A blue depression in the optical spectra of M dwarfs [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.09219


A blue depression is found in the spectra of M dwarfs from 4000 to 4500A. This depression shows an increase toward lower temperatures though is particularly sensitive to gravity and metallicity. It is the single most sensitive feature in the optical spectra of M dwarfs. The depression appears as centered on the neutral calcium resonance line at 4227A and leads to nearby features being weaker by about two orders of magnitude than predicted. We consider a variety of possible causes for the depression including temperature, gravity, metallicity, dust, damping constants, and atmospheric stratification. We also consider relevant molecular opacities which might be the cause identifying AlH, SiH, and NaH in the spectral region. However, none of these solutions are satisfactory. In the absence of a more accurate determination of the broadening of the calcium line perturbed by molecular hydrogen, we find a promising empirical fit using a modified Lorentzian line profile for the calcium resonance line. Such fits provide a simplistic line-broadening description for this calcium resonance line and potentially other un-modelled resonance lines in cool high-pressure atmospheres. Thus we claim the most plausible cause of the blue depression in the optical spectra of M dwarfs is a lack of appropriate treatment of line broadening for atomic calcium. The broad wings of the calcium resonance line develop at temperatures below about 4000K and are analogous to the neutral sodium and potassium features which dominate the red optical spectra of L dwarfs.

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H. Jones, Y. Pavlenko, Y. Lyubchik, et. al.
Thu, 20 Apr 23
49/57

Comments: Accepted in MNRAS

A Sun-like star orbiting a boson star [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.09140


The high-precision astrometric mission GAIA recently reported the remarkable discovery of a Sun-like star closely orbiting a dark object, with a semi-major axis and period of $1.4\, \rm{AU}$ and $187.8$ days respectively. While the plausible expectation for the central dark object is a black hole, the evolutionary mechanism leading to the formation of such a two-body system is highly challenging. Here, we challenge the scenario of a central black hole and show that the observed orbital dynamics can be explained under fairly general assumptions if the central dark object is a stable clump of bosonic particles of spin-0, or spin-1, known as a boson star. We further explain how future astrometric measurements of similar systems will provide an exciting opportunity to probe the fundamental nature of compact objects and test compact alternatives to black holes.

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A. Pombo and I. Saltas
Wed, 19 Apr 23
8/58

Comments: 11 pages, 4 figures. Comments are very welcome

The dynamical mass of the white dwarf in XY Ari questions intermediate polar X-ray spectral models [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08524


We present a dynamical study of the eclipsing intermediate polar XY Ari based on time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy obtained with the EMIR spectrograph on the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias. Using main sequence template spectra taken with the same instrument setup as the target spectra, we measure a radial velocity amplitude of the late K-type donor star $K_2=256 \pm 2$ km s$^{-1}$. We also obtain the rotational broadening of its photospheric lines $v_\mathrm{rot} \sin i = 141 \pm 3$ km s$^{-1}$. From these and the eclipse geometry, we derive a donor-to-white dwarf mass ratio $q = M_2/M_1 = 0.62 \pm 0.02$, an orbital inclination $i = 80.8^{\circ} \pm 0.5^{\circ}$ and dynamical masses $M_{1} = 1.21 \pm 0.04 \, \mathrm{M}{\odot}$ and $M_2 = 0.75 \pm 0.04 \, \mathrm{M}{\odot}$ ($1 \sigma$). This result places the white dwarf in XY Ari as one of the three most massive known in a cataclysmic variable. Comparison with a number of white dwarf mass estimates from X-ray spectral modelling indicates the necessity of a major revision of the cooling models currently assumed for magnetic accretion in intermediate polars, as most of the X-ray white dwarf masses lie significantly below the dynamical mass value.

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A. Álvarez-Hernández, M. Torres, P. Rodríguez-Gil, et. al.
Wed, 19 Apr 23
17/58

Comments: 9 pages, 4 figures, 5 tables, submitted for publication in MNRAS

Ultra-high-resolution Observations of Persistent Null-point Reconnection in the Solar Corona [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08725


Magnetic reconnection is a key mechanism involved in solar eruptions and is also a prime possibility to heat the low corona to millions of degrees. Here, we present ultra-high-resolution extreme ultraviolet observations of persistent null-point reconnection in the corona at a scale of about 390 km over one hour observations of the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imager on board Solar Orbiter spacecraft. The observations show formation of a null-point configuration above a minor positive polarity embedded within a region of dominant negative polarity near a sunspot. The gentle phase of the persistent null-point reconnection is evidenced by sustained point-like high-temperature plasma (about 10 MK) near the null-point and constant outflow blobs not only along the outer spine but also along the fan surface. The blobs appear at a higher frequency than previously observed with an average velocity of about 80 km/s and life-times of about 40 s. The null-point reconnection also occurs explosively but only for 4 minutes, its coupling with a mini-filament eruption generates a spiral jet. These results suggest that magnetic reconnection, at previously unresolved scales, proceeds continually in a gentle and/or explosive way to persistently transfer mass and energy to the overlying corona.

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X. Cheng, E. Priest, H. Li, et. al.
Wed, 19 Apr 23
24/58

Comments: 27 pages, 7 figures

The progenitors of Type Ia supernovae with asymptotic giant branch donors [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08839


Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are among the most energetic events in the Universe. They are excellent cosmological distance indicators due to the remarkable homogeneity of their light curves. However, the nature of the progenitors of SNe Ia is still not well understood. In the single-degenerate model, a carbon-oxygen white dwarf (CO WD) could grow its mass by accreting material from an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star, leading to the formation of SNe Ia when the mass of the WD approaches to the Chandrasekhar-mass limit, known as the AGB donor channel. In this channel, previous studies mainly concentrate on the wind-accretion pathway for the mass-increase of the WDs. In the present work, we employed an integrated mass-transfer prescription for the semidetached WD+AGB systems, and evolved a number of WD+AGB systems for the formation of SNe Ia through the Roche-lobe overflow process or the wind-accretion process. We provided the initial and final parameter spaces of WD+AGB systems for producing SNe Ia. We also obtained the density distribution of circumstellar matter at the moment when the WD mass reaches the Chandrasekhar-mass limit. Moreover, we found that the massive WD+AGB sample AT 2019qyl can be covered by the final parameter space for producing SNe Ia, indicating that AT 2019qyl is a strong progenitor candidate of SNe Ia with AGB donors.

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L. Li, D. Liu and B. Wang
Wed, 19 Apr 23
27/58

Comments: 12 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Res. Astron. Astrophys

Combined Spectroscopic and Photometric Analysis of Flares in the Dwarf M Star EV Lacertae [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08578


We report results of an observing campaign to study the dwarf M flare star EV Lacertae. Between October 2021 and January 2022 we obtained concurrent B band photometry and low resolution spectroscopy of EV Lac on 39 occasions during 10 of which we observed flares with amplitude greater than 0.1 magnitude. Spectra were calibrated in absolute flux using concurrent photometry and flare-only spectra obtained by subtracting mean quiescent spectra. We measured B band flare energies between Log E = 30.8 and 32.6 erg. In the brightest flares we measured temporal development of flare flux in H I and He I emission lines and in the adjacent continuum and found that flux in the continuum subsided more rapidly than in the emission lines. Although our time resolution was limited, in our brightest flare we saw flux in the continuum clearly peaking before flux in the emission lines. We observed a progressive decrease in flare energy from H\b{eta} to H{\delta}. On average we found 37% of B band flare energy appeared in the H\b{eta} to H{\epsilon} emission lines with the remainder contributing to a rise in continuum flux. We measured black-body temperatures for the brightest flares between 10,500 +- 700 K and 19,500 +- 500 K and found a linear relationship between flare temperature and continuum flux at 4170 {\AA}. Balmer lines in flare-only spectra were well fitted by Gaussian profiles with some evidence of additional short-lived blue-shifted emission at the flare peak.

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D. Boyd, R. Buchheim, S. Curry, et. al.
Wed, 19 Apr 23
43/58

Comments: 12 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in the Journal of the AAVSO

Emerging planetary nebulae within 3D spiral patterns [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08668


We present the first 3D radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of the formation of planetary nebulae (PNe) emerging from 3D spiral patterns. We use the GUACHO code to create 3D spiral structures as a consequence of the distortions on the geometry of the intrinsically isotropic wind of an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star produced by a companion star in a circular orbit. We found that the orbital period of the binary producing the 3D spiral pattern has consequences on the formation and shaping of the PN itself. Stellar systems with longer period create less entwined 3D spirals, producing PNe with rounder inner cavities, and prevent the expansion of jet towards the polar directions. The spiral fitting procedure used in the literature to predict the binary’s orbital period may be misleading in the case of proto-PNe and PNe as spiral patterns are diluted by their own thermal expansion down to the average AGB density profile within a few hundred years and are further disrupted by the action of jets. By adopting a phase of jet ejections between the AGB and post-AGB stages, we are able to recover the morphologies of proto-PNe and PNe that exhibit ring-like structures in their halos.

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V. Lora, J. Toalá, J. González-Carbajal, et. al.
Wed, 19 Apr 23
54/58

Comments: 12 pages, 12 figures, 1 table; Accepted to MNRAS

The cosmic waltz of Coma Berenices and Latyshev 2 (Group X). Membership, phase-space structure, mass, and energy distributions [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08618


Context. Open clusters (OCs) are fundamental benchmarks where theories of star formation and stellar evolution can be tested and validated. Coma Ber and Latyshev 2 (Group X) are the second and third OCs closest to the Sun, making them excellent targets to search for low-mass stars and ultra-cool dwarfs. In addition, this pair will experience a flyby in 10-16 Myr which makes it a benchmark to test OCs pair interactions. Aims. We aim at analysing the membership, luminosity, mass, phase-space (i.e., positions and velocities), and energy distributions for Coma Ber and Latyshev 2 and test the hypothesis of the mixing of their populations at the encounter time. Methods. We develop a new phase-space membership methodology and apply it to Gaia data. With the recovered members we infer the phase-space, luminosity and mass distributions using publicly available Bayesian inference codes. Then, with a publicly available orbit integration code and members’ positions and velocities, we integrate their orbits 20 Myr into the future. Results. In Coma Ber, we identify 302 candidate members distributed in the core and tidal tails. The tails are dynamically cold and asymmetrically populated. The stellar system called Group X is made of two structures: the disrupted OC Latyshev 2 (186 candidate members) and a loose stellar association called Mecayotl 1 (146 candidate members), both of them will fly by Coma Ber in $11.3\pm0.5$ Myr and $14.0\pm0.6$ Myr, respectively, and each other in $8.1\pm1.3$ Myr. Conclusions. We study the dynamical properties of the core and tails of Coma Ber and also confirm the existence of the OC Latyshev 2 and its neighbour stellar association Mecayotl 1. Although these three systems will experience encounters we find no evidence supporting the mixing of their populations.

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J. Olivares, N. Lodieu, V. Béjar, et. al.
Wed, 19 Apr 23
58/58

Comments: 25 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

The Breakthrough Listen Search for Intelligent Life: Nearby Stars' Close Encounters with the Brightest Earth Transmissions [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07400


After having left the heliosphere, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 continue to travel through interstellar space. The Pioneer 10, Pioneer 11, and New Horizons spacecraft are also on paths to pass the heliopause. These spacecraft have communicated with the Deep Station Network (DSN) radio antennas in order to download scientific data and telemetry data. Outward transmissions from DSN travel to the spacecraft and beyond into interstellar space. These transmissions have encountered and will encounter other stars, introducing the possibility that intelligent life in other solar systems will encounter our terrestrial transmissions. We use the beamwidth of the transmissions between DSN and interstellar spacecraft to perform a search around the past and future positions of each spacecraft obtained from the JPL Horizons System. By performing this search over the Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars (GCNS), a catalogue of precisely mapped stars within 100 pc, we determine which stars the transmissions of these spacecraft will encounter. We highlight stars that are in the background of DSN transmissions and calculate the dates of these encounters to determine the time and place for potential intelligent extraterrestrial life to encounter terrestrial transmissions.

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R. Derrick and H. Isaacson
Tue, 18 Apr 23
5/80

Comments: N/A

Spectral classification of young stars using conditional invertible neural networks I. Introducing and validating the method [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08398


Aims. We introduce a new deep learning tool that estimates stellar parameters (such as effective temperature, surface gravity, and extinction) of young low-mass stars by coupling the Phoenix stellar atmosphere model with a conditional invertible neural network (cINN). Our networks allow us to infer the posterior distribution of each stellar parameter from the optical spectrum.
Methods. We discuss cINNs trained on three different Phoenix grids: Settl, NextGen, and Dusty. We evaluate the performance of these cINNs on unlearned Phoenix synthetic spectra and on the spectra of 36 Class III template stars with well-characterised stellar parameters.
Results. We confirm that the cINNs estimate the considered stellar parameters almost perfectly when tested on unlearned Phoenix synthetic spectra. Applying our networks to Class III stars, we find good agreement with deviations of at most 5–10 per cent. The cINNs perform slightly better for earlier-type stars than for later-type stars like late M-type stars, but we conclude that estimations of effective temperature and surface gravity are reliable for all spectral types within the network’s training range.
Conclusions. Our networks are time-efficient tools applicable to large amounts of observations. Among the three networks, we recommend using the cINN trained on the Settl library (Settl-Net), as it provides the best performance across the largest range of temperature and gravity.

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D. Kang, V. Ksoll, D. Itrich, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
8/80

Comments: 29 pages, 19 figures, Accepted for publication by Astronomy & Astrophysics on 10. April

Spectroscopic follow-up of black hole and neutron star candidates in ellipsoidal variables from Gaia DR3 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07324


We present multi-epoch spectroscopic follow-up of a sample of ellipsoidal variables selected from Gaia DR3 as candidates for hosting quiescent black holes (BHs) and neutron stars (NSs). Our targets were identified as BH/NS candidates because their optical light curves — when interpreted with models that attribute variability to tidal distortion of a star by a companion that contributes negligible light — suggest that the companions are compact objects. From the likely BH/NS candidates identified in recent work accompanying Gaia DR3, we select 14 of the most promising targets for follow-up. We obtained spectra for each object at 2-10 epochs, strategically observing near conjunction to best-constrain the radial velocity semi-amplitude. From the measured semi-amplitudes of the radial velocity curves, we derive minimum companion masses of $M_{2,\min} \leq 0.5 ~ M_{\odot}$ in all cases. Assuming random inclinations, the typical inferred companion mass is $M_2 \sim 0.15 ~ M_{\odot}$. This makes it unlikely that any of these systems contain a BH or NS, and we consider alternative explanations for the observed variability. We can best reproduce the observed light curves and radial velocities with models for unequal-mass contact binaries with starspots. Some of the objects in our sample may also be detached main-sequence binaries, or even single stars with pulsations or starspot variability masquerading as ellipsoidal variation. We provide recommendations for future spectroscopic efforts to further characterize this sample and more generally to search for compact object companions in close binaries.

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P. Nagarajan, K. El-Badry, A. Rodriguez, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
12/80

Comments: 18 pages, 12 figures

Precise Age for the Binary Star System 12 Com in the Coma Berenices Cluster [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07397


We present measurements of the interferometrically-resolved binary star system 12 Com and the single giant star 31 Com in the cluster Coma Berenices. 12 Com is a double-lined spectroscopic binary system consisting of a G7 giant and an A3 dwarf at the cluster turnoff. Using an extensive radial velocity dataset and interferometric measurements from PTI and the CHARA array, we measured masses $M_1 =2.64 \pm 0.07 M_\odot$ and $M_2 =2.10 \pm 0.03 M_\odot$. Interferometry also allows us to resolve the giant, and measure its size as $R_1 = 9.12 \pm 0.12 \pm 0.01 R_\odot$. With the measured masses and radii, we find an age of $533 \pm 41 \pm 42$ Myr. For comparison, we measure the radius of 31 Com to be $8.36 \pm 0.15 R_\odot$. Based on the photometry and radius measurements, 12 Com A is likely the most evolved bright star in the cluster, large enough to be in the red giant phase, but too small to have core helium burning. Simultaneous knowledge of 12 Com A’s mass and photometry puts strong constraints on convective core overshooting during the main sequence phase, which in turn reduces systematic uncertainties in the age. Increased precision in measuring this system also improves our knowledge of the progenitor of the cluster white dwarf WD1216+260.

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R. Lam, E. Sandquist, G. Schaefer, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
17/80

Comments: N/A

On the 5-Minute Oscillations of Photospheric and Chromospheric Swirls [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07970


Swirls are ubiquitous in the solar atmosphere. They are believed to be related to the excitation of different modes of magnetohydrodynamic waves and pulses, as well as spicules. However, statistical studies of their collective behaviour are rare. In this paper, we aim to study the collective, as well as the behaviour of individual photospheric and chromospheric swirls detected by the automated swirl detection algorithm (ASDA) from observations obtained by the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope and the Hinode satellite. Detailed analysis of six different parameters of photospheric and chromospheric swirls is performed employing the wavelet analysis. Two clusters of periods with significant wavelet power, one from $3-8$ minutes and the other from $10-14$ minutes, have been found. The former coincides with the dominant period of the global $p$-mode spectrum. Wavelet and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis of example swirls also reveals similar periods. These results suggest that global $p$-modes might be important for triggering photospheric and thus chromospheric swirls. A novel scenario of global $p$-modes providing energy and mass fluxes to the upper solar atmosphere via generating swirls, Alfv\’en pulses and spicules is then proposed.

