Tag Archives: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

Study of the long-term $BVR_{c}I_{c}$ photometric variability of eight PMS stars in the young open cluster Trumpler 37 [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.15050


This paper reports results from our long-term $BV(RI)_{c}$ photometric CCD observations of eight pre-main-sequence stars collected from June 2008 to October 2022. These stars are located in the young open cluster Trumpler 37, in the field of GM Cephei. The observational data indicate that all stars from our study exhibit variability in all-optical passbands, typical for young stars. In this paper, we describe and discuss the photometric behavior of the stars and the possible reasons for their variability. For two of the objects, we identified periodicity in their light variation.

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S. Ibryamov, G. Zidarova, E. Semkov, et. al.
Thu, 25 May 23
64/64

Comments: 13 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics (RAA)

Understanding Binary Systems — a Comparison between COSMIC and MESA [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.13328


We compare the evolution of binary systems evolved in the MESA stellar evolution code to those in the COSMIC population synthesis code. Our aim is to convey the robustness of the equations that model binary evolution in the COSMIC code, particularly for the cases of high mass stars with closely orbiting compact object companions. Our larger goal is to accurately model the rates of these systems, as they are promising candidates for the progenitor systems behind energetic, longer lasting, radio bright GRB jets. These systems also may be key contributors to the rates of binary black hole mergers throughout our universe.

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L. Kenoly, A. Luu, C. Toral, et. al.
Wed, 24 May 23
81/81

Comments: to appear in RNAAS

Cataclysmic Variables from Sloan Digital Sky Survey V — the search for period bouncers continues [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.13371


SDSS-V is carrying out a dedicated survey for white dwarfs, single and in binaries, and we report the analysis of the spectroscopy of cataclysmic variables (CVs) and CV candidates obtained during the final plug plate observations of SDSS. We identify eight new CVs, spectroscopically confirm 53 and refute eleven published CV candidates, and we report 21 new or improved orbital periods. Combined with previously published data, the orbital period distribution of the SDSS-V CVs does not clearly exhibit a period gap. This is consistent with previous findings that spectroscopically identified CVs have a larger proportion of short-period systems compared to samples identified from photometric variability. Remarkably, despite a systematic search, we find very few period bouncers. We estimate the space density of period bouncers to be $\simeq0.2\times10^{-6}\,\mathrm{pc}^{-3}$, i.e. they represent only a few per cent of the total CV population. This suggests that during their final phase of evolution, CVs either destroy the donor, e.g. via a merger, or that they become detached and cease mass transfer.

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K. Inight, B. Gänsicke, A. Schwope, et. al.
Wed, 24 May 23
81/81

Comments: Submitted to MNRAS

Cataclysmic Variables from Sloan Digital Sky Survey V — the search for period bouncers continues [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.13371


SDSS-V is carrying out a dedicated survey for white dwarfs, single and in binaries, and we report the analysis of the spectroscopy of cataclysmic variables (CVs) and CV candidates obtained during the final plug plate observations of SDSS. We identify eight new CVs, spectroscopically confirm 53 and refute eleven published CV candidates, and we report 21 new or improved orbital periods. Combined with previously published data, the orbital period distribution of the SDSS-V CVs does not clearly exhibit a period gap. This is consistent with previous findings that spectroscopically identified CVs have a larger proportion of short-period systems compared to samples identified from photometric variability. Remarkably, despite a systematic search, we find very few period bouncers. We estimate the space density of period bouncers to be $\simeq0.2\times10^{-6}\,\mathrm{pc}^{-3}$, i.e. they represent only a few per cent of the total CV population. This suggests that during their final phase of evolution, CVs either destroy the donor, e.g. via a merger, or that they become detached and cease mass transfer.

Read this paper on arXiv…

K. Inight, B. Gänsicke, A. Schwope, et. al.
Wed, 24 May 23
81/81

Comments: Submitted to MNRAS

A Hierarchical Bayesian Framework for Inferring the Stellar Obliquity Distribution [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.14220


Stellar obliquity, the angle between a planet’s orbital axis and its host star’s spin axis, traces the formation and evolution of a planetary system. In transiting exoplanet observations, only the sky-projected stellar obliquity can be measured, but this can be de-projected using an estimate of the stellar obliquity. In this paper, we introduce a flexible, hierarchical Bayesian framework that can be used to infer the stellar obliquity distribution solely from sky-projected stellar obliquities, including stellar inclination measurements when available. We demonstrate that while a constraint on the stellar inclination is crucial for measuring the obliquity of an individual system, it is not required for robust determination of the population-level stellar obliquity distribution. In practice, the constraints on the stellar obliquity distribution are mainly driven by the sky-projected stellar obliquities.
When applying the framework to all systems with measured sky-projected stellar obliquity, which are mostly Hot Jupiter systems, we find that the inferred population-level obliquity distribution is unimodal and peaked at zero degrees. The misaligned systems have nearly isotropic stellar obliquities with no strong clustering near 90 degrees. The diverse range of stellar obliquities prefers dynamic mechanisms, such as planet-planet scattering after a convergent disk migration, which could produce both prograde and retrograde orbits of close-in planets with no strong inclination concentrations other than 0 degrees.

