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 ▲]

Towards an effective asteroseismology of solar-like stars: time-dependent convection effects on pulsation frequencies

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

Since the early days of helioseismology, adiabatic models have shown their limits for a precise fitting of individual oscillation frequencies. This discrepancy, which also exists for solar-type stars, is ... [more ▼]

Since the early days of helioseismology, adiabatic models have shown their limits for a precise fitting of individual oscillation frequencies. This discrepancy, which also exists for solar-type stars, is known to originate near the surface superadiabatic convective region where the interaction between oscillations and convection is likely to have a large effect on the frequencies. We present an asteroseismic study to address the adequacy of time-dependent convection (TDC) non-adiabatic models to better reproduce the observed individual frequencies. We select, for this purpose, three solar-like stars, in addition to the Sun, to which we fit the observed frequencies in a grid of TDC non-adiabatic models. The best model selection is done by applying a maximum likelihood method. The results are compared to pure adiabatic and near-surface corrected adiabatic models. We show that, first, TDC models give very good agreement for the mode frequencies and average lifetimes. In the solar case, the frequency discrepancy is reduced to <1.75 μHz over 95 per cent of the modes considered. Secondly, TDC models give an asteroseismic insight into the usually unconstrained ad hoc stellar parameters, such as the mixing-length parameter α[SUB]MLT[/SUB]. [less ▲]

Inference from adiabatic analysis of solar-like oscillations in red giants

in Astronomische Nachrichten (2010), 331

The clear detection with CoRoT and Kepler of radial and non-radial solar-like oscillations in many red giants paves the way to seismic inferences on the structure of such stars. We present an overview of ... [more ▼]

The clear detection with CoRoT and Kepler of radial and non-radial solar-like oscillations in many red giants paves the way to seismic inferences on the structure of such stars. We present an overview of the properties of the adiabatic frequencies and frequency separations of radial and non-radial oscillation modes, highlighting how their detection allows a deeper insight into the properties of the internal structure of red giants. In our study we consider models of red giants in different evolutionary stages, as well as of different masses and chemical composition. We describe how the large and small separations computed with radial modes and with non-radial modes mostly trapped in the envelope depend on the stellar global parameters and evolutionary state, and we compare our theoretical predictions and first Kepler data.Finally, we find that the properties of dipole modes constitute a promising seismic diagnostic of the evolutionary state of red-giant stars. [less ▲]

Evidence for a sharp structure variation inside a red-giant star

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2010), 520

Context. The availability of precisely determined frequencies of radial and non-radial oscillation modes in red giants is finally paving the way for detailed studies of the internal structure of these ... [more ▼]

Context. The availability of precisely determined frequencies of radial and non-radial oscillation modes in red giants is finally paving the way for detailed studies of the internal structure of these stars. <BR /> Aims: We look for the seismic signature of regions of sharp structure variation in the internal structure of the CoRoT target HR 7349. <BR /> Methods: We analyse the frequency dependence of the large frequency separation and second frequency differences, as well as the behaviour of the large frequency separation obtained with the envelope auto-correlation function. <BR /> Results: We find evidence for a periodic component in the oscillation frequencies, i.e. the seismic signature of a sharp structure variation in HR 7349. In a comparison with stellar models we interpret this feature as caused by a local depression of the sound speed that occurs in the helium second-ionization region. Using solely seismic constraints this allows us to estimate the mass (M = 1.2[SUB]-0.4[/SUB][SUP]+0.6[/SUP] M_&sun;) and radius (R = 12.2[SUB]-1.8[/SUB][SUP]+2.1[/SUP] R_&sun;) of HR 7349, which agrees with the location of the star in an HR diagram. [less ▲]

A seismic approach to testing different formation channels of subdwarf B stars

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2008), 490

Context: There are many unknowns in the formation of subdwarf B stars. Different formation channels are considered to be possible and to lead to a variety of helium-burning subdwarfs. All seismic models ... [more ▼]

Context: There are many unknowns in the formation of subdwarf B stars. Different formation channels are considered to be possible and to lead to a variety of helium-burning subdwarfs. All seismic models to date, however, assume that a subdwarf B star is a post-helium-flash-core surrounded by a thin inert layer of hydrogen. Aims: We examine an alternative formation channel, in which the subdwarf B star originates from a massive (>~2 M[SUB]o[/SUB]) red giant with a non-degenerate helium-core. Although these subdwarfs may evolve through the same region of the log g-T_eff diagram as the canonical post-flash subdwarfs, their interior structure is rather different. We examine how this difference affects their pulsation modes and whether it can be observed. Methods: Using detailed stellar evolution calculations we construct subdwarf B models from both formation channels. The iron accumulation in the driving region due to diffusion, which causes the excitation of the modes, is approximated by a Gaussian function. The pulsation modes and frequencies are calculated with a non-adiabatic pulsation code. Results: A detailed comparison of two subdwarf B models from different channels, but with the same log g and T_eff, shows that their mode excitation is different. The excited frequencies are lower for the post-flash than for the post-non-degenerate subdwarf B star. This is mainly due to the differing chemical composition of the stellar envelope. A more general comparison between two grids of models shows that the excited frequencies of most post-non-degenerate subdwarfs cannot be well-matched with the frequencies of post-flash subdwarfs. In the rare event that an acceptable seismic match is found, additional information, such as mode identification and log g and T_eff determinations, allows us to distinguish between the two formation channels. [less ▲]