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J. Liu, D. Jess, R. Erdélyi, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
26/80

Comments: 8 figures and 3 tables, to be published in A&A

Variable stars in the residual light curves of OGLE-IV eclipsing binaries towards the Galactic Bulge [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08394


Context. The Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) observed around 450,000 eclipsing binaries (EBs) towards the Galactic Bulge. Decade-long photometric observations such as these provide an exceptional opportunity to thoroughly examine the targets. However, observing dense stellar fields such as the Bulge may result in blends and contamination by close objects.
Aims. We searched for periodic variations in the residual light curves of EBs in OGLE-IV and created a new catalogue for the EBs that contain `background’ signals after the investigation of the source of the signal.
Methods. From the about half a million EB systems, we selected those that contain more than 4000 data points. We fitted the EB signal with a simple model and subtracted it. To identify periodical signals in the residuals, we used a GPU-based phase dispersion minimisation python algorithm called cuvarbase and validated the found periods with Lomb-Scargle periodograms. We tested the reliability of our method with artificial light curves.
Results. We identified 354 systems where short-period background variation was significant. In these cases, we determined whether it is a new variable or just the result of contamination by an already catalogued nearby one. We classified 292 newly found variables into EB, $\delta$ Scuti, or RR Lyrae categories, or their sub-classes, and collected them in a catalogue. We also discovered four new doubly eclipsing systems and one eclipsing multiple system with a $\delta$ Scuti variable, and modelled the outer orbits of the components.

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R. Ádám, T. Hajdu, A. Bódi, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
30/80

Comments: 22 pages, 17 figures, 7 tables, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Multiple Stellar Populations in Globular Clusters with JWST [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07770


I present the first evidence of multiple populations in the globular cluster (GCs) 47Tucanae based on images collected with the near-infrared camera (NIRCam) on board the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). While NIRCam photometry is poorly sensitive to multiple populations among stars brighter than the main-sequence (MS) knee, the M-dwarfs more-massive than 0.1 solar masses define a wide F115W-F322W2 color range due to multiple populations. The star-to-star color differences are mostly due to the different amounts of water vapor (hence oxygen) that affect the spectra of M-dwarfs. The chromosome map unveils an extended first population (1P) composed of M-dwarfs with different metallicities and three main groups of second-population (2P) stars that are depleted in oxygen with respect to the 1P. I present the discovery of an MS of very-low-mass stars (masses smaller than 0.1 solar masses) and tentatively associated it with a sequence composed of O-rich stars alone.

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A. Milone
Tue, 18 Apr 23
38/80

Comments: Four pages and two figures. Proceedings of the IAUS 377: Early Disk-Galaxy Formation from JWST to the Milky Way. Kuala-Lumpur,February 6-10, 2023

Proposed Resolution to the Solar Open Magnetic Flux Problem [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07649


The solar magnetic fields emerging from the photosphere into the chromosphere and corona are comprised of a combination of “closed” and “open” fields. The closed magnetic field lines are defined as those having both ends rooted in the solar surface, while the open field lines are those having one end extending out into interplanetary space and the other rooted at the Sun’s surface. Since the early 2000’s, the amount of total unsigned open magnetic flux estimated by coronal models have been in significant disagreement with in situ spacecraft observations, especially during solar maximum. Estimates of total open unsigned magnetic flux using coronal hole observations (e.g., using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or Helium (He) I) are in general agreement with the coronal model results and thus show similar disagreements with in situ observations. While several possible sources producing these discrepancies have been postulated over the years, there is still no clear resolution to the problem. This paper provides a brief overview of the problem and summarizes some proposed explanations for the discrepancies. In addition, two different ways of estimating the total unsigned open magnetic flux are presented, utilizing the Wang-Sheeley-Arge (WSA) model, and one of the methods produce surprisingly good agreement with in situ observations. The findings presented here suggest that active regions residing near the boundaries of mid-latitude coronal holes are the probable source of the missing open flux. This explanation also brings in line many of the seemly contradictory facts that have made resolving this problem so difficult.

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C. Arge, A. Leisner, S. Wallace, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
41/80

Comments: 14 pages, 5 figures

Chemical Compositions of Red Giant Stars in the Old Open Cluster NGC 7789 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07359


We have gathered optical-region spectra, derived model atmosphere parameters, and computed elemental abundances for 15 red giant stars in the open cluster NGC 7789. We focus on the light element group CNOLi that provides clues to evolutionary changes associated with internal fusion events and chemical mixing. We confirm and extend an early report that NGC 7789 stars 193 and 301 have anomalously large Li abundances, and that these values are apparently unconnected to any other elements’ abundances in these stars. A companion study of He I lambda 10830 lines in both field stars and cluster members shows that star 301 has a strong He feature while star 193 does not. Possible explanations for the large Li abundances of these stars include helium flash-induced mixing events and binary interactions at some past or present times. In either case an internal eruption of energy could cause fresh synthesis of lithium via the Cameron-Fowler Beryllium transport mechanism. Rapid transport of lithium to the outer layers may have created significant chromospheric transient disturbances, producing enough helium ionization to allow for the strong lambda 10830 absorption in star 301.

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N. Nagarajan, C. Sneden, M. Afsar, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
42/80

Comments: AJ, in press

The Stellar Spectra Factory (SSF) Based On SLAM [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08089


In this work, we present Stellar Spectra Factory (SSF), a tool to generate empirical-based stellar spectra from arbitrary stellar atmospheric parameters. The relative flux-calibrated empirical spectra can be predicted by SSF given arbitrary effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity. SSF constructs the interpolation approach based on the SLAM, using ATLAS-A library as the training dataset. SSF is composed of 4 data-driven sub-models to predict empirical stellar spectra. SSF-N can generate spectra from A to K type and some M giant stars, covering 3700 < Teff < 8700 K, 0 < logg < 6 dex, and -1.5 < [M/H] < 0.5 dex. SSF-gM is mainly used to predict M giant spectra with 3520 < Teff < 4000K and -1.5 < [M/H] < 0.4 dex. SSF-dM is for generating M dwarf spectra with 3295 < Teff < 4040K, -1.0 < [M/H] < 0.1 dex. And SSF-B can predict B-type spectra with 9000 < Teff < 24000K and -5.2< MG < 1.5 mag. The accuracy of the predicted spectra is validated by comparing the flux of predicted spectra to those with same stellar parameters selected from the known spectral libraries, MILES and MaStar. The averaged difference of flux over optical wavelength between the predicted spectra and the corresponding ones in MILES and MaStar is less than 5%. More verification is conducted between the magnitudes calculated from the integration of the predicted spectra and the observations in PS1 and APASS bands with the same stellar parameters. No significant systematic difference is found between the predicted spectra and the photomatric observations. The uncertainty is 0.08mag in r band for SSF-gM when comparing with the stars with the same stellar parameters selected from PS1. And the uncertainty becomes 0.31mag in i band for SSF-dM when comparing with the stars with the same stellar parameters selected from APASS.

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W. Ji, C. Liu and B. Zhang
Tue, 18 Apr 23
46/80

Comments: 16 pages, 13 figures

New variable sources revealed by DECam toward the LMC: the first 15 deg2 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08133


The Dark Energy Camera (DECam) is a sensitive, wide field instrument mounted at the prime focus of the 4 m V. Blanco Telescope in Chile. Beside its main objectives, i.e. understanding the growth and evolution of structures in the Universe, the camera offers the opportunity to observe a 3 deg2 field of view in one single pointing and, with an adequate cadence, to identify the variable sources contained. In this paper, we present the result of a DECam observational campaign toward the LMC and give a catalogue of the observed variable sources. We considered all the available DECam observations of the LMC, acquired during 32 nights over a period of two years (from February 2018 to January 2020), and set up a specific pipeline for detecting and characterizing variable sources in the observed fields. Here, we report on the first 15 deg2 in and around the LMC as observed by DECam, testing the capabilities of our pipeline. Since many of the observed fields cover a rather crowded region of the sky, we adopted the ISIS subtraction package which, even in these conditions, can detect variables at a very low signal to noise ratio. All the potentially identified variable sources were then analyzed and each light curve tested for periodicity by using the Lomb-Scargle and Schwarzenberg-Czerny algorithms. Furthermore, we classified the identified sources by using the UPSILoN neural network. This analysis allowed us to find 70 981 variable stars, 1266 of which were previously unknown. We estimated the period of the variables and compared it with the available values in the catalogues. Moreover, for the 1266 newly detected objects, an attempted classification based on light curve analysis is presented.

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A. Franco, A. Nucita, F. Paolis, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
51/80

Comments: 11 pages, 7 figures

Probing the solar interior with lensed gravitational waves from known pulsars [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08220


When gravitational waves (GWs) from a spinning neutron star arrive from behind the Sun, they are subjected to gravitational lensing that imprints a frequency-dependent modulation on the waveform. This modulation traces the projected solar density and gravitational potential along the path as the Sun passes in front of the neutron star. We calculate how accurately the solar density profile can be extracted from the lensed GWs using a Fisher analysis. For this purpose, we selected three promising candidates (the highly spinning pulsars J1022+1001, J1730-2304, and J1745-23) from the pulsar catalog of the Australia Telescope National Facility. The lensing signature can be measured with $3 \sigma$ confidence when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the GW detection reaches $100 \, (f/300 {\rm Hz})^{-1}$ over a one-year observation period (where $f$ is the GW frequency). The solar density profile can be plotted as a function of radius when the SNR improves to $\gtrsim 10^4$.

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R. Takahashi, S. Morisaki and T. Suyama
Tue, 18 Apr 23
56/80

Comments: 12 pages, 12 figures; submitted to ApJ; a numerical code of the amplification factor for solar lensing is available at this http URL

Mapping the distribution of OB stars and associations in Auriga [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08370


OB associations are important probes of recent star formation and Galactic structure. In this study, we focus on the Auriga constellation, an important region of star formation due to its numerous young stars, star-forming regions and open clusters. We show using \textit{Gaia} data that its two previously documented OB associations, Aur OB1 and OB2, are too extended in proper motion and distance to be genuine associations, encouraging us to revisit the census of OB associations in Auriga with modern techniques. We identify 5617 candidate OB stars across the region using photometry, astrometry and our SED fitting code, grouping these into 5 high-confidence OB associations using HDBSCAN. Three of these are replacements to the historical pair of associations – Aur OB2 is divided between a foreground and a background association – while the other two associations are completely new. We connect these OB associations to the surrounding open clusters and star-forming regions, analyse them physically and kinematically, constraining their ages through a combination of 3D kinematic traceback, the position of their members in the HR diagram and their connection to clusters of known age. Four of these OB associations are expanding, with kinematic ages up to a few tens of Myr. Finally, we identify an age gradient in the region spanning several associations that coincides with the motion of the Perseus spiral arm over the last $\sim$20 Myr across the field of view.

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A. Quintana, N. Wright and R. Jeffries
Tue, 18 Apr 23
63/80

Comments: 14 pages, 12 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

MASTER OT J055845.55+391533.4: SU UMa star with a dip and long rebrightening [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07695


We analyzed Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) data of MASTER OT J055845.55+391533.4 and found that this object repeats superoutburst with a dip in the middle of the outburst followed by long and sometimes oscillating rebrightening, just like a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova or an AM CVn-type object. The mean supercycle was 298(8) d, too short for a WZ Sge star, but with only a few normal outbursts. We also observed the 2023 February-March superoutburst and established the superhump period of 0.05509(2) d. This period appears to exclude the possibility of an AM CVn star. Although the 2023 observations could not detect superhumps after the dip, the 2014, 2016 and 2021 data seem to suggest that low-amplitude superhumps were present during the rebrightening phase. We note that a dip during a superoutburst is a feature common to the unusual SU UMa-type dwarf nova MASTER OT J172758.09+380021.5 during some of its superoutbursts. These objects may comprise a new class of rebrightening phenomenon in SU UMa-type dwarf novae.

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T. Kato, H. Itoh, T. Vanmunster, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
64/80

Comments: 15 pages, 8 figures, VSOLJ Variable Star Bulletin No. 113

The Gaia-ESO Survey: homogenisation of stellar parameters and elemental abundances [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07720


The Gaia-ESO Survey is a public spectroscopic survey that has targeted $\gtrsim10^5$ stars covering all major components of the Milky Way from the end of 2011 to 2018, delivering its public final release in May 2022. Unlike other spectroscopic surveys, Gaia-ESO is the only survey that observed stars across all spectral types with dedicated, specialised analyses: from O ($T_\mathrm{eff} \sim 30,000-52,000$~K) all the way to K-M ($\gtrsim$3,500~K). The physics throughout these stellar regimes varies significantly, which has previously prohibited any detailed comparisons between stars of significantly different type. In the final data release (internal data release 6) of the Gaia-ESO Survey, we provide the final database containing a large number of products such as radial velocities, stellar parameters and elemental abundances, rotational velocity, and also, e.g., activity and accretion indicators in young stars and membership probability in star clusters for more than 114,000 stars. The spectral analysis is coordinated by a number of Working Groups (WGs) within the Survey, which specialise in the various stellar samples. Common targets are analysed across WGs to allow for comparisons (and calibrations) amongst instrumental setups and spectral types. Here we describe the procedures employed to ensure all Survey results are placed on a common scale to arrive at a single set of recommended results for all Survey collaborators to use. We also present some general quality and consistency checks performed over all Survey results.

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A. Hourihane, P. Francois, C. Worley, et. al.
Tue, 18 Apr 23
78/80

Comments: A&A accepted, minor revision, 36 pages, 38 figures

A statistical model of stellar variability. I. FENRIR: a physics-based model of stellar activity, and its fast Gaussian process approximation [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.08489


The detection of terrestrial planets by radial velocity and photometry is hindered by the presence of stellar signals. Those are often modeled as stationary Gaussian processes, whose kernels are based on qualitative considerations, which do not fully leverage the existing physical understanding of stars. Our aim is to build a formalism which allows to transfer the knowledge of stellar activity into practical data analysis methods. In particular, we aim at obtaining kernels with physical parameters. This has two purposes: better modelling signals of stellar origin to find smaller exoplanets, and extracting information about the star from the statistical properties of the data. We consider several observational channels such as photometry, radial velocity, activity indicators, and build a model called FENRIR to represent their stochastic variations due to stellar surface inhomogeneities. We compute analytically the covariance of this multi-channel stochastic process, and implement it in the S+LEAF framework to reduce the cost of likelihood evaluations from $O(N^3)$ to $O(N)$. We also compute analytically higher order cumulants of our FENRIR model, which quantify its non-Gaussianity. We obtain a fast Gaussian process framework with physical parameters, which we apply to the HARPS-N and SORCE observations of the Sun, and constrain a solar inclination compatible with the viewing geometry. We then discuss the application of our formalism to granulation. We exhibit non-Gaussianity in solar HARPS radial velocities, and argue that information is lost when stellar activity signals are assumed to be Gaussian. We finally discuss the origin of phase shifts between RVs and indicators, and how to build relevant activity indicators. We provide an open-source implementation of the FENRIR Gaussian process model with a Python interface.

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N. Hara and J. Delisle
Tue, 18 Apr 23
79/80

Comments: Submitted to Astronomy \& Astrophysics

Diffusion Coefficients of $^{56}$Fe in C-O and O-Ne White Dwarfs [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07228


The diffusion coefficients of neutron rich nuclei in crystallizing white dwarf (WD) stars are essential microphysics input for modeling the evolution of the composition profile. Recently, molecular dynamics simulations have been used to compute diffusion coefficients for realistic mixtures of C-O and O-Ne WDs with many trace nuclides that could be important sedimentary heat sources such as $^{22}$Ne, $^{23}$Na, $^{25}$Mg, and $^{27}$Mg. In this brief note, I repeat these simulations but now include $^{56}$Fe. I find that for the large charge ratios involved in these mixtures the empirical law developed in our earlier work tends to under-predict diffusion coefficients in the moderately coupled regime by 30 to 40 percent. As this formalism is presently implemented in the stellar evolution code MESA, it is important for authors studying mixtures containing heavy nuclides like $^{56}$Fe to be aware of these systematics. However, the impact on astrophysics is expected to be small.

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M. Caplan
Mon, 17 Apr 23
6/51

Comments: 3 pages, 1 figure, submitted to RNAAS

Investigating Gaia EDR3 parallax systematics using asteroseismology of Cool Giant Stars observed by Kepler, K2, and TESS I. Asteroseismic distances to 12,500 red-giant stars [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07158


Gaia EDR3 has provided unprecedented data that generate a lot of interest in the astrophysical community, despite the fact that systematics affect the reported parallaxes at the level of ~ 10 muas. Independent distance measurements are available from asteroseismology of red-giant stars with measurable parallaxes, whose magnitude and colour ranges more closely reflect those of other stars of interest. In this paper, we determine distances to nearly 12,500 red-giant branch and red clump stars observed by Kepler, K2, and TESS. This is done via a grid-based modelling method, where global asteroseismic observables, constraints on the photospheric chemical composition, and on the unreddened photometry are used as observational inputs. This large catalogue of asteroseismic distances allows us to provide a first comparison with Gaia EDR3 parallaxes. Offset values estimated with asteroseismology show no clear trend with ecliptic latitude or magnitude, and the trend whereby they increase (in absolute terms) as we move towards redder colours is dominated by the brightest stars. The correction model proposed by Lindegren et al. (2021) is not suitable for all the fields considered in this study. We find a good agreement between asteroseismic results and model predictions of the red clump magnitude. We discuss possible trends with the Gaia scan law statistics, and show that two magnitude regimes exist where either asteroseismology or Gaia provides the best precision in parallax.

