of the old galactic disk. Methods: We reduced the spectra with the on-line data reduction software provided by the instrument. We developed a new statistical approach for extracting the significant peaks in the Fourier domain. Results: The oscillation spectrum shows a significant excess power in the frequency range [1.5, 3.0 mHz]. It exhibits a large spacing of about 120.4 muHz at 2.5 mHz. Variations of the large spacing with frequency are clearly identified, which require an adapted asymptotic development. The modes identification is based on the unambiguous signature of 15 modes with l = 0 and 1. Conclusions: These observations show the potential diagnostic of asteroseismic constraints. Including them in the stellar modeling significantly enhances the precision on the physical parameters of HD 203608, resulting in a much more precise position in the HR diagram. The age of the star is now determined in the range 7.25±0.07 Gyr. Based on observations obtained with the harps échelle spectrometer mounted on the 3.6-m telescope at ESO-La Silla Observatory (Chile), programme 077.D-0720. Data corresponding to Figs. [see full textsee full textsee full text], [see full textsee full textsee full text], and Table [see full textsee full textsee full text] are available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/488/635 [less ▲]

The life of stars and their planets

in Favata, F.; Sanz-Forcada, J.; Giménez, A. (Eds.) et al 39TH ESLAB Symposium on Trends in Space Science and Cosmic Vision 2020 (2005, December 01)

We lack a reliable scenario for the formation and evolution of stars and their planetary systems, involving key factors such as magnetic fields and turbulence. We present the case for a mission concept ... [more ▼]

We lack a reliable scenario for the formation and evolution of stars and their planetary systems, involving key factors such as magnetic fields and turbulence. We present the case for a mission concept that will clarify these problems and give us a global view of the evolution of combined star and planetary systems. This will be achieved by simultaneously addressing the search for planetary transits in front of a large number of stars, including many nearby stars, the study of their internal structure and evolution via asteroseismology, and that of their magnetic activity, via UV monitoring. [less ▲]