The Liège Oscillation code

in Astrophysics & Space Science (2008), 316

The Liège Oscillation code can be used as a stand-alone program or as a library of subroutines that the user calls from a Fortran main program of his own to compute radial and nonradial adiabatic ... [more ▼]

The Liège Oscillation code can be used as a stand-alone program or as a library of subroutines that the user calls from a Fortran main program of his own to compute radial and nonradial adiabatic oscillations of stellar models. We describe the variables and the equations used by the program and the methods used to solve them. A brief account is given of the use and the output of the program. [less ▲]

Long term photometric monitoring with the Mercator telescope. Frequencies and mode identification of variable O-B stars

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2007), 463

Aims. We selected a large sample of O-B stars that were considered as (candidate) slowly pulsating B, beta Cep, and Maia stars after the analysis of their hipparcos data. We analysed our new seven ... [more ▼]

Aims. We selected a large sample of O-B stars that were considered as (candidate) slowly pulsating B, beta Cep, and Maia stars after the analysis of their hipparcos data. We analysed our new seven passband geneva data collected for these stars during the first three years of scientific operations of the mercator telescope. We performed a frequency analysis for 28 targets with more than 50 high-quality measurements to improve their variability classification. For the pulsating stars, we tried both to identify the modes and to search for rotationally split modes. Methods: We searched for frequencies in all the geneva passbands and colours by using two independent frequency analysis methods and we applied a 3.6 S/N-level criterion to locate the significant peaks in the periodograms. The modes were identified by applying the method of photometric amplitudes for which we calculated a large, homogeneous grid of equilibrium models to perform a pulsational stability analysis. When both the radius and the projected rotational velocity of an object are known, we determined a lower limit for the rotation frequency to estimate the expected frequency spacings in rotationally split pulsation modes. Results: We detected 61 frequencies, among which 33 are new. We classified 21 objects as pulsating variables (7 new confirmed pulsating stars, including 2 hybrid beta Cep/SPB stars), 6 as non-pulsating variables (binaries or spotted stars), and 1 as photometrically constant. All the Maia candidates were reclassified into other variability classes. We performed mode identification for the pulsating variables for the first time. The most probable l value is 0, 1, 2, and 4 for 1, 31, 9, and 5 modes, respectively, including only 4 unambiguous identifications. For 7 stars we cannot rule out that some of the observed frequencies belong to the same rotationally split mode. For 4 targets we may begin to resolve close frequency multiplets. Based on observations collected with the p7 photometer attached to the Flemish 1.2-m mercator telescope situated at the Roque de los Muchachos observatory on La Palma (Spain). Section [see full textsee full text], including Figs. is only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org, and Tables 2 and 3 are only 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/463/243 [less ▲]

The Seismology Programme of CoRoT

in Proceedings of "The CoRoT Mission Pre-Launch Status - Stellar Seismology and Planet Finding (2006, November 01)

We introduce the main lines and specificities of the CoRoT Seismology Core Programme. The development and consolidation of this programme has been made in the framework of the CoRoT Seismology Working ... [more ▼]

We introduce the main lines and specificities of the CoRoT Seismology Core Programme. The development and consolidation of this programme has been made in the framework of the CoRoT Seismology Working Group. With a few illustrative examples, we show how CoRoT data will help to address various problems associated with present open questions of stellar structure and evolution. [less ▲]

Analysis of MERCATOR data - Part I: variable B stars

in Communications in Asteroseismology (2006), 147

We re-classified 31 variable B stars which were observed more than 50 times in the Geneva photometric system with the p7 photometer attached to the MERCATOR telescope (La Palma) during its first 3 years ... [more ▼]

We re-classified 31 variable B stars which were observed more than 50 times in the Geneva photometric system with the p7 photometer attached to the MERCATOR telescope (La Palma) during its first 3 years of scientific observations. HD 89688 is a possible beta Cephei/slowly pulsating B star hybrid and the main mode of the COROT target HD 180642 shows non-linear effects. The Maia candidates are re-classified as either ellipsoidal variables or spotted stars. Although the mode identification is still ongoing, all the well-identified modes so far have l <= 2. [less ▲]

Instability strip for pre-main-sequence stars

in Communications in Asteroseismology (2006), 147

We apply the Time Dependent Convection (TDC) treatment presented in Grigahcene et al. (2005) to the study of Pre-main sequence pulsating stars. The stabilization of the p-modes at the red edge of the ... [more ▼]

We apply the Time Dependent Convection (TDC) treatment presented in Grigahcene et al. (2005) to the study of Pre-main sequence pulsating stars. The stabilization of the p-modes at the red edge of the Instability Strip (IS) is obtained by our models. The theoretical IS obtained with Mixing Length (ML) parameter alpha=1.8 is compared to observations and a good agreement is obtained. [less ▲]