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S. Khan, A. Miglio, E. Willett, et. al.
Mon, 17 Apr 23
11/51

Comments: 11 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in A&A

Near-Core Acoustic Glitches are Not Oscillatory: Consequences for Asteroseismic Probes of Convective Boundary Mixing [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.06770


Asteroseismology has been used extensively in recent years to study the interior structure and physical processes of main sequence stars. We consider prospects for using pressure modes (p-modes) near the frequency of maximum oscillation power to probe the structure of the near-core layers of main sequence stars with convective cores by constructing stellar model tracks. Within our mass range of interest, the inner turning point of p modes as determined by the JWKB approximation evolves in two distinct phases during the main sequence, implying a sudden loss of near-core sensitivity during the discontinuous transition between the two phases. However, we also employ non-JWKB asymptotic analysis to derive a contrasting set of expressions for the effects that these structural properties will have on the mode frequencies, which do not encode any such transition. We show analytically that a sufficiently near-core perturbation to the stellar structure results in non-oscillatory, degree-dependent perturbations to the star’s oscillation mode frequencies, contrasting with the case of an outer glitch. We also demonstrate numerically that these near-core acoustic glitches exhibit strong angular degree dependence, even at low degree, agreeing with the non-JWKB analysis, rather than the degree-independent oscillations which emerge from JWKB analyses. These properties have important implications for using p-modes to study near-core mixing processes for intermediate-mass stars on the main sequence, as well as for the interpretation of near-center acoustic glitches in other astrophysical configurations, such as red giants.

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C. Lindsay, J. Ong and S. Basu
Mon, 17 Apr 23
18/51

Comments: 14 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ: April 12, 2023

Solar P-angle Alignment in GONG Dopplergrams [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07192


In helioseismic studies, an observational parameter of primary concern is the P-angle, the angle along which lies the solar axis of rotation for a given image. For the six observing sites employed by The Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG), this angle acts additionally as a marker of relative image orientation, allowing concurrent images to be precisely aligned and merged to provide the highest possible quality data. In this report, we present and investigate two methods of determining the P-angle via the rotational signature embedded in solar Dopplergram images by examining the large-scale structure of the observed velocity field. As with other studies, we find that the Dopplergram produces a time-varying ‘P-angle’ signature according to the presentation of various physical phenomena across the solar surface, but with the potential for sub-degree identification of the axis of rotation. However, close agreement between separate P-angle-finding techniques also reveals current limitations to P-angle determination that are imposed by the calibration state of the GONG-site Dopplergrams, leaving these P-angle-finding methods for GONG with errors on the scale of less than a degree between two site.

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A. Hughes, I. Gonzalez-Hernandez, S. McManus, et. al.
Mon, 17 Apr 23
22/51

Comments: 36 pages, 32 figures

A benchmark study of atomic models for the transition region against quiet Sun observations [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07038


The use of the coronal approximation to model line emission from the solar transition region has led to discrepancies with observations over many years, particularly for Li- and Na-like ions. Studies have shown that a number of atomic processes are required to improve the modelling for this region, including the effects of high densities, solar radiation and charge transfer on ion formation. Other non-equilibrium processes, such as time dependent ionisation and radiative transfer, are also expected to play a role. A set of models which include the three relevant atomic processes listed above in ionisation equilibrium has recently been built. These new results cover the main elements observed in the transition region. To assess the effectiveness of the results, the present work predicts spectral line intensities using differential emission measure modelling. Although limited in some respects, this differential emission measure modelling does give a good indication of the impact of the new atomic calculations. The results are compared to predictions of the coronal approximation and to observations of the average, quiet Sun from published literature. Significant improvements are seen for the line emission from Li- and Na-like ions, inter-combination lines and many other lines. From this study, an assessment is made of how far down into the solar atmosphere the coronal approximation can be applied, and the range over which the new atomic models are valid.

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R. Dufresne, G. Zanna and H. Mason
Mon, 17 Apr 23
23/51

Comments: Accepted by MNRAS, 16 pages, 3 figures

Iron-Peak Element Abundances in Warm Very Metal-Poor Stars [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.06899


We have derived new detailed abundances of Mg, Ca, and the Fe-group elements Sc through Zn (Z = 21-30) for 37 main sequence turnoff very metal-poor stars ([Fe/H] <= -2.1). We analyzed Keck HIRES optical and near-UV high signal-to-noise spectra originally gathered for a beryllium abundance survey. Using typically about 400 Fe-group lines with accurate laboratory transition probabilities for each star, we have determined accurate LTE metallicities and abundance ratios for neutral and ionized species of the 10 Fe-group elements as well as alpha elements Mg and Ca. We find good neutral/ion abundance agreement for the 6 elements that have detectable transitions of both species in our stars in the 3100-5800 Angstrom range. Earlier reports of correlated Sc-Ti-V relative overabundances are confirmed, and appear to slowly increase with decreasing metallicity. To this element trio we add Zn; it also appears to be increasingly overabundant in the lowest metallicity regimes. Co appears to mimic the behavior of Zn, but issues surrounding its abundance reliability cloud its interpretation.

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C. Sneden, A. Boesgaard, J. Cowan, et. al.
Mon, 17 Apr 23
35/51

Comments: ApJ, in press

A catalogue of cataclysmic variables from 20 years of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with new classifications, periods, trends and oddities [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.06749


We present a catalogue of 507 cataclysmic variables (CVs) observed in SDSS I to IV including 70 new classifications collated from multiple archival data sets. This represents the largest sample of CVs with high-quality and homogeneous optical spectroscopy. We have used this sample to derive unbiased space densities and period distributions for the major sub-types of CVs. We also report on some peculiar CVs, period bouncers and also CVs exhibiting large changes in accretion rates. We report 70 new CVs, 59 new periods, 178 unpublished spectra and 262 new or updated classifications. From the SDSS spectroscopy, we also identified 18 systems incorrectly identified as CVs in the literature. We discuss the observed properties of 13 peculiar CVS, and we identify a small set of eight CVs that defy the standard classification scheme. We use this sample to investigate the distribution of different CV sub-types, and we estimate their individual space densities, as well as that of the entire CV population. The SDSS I to IV sample includes 14 period bounce CVs or candidates. We discuss the variability of CVs across the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, highlighting selection biases of variability-based CV detection. Finally, we searched for, and found eight tertiary companions to the SDSS CVs. We anticipate that this catalogue and the extensive material included in the Supplementary Data will be useful for a range of observational population studies of CVs.

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K. Inight, B. Gänsicke, E. Breedt, et. al.
Mon, 17 Apr 23
43/51

Comments: Submitted to MNRAS. Supplementary information available at this https URL

Photometric activity of CQ Tau on the time interval of 125 years [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.07115


The star CQ Tau belongs to the family of UX Ori type stars. It has very complex photometric behavior and complex structure of the circumstellar environment. In our paper we constructed the historical 125 years light curve of this star basing on the published photometric observations. It follows that besides a random component characteristic of UX Ori type stars, the large amplitude periodic component with the 10 year period is also present. Its existence was suspected earlier in [11]. New observations confirm its reality. It points to an existence of the second component close to the star. The density waves and matter flows caused by the companion motion lead to periodic changes in the circumstellar extinction and brightness of the star. This result is discussed in context of the recent observations of CQ Tau with high angular resolution.

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V. Grinin, L. Tambovtseva, O. Barsunova, et. al.
Mon, 17 Apr 23
45/51

Comments: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted by Astrophysics

AutoTAB: Automatic Tracking Algorithm for Bipolar Magnetic Regions [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.06615


Bipolar Magnetic Regions (BMRs) provide crucial information about solar magnetism. They exhibit varying morphology and magnetic properties throughout their lifetime, and studying these properties can provide valuable insights into the workings of the solar dynamo. The majority of previous studies have counted every detected BMR as a new one and have not been able to study the full life history of each BMRs. To address this issue, we have developed an Automatic Tracking Algorithm (AutoTAB) for BMRs, that tracks the BMRs for their entire lifetime or throughout their disk passage. AutoTAB uses the binary maps of detected BMRs to automatically track the regions. This is done by differentially rotating the binary maps of the detected regions and checking for overlaps between them. In this first article of this project, we provide a detailed description of the working of the algorithm and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. We also compare its performance with other existing tracking techniques. AutoTAB excels in tracking even for the small features and it successfully tracks 9152 BMRs over the last two solar cycles (1996-2020), providing a comprehensive dataset that depicts the evolution of various properties for each tracked region. The tracked BMRs follow familiar properties of solar cycles except for these small BMRs that appear at all phases of the solar cycle and show weak latitudinal dependency, which is represented through the butterfly diagram. Finally, we discuss the possibility of adapting our algorithm to other datasets and expanding the technique to track other solar features in the future.

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A. Sreedevi, B. Jha, B. Karak, et. al.
Fri, 14 Apr 23
2/64

Comments: 14 pages including 9 figures; Submitted in ApJS; Comments are welcome

Post-red-giant-branch Planetary Nebulae [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.06355


Common envelope events have been associated with the formation of a planetary nebulae since its proposition more than forty five years ago. However, until recently there have been doubts as to whether a common envelope while the donor is ascending the red giant branch, rather than the subsequent asymptotic red giant branch, would result in a planetary nebula. There is now strong theoretical and observational evidence to suggest that some planetary nebulae are, indeed, the products of common envelope phases which occurred while the nebular progenitor was on the red giant branch. The characterisation of these systems is challenging but has the potential to reveal much about the common envelope — a critical evolutionary phase in the formation of a plethora of interesting astrophysical phenomena.

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D. Jones, T. Hillwig and N. Reindl
Fri, 14 Apr 23
6/64

Comments: 6 pages, to appear in Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics XI, Proceedings of the XV Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical Society held on September 4 0 9, 2022, in La Laguna, Spain. M. Manteiga, L. Bellot, P. Benavidez, A. de Lorenzo-Caceres, M. A. Fuente, M. J. Martinez, M. Vazquez- Acosta, C. Dafonte (eds.), 2023

Full-frame data reduction method: a data mining tool to detect the potential variations in optical photometry [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.06207


A Synchronous Photometry Data Extraction (SPDE) program, performing indiscriminate monitors of all stars appearing at the same field of view of astronomical image, is developed by integrating several Astropy affiliated packages to make full use of time series observed by the traditional small/medium aperture ground-based telescope. The complete full-frame stellar photometry data reductions implemented for the two time series of cataclysmic variables: RX J2102.0+3359 and Paloma J0524+4244 produce 363 and 641 optimal light curves, respectively. A cross-identification with the SIMBAD finds 23 known stars, of which 16 red giant-/horizontal-branch stars, 2 W UMa-type eclipsing variables, 2 program stars, a X-ray source and 2 Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System variables. Based on the data productions of the SPDE program, a followup Light Curve Analysis (LCA) program identifies 32 potential variable light curves, of which 18 are from the time series of RX J2102.0+3359, and 14 are from that of Paloma J0524+4244. They are preliminarily separated into periodical, transient, and peculiar types. By querying for the 58 VizieR online data catalogs, their physical parameters and multi-band brightness spanning from X-ray to radio are compiled for future analysis.

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Z. Dai, H. Zhou and J. Cao
Fri, 14 Apr 23
39/64

Comments: 35pages, 8 figures, accepted by RAA

Age and convective core overshooting calibrations in CPD-54 810 binary system. Statistical investigation on the solution robustness [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.06301


Relying on precise observations for the CPD-54 810 binary system, we investigate the robustness of the estimated age and convective core overshooting for a system with both stars on the main sequence (MS). […] We adopt the SCEPtER pipeline, based on grids of stellar models computed for a different initial chemical composition and convective core overshooting efficiency. The base fit suggests a common age of $3.02 \pm 0.15$ Gyr, in agreement with recent literature. This estimated convective core overshooting parameter is $\beta = 0.09 \pm 0.01$, with a corresponding convective core mass $M_c = 0.059^{+0.017}{-0.021}$ $M{\odot}$. The robustness of these estimates were tested assuming a narrow constraint on the helium-to-metal enrichment ratio. The chemical solution of the system changes, but the age and the overshooting parameter are almost unchanged ($3.08^{+0.17}_{-0.14}$ Gyr and $0.09 \pm 0.01$). In a further test, we halved the uncertainty as to the effective temperature of both stars and again the estimated parameter shows only small variations ($3.02 \pm 0.12$ Gyr and $0.09 \pm 0.01$). This low variability suggests that the age of the system with both stars in the MS can be reliably estimated at a 5\% level, but it also indicates that the power of the investigation is probably low. […] Despite the great increase in the observational constraints’ precision, the results support the conclusions of previous theoretical works on the stellar parameter calibration with double MS star binary systems.

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G. Valle, M. Dell’Omodarme, P. Moroni, et. al.
Fri, 14 Apr 23
51/64

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A. Abstract abridged

Interaction of solar inertial modes with turbulent convection. A 2D model for the excitation of linearly stable modes [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05926


Inertial modes have been observed on the Sun at low longitudinal wavenumbers. These modes probe the dynamics and structure of the solar convection zone down to the tachocline. While linear analysis allows the complex eigenfrequencies and eigenfunctions of these modes to be computed, it gives no information about their excitation nor about their amplitudes.
We tested the hypothesis that solar inertial modes are stochastically excited by the turbulent motions entailed by convection. We have developed a theoretical formalism where the turbulent velocity fluctuations provide the mechanical work necessary to excite the modes. The modes are described by means of a 2D linear wave equation, relevant for the quasi-toroidal modes observed on the Sun, with a source term, under the beta plane approximation. Latitudinal differential rotation is included in the form of a parabolic profile that approximates the solar differential rotation at low and mid latitudes.
We obtain synthetic power spectra for the wave’s latitudinal velocity, longitudinal velocity, and radial vorticity, with azimuthal orders between 1 and 20. The synthetic power spectra contain the classical equatorial Rossby modes, as well as a rich spectrum of additional modes. The mode amplitudes are found to be of the same order of magnitude as observed on the Sun (~ 1 m/s). There is a qualitative transition between low and high azimuthal orders: the power spectra for m < 5 show modes that are clearly resolved in frequency space, while the power spectra for m > 5 display regions of excess power that consist of many overlapping modes.
The general agreement between the predicted and observed inertial mode amplitudes supports the assumption of stochastic excitation by turbulent convection. Our work shows that the power spectra are not easily separable into individual modes, thus complicated the interpretation of the observations.

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J. Philidet and L. Gizon
Thu, 13 Apr 23
5/59

Comments: 19 pages, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Long-term 4.6$μ$m Variability in Brown Dwarfs and a New Technique for Identifying Brown Dwarf Binary Candidates [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05630


Using a sample of 361 nearby brown dwarfs, we have searched for 4.6$\mu$m variability indicative of large-scale rotational modulations or large-scale long-term changes on timescales of over 10 years. Our findings show no statistically significant variability in \textit{Spitzer} ch2 or \textit{WISE} W2 photometry. For \textit{Spitzer} the ch2 1$\sigma$ limits are $\sim$8 mmag for objects at 11.5 mag and $\sim$22 mmag for objects at 16 mag. This corresponds to no variability above 4.5$\%$ at 11.5 mag and 12.5$\%$ at 16 mag. We conclude that highly variable brown dwarfs, at least two previously published examples of which have been shown to have 4.6$\mu$m variability above 80 mmag, are very rare. While analyzing the data, we also developed a new technique for identifying brown dwarfs binary candidates in \textit{Spitzer} data. We find that known binaries have IRAC ch2 PRF (point response function) flux measurements that are consistently dimmer than aperture flux measurements. We have identified 59 objects that exhibit such PRF versus apertures flux differences and are thus excellent binary brown dwarf candidates.

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H. Brooks, J. Kirkpatrick, A. Meisner, et. al.
Thu, 13 Apr 23
9/59

Comments: 18 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in AJ, and 1 figure set of 361 figures with the example being figure 8

A Seven-Day Multi-Wavelength Flare Campaign on AU Mic I: High-Time Resolution Light Curves and the Thermal Empirical Neupert Effect [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05692


We present light curves and flares from a seven day, multi-wavelength observational campaign of AU Mic, a young and active dM1e star with exoplanets and a debris disk. We report on 73 unique flares between the X-ray to optical data. We use high-time resolution NUV photometry and soft X-ray (SXR) data from XMM-Newton to study the empirical Neupert effect, which correlates the gradual and impulsive phase flaring emissions. We find that 65% (30 of 46) flares do not follow the Neupert effect, which is three times more excursions than seen in solar flares, and propose a four part Neupert effect classification (Neupert, Quasi-Neupert, Non-Neupert I & II) to explain the multi-wavelength responses. While the SXR emission generally lags behind the NUV as expected from the chromospheric evaporation flare models, the Neupert effect is more prevalent in larger, more impulsive flares. Preliminary flaring rate analysis with X-ray and U-band data suggests that previously estimated energy ratios hold for a collection of flares observed over the same time period, but not necessarily for an individual, multi-wavelength flare. These results imply that one model cannot explain all stellar flares and care should be taken when extrapolating between wavelength regimes. Future work will expand wavelength coverage using radio data to constrain the nonthermal empirical and theoretical Neupert effects to better refine models and bridge the gap between stellar and solar flare physics.

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I. Tristan, Y. Notsu, A. Kowalski, et. al.
Thu, 13 Apr 23
12/59

Comments: 46 pages, 18 figures, 15 tables. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Statistical Analysis of Interplanetary Shocks from Mercury to Jupiter [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05733


In situ observations of interplanetary (IP) coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and IP shocks are important to study as they are the main components of the solar activity. Hundreds of IP shocks have been detected by various space missions at different times and heliocentric distances. Some of these are followed by clearly identified drivers, while some others are not. In this study, we carry out a statistical analysis of the distributions of plasma and magnetic parameters of the IP shocks recorded at various distances to the Sun. We classify the shocks according to the heliocentric distance, namely from 0.29 to 0.99 AU (Helios-1/2); near 1 AU (Wind, ACE and STEREO-A/B); and from 1.35 to 5.4 AU (Ulysses). We also differentiate the IP shocks into two populations, those with a detected ICME and those without one. We find, as expected, that there are no significant differences in the results from spacecraft positioned at 1 AU. Moreover, the distributions of shock parameters, as well as the shock normal have no significant variations with the heliocentric distance. Additionally, we investigate how the number of shocks associated to stream-interaction regions (SIRs) increases with distance in proportion of ICME/shocks. From 1 to 5 AU, SIRs/ shock occurrence increases slightly from 21% to 34%, in contrast ICME/shocks occurrence decreases from 47% to 17%. We find also indication of an asymmetry induced by the Parker spiral for SIRs and none for ICMEs.

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C. Pérez-Alanis, M. Janvier, T. Nieves-Chinchilla, et. al.
Thu, 13 Apr 23
14/59

Comments: 29 Pages, 11 Figures. Accepted for Publication in Solar Physics

Investigating the IBEX Ribbon Structure a Solar Cycle Apart [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05499


A Ribbon of enhanced energetic neutral atom (ENA) emissions was discovered by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) in 2009, redefining our understanding of the heliosphere boundaries and the physical processes occurring at the interstellar interface. The Ribbon signal is intertwined with that of a globally distributed flux (GDF) that spans the entire sky. To a certain extent, Ribbon separation methods enabled examining its evolution independent of the underlying GDF. Observations over a full solar cycle revealed the Ribbon’s evolving nature, with intensity variations closely tracking those of the solar wind (SW) structure after a few years delay accounting for the SW-ENA recycling process. In this work, we examine the Ribbon structure, namely, its ENA fluxes, angular extent, width, and circularity properties for two years, 2009 and 2019, representative of the declining phases of two adjacent solar cycles. We find that, (i) the Ribbon ENA fluxes have recovered in the nose direction and south of it down to ~ 25{\deg} (for energies below 1.7 keV) and not at mid and high ecliptic latitudes; (ii) The Ribbon width exhibits significant variability as a function of azimuthal angle; (iii) Circularity analysis suggests that the 2019 Ribbon exhibits a statistically consistent radius with that in 2009. The Ribbon’s partial recovery is aligned with the consensus of a heliosphere with its closest point being southward of the nose region. The large variability of the Ribbon width as a function of Azimuth in 2019 compared to 2009 is likely indicative of small-scale processes within the Ribbon.

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M. Dayeh, E. Zirnstein, P. Swaczyna, et. al.
Thu, 13 Apr 23
25/59

Comments: 5 figures

Multiple Stellar Populations in Metal-Poor Globular Clusters with JWST: a NIRCam view of M 92 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.06026


Recent work on metal-intermediate globular clusters (GCs) with [Fe/H]=$-1.5$ and $-0.75$ has illustrated the theoretical behavior of multiple populations in photometric diagrams obtained with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). These results are confirmed by observations of multiple populations among M-dwarfs of 47 Tucanae. Here, we explore the multiple populations in metal-poor GCs with [Fe/H]=$-$2.3. We take advantage of synthetic spectra and isochrones that account for the chemical composition of multiple populations to identify photometric diagrams that separate the distinct stellar populations of GCs. We derived high-precision photometry and proper motion for main-sequence stars in the metal-poor GC M 92 from JWST and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images. We identified a first generation (1G) and two main groups of second-generation stars (2G${\rm A}$ and 2G${\rm B}$) and investigated their kinematics and chemical composition. We find isotropic motions with no differences among the distinct populations. The comparison between the observed colors of M 92 stars and the colors derived by synthetic spectra reveals that helium abundance of 2G${\rm A}$ and 2G${\rm B}$ stars are higher than that of the 1G by $\Delta Y \sim 0.01$ and $0.04$, respectively. The $m_{\rm F090W}$ vs. $m_{\rm F090W}-m_{\rm F277W}$ color-magnitude diagram shows that below the knee, MS stars exhibit a wide color broadening due to multiple populations. We constrain the amount of oxygen variation needed to reproduce the observed MS width, which is consistent with results on red-giant branch stars. We conclude that multiple populations with masses of $\sim$0.1-0.8$M_{\odot}$ share similar chemical compositions.

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T. Ziliotto, A. Milone, A. Marino, et. al.
Thu, 13 Apr 23
36/59

Comments: 15 pages, 9 figures. Submitted to ApJ on April 6th, 2023

Contamination in TESS light curves: The case of the Fast Yellow Pulsating Supergiants [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05706


Given its large plate scale of 21″ / pixel, analyses of data from the TESS space telescope must be wary of source confusion from blended light curves, which creates the potential to attribute observed photometric variability to the wrong astrophysical source. We explore the impact of light curve contamination on the detection of fast yellow pulsating supergiant (FYPS) stars as a case study to demonstrate the importance of confirming the source of detected signals in the TESS pixel data. While some of the FYPS signals have already been attributed to contamination from nearby eclipsing binaries, others are suggested to be intrinsic to the supergiant stars. In this work, we carry out a detailed analysis of the TESS pixel data to fit the source locations of the dominant signals reported for 17 FYPS stars with the Python package TESS_localize. We are able to reproduce the detections of these signals for 14 of these sources, obtaining consistent source locations for four. Three of these originate from contaminants, while the signal reported for BZ Tuc is likely a spurious frequency introduced to the light curve of this 127-day Cepheid by the data processing pipeline. Other signals are not significant enough to be localized with our methods, or have long periods that are difficult to analyze given other TESS systematics. Since no localizable signals hold up as intrinsic pulsation frequencies of the supergiant targets, we argue that unambiguous detection of pulsational variability should be obtained before FYPS are considered a new class of pulsator.

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M. Pedersen and K. Bell
Thu, 13 Apr 23
40/59

Comments: 16 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal

Hydrogen-free Wolf-Rayet stars: Helium stars with envelope-inflation structure and rotation [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05897


Observations have shown that the effective temperature of hydrogen-free Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars is considerably lower than that of the standard model, which means that the radius of the observed H-free WR stars is several times larger than that estimated by the standard model. The envelope inflation structure (EIS) caused by the radiation luminosity being close to the Eddington luminosity in the iron opacity peak region of H-free WR stars may be the key to resolve the radius problem of H-free WR stars. We try to explain the H-free WR stars observed in the Milk Way (MW) and the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) by the He stars. Using the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics code, we compute the evolution of He stars with and without MLT++ prescriptions and discuss their effects on the EIS. We have calculated the evolution of He stars using a new mass-loss rate formula and three different relative rotational velocity and compared our results with observations on Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams. The low luminosity (log$(L/L_{{\odot}})\leq5.2$) H-free WR stars in the MW and the LMC can be explained by the helium giant phase in low-mass He stars, the high $X_{C}$ and $X_{O}$ in WC stars can only evolve through low-mass He stars with a rapid rotation. High-mass He stars with the EIS can explain H-free WR stars with a luminosity exceeding $10^{5.7} L_{{\odot}}$ and an effective temperature above $10^{4.7}$ K in the MW. They can also explain H-free WR stars on the right-hand side of the He zero-age main sequence in the LMC. High-mass stars with the EIS evolve into WO stars at the final evolution stage, and the shorter lifetime fraction is consistent with the small number of observed WO stars.

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X. Lu, C. Zhu, H. Liu, et. al.
Thu, 13 Apr 23
51/59

Comments: 9 pages, 7 figures 1 tables, Accepted to A&A

Dynamo modelling for cycle variability and occurrence of grand minima in Sun-like stars: Rotation rate dependence [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05819


Like the solar cycle, stellar activity cycles are also irregular. Observations reveal that rapidly rotating (young) Sun-like stars exhibit a high level of activity with no Maunder-like grand minima and rarely display smooth regular activity cycles. On the other hand, slowly rotating old stars like the Sun have low activity levels and smooth cycles with occasional grand minima. We, for the first time, try to model these observational trends using flux transport dynamo models. Following previous works, we build kinematic dynamo models of one solar mass star with different rotation rates. Differential rotation and meridional circulation are specified with a mean-field hydrodynamic model. We include stochastic fluctuations in the Babcock-Leighton source of the poloidal field to capture the inherent fluctuations in the stellar convection. Based on extensive simulations, we find that rapidly rotating stars produce highly irregular cycles with strong magnetic fields and rarely produce Maunder-like grand minima, whereas the slowly-rotating stars (with a rotation period of 10 days and longer) produce smooth cycles of weaker strength, long-term modulation in the amplitude, and occasional extended grand minima. The average duration and the frequency of grand minima increase with decreasing rotation rate. These results can be understood as the tendency of less supercritical dynamo in slower rotating stars to be more prone to produce extended grand minima

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V. Vashishth, B. Karak and L. Kitchatinov
Thu, 13 Apr 23
58/59

Comments: Accepted in MNRAS

L1 and off Sun-Earth line visible-light imaging of Earth-directed CMEs: An analysis of inconsistent observations [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05264


The efficacy of coronal mass ejection (CME) observations as a key input to space weather forecasting is explored by comparing on and off Sun-Earth line observations from the ESA/NASA SOHO and NASA STEREO spacecraft. A comparison is made of CME catalogues based on L1 coronagraph imagery and off Sun-Earth line coronagraph and heliospheric imager (HI) observations, for the year 2011. Analysis reveals inconsistencies in the identification of a number of potentially Earth-directed CMEs. The catalogues reflect our ability to identify and characterise CMEs, so any discrepancies can impact our prediction of Earth-directed CMEs. We show that 15 CMEs, which were observed by STEREO, that had estimated directions compatible with Earth-directed events, had no identified halo/partial halo counterpart listed in the L1 coronagraph CME catalogue. In-situ data confirms that for 9 of these there was a consistent L1 Interplanetary CME (ICME). The number of such “discrepant” events is significant compared to the number of ICMEs recorded at L1 in 2011, stressing the need to address space weather monitoring capabilities, particularly with the inclusion of off Sun-Earth line observation. While the study provides evidence that some halo CMEs are simply not visible in near-Earth coronagraph imagery, there is evidence that some halo CMEs viewed from L1 are compromised by preceding CME remnants or the presence of multiple-CMEs. This underlines (1) the value of multiple vantage point CME observation, and (2) the benefit of off Sun-Earth line platform heliospheric imaging, and coronagraph imaging, for the efficient identification and tracking of Earth-directed events.

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R. Harrison, J. Davies, D. Barnes, et. al.
Wed, 12 Apr 23
27/45

Comments: 36 pages, 6 figures, in press at AGU Space Weather, 2023

H$α$ emission line sources from VLT-MUSE in a low-metallicity star forming region — Dolidze 25 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.05019


The process of accretion through circumstellar disks in young stellar objects is an integral part of star formation and the $H\alpha$ emission line is a prominent signature of accretion in low-mass stars. We present the detection and characterization of $H\alpha$ emission line sources in the central region of a distant, low-metallicity young stellar cluster – Dolidze 25 (at $\sim$ 4.5 kpc) – using medium-resolution optical spectra (4750-9350 \r{A} ) obtained with the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the VLT. We have identified 14 potential accreting sources within a rectangular region of (2$’$ x 1$’$) towards the center of the cluster based on the detection of strong and broad emissions in $H\alpha$ as well as the presence of other emission lines such as [OI] and $H\beta$. Based on their positions in both photometric color-magnitude and color-color diagrams, we have also confirmed that these objects belong to the pre-main sequence phase of star formation. Our results were compared with the disk and diskless members of the cluster previously identified by Guarcello et al. (2021) using near-IR colors, and all sources they had identified as disks were confirmed to be accreting based on the spectroscopic characteristics.

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M. Ashraf, J. Jose, G. Herczeg, et. al.
Wed, 12 Apr 23
31/45

Comments: N/A

CM Mic and other ER UMa stars showing standstills [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.04973


We analyzed All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN), Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) observations of CM Mic and found that this object belongs to a small group of ER UMa stars showing standstills. In addition to typical ER UMa-type cycles, the object showed standstills between 2017 and 2019 July, and in 2022. The supercycles varied between 49 and 83 d. In 2015, the object showed outbursts with a cycle length of ~35 d. An analysis of TESS observations during the 2020 July outburst detected superhumps with a mean period of 0.080251(6) d (value after the full development of superhumps). We also studied other ER UMa stars showing standstills mainly using Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) data. DDE 48, MGAB-V728 and ZTF18abmpkbj mostly showed ER UMa-type supercycles but showed one or two standstills. MGAB-V3488 was mostly in ER UMa states with short (~25 d) supercycles in 2020-2022 similar to RZ LMi. This object also showed long standstills. PS1-3PI J181732.65+101954.6 showed ER UMa-type supercycles up to 2020 May and entered a long standstill. ZTF18abncpgs showed standstills most of the time, but also showed ER UMa-type supercycles occasionally between standstills. ZTF19aarsljl is a likely member of this group. MGAB-V284 showed a pattern similar to ER UMa stars showing standstills but with a longer time-scale of normal outbursts. This object seems to be an ER UMa star with standstills above the period gap. None of the objects we studied showed a superoutburst arising from a long standstill, as recorded in NY Ser in 2018, although the 2019 June-July superoutburst of PS1-3PI J181732.65+101954.6 might have been an exception.

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T. Kato and N. Kojiguchi
Wed, 12 Apr 23
40/45

Comments: 33 pages, 20 figures, VSOLJ Variable Star Bulletin No. 112

Transverse Velocity Field Measurement in High-Resolution Solar Images Based on Deep Learning [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03909


To address the problem of the low accuracy of transverse velocity field measurements for small targets in high-resolution solar images, we proposed a novel velocity field measurement method for high-resolution solar images based on PWCNet. This method transforms the transverse velocity field measurements into an optical flow field prediction problem. We evaluated the performance of the proposed method using the Ha and TiO datasets obtained from New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST) observations. The experimental results show that our method effectively predicts the optical flow of small targets in images compared with several typical machine- and deep-learning methods. On the Ha dataset, the proposed method improves the image structure similarity from 0.9182 to 0.9587 and reduces the mean of residuals from 24.9931 to 15.2818; on the TiO dataset, the proposed method improves the image structure similarity from 0.9289 to 0.9628 and reduces the mean of residuals from 25.9908 to 17.0194. The optical flow predicted using the proposed method can provide accurate data for the atmospheric motion information of solar images. The code implementing the proposed method is available on https://github.com/lygmsy123/transverse-velocity-field-measurement.

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Z. Shang, S. Mu, K. Ji, et. al.
Tue, 11 Apr 23
1/63

Comments: 14 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics

The GAPS programme at TNG XLV. A massive brown dwarf orbiting the active M dwarf TOI-5375 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.04477


Context. Massive substellar companions orbiting active low-mass stars are rare. They, however, offer an excellent opportunity to study the main mechanisms involved in the formation and evolution of substellar objects. Aims. We aim to unravel the physical nature of the transit signal observed by the TESS space mission on the active M dwarf TOI-5375. Methods. We analysed the available TESS photometric data as well as high-resolution (R $\sim$ 115000) HARPS-N spectra. We combined these data to characterise the star TOI-5375 and to disentangle signals related to stellar activity from the companion transit signal in the light-curve data. We ran an MCMC analysis to derive the orbital solution and apply state-of-the-art Gaussian process regression to deal with the stellar activity signal. Results. We reveal the presence of a companion in the brown dwarf / very-low-mass star boundary orbiting around the star TOI-5375. The best-fit model corresponds to a companion with an orbital period of 1.721564 $\pm$ 10$^{\rm -6}$ d, a mass of 77 $\pm$ 8 $M_{\rm J}$ and a radius of 0.99 $\pm$ 0.16 $R_{\rm J}$. We derive a rotation period for the host star of 1.9692 $\pm$ 0.0004 d, and we conclude that the star is very close to synchronising its rotation with the orbital period of the companion.

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J. Maldonado, A. Petralia, G. Mantovan, et. al.
Tue, 11 Apr 23
25/63

Comments: Submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics (under review)

The Effect of Flow and Magnetic Twist on Resonant Absorption of Slow MHD Waves in Magnetic Flux Tubes [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.04266


Observations show that there are twisted magnetic flux tubes and plasma flow throughout the solar atmosphere. The main purpose of this work is to obtain the damping rate of sausage modes in the presence of magnetic twist and plasma flow. We obtain the dispersion relation for sausage modes in slow continuity in an inhomogeneous layer under the conditions of magnetic pores, then we solve it numerically. For the selected density profile, the magnetic field, and the plasma flow as a function of radius across the inhomogeneous layer, we show that the effect of the twisted magnetic field on the resonance absorption at low speed of the plasma flow is greater than one at high speed.

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M. Sadeghi, K. Bahari and K. Karami
Tue, 11 Apr 23
32/63

Comments: N/A

Exact solution to the problem of slow oscillations in coronal loops and its diagnostic applications [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03632


Magnetoacoustic oscillations are nowadays routinely observed in various regions of the solar corona. This allows them to be used as means of diagnosing plasma parameters and processes occurring in it. Plasma diagnostics, in turn, requires a sufficiently reliable MHD model to describe the wave evolution. In our paper, we focus on obtaining the exact analytical solution to the problem of the linear evolution of standing slow magnetoacoustic (MA) waves in coronal loops. Our consideration of the properties of slow waves is conducted using the infinite magnetic field assumption. The main contribution to the wave dynamics in this assumption comes from such processes as thermal conduction, unspecified coronal heating, and optically thin radiation cooling. In our consideration, the wave periods are assumed to be short enough so that the thermal misbalance has a weak effect on them. Thus, the main non-adiabatic process affecting the wave dynamics remains thermal conduction. The exact solution of the evolutionary equation is obtained using the Fourier method. This means that it is possible to trace the evolution of any harmonic of the initial perturbation, regardless of whether it belongs to entropy or slow mode. We show that the fraction of energy between entropy and slow mode is defined by the thermal conduction and coronal loop parameters. It is shown for which parameters of coronal loops it is reasonable to associate the full solution with a slow wave, and when it is necessary to take into account the entropy wave. Furthermore, we obtain the relationships for the phase shifts of various plasma parameters applicable to any values of harmonic number and thermal condition coefficient. In particular, it is shown that the phase shifts between density and temperature perturbations for the second harmonic of the slow wave vary between $\pi/2$ to 0, but are larger than for the fundamental harmonic.

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D. Zavershinskii, N. Molevich, D. Riashchikov, et. al.
Mon, 10 Apr 23
14/36

Comments: N/A

Power-law Distribution of Solar-Cycle Modulated Coronal Jets [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03466


Power-law distributions have been studied as a significant characteristic of non-linear dissipative systems. Since discovering the power-law distribution of solar flares that was later extended to nano-flares and stellar flares, it has been widely accepted that different scales of flares share the same physical process. Here, we present the newly developed Semi-Automated Jet Identification Algorithm (SAJIA) and its application for detecting more than 1200 off-limb solar jets during Solar Cycle 24. Power-law distributions have been revealed between the intensity/energy and frequency of these events, with indices found to be analogous to those for flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These jets are also found to be spatially and temporally modulated by the solar cycle forming a butterfly diagram in their latitudinal-temporal evolution, experiencing quasi-annual oscillations in their analysed properties, and very likely gathering in certain active longitudinal belts. Our results show that coronal jets display the same nonlinear behaviour as that observed in flares and CMEs, in solar and stellar atmospheres, strongly suggesting that they result from the same nonlinear statistics of scale-free processes as their counterparts in different scales of eruptive events. Although these jets, like flares and other large-scale dynamic phenomena, are found to be significantly modulated by the solar cycle, their corresponding power-law indices still remain similar.

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J. Liu, A. Song, D. Jess, et. al.
Mon, 10 Apr 23
22/36

Comments: 10 figures, 1 table, to be published in ApJ Supplement

Atmospheric parameters of individual components of the visual triple stellar system HIP 32475 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03604


We present a complete analysis of the individual components of the ABC visual triple system HIP 32475. AB pair was discovered during the Hipparcos mission, with a separation of 412 mas. Later, in 2015, a third component was added to the system by discovering it at a small angular distance from B. In our analysis, we follow Al-Wardat’s method for analyzing binary and multiple stellar systems, which is a computational spectrophotometric method. Using estimated parameters, the components’ positions on the H-R diagram, evolutionary tracks, and isochrones are defined. Depending on the analysis, we estimate the age of the system as 1.259 Gyr with a metallicity of $Z=0.019$. The results show that component A started to evolve from the main sequence to the sub-giants stage, while components B and C are still in the main sequence stage.

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A. Hussein, E. Abu-Alrob, F. Alkhateri, et. al.
Mon, 10 Apr 23
28/36

Comments: N/A

Magnetic Tornado Properties: A Substantial Contribution to the Solar Coronal Heating via Efficient Energy Transfer [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03010


In solving the solar coronal heating problem, it is crucial to comprehend the mechanisms by which energy is conveyed from the photosphere to the corona. Recently, magnetic tornadoes, characterized as coherent, rotating magnetic field structures extending from the photosphere to the corona, have drawn growing interest as a possible means of efficient energy transfer. Despite its acknowledged importance, the underlying physics of magnetic tornadoes remains still elusive. In this study, we conduct a three-dimensional radiative magnetohydrodynamic simulation that encompasses the upper convective layer and extends into the corona, with a view to investigating how magnetic tornadoes are generated and efficiently transfer energy into the corona. We find that a single event of magnetic flux concentration merger on the photosphere gives rise to the formation of a single magnetic tornado. The Poynting flux transferred into the corona is found to be four times greater in the presence of the magnetic tornado, as compared to its absence. This increase is attributed to a reduction in energy loss in the chromosphere, resulting from the weakened magnetic energy cascade. Based on an evaluation of the fraction of the merging events, our results suggest that magnetic tornadoes contribute approximately 50% of the Poynting flux into the corona in regions where the coronal magnetic field strength is 10 G. Potentially, the contribution could be even greater in areas with a stronger coronal magnetic field.

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H. Kuniyoshi, M. Shoda, H. Iijima, et. al.
Fri, 7 Apr 23
15/50

Comments: submitted to the Astrophysical Journal. first referee report received. comments welcome

The fastest hot subdwarfs revisited [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02969


Hyper-velocity stars (HVS) are enigmatic objects because they are travelling so fast that they escape from the Galaxy. Among hot subdwarfs, only one such star is known, the He-sdO US 708. The Hyper-MUCHFUSS collaboration provided additional HVS candidates. Here we revisit the fastest candidates including US 708 by analysing optical spectra and spectral energy distributions using a new grid of tailored model atmospheres and report preliminary results. The sample is dominated by H-rich subdwarfs and their distribution in the Kiel diagram appears to be bimodal for the sdB stars but otherwise fits canonical evolutionary models well. Gaia proper motion measurements allowed a precise kinematic investigation to be made. It turns out that all previously proposed HVS candidates are actually bound to the Galaxy, except US 708. The original candidate sample turns out to belong to an extreme halo population. The scarcity of available observations of US 708 calls for space-based UV and IR photometry as well as high precision radial velocity measurements.

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U. Heber
Fri, 7 Apr 23
35/50

Comments: 9 page, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Bulletin de la Societ Royale des Sciences de Liege, poceedings of the conference “10th Meeting on Hot Subdwarfs and Related Objects”

Impact of thermal misbalance on acoustic-gravity waves in the solar atmosphere [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03227


The joint effect of gravity and thermal misbalance on the dynamics of acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) in the solar atmosphere is considered. It is shown that the heating and cooling taken in the form of power functions lead to the linear dependence of stationary temperature profile. Estimates of the ratio of the characteristic length associated with thermal processes to the gravitational height show a predominant influence of thermal processes in the temperature range up to 2 MK and a comparable influence on the dynamics of AGW in the range from 2 to 10 MK. A study of the dispersion properties of AGW in an isothermal atmosphere showed that in regimes with an overwhelming influence of thermal processes, the acoustic cut-off frequency decreases up to $\sqrt{\gamma}$ times. At the same time, the maximum frequency of the gravitational mode (analog of the Brunt-Vaisala frequency in the medium without non-adiabatic heating and cooling) decreases with increasing power of thermal processes, and then the gravitational mode can become purely oscillatory.

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D. Riashchikov, N. Molevich and D. Zavershinskii
Fri, 7 Apr 23
36/50

Comments: N/A

On the nascent wind of nearby oxygen-rich AGB stars: a brief review [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02837


The commonly accepted mechanism governing the formation of the nascent wind in oxygen-rich AGB stars combines an initial boost above the photosphere, given by shock waves resulting from stellar pulsations and convective cell granulation, with a subsequent acceleration fuelled by the radiation pressure of the star on dust grains. We use six nearby stars, for which detailed studies of visible and infrared observations at the VLT and millimetre observations at ALMA are available, to assess the extent to which the validity of this picture is currently corroborated. We show that while providing a very useful guide to current research and having received general support and suffered no contradiction, it still requires many additional observations to be reliably validated. In particular, observations of the highest possible angular resolution at both millimetre and visible/infrared wavelengths, performed in conjunction with measurements of the light curve, are necessary to tell apart the respective roles played by convection and stellar pulsations. A major unanswered question is the lack of understanding of the apparent contradiction between the observed high variability near the photosphere and the persistence over decades, or even centuries, of the global anisotropy displayed by the CSE. New observations of the close neighbourhood of the star are required to elucidate the mechanism that governs rotation, in particular in the cases of R Dor, L2 Pup and EP Aqr. We argue that the presence of stellar or planetary companions does not seriously impact the formation of the nascent wind and only modifies its subsequent evolution.

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P. Darriulat, D. Hoai, P. Nhung, et. al.
Fri, 7 Apr 23
37/50

Comments: 22 pages,16 figures

Non-thermal motions and atmospheric heating of cool stars [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02667


The magnetic processes associated with the non-thermal broadening of optically thin emission lines appear to carry enough energy to heat the corona and accelerate the solar wind. We investigate whether non-thermal motions in cool stars exhibit the same behaviour as on the Sun by analysing archival stellar spectra taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, and full-disc Solar spectra taken by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph. We determined the non-thermal velocities by measuring the excess broadening in optically thin emission lines formed in the stellar atmosphere; the chromosphere, the transition region and the corona. Assuming the non-thermal broadening is caused by the presence of Alfv\’en waves, we also determined the associated wave energy densities. Our results show that, with a non-thermal velocity of $\sim$23 kms$^{-1}$ the Sun-as-a-star results are in very good agreement with values obtained from spatially-resolved solar observations. The non-thermal broadening in our sample show correlation to stellar rotation, with the strength of the non-thermal velocity decreasing with decreasing rotation rate. Finally, the non-thermal velocity in cool Sun-like stars varies with atmospheric height or temperature of the emission lines, and peaks at transition region temperatures. This points towards a solar-like Alfv\’en wave driven heating in stellar atmospheres. However, the peak is at a lower temperature in some cool stars suggesting that, other magnetic process such as flaring events could also dominate.

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S. Saikia, T. Lueftinger, V. Airapetian, et. al.
Fri, 7 Apr 23
39/50

Comments: 13 pages, 8 Figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Spectroscopic Orbits of Subsystems in Multiple Stars. X (Summary) [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02706


Results of a large program of spectroscopic monitoring of nearby solar-type stellar hierarchical systems using the CHIRON echelle spectrograph at the 1.5 m telescope are summarized. Ten papers of this series contain 102 spectroscopic orbits and substantially contribute to the knowledge of periods and eccentricties, providing input for the study of their formation and early evolution. Radial velocities of additional 91 targets without CHIRON orbits (members of wide physical pairs) are published here. Our results are compared to the recent Gaia Non-Single Star (NSS) catalog, revealing its strengths and weaknesses. The NSS provides orbital periods for 31 objects of the CHIRON sample (about one third). Of the 22 spectroscopic NSS orbits in common, 14 are in good agreement with CHIRON, the rest have reduced velocity amplitudes or other problems. Hence ground-based monitoring gives, so far, a more accurate and complete picture of nearby hierarchies than Gaia. The distribution of inner periods in hierarchical systems is non-monotonic, showing a shallow minimum in the 30-100 days bin and a strong excess at shorter periods, compared to the smooth distribution of simple binaries in the field. The period-eccentricity diagram of inner subsystems updated by this survey, recent literature, and Gaia, displays an interesting structure.

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A. Tokovinin
Fri, 7 Apr 23
42/50

Comments: 11 pages, 3 figures, 4 tables. Accepted by The Astronomical Journal

Temporal variation of the photometric magnetic activity for the Sun and Kepler solar-like stars [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03165


The photometric time series of solar-like stars can exhibit rotational modulation due to active regions co-rotating with the stellar surface, allowing us to constrain stellar rotation and magnetic activity. In this work we investigate the behavior, particularly the variability, of the photometric magnetic activity of Kepler solar-like stars and compare it with that of the Sun. We adopted the photometric magnetic activity proxy Sph, which was computed with a cadence of 5 x the rotation period, Prot. The average Sph was taken as the mean activity level, and the standard deviation was taken as a measure of the temporal variation of the magnetic activity over the observations. We also analyzed Sun-as-a-star photometric data from VIRGO. Sun-like stars were selected from a very narrow parameter space around the solar properties. We also looked into KIC 8006161 (HD 173701), an active metal-rich G dwarf, and we compared its magnetic activity to that of stars with similar stellar parameters. We find that the amplitude of Sph variability is strongly correlated with its mean value, independent of spectral type. An equivalent relationship has been found for ground-based observations of chromospheric activity emission and magnetic field strength, but in this work we show that photometric Kepler data also present the same behavior. While, depending on the cycle phase, the Sun is among the less active stars, we find that the solar Sph properties are consistent with those observed in Kepler Sun-like stars. KIC 8006161 is, however, among the most active of its peers, which tend to be metal-rich. This results from an underlying relationship between Prot and metallicity and supports the following interpretation of the magnetic activity of KIC 8006161: its strong activity is a consequence of its high metallicity, which affects the depth of the convection zone and, consequently, the efficiency of the dynamo.

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A. Santos, S. Mathur, R. García, et. al.
Fri, 7 Apr 23
45/50

Comments: Published in A&A; 12 pages including 11 figures and 3 tables (main text); 10 additional pages including 17 figures and 5 tables (appendix)

Eccentric Dust Ring in the IRS 48 Transition Disk [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02937


Crescent-shaped structures in transition disks hold the key to studying the putative companions to the central stars. The dust dynamics, especially that of different grain sizes, is important to understanding the role of pressure bumps in planet formation. In this work, we present deep dust continuum observation with high resolution towards the Oph IRS 48 system. For the first time, we are able to significantly trace and detect emission along $95\%$ of the ring crossing the crescent-shaped structure. The ring is highly eccentric with an eccentricity of $0.27$. The flux density contrast between the peak of the flux and its counter part along the ring is $\sim 270$. In addition, we detect a compact emission toward the central star. If the emission is an inner circumstellar disk inside the cavity, it has a radius of at most a couple of astronomical units with a dust mass of $1.5\times 10^{-8}\rm\, M_\odot$, or $0.005\rm\, M_\oplus$. We also discuss the implications of the potential eccentric orbit on the proper motion of the crescent, the putative secondary companion, and the asymmetry in velocity maps.

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H. Yang, M. Fernandez-Lopez, Z. Li, et. al.
Fri, 7 Apr 23
47/50

Comments: 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication on AAS Journals

Understanding the Relationship between Solar Coronal Abundances and F10.7 cm Radio Emission [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02552


Sun-as-a-star coronal plasma composition, derived from full-Sun spectra, and the F10.7 radio flux (2.8 GHz) have been shown to be highly correlated (r = 0.88) during solar cycle 24. However, this correlation becomes nonlinear during increased solar magnetic activity. Here, we use co-temporal, high spatial resolution, multi-wavelength images of the Sun to investigate the underlying causes of the non-linearity between coronal composition (FIP bias) and F10.7 solar index correlation. Using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA), Hinode/EIS (EUV Imaging Spectrometer), and the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO), we observed a small active region, AR 12759, throughout the solar atmosphere from the photosphere to the corona. Results of this study show that the magnetic field strength (flux density) in active regions plays an important role in the variability of coronal abundances, and it is likely the main contributing factor to this non-linearity during increased solar activity. Coronal abundances above cool sunspots are lower than in dispersed magnetic plage regions. Strong magnetic concentrations are associated with stronger F10.7 cm gyroresonance emission. Considering that as the solar cycle moves from minimum to maximum, the size of sunspots and their field strength increase with gyroresonance component, the distinctly different tendencies of radio emission and coronal abundances in the vicinity of sunspots is the likely cause of saturation of Sun-as-a-star coronal abundances during solar maximum, while the F10.7 index remains well correlated with the sunspot number and other magnetic field proxies.

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A. To, A. James, T. Bastian, et. al.
Thu, 6 Apr 23
1/76

Comments: 15 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Identifying and characterizing ultracool dwarfs ejected from post-encounter disintegrating systems [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02236


Disintegrating multiple systems have been previously discovered from kinematic studies of the $\it Hipparcos$ catalogue. They are presumably the result of dynamical encounters taking place in the Galactic disk between single/multiple systems. In this paper, we aim to expand the search for such systems, to study their properties, as well as to characterize possible low-mass ejecta (i.e. brown dwarfs and planets). We have assembled a list of 15 candidate systems using astrometry from the Tycho-Gaia astrometric solution (later upgraded with $\it Gaia$ DR3), and here we present the discovery and follow-up of 5 of them. We have obtained DECam imaging for all 5 systems and by combining near-infrared photometry and proper motion, we searched for ultra-cool ejected components. We find that the system consisting of TYC 7731-1951-1, TYC 7731-2128 AB, and TYC 7731-1995-1ABC?, contains one very promising ultra-cool dwarf candidate. Using additional data from the literature, we have found that 3 out of 5 disintegrating system candidates are likely to be true disintegrating systems.

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A. Yip, R. Kurtev, D. Pinfield, et. al.
Thu, 6 Apr 23
10/76

Comments: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 17 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables

Formation and Destiny of White Dwarf and Be Star Binaries [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02615


The binary systems consisting of a Be star and a white dwarf (BeWDs) are very interesting.They can originate from the binaries composed of a Be star and a subdwarf O or B star (BesdOBs), and they can merge into red giants via luminous red nova or can evolve into double WD potentially detected by $LISA$ mission. Using the method of population synthesis, we investigate the formation and the destiny of BeWDs,and discuss the effects of the metallicity ($Z$) and the common envelope evolution parameters. We find that BesdOBs are significant progenitors of BeWDs. About 30\% ($Z=0.0001$)-50\% ($Z=0.02$) of BeWDs come from BesdOBs. About 60\% ($Z=0.0001$) -70\% ($Z=0.02$) of BeWDs turn into red giants via a merger between a WD and a non-degenerated star. About 30\% ($Z=0.0001$) -40\% ($Z=0.02$) of BeWDs evolve into double WDs which are potential gravitational waves of $LISA$ mission at a frequency band between about $3\times10^{-3}$ and $3\times10^{-2}$ Hz. The common envelope evolution parameter introduces an uncertainty with a factor of about 1.3 on BeWD populations in our simulations.

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C. Zhu, G. Lü, X. Lu, et. al.
Thu, 6 Apr 23
17/76

Comments: 17 pages, 12 figures, 2 table, accepted for publication in RAA

Contemporaneous Observations of $Hα$ Luminosities and Photometric Amplitudes for M Dwarfs [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02543


While many M dwarfs are known to have strong magnetic fields and high levels of magnetic activity, we are still unsure about the properties of their starspots and the origin of their magnetic dynamos. Both starspots and chromospheric heating are generated by the surface magnetic field; they produce photometric variability and Halpha emission, respectively. Connecting brightness variations to magnetic activity therefore provides a means to examine M dwarf magnetism. We survey 30 M dwarfs previously identified as fast rotating stars (Prot < 10 days). We present time-series optical photometry from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and contemporaneous optical spectra obtained using the Ohio State Multi-Object Spectrograph (OSMOS) on the 2.4m Hiltner telescope at MDM Observatory in Arizona. We measure rotation periods and photometric amplitudes from TESS light curves using Gaussian Processes. From the OSMOS spectra, we calculate the equivalent width of Halpha, and LHalpha/Lbol. We find a weak positive correlation between Halpha luminosity and the semi-amplitude, Rvar p=0.005_{-0.005}^{+0.075}. We also observe short-term variability (between 20-45 minutes) in Halpha equivalent widths and possible enhancement from flares consistent to recent literature.

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A. Soto, E. Newton, S. Douglas, et. al.
Thu, 6 Apr 23
20/76

Comments: 19 pages, 9 Figures, 2 Tables, Poster Presented at Cool Stars 21, Publication post-copy editing

Two-dimensional simulations of internal gravity waves in a 5 $M_{\odot}$ Zero-Age-Main-Sequence model [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02508


Main-sequence intermediate-mass stars present a radiative envelope that supports internal gravity waves (IGWs). Excited at the boundary with the convective core, IGWs propagate towards the stellar surface and are suspected to impact physical processes such as rotation and chemical mixing. Using the fully compressible time-implicit code MUSIC, we study IGWs in two-dimensional simulations of a zero-age-main-sequence 5 solar mass star model up to 91\% of the stellar radius with different luminosity and radiative diffusivity enhancements. Our results show that low frequency waves excited by core convection are strongly impacted by radiative effects as they propagate. This impact depends on the radial profile of radiative diffusivity which increases by almost 5 orders of magnitude between the centre of the star and the top of the simulation domain. In the upper layers of the simulation domain, we observe an increase of the temperature. Our study suggests that this is due to heat added in these layers by IGWs damped by radiative diffusion. We show that non-linear effects linked to large amplitude IGWs may be relevant just above the convective core. Both these effects are intensified by the artificial enhancement of the luminosity and radiative diffusivity, with enhancement factors up to $10^4$ times the realistic values. Our results also highlight that direct comparison between numerical simulations with enhanced luminosity and observations must be made with caution. Finally, our work suggests that thermal effects linked to the damping of IGWs could have a non-negligible impact on stellar structure.

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A. Saux, I. Baraffe, T. Guillet, et. al.
Thu, 6 Apr 23
31/76

Comments: 15 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

G 68-34: A Double-Lined M-Dwarf Eclipsing Binary in a Hierarchical Triple System [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02466


Using high-resolution spectra from the Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph (TRES) and photometry from sector 56 of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), we report that the nearby M dwarf G 68-34 is a double-lined eclipsing binary. The pair is spin-orbit synchronized with a period of 0.655 days. The light curve shows significant spot modulation with a larger photometric amplitude than that of the grazing eclipses. We perform a joint fit to the spectroscopic and photometric data, obtaining masses of $0.3280\pm 0.0034$M$\odot$ and $0.3207\pm 0.0036$M$\odot$ and radii of $0.345\pm 0.014$R$\odot$ and $0.342\pm 0.014$R$\odot$ after marginalizing over unknowns in the starspot distribution. This system adds to the small but growing population of fully convective M dwarfs with precisely measured masses and radii that can be used to test models of stellar structure. The pair also has a white dwarf primary at 9″ separation, with the system known to be older than 5 Gyr from the white-dwarf cooling age. The binarity of G 68-34 confirms our hypothesis from Pass et al. (2022): in that work, we noted that G 68-34 was both rapidly rotating and old, highly unusual given our understanding of the spindown of M dwarfs, and that a close binary companion may be responsible.

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E. Pass and D. Charbonneau
Thu, 6 Apr 23
32/76

Comments: Accepted for publication in ApJ, 10 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables

On the origin of the split main sequences of the young massive cluster NGC 1856 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02227


The detection of split main sequences (MSs) associated with young clusters ($\lesssim$600 Myr) has caught lots of attention. A prevailing scenario is that a bimodality of stellar rotation distribution drives the MS bifurcation. Nevertheless, the origin of the stellar rotation dichotomy remains unclear. Hypotheses involving tidally-locked binaries or blue straggler stars (BSSs) are proposed to explain the observed split MSs. This work examines if the long-term dynamical evolution of star clusters can produce the observed split MSs, through high-performance $N$-body simulation. As a prototype example, the young massive cluster NGC 1856 exhibits an apparent MS bifurcation. Our simulation reports that at the age of NGC 1856, tidally-locked binaries are fully mixed with single stars. This is consistent with the observation that there is no significant spatial difference between blue MS and red MS stars. However, we find that only high mass-ratio binaries can evolve to the tidally-locked phase at the age of the NGC 1856. These tidally-locked binaries will populate a much redder sequence than the MS of single stars rather than a blue MS, which is inconsistent with the hypothesis. The number of tidally-locked binaries cannot account for the observation. Our simulation shows that BSSs produced by binary interactions do populate the blue periphery in the color-magnitude diagram, and their spatial distribution shows a similar pattern of single stars. However, the number of BSSs does not fit the observation.

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L. Wang, C. Li, L. Wang, et. al.
Thu, 6 Apr 23
51/76

Comments: 14 pages, 7 figures, 1 table; accepted for publication in ApJ

The F-CHROMA grid of 1D RADYN flare models [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02618


Context: Solar flares are the result of the sudden release of magnetic energy in the corona. Much of this energy goes into accelerating charged particles to high velocity. These particles travel along the magnetic field and the energy is dissipated when the density gets high enough, primarily in the solar chromosphere. Modelling this region is difficult because the radiation energy balance is dominated by strong, optically thick spectral lines.
Aims: Our aim is to provide the community with realistic simulations of a flaring loop with an emphasis on the detailed treatment of the chromospheric energy balance. This will enable a detailed comparison of existing and upcoming observations with synthetic observables from the simulations, thereby elucidating the complex interactions in a flaring chromosphere.
Methods: We used the 1D radiation hydrodynamics code RADYN to perform simulations of the effect of a beam of electrons injected at the apex of a solar coronal loop. A grid of models was produced, varying the total energy input, the steepness, and low-energy cutoff of the beam energy spectrum.
Results: The full simulation results for a grid of models are made available online. Some general properties of the simulations are discussed.

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M. Carlsson, L. Fletcher, J. Allred, et. al.
Thu, 6 Apr 23
59/76

Comments: 11 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Removal Of Active Region Inflows Reveals a Weak Solar Cycle Scale Trend In Near-surface Meridional Flow [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02158


Using time-distance local helioseismology flow maps within 1 Mm of the solar photosphere, we detect inflows toward activity belts that contribute to solar cycle scale variations in near-surface meridional flow. These inflows stretch out as far as 30 degrees away from active region centroids. If active region neighborhoods are excluded, the solar cycle scale variation in background meridional flow diminishes to below 2~m~s$^{-1}$, but still shows systematic variations in the absence of active regions between Sunspot Cycles 24 and 25. We, therefore, propose that the near-surface meridional flow is a three component flow made up of: a constant baseline flow profile that can be derived from quiet Sun regions, variations due to inflows around active regions, and solar cycle scale variation of the order of 2~m~s$^{-1}$. Torsional oscillation, on the other hand, is found to be a global phenomenon i.e. exclusion of active region neighborhoods does not affect its magnitude or phase significantly. This non-variation of torsional oscillation with distance away from active regions and the three-component breakdown of the near-surface meridional flow serve as vital constraints for solar dynamo models and surface flux transport simulations.

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S. Mahajan, X. Sun and J. Zhao
Thu, 6 Apr 23
60/76

Comments: 14 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Non-zero phase-shifts of acoustic waves in the lower solar atmosphere measured from realistic simulations and their role in local helioseismology [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02057


Previous studies analyzing the evanescent nature of acoustic waves in the lower solar atmosphere, up to 300\,km above the photosphere, have shown an unexpected phase shift of an order of 1\,s between different heights. Those studies investigated the spectral line \ion{Fe}{1} 6173.3\,\AA, commonly used for helioseismic measurements. Such phase-shifts can contribute to a misinterpretation of the measured travel times in local helioseismology, complicating inferences of, e.g., the deep meridional flow. In this study, we carry out phase-shift computations using a simulated, fully radiative, and convective atmosphere from which the \ion{Fe}{1} 6173.3\,\AA\ line is synthesized. The resulting phase-shifts as functions of frequency across multiple heights show non-zero values in evanescent waves, similar to what was found in observational data. Comparing the Doppler-velocities estimated from the synthesized absorption line with the true velocities directly obtained from the simulated plasma motions, we find substantial differences in phase-shifts between the two. This leads us to hypothesize that the non-adiabaticity of the solar atmosphere yields extra phase-shift contributions to Doppler velocities. Finally, computing phase-differences for different viewing angles reveals a systematic center-to-limb variation, similar to what is present in observations. Overall, this study helps to improve our understanding of the physical cause of the helioseismic center-to-limb effect.

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M. Waidele, J. Zhao and I. Kitiashvili
Thu, 6 Apr 23
67/76

Comments: N/A

Extended atomic data for oxygen abundance analyses [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.02310


As the most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen and helium, oxygen plays a key role in planetary, stellar, and galactic astrophysics. Its abundance is especially influential on stellar structure and evolution, and as the dominant opacity contributor at the base of the Sun’s convection zone it is central to the discussion around the solar modelling problem. However, abundance analyses require complete and reliable sets of atomic data. We present extensive atomic data for O I, by using the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock and relativistic configuration interaction methods. Lifetimes and transition probabilities for radiative electric dipole transitions are given and compared with results from previous calculations and available measurements. The accuracy of the computed transition rates is evaluated by the differences between the transition rates in Babushkin and Coulomb gauges, as well as by a cancellation factor analysis. Out of the 989 computed transitions in this work, 205 are assigned to the accuracy classes AA-B, that is, with uncertainties less than 10%, following the criteria defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Atomic Spectra Database. We discuss the influence of the new log(gf) values on the solar oxygen abundance and ultimately advocate $\log\epsilon_{\mathrm{O}}=8.70\pm0.04$.

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W. Li, P. Jönsson, A. Amarsi, et. al.
Thu, 6 Apr 23
70/76

Comments: 13 pages, 5 figures; Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

EP Aquarii: a new picture of the circumstellar envelope [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01520


New analyses of earlier ALMA observations of oxygen-rich AGB star EP Aquarii are presented, which contribute major progress to our understanding of the morpho-kinematics of the circumstellar envelope (CSE). The birth of the equatorial density enhancement (EDE) is shown to occur very close to the star where evidence for rotation has been obtained. High Doppler velocity wings are seen to consist of two components, the front end of the global wind, reaching above $\pm$12 \kms, and an effective line broadening, confined within 200 mas from the centre of the star, reaching above $\pm$20 \kms\ and interpreted as caused by the pattern of shock waves resulting from the interaction between stellar pulsation and convective cell granulation. Close to the star, episodic and lumpy mass ejections are observed, and their interaction with the gas of the nascent EDE, first rotating and later slowly expanding, is seen to play an important role in the development of the wind and the evolution of its radial velocity from 8-10 \kms\ on the polar symmetry axis to $\sim$2 \kms\ at the equator. It implies a very complex morpho-kinematics, which prevents making reliable interpretations with reasonable confidence. In particular, it sheds serious doubts on an earlier interpretation implying the presence of a white dwarf companion orbiting the star at an angular distance of $\sim$0.4 arcsec from its centre and currently west of it.

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P. Nhung, D. Hoai, P. Darriulat, et. al.
Wed, 5 Apr 23
8/62

Comments: 17 pages, 22 figures

Spectroscopic Orbits of Subsystems in Multiple Stars. IX [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01861


New spectroscopic orbits of inner subsystems in 14 hierarchies are determined from long-term monitoring with the optical echelle spectrometer, CHIRON. Their main components are nearby solar-type stars belonging to nine triple systems (HIP 3645, 14307, 36165, 79980, 103735, 103814, 104440, 105879, 109443) and five quadruples of 2+2 hierarchy (HIP 41171, 49336, 75663, 78163, and 117666). The inner periods range from 254 days to 18 yr. Inner subsystems in HIP 3645, 14313, 79979, 103735, 104440, and 105879 are resolved by speckle interferometry, and their combined spectro-interferometric orbits are derived here. Astrometric orbits of HIP 49336 Aa,Ab and HIP 117666 Aa,Ab are determined from wobble in the observed motion of the outer pairs. Comparison with three spectroscopic orbits found in the Gaia DR3 archive reveals that Gaia under-estimated the amplitudes (except for HIP 109443), while the periods match approximately. This work contributes new data on the architecture of nearby hierarchical systems, complementing their statistics.

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A. Tokovinin
Wed, 5 Apr 23
11/62

Comments: 17 pages, 16 figures, 7 tables. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2202.04056

Dynamics of Four Triple Systems [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01863


Orbital motions in four hierarchical stellar systems discovered by speckle interferometry are studied. Their inner orbits are relatively well constrained, while the long outer orbits are less certain. The eccentric and misaligned inner orbits in the early-type hierarchies Epsilon Cha (B9V, central star of the 5 Myr old association, P=6.4 yr, e=0.73), and I~385 (A0V, P~300 yr, e~0.8) suggest past dynamical interactions. Their nearly equal masses could be explained by a dynamical decay of a 2+2 quadruple progenitor consisting of four similar stars. However, there is no evidence of the associated recoil, so similar masses could be just a consequence of accretion from the same core. The other two hierarchies, HIP 32475 (F0IV, inner period 12.2 yr) and HIP 42910 (K7V, inner period 6.8 yr), have smaller masses and are double twins where both inner and outer mass ratios are close to one. A double twin could either result from a merger of one inner pair in a 2+2 quadruple or can be formed by a successive fragmentation followed by accretion.

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A. Tokovinin
Wed, 5 Apr 23
18/62

Comments: 11 pages, 8 figures, 5 tables

Dynamical Mass of the Young Brown Dwarf Companion PZ Tel B [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01302


Dynamical masses of giant planets and brown dwarfs are critical tools for empirically validating substellar evolutionary models and their underlying assumptions. We present a measurement of the dynamical mass and an updated orbit of PZ Tel B, a young brown dwarf companion orbiting a late-G member of the $\beta$ Pic moving group. PZ Tel A exhibits an astrometric acceleration between Hipparcos and Gaia EDR3, which enables the direct determination of the companion’s mass. We have also acquired new Keck/NIRC2 adaptive optics imaging of the system, which increases the total baseline of relative astrometry to 15 years. Our joint orbit fit yields a dynamical mass of $27^{+25}{-9} \, M{\mathrm{Jup}}$, semi-major axis of $27^{+14}{-4} \, \mathrm{au}$, eccentricity of $0.52^{+0.08}{-0.10}$, and inclination of $91.73^{+0.36}_{-0.32} {}^\circ$. The companion’s mass is consistent within $1.1\sigma$ of predictions from four grids of hot-start evolutionary models. The joint orbit fit also indicates a more modest eccentricity of PZ Tel B than previous results. PZ Tel joins a small number of young (${<}200 \, \mathrm{Myr}$) systems with benchmark substellar companions that have dynamical masses and precise ages from moving group membership.

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K. Franson and B. Bowler
Wed, 5 Apr 23
27/62

Comments: 14 pages, 5 figures, accepted to AJ

Revisiting the Red-giant Branch Hosts KOI-3886 and $ι$ Draconis. Detailed Asteroseismic Modeling and Consolidated Stellar Parameters [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01570


Asteroseismology is playing an increasingly important role in the characterization of red-giant host stars and their planetary systems. Here, we conduct detailed asteroseismic modeling of the evolved red-giant branch (RGB) hosts KOI-3886 and $\iota$ Draconis, making use of end-of-mission Kepler (KOI-3886) and multi-sector TESS ($\iota$ Draconis) time-series photometry. We also model the benchmark star KIC 8410637, a member of an eclipsing binary, thus providing a direct test to the seismic determination. We test the impact of adopting different sets of observed modes as seismic constraints. Inclusion of $\ell=1$ and 2 modes improves the precision on the stellar parameters, albeit marginally, compared to adopting radial modes alone, with $1.9$-$3.0\%$ (radius), $5$-$9\%$ (mass), and $19$-$25\%$ (age) reached when using all p-dominated modes as constraints. Given the very small spacing of adjacent dipole mixed modes in evolved RGB stars, the sparse set of observed g-dominated modes is not able to provide extra constraints, further leading to highly multimodal posteriors. Access to multi-year time-series photometry does not improve matters, with detailed modeling of evolved RGB stars based on (lower-resolution) TESS data sets attaining a precision commensurate with that based on end-of-mission Kepler data. Furthermore, we test the impact of varying the atmospheric boundary condition in our stellar models. We find mass and radius estimates to be insensitive to the description of the near-surface layers, at the expense of substantially changing both the near-surface structure of the best-fitting models and the values of associated parameters like the initial helium abundance, $Y_{\rm i}$. Attempts to measure $Y_{\rm i}$ from seismic modeling of red giants may thus be systematically dependent on the choice of atmospheric physics.

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T. Campante, T. Li, J. Ong, et. al.
Wed, 5 Apr 23
31/62

Comments: Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal (AJ)

Prediction of solar wind speed by applying convolutional neural network to potential field source surface (PFSS) magnetograms [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01234


An accurate solar wind speed model is important for space weather predictions, catastrophic event warnings, and other issues concerning solar wind – magnetosphere interaction. In this work, we construct a model based on convolutional neural network (CNN) and Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) magnetograms, considering a solar wind source surface of $R_{\rm SS}=2.5R_\odot$, aiming to predict the solar wind speed at the Lagrange 1 (L1) point of the Sun-Earth system. The input of our model consists of four Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) magnetograms at $R_{\rm SS}$, which are 7, 6, 5, and 4 days before the target epoch. Reduced magnetograms are used to promote the model’s efficiency. We use the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) photospheric magnetograms and the potential field extrapolation model to generate PFSS magnetograms at the source surface. The model provides predictions of the continuous test dataset with an averaged correlation coefficient (CC) of 0.52 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 80.8 km/s in an eight-fold validation training scheme with the time resolution of the data as small as one hour. The model also has the potential to forecast high speed streams of the solar wind, which can be quantified with a general threat score of 0.39.

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R. Lin, Z. Luo, J. He, et. al.
Wed, 5 Apr 23
39/62

Comments: N/A

Evolved Massive Stars at Low-metallicity V. Mass-Loss Rate of Red Supergiant Stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01835


We assemble the most complete and clean red supergiant (RSG) sample (2,121 targets) so far in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) with 53 different bands of data to study the MLR of RSGs. In order to match the observed spectral energy distributions (SEDs), a theoretical grid of 17,820 Oxygen-rich models (normal'' anddusty” grids are half-and-half) is created by the radiatively-driven wind model of the DUSTY code, covering a wide range of dust parameters. We select the best model for each target by calculating the minimal modified chi-square and visual inspection. The resulting MLRs from DUSTY are converted to real MLRs based on the scaling relation, for which a total MLR of $6.16\times10^{-3}$ $M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ is measured (corresponding to a dust-production rate of $\sim6\times10^{-6}$ $M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$), with a typical MLR of $\sim10^{-6}$ $M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ for the general population of the RSGs. The complexity of mass-loss estimation based on the SED is fully discussed for the first time, indicating large uncertainties based on the photometric data (potentially up to one order of magnitude or more). The Hertzsprung-Russell and luminosity versus median absolute deviation diagrams of the sample indicate the positive relation between luminosity and MLR. Meanwhile, the luminosity versus MLR diagrams show a “knee-like” shape with enhanced mass-loss occurring above $\log_{10}(L/L_\odot)\approx4.6$, which may be due to the degeneracy of luminosity, pulsation, low surface gravity, convection, and other factors. We derive our MLR relation by using a third-order polynomial to fit the sample and compare our result with previous empirical MLR prescriptions. Given that our MLR prescription is based on a much larger sample than previous determinations, it provides a more accurate relation at the cool and luminous region of the H-R diagram at low-metallicity compared to previous studies.

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M. Yang, A. Bonanos, B. Jiang, et. al.
Wed, 5 Apr 23
41/62

Comments: 16 pages, 19 figures, accepted by A&A

Heating and dynamics of the Solar atmosphere [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01553


The solar atmosphere shows anomalous variation in temperature, starting from the 5500 K photosphere to the million-degree Kelvin corona. The corona itself expands into the interstellar medium as the free streaming solar wind, which modulates and impacts the near-Earth space weather. The precise source regions of different structures in the solar wind, their formation height, and the heating of the solar atmosphere are inextricably linked and unsolved problems in astrophysics. Observations suggest correlations between Coronal holes (CHs), which are cool, intensity deficit structures in the solar corona, with structures in the solar wind. Observations also suggest the local plasma heating in the corona through power-law distributed impulsive events. In this thesis, we use narrowband photometric, spectroscopic, and disc-integrated emission of the solar atmosphere ranging from Near Ultraviolet to X-rays along with in-situ solar wind measurements to understand (i). the source regions of the solar wind, (ii). the underlying mechanism of solar coronal heating, and (iii). the differentiation in dynamics of CHs with the background Quiet Sun (QS) regions, which do not show any significant signature of the solar wind. We leverage machine learning and numerical modeling tools to develop solar wind forecasting codes using interpretable AI, inversion codes to infer the properties of impulsive events and to understand the differences in the thermodynamics of CHs and QS regions. We finally present a unified scenario of solar wind emergence and heating in the solar atmosphere and discuss the implications of inferences from this thesis.

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V. Upendran
Wed, 5 Apr 23
44/62

Comments: PhD thesis presented to IUCAA and JNU. Refer to the thesis for list of papers

Alfvénic motions arising from asymmetric acoustic wave drivers in solar magnetic structures [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01606


Alfv\’enic motions are ubiquitous in the solar atmosphere and their observed properties are closely linked to those of photospheric p-modes. However, it is still unclear how a predominantly acoustic wave driver can produce these transverse oscillations in the magnetically dominated solar corona. In this study we conduct a 3D ideal MHD numerical simulation to model a straight, expanding coronal loop in a gravitationally stratified solar atmosphere which includes a transition region and chromosphere. We implement a driver locally at one foot-point corresponding to an acoustic-gravity wave which is inclined by $\theta = 15^{\circ}$ with respect to the vertical axis of the magnetic structure and is similar to a vertical driver incident on an inclined loop. We show that transverse motions are produced in the magnetic loop, which displace the axis of the waveguide due to the breaking of azimuthal symmetry, and study the resulting modes in the theoretical framework of a magnetic cylinder model. By conducting an azimuthal Fourier analysis of the perturbed velocity signals, the contribution from different cylindrical modes is obtained. Furthermore, the perturbed vorticity is computed to demonstrate how the transverse motions manifest themselves throughout the whole non-uniform space. Finally we present some physical properties of the Alfv\’enic perturbations and present transverse motions with velocity amplitudes in the range of $0.2-0.75$ km s$^{-1}$ which exhibit two distinct oscillation regimes corresponding to $42$ s and $364$ s, where the latter value is close to the period of the p-mode driver in the simulation.

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S. Skirvin, Y. Gao and T. Doorsselaere
Wed, 5 Apr 23
45/62

Comments: 15 pages, 8 figures, accepted in ApJ

Catalog of Planetary Nebulae detected by GALEX and corollary optical surveys [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01970


Planetary nebulae (PNe) consist of an ionized envelope surrounding a hot central star (CSPN) that emits mostly at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. Ultraviolet observations, therefore, provide important information on both the CSPN and the nebula. We have matched the PNe in The Hong Kong/AAO/Strasbourg H$\alpha$ (HASH) catalog with the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) UV sky surveys, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey data release 16 (SDSS), and the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) PS1 second release. A total of 671 PNe were observed by GALEX with the far-UV (FUV; 1344-1786{\AA}) and/or the near-UV (NUV; 1771-2831{\AA}) detector on (GUVPNcat); 83 were observed by SDSS (PNcatxSDSSDR16) and 1819 by Pan-STARRS (PNcatxPS1MDS). We merged a distilled version of these matched catalogs into GUVPNcatxSDSSDR16xPS1MDS, which contains a total of 375 PNe with both UV and optical photometry over a total spectral coverage of $\sim$1540–9610{\AA}. We analysed separately 170 PNe resolved in GALEX images and determined their UV radius by applying a flux profile analysis. The CSPN flux could be extracted separately from the PN emission for 8 and 50 objects with SDSS and Pan-STARRS counterparts respectively. The multi-band photometry was used to distinguish between compact and extended PNe and CSPNe (binary CSPNe) by color–color diagram analysis. We found that compact PNe candidates could be identified by using the $r-i < -0.4$ and $-$1$<$FUV$-$NUV$<$1 colors, whereas binary CSPNe candidates in given $T_\mathrm{eff}$ ranges (all with color r$-$i$>-$0.4) can be identified in the color region (FUV$-$NUV)$\leq$6(r$-$i)+1.3, $-$0.8$<$FUV$-$NUV$<$0.4 and r$-$i$<$0.75.

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M. Gómez-Muñoz, L. Bianchi and A. Manchado
Wed, 5 Apr 23
58/62

Comments: Accepted for publication in ApJS. 26 pages, 8 figures

Multi-campaign Asteroseismic Analysis of eight Solar-like pulsating stars observed by the K2 mission [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00087


The NASA K2 mission that succeeded the nominal Kepler mission observed several hundreds of thousands of stars during its operations. While most of the stars were observed in single campaigns of 80 days, some of them were targeted for more than one campaign. We perform an asteroseismic study of a sample of eight solar-like stars observed during K2 Campaigns 6 and 17. We first extract the light curves for the two campaigns using two different pipelines, EVEREST and Lightkurve. The seismic analysis is done on the combined light curve of C6 and C17 where the gap between them was removed and the two campaigns were stitched together. We determine the global seismic parameters of the solar-like oscillations using two different methods (A2Z pipeline and the apollinaire code). We perform the peak-bagging of the modes to characterize their individual frequencies. By combining the frequencies with the Gaia DR2 effective temperature and luminosity, and metallicity for five of the targets, we determine the fundamental parameters of the targets using the IACgrids based on the MESA code. While the masses and radii of our targets probe a similar parameter space compared to the Kepler solar-like stars with detailed modeling, we find that for a given mass our more evolved stars seem to be older compared to previous seismic stellar ensembles. We calculate the stellar parameters using two different grids of models, incorporating and excluding the treatment of diffusion, and find that the results agree generally within the uncertainties, except for the ages. The seismic radii and the Gaia DR2 radii present an average difference of 4% with a dispersion of 5%. Although the agreement is quite good, the seismic radii are slightly underestimated compared to Gaia DR2 for our stars, the disagreement being greater for the more evolved ones.

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L. González-Cuesta, S. Mathur, R. García, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
10/111

Comments: 10 pages (without annexes), 13 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

The Environments around W Serpentis Systems: Independent Limits on System Masses and Extended Envelopes [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00080


Information extracted from the GAIA Data Release 3 is used to examine the stellar contents within projected separations of 10 parsecs from eight close binary systems that are either classical W Serpentis systems or related objects. The goal is to search for remnant star clusters or moving groups with proper motions that are similar to those of the binaries. While some of the binary systems have proper motions that are distinct from those of the majority of stars within the search area, there is still a tendency for W Ser stars to be accompanied by companions with separations on parsec or larger scales. At least three candidate companions are identified within the search area for each system, although in the majority of cases the numbers are much higher. Evidence is presented that SX Cas is near the center of a diffuse cluster. Color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) of the groupings associated with the binaries are compared with isochrones, and the majority of the groupings are found to have ages in excess of 1 Gyr, indicating that they have an intermediate age. The masses of stars at the main sequence turn-off of the groupings are estimated, and these provide insights into the initial mass of the donor star in each binary system. Images from the WISE Allsky survey are also used to search for circumsystem envelopes. Extended thermal emission is found around six systems in W2 (i.e. ~4.5um) images.

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T. Davidge
Tue, 4 Apr 23
13/111

Comments: To appear in the Astronomical Journal

Globular Cluster UVIT Legacy Survey (GlobULeS) $-$ II. Evolutionary status of hot stars in M3 and M13 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00865


We present a far-ultraviolet (FUV) study of hot stellar populations in the second parameter pair globular clusters (GCs) M3 and M13, as a part of the Globular cluster UVIT Legacy Survey program (GlobULeS). We use observations made with F148W and F169M filters of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard {\em AstroSat} along with ground-based data (UBVRI filters), {\em Hubble Space Telescope (HST)} GC catalogue, and {\em Gaia} EDR3 catalogue. Based on the FUV-optical colour-magnitude diagrams, we classify the sources into the horizontal branch (HB) stars, post-HB stars, and hot white dwarfs (WDs) in both the GCs. The comparison of synthetic and observed colours of the observed HB stars suggests that the mass-loss at the red giant branch (RGB) and He spread in both clusters have a simultaneous effect on the different HB distributions detected in M3 and M13, such that, HB stars of M13 require a larger spread in He (${\rm 0.247-0.310}$) than those of M3 (${\rm Y= 0.252-0.266}$). The evolutionary status of HB stars, post-HB stars, and WDs are studied using SED fit parameters and theoretical evolutionary tracks on the H-R diagram. We found that the observed post-HB stars have evolved from zero-age HB (ZAHB) stars of the mass range $0.48-0.55$ \Msun\ in M3 and M13. We detect 24 WD candidates in each cluster having ${\rm \log(L_{bol}/L_\odot)}$ in the range $-0.8$ to $+0.6$ and ${\rm \log(T_{eff}/K)}$ in the range of 4.2 to 5.0. Placing the WDs on the H-R diagram and comparing them with models suggest that M13 has a population of low-mass WDs, probably originating from binary evolution.

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R. Kumar, A. Pradhan, S. Sahu, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
14/111

Comments: Accepted for publication in MNRAS main journal

Magnetic Field of Solar Dark Filaments Obtained from He I 10830 Angstrom Spectro-polarimetric Observation [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00422


Solar filaments are dense and cool plasma clouds in the solar corona. They are supposed to be supported in a dip of coronal magnetic field. However, the models are still under argument between two types of the field configuration; one is the normal polarity model proposed by Kippenhahn & Schlueter (1957), and the other is the reverse polarity model proposed by Kuperus & Raadu (1974). To understand the mechanism that the filaments become unstable before the eruption, it is critical to know the magnetic structure of solar filaments. In this study, we performed the spectro-polarimetric observation in the He I (10830 angstrom) line to investigate the magnetic field configuration of dark filaments. The observation was carried out with the Domeless Solar Telescope at Hida Observatory with a polarization sensitivity of 3.0×10^-4. We obtained 8 samples of filaments in quiet region. As a result of the analysis of full Stokes profiles of filaments, we found that the field strengths were estimated as 8 – 35 Gauss. By comparing the direction of the magnetic field in filaments and the global distribution of the photospheric magnetic field, we determined the magnetic field configuration of the filaments, and we concluded that 1 out of 8 samples have normal polarity configuration, and 7 out of 8 have reverse polarity configuration.

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D. Yamasaki, Y. Huang, Y. Hashimoto, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
42/111

Comments: 27 pages, 17 figures. Accepted for the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan

First results on the behaviour of solar wind protons and alphas in the Stream Interaction Region in solar cycle 23 and 24 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00274


Although the enhancements in the alpha-proton ratio in the solar wind (expressed as $A_{He} = N_{a}/N_p*100$) in the Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs) have been studied in the past, $A_{He}$ enhancements at the stream interface region received very little attention so far. In this letter, by extensively analyzing the stream interaction region (SIR) events observed in solar cycle 23 and 24, we show that the stream interface of alphas starts separating out from that of protons from the minimum of solar cycle 23. We show that more alpha particles are distributed towards higher pitch angles as compared to protons in the fast wind region compared to background solar wind. By analysing the differential velocities of alphas and protons, we also show that the faster alpha particles accumulate near the fast wind side of the stream interface region leading to enhancement of $A_{He}$. The investigation brings out, for the first time, the salient changes in $A_{He}$ in SIRs for the two solar cycles and highlight the important roles of pitch angle and differential velocities of alpha and protons in the fast wind region for the changes in $A_{He}$ in SIRs.

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Y. Yogesh, D. Chakrabarty and N. Srivastava
Tue, 4 Apr 23
45/111

Comments: N/A

Value-added catalog of M-giant stars in LAMOST DR9 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00308


In this work, we update the catalog of M-giant stars from the low-resolution spectra of the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) Data Release 9. There are 58,076 M giants identified from the classification pipeline with seven temperature subtypes from M0 to M6. The 2471 misclassified non-M-giant stars are white dwarf binaries, early types, and M dwarfs. And the contamination rate is 4.2$\%$ in the M-giants sample. A total of 372 carbon stars were identified by CaH spectral indices, and were further confirmed by the LAMOST spectra. We update the correlation between the $(W1-W2)_0$ color and [M/H] from APOGEE DR17. We calculate the radial velocities of all M giants by applying cross-correlation to the spectra between 8000 and 8950 \AA with synthetic spectra from ATLAS9. Taking star distances less than 4 kpc from Gaia EDR3 as the standard, we refitted the photometric distance relation of M giants. And based on our M-giant stars, we select a group of Sagittarius stream members, whose sky and 3D velocity distributions are well consistent with K-giant Saggitarius stream members found in Yang et al. With our M giants, we find that the disk is asymmetric out to R = 25 kpc, which is 5 kpc further out than detected using K giants.

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J. Li, L. Long, J. Zhong, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
54/111

Comments: 23 pages, 10 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1908.01128

The X-ray activity of F stars with hot Jupiters: KELT-24 versus WASP-18 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00854


X-rays emitted by the coronae of solar-type stars are a feature present in up to late-A types during the main sequence phase. F stars, either with or without hot Jupiters, are usually X-ray emitters. The very low level of X-ray emission of the F5 star WASP-18 despite its relatively young age and spectral type is thus quite peculiar. [Abridged] We observed KELT-24 with \xmm\ for a total of 43 ks in order to test if the X-ray activity of this star is depressed by the interaction with its massive hot Jupiter, as is the case of WASP-18. KELT-24 is detected in combined EPIC images with a high significance level. Its average coronal spectrum is well described by a cool component at 0.36 keV and a hotter component at 0.98 keV. We detected a flare with a duration of about 2 ks, during which the coronal temperature reached 3.5 keV. The unabsorbed quiescent flux in 0.3-8.0 keV is $\sim1.33\times10^{-13}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$, corresponding to a luminosity of $1.5\times10^{29}$ erg s$^{-1}$ at the distance of the star. The luminosity is well within the range of the typical X-ray luminosity of F stars in Hyades, which are coeval. We conclude that the activity of KELT-24 appears normal, as expected, and is not affected by any star–planet interaction. From the analysis of TESS light curves, we infer a distribution of optical flares for KELT-24 and WASP-18. Small optical flickering similar to flares is recognized in WASP-18 but at lower levels of energy and amplitude than in KELT-24. We discuss the causes of the low activity of WASP-18. Either WASP-18b could hamper the formation of a corona bright in X-rays in its host star through some form of tidal interaction, or the star has entered a minimum of activity similar to the solar Maunder minimum. This latter hypothesis would make WASP-18 among the few candidates showing such a quench of stellar activity.

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I. Pillitteri, S. Colombo, G. Micela, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
55/111

Comments: 6 pages, 7 figures, A&A accepted

Angular momentum transport by magnetic fields in main sequence stars with Gamma Doradus pulsators [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00674


Context. Asteroseismic studies showed that cores of post main-sequence stars rotate slower than theoretically predicted by stellar models with purely hydrodynamical transport processes. Recent studies on main sequence stars, particularly Gamma Doradus ($\gamma$ Dor) stars, revealed their internal rotation rate for hundreds of stars, offering a counterpart on the main sequence for studies of angular momentum transport. Aims. We investigate whether such a disagreement between observed and predicted internal rotation rates is present in main sequence stars by studying angular momentum transport in $\gamma$ Dor stars. Furthermore, we test whether models of rotating stars with internal magnetic fields can reproduce their rotational properties. Methods. We compute rotating models with the Geneva stellar evolution code taking into account meridional circulation and the shear instability. We also compute models with internal magnetic fields using a general formalism for transport by the Tayler-Spruit dynamo. We then compare these models to observational constraints for $\gamma$ Dor stars that we compiled from the literature, combining so the core rotation rates, projected rotational velocities from spectroscopy, and constraints on their fundamental parameters. Results. We show that combining the different observational constraints available for $\gamma$ Dor stars enable to clearly distinguish the different scenarios for internal angular momentum transport. Stellar models with purely hydrodynamical processes are in disagreement with the data whereas models with internal magnetic fields can reproduce both core and surface constraints simultaneously. Conclusions. Similarly to results obtained for subgiant and red giant stars, angular momentum transport in radiative regions of $\gamma$ Dor stars is highly efficient, in good agreement with predictions of models with internal magnetic fields.

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F. Moyano, P. Eggenberger, S. Salmon, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
71/111

Comments: Submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics. 15 pages, 16 figures

V606 Cen: A Newly Formed Massive Contact Binary in a Hierarchical Triple System [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00297


V606 Centauri (V606 Cen) is an early B-type close binary with an orbital period of 1.4950935\,d and the complete light curves are very difficult to be observed on the ground. By analyzing the unbroken and continuous light curve obtained by TESS, we found that it is a marginal contact binary with a very low fill-out factor of about 2\%. The O-C diagram of V606 Cen is constructed for the first time based on the 118.8-years eclipse times. It is found that the O-C diagram shows a downward parabolic change together with a cyclic oscillation with an amplitude of 0.0544\, d and a period of 88.8\, yr. The downward parabolic variation reveals a linear period decrease at a rate of $dP/dt = -2.06 \times{10^{-7}} d \cdot yr^{-1}$ that can be explained by the mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive one. Both the marginal contact configuration and the continuous period decrease suggest that V606 Cen is a newly formed contact binary via Case A mass transfer. Meanwhile, the cyclic change in the O-C diagram can be explained by the Light-Travel Time Effect via the presence of a third body. The lowest mass of the tertiary companion is determined as M${3}$ = 4.51($\pm0.38$)M${\odot}$ that is orbiting around the central eclipsing binary in a nearly circular orbit (e=0.32). All the results indicate that V606 Cen is a newly formed massive contact binary and just reaches the contact configuration during the mass transfer in a hierarchical triple system.

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F. Li, W. Liao, S. Qian, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
72/111

Comments: N/A

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs — A deep transfer learning method to determine Teff and [M/H] of target stars [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00224


The large amounts of astrophysical data being provided by existing and future instrumentation require efficient and fast analysis tools. Transfer learning is a new technique promising higher accuracy in the derived data products, with information from one domain being transferred to improve the accuracy of a neural network model in another domain. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of applying the deep transfer learning (DTL) approach to high-resolution spectra in the framework of photospheric stellar parameter determination. To this end, we used 14 stars of the CARMENES survey sample with interferometric angular diameters to calculate the effective temperature, as well as six M dwarfs that are common proper motion companions to FGK-type primaries with known metallicity. After training a deep learning (DL) neural network model on synthetic PHOENIX-ACES spectra, we used the internal feature representations together with those 14+6 stars with independent parameter measurements as a new input for the transfer process. We compare the derived stellar parameters of a small sample of M dwarfs kept out of the training phase with results from other methods in the literature. Assuming that temperatures from bolometric luminosities and interferometric radii and metallicities from FGK+M binaries are sufficiently accurate, DTL provides a higher accuracy than our previous state-of-the-art DL method (mean absolute differences improve by 20 K for temperature and 0.2 dex for metallicity from DL to DTL when compared with reference values from interferometry and FGK+M binaries). Furthermore, the machine learning (internal) precision of DTL also improves as uncertainties are five times smaller on average. These results indicate that DTL is a robust tool for obtaining M-dwarf stellar parameters comparable to those obtained from independent estimations for well-known stars.

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A. Bello-García, V. Passegger, J. Ordieres-Meré, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
89/111

Comments: N/A

Coherent radio bursts from known M-dwarf planet host YZ Ceti [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00031


Observing magnetic star-planet interactions (SPI) offers promise for determining magnetic fields of exoplanets. Models of sub-Alfv\’enic SPI predict that terrestrial planets in close-in orbits around M~dwarfs can induce detectable stellar radio emission, manifesting as bursts of strongly polarized coherent radiation observable at specific planet orbital positions. We present 2-4 GHz detections of coherent radio bursts on the slowly-rotating M dwarf YZ Ceti, which hosts a compact system of terrestrial planets, the innermost orbiting with a 2-day period. Two coherent bursts occur at similar orbital phases of YZ Cet b, suggestive of an enhanced probability of bursts near that orbital phase. We model the system’s magnetospheric environment in the context of sub-Alfv\’enic SPI and determine that YZ Ceti b can plausibly power the observed flux densities of the radio detections. However, we cannot rule out stellar magnetic activity, without a well characterized rate of non-planet-induced coherent radio bursts on slow rotators. YZ Ceti is therefore a candidate radio SPI system, with unique promise as a target for the long-term monitoring.

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J. Pineda and J. Villadsen
Tue, 4 Apr 23
92/111

Comments: Authors’ version of article published in Nature Astronomy, see their website for official version of scientific record

Solar oxygen abundance using SST/CRISP center-to-limb observations of the O I 7772 Å line [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01048


Solar oxygen abundance measurements based on the O I near-infrared triplet have been a much-debated subject for several decades since non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) calculations with 3D radiation-hydrodynamics model atmospheres introduced a large change to the 1D LTE modelling. In this work, we aim to test solar line formation across the solar disk using new observations obtained with the SST/CRISP instrument. The observed dataset is based on a spectroscopic mosaic stretching from disk center to the solar limb. By comparing the state-of-the-art 3D NLTE models with the data, we find that the 3D NLTE models provide an excellent description of line formation across the disk. We obtain an abundance value of $A(\mathrm{O}) = (8.73 \pm 0.03)$ dex, with a very small angular dispersion across the disk. We conclude that spectroscopic mosaics are excellent probes for geometric and physical properties of hydrodynamics models and non-LTE line formation.

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A. Pietrow, R. Hoppe, M. Bergemann, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
95/111

Comments: Accepted in A&A

Multi-thermal jet formation triggered by flux emergence [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01043


Flux emergence is responsible for various solar eruptions. Combining observation and simulations, we investigate the influence of flux emergence at one footpoint of an arcade on coronal rain as well as induced eruptions. The emergence changes the pressure in the loops, and the internal coronal rain all moves to the other side. The emerging flux reconnects with the overlying magnetic field, forming a current sheet and magnetic islands. The plasma is ejected outwards and heated, forming a cool jet ~ 6000 K and a hot X-ray jet ~ 4 MK simultaneously. The jet dynamical properties agree very well between observation and simulation. In the simulation, the jet also displays transverse oscillations with a period of 8 minutes, a so-called whip-like motion. The movement of the jet and dense plasmoids changes the configuration of the local magnetic field, facilitating the occurrence of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, and vortex-like structures form at the boundary of the jet. Our simulation clearly demonstrates the effect of emergence on coronal rain, the dynamical details of reconnecting plasmoid chains, the formation of multi-thermal jets, and the cycling of cool mass between the chromosphere and the corona.

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X. Li, R. Keppens and Y. Zhou
Tue, 4 Apr 23
102/111

Comments: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters

Features of Gaia DR3 Spectroscopic Binaries I. Tidal circularization of Main-Sequence Stars [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00043


Previous studies pointed out that many observed samples of short-period binaries display a cutoff period, $P_{\rm cut}$, such that almost all binaries with periods shorter than $P_{\rm cut}$ have circular orbits. This feature is probably due to long-term circularization processes induced by tidal interaction between the two stars of each binary. It seemed as if coeval main-sequence (MS) samples of open clusters display $P_{\rm cut}$ that depends on the sample age. Using the unprecedentedly large sample of MS spectroscopic orbits recently released by $\textit{Gaia}$ we have found that the $P_{\rm cut}$ does not depend on the stellar age but, instead, varies with stellar temperature, decreasing linearly from $6.5$ day at $T_{\rm eff}\sim 5700$ K to $\sim 2.5$ day at $6800$ K. $P_{\rm cut}$ was derived by a new algorithm that relied on clear upper envelopes displayed in the period-eccentricity diagrams. Our $P_{\rm cut}$ determines both the border between the circular and eccentric binaries and the location of the upper envelope. The results are inconsistent with the theory which assumes circularization occurs during the stellar MS phase, a theory that was adopted by many studies. The circularization has probably taken place at the pre-main-sequence phase, as suggested already in 1989 by Zahn and Bouchet, and later by Khaluillin and Khaluillina in 2011. Our results suggest that the weak dependence of $P_{\rm cut}$ on the cluster age is not significant, and/or might be due to the different temperatures of the samples. If indeed true, this has far-reaching implications for the theory of binary and exoplanet circularization, synchronization, and alignment.

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D. Bashi, T. Mazeh and S. Faigler
Tue, 4 Apr 23
106/111

Comments: 13 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

The efficiency of electron acceleration during the impulsive phase of a solar flare [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2304.01088


olar flares are known to be prolific electron accelerators, yet identifying the mechanism(s) for such efficient electron acceleration in solar flare (and similar astrophysical settings) presents a major challenge. This is due in part to a lack of observational constraints related to conditions in the primary acceleration region itself. Accelerated electrons with energies above $\sim$20~keV are revealed by hard X-ray (HXR) bremsstrahlung emission, while accelerated electrons with even higher energies manifest themselves through radio gyrosynchrotron emission. Here we show, for a well-observed flare on 2017~September~10, that a combination of \emph{RHESSI} hard X-ray and and SDO/AIA EUV observations provides a robust estimate of the fraction of the ambient electron population that is accelerated at a given time, with an upper limit of $\lapprox 10^{-2}$ on the number density of nonthermal ($\ge 20$~keV) electrons, expressed as a fraction of the number density of ambient protons in the same volume. This upper limit is about two orders of magnitude lower than previously inferred from microwave observations of the same event. Our results strongly indicate that the fraction of accelerated electrons in the coronal region at any given time is relatively small, but also that the overall duration of the HXR emission requires a steady resupply of electrons to the acceleration site. Simultaneous measurements of the instantaneous accelerated electron number density and the associated specific electron acceleration rate provide key constraints for a quantitative study of the mechanisms leading to electron acceleration in magnetic reconnection events.

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E. Kontar, A. Emslie, G. Motorina, et. al.
Tue, 4 Apr 23
108/111

Comments: 5 figures, 10 pages

Simulation of a Solar Jet Formed from an Untwisting Flux Rope Interacting with a Null Point [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2303.18098


Coronal jets are eruptions identified by a collimated, sometimes twisted spire. They are small-scale energetic events compared with flares. Using multi-wavelength observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) and a magnetogram from Hinode/Spectro-Polarimeter (Hinode/SP), we study the formation and evolution of a jet occurring on 2019 March 22 in the active region NOAA 12736. A zero-$\beta$ magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation is conducted to probe the initiation mechanisms and appearance of helical motion during this jet event. As the simulation reveals, there are two pairs of field lines at the jet base, indicating two distinct magnetic structures. One structure outlines a flux rope lying low above the photosphere in the north of a bald patch region and the other structure shows a null point high in the corona in the south. The untwisting motions of the observed flux rope was recovered by adding an anomalous (artificial) resistivity in the simulation. A reconnection occurs at the bald patch in the flux rope structure, which is moving upwards and simultaneously encounters the field lines of the null point structure. The interaction of the two structures results in the jet while the twist of the flux rope is transferred to the jet by the reconnected field lines. The rotational motion of the flux rope is proposed to be an underlying trigger of this process and responsible for helical motions in the jet spire.

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J. Zhu, Y. Guo, M. Ding, et. al.
Mon, 3 Apr 23
2/53

Comments: 17pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Minute-Cadence Observations of the LAMOST Fields with the TMTS: II. Catalogues of Short-Period Variable Stars from the First Two-Year Surveys [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2303.18050


Over the past few years, wide-field time-domain surveys like ZTF and OGLE have led to discoveries of various types of interesting short-period stellar variables, such as ultracompact eclipsing binary white dwarfs, rapidly rotating magnetised white dwarfs (WDs), transitional cataclysmic variables between hydrogen-rich and helium accretion, and blue large-amplitude pulsators (BLAPs), which greatly enrich our understandings of stellar physics under some extreme conditions. In this paper, we report the first-two-year discoveries of short-period variables (i.e., P<2 hr) by the Tsinghua University-Ma Huateng Telescopes for Survey (TMTS). TMTS is a multi-tube telescope system with a field of view up to 18 deg^2, which started to monitor the LAMOST sky areas since 2020 and generated uninterrupted minute-cadence light curves for about ten million sources within 2 years. Adopting the Lomb-Scargle periodogram with period-dependent thresholds for the maximum powers, we identify over 1 100 sources that exhibit a variation period shorter than 2 hr. Compiling the light curves with the Gaia magnitudes and colours, LAMOST spectral parameters, VSX classifications, and archived observations from other prevailing time-domain survey missions, we identified 1 076 as delta Scuti stars, which allows us study their populations and physical properties in the short-period regime. The other 31 sources include BLAPs, subdwarf B variables (sdBVs), pulsating WDs, ultracompact/short-period eclipsing/ellipsoidal binaries, cataclysmic variables below the period gap, etc., which are highly interesting and worthy of follow-up investigations.

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J. Lin, X. Wang, J. Mo, et. al.
Mon, 3 Apr 23
4/53

Comments: 22 pages, 15 figures, 5 tables, accepted by MNRAS