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J. Dong and D. Foreman-Mackey
Wed, 24 May 23
81/81

Comments: 10 pages, 6 figures; AJ submitted, revised in response to the referee report; reproducible workflow built with showyourwork; open-source code can be found at this https URL

Constraints on the gamma-ray emission from Small Solar System Bodies with the Fermi Large Area Telescope data [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.12436


All known Small Solar System Bodies have diameters between a few meters and a few thousands of kilometers. Based on the collisional evolution of Solar System Bodies, a larger number of asteroids with diameters down to $\sim 2$ m is thought to exist. As all Solar System Bodies, Small Bodies can be passive sources of high-energy gamma rays, produced by the interaction of energetic cosmic rays impinging on their surfaces. Since the majority of known asteroids are in orbits between Mars and Jupiter (in a region known as the Main Belt), we expect them to produce a diffuse emission close to the ecliptic plane. In this work we have studied the gamma-ray emission coming from the ecliptic using the data collected by the Large Area Telescope onboard the Fermi satellite. We have fit the results with simulations of the gamma-ray intensity at source level (calculated with the software FLUKA) to constrain the Small Solar System Bodies population. Finally, we have proposed a model describing the distribution of asteroid sizes and we have used the LAT data to constrain the gamma-ray emission expected from this model and, in turn, on the model itself.

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S. Gaetano, L. Venere, F. Gargano, et. al.
Tue, 23 May 23
77/77

Comments: 21 pages, 18 figures; accepted for publication in ApJ;

Compressible Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence Modulated by Collisionless Damping in Earth's Magnetosheath: Observation Matches Theory [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.12507


In this letter, we provide the first observational evidence of substantial collisionless damping (CD) modulation in the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence cascade in Earth’s magnetosheath using four Cluster spacecraft. Plasma turbulence is primarily shaped by the forcing on large scales and damping on small scales. Based on an improved compressible MHD decomposition algorithm, our observations demonstrate that CD enhances the anisotropy of compressible MHD modes due to their strong pitch angle dependence. The wavenumber distributions of slow modes are more stretched perpendicular to the background magnetic field ($\mathbf{B_0}$) under CD modulation compared to Alfv\’en modes. In contrast, fast modes are subject to a more significant CD modulation. Fast modes exhibit a scale-independent, slight anisotropy above the CD truncation scales, and their anisotropy increases as the wavenumbers fall below the CD truncation scales. As a result, CD affects the relative energy fractions in total compressible modes. Our findings take a significant step forward in comprehending the functions of CD in truncating the compressible MHD turbulence cascade and the consequential energy anisotropy in the wavevector space.

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S. Zhao, H. Yan, T. Liu, et. al.
Tue, 23 May 23
77/77

Comments: Main text: 5 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to PRL on May 11, 2023

Observational properties of a bright type Iax SN 2018cni and a faint type Iax SN 2020kyg [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.12713


We present the optical photometric and spectroscopic analysis of two type Iax SNe 2018cni and 2020kyg. SN 2018cni is a bright type Iax SN (M${V,peak}$ = $-$17.81$\pm$0.21 mag) whereas SN 2020kyg (M${V,peak}$ = $-$14.52$\pm$0.21 mag) is a faint one. We derive $^{56}$Ni mass of 0.07 and 0.002 M${\odot}$, ejecta mass of 0.48 and 0.14 M${\odot}$ for SNe 2018cni and 2020kyg, respectively. A combined study of the bright and faint type Iax SNe in $R/r$- band reveals that the brighter objects tend to have a longer rise time. However, the correlation between the peak luminosity and decline rate shows that bright and faint type Iax SNe exhibit distinct behaviour. Comparison with standard deflagration models suggests that SN 2018cni is consistent with the deflagration of a CO white dwarf whereas the properties of SN 2020kyg can be better explained by the deflagration of a hybrid CONe white dwarf. The spectral features of both the SNe point to the presence of similar chemical species but with different mass fractions. Our spectral modelling indicates stratification at the outer layers and mixed inner ejecta for both the SNe.

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M. Singh, D. Sahu, R. Dastidar, et. al.
Tue, 23 May 23
77/77

Comments: 18 pages, 18 figures, Accepted for Publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Prospects for Detecting Gaps in Globular Cluster Stellar Streams in External Galaxies with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.12045


Stellar streams form through the tidal disruption of satellite galaxies or globular clusters orbiting a host galaxy. Globular cluster streams are of particular interest since they are thin (dynamically cold) and therefore sensitive to perturbations from low-mass subhalos. Since the subhalo mass function differs depending on the dark matter composition, these gaps can provide unique constraints on dark matter models. However, current samples are limited to the Milky Way. With its large field of view, deep imaging sensitivity, and high angular resolution, the upcoming {\it Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope} ({\it Roman}); presents a unique opportunity to significantly increase the number of observed streams and gaps. This paper presents a first exploration of the prospects for detecting gaps in streams in M31 and other nearby galaxies with resolved stars. We simulate the formation of gaps in a Palomar-5-like stream and generate mock observations of these gaps together with background stars in M31 and foreground Milky Way stellar fields. We assess {\it Roman}’s ability to detect gaps out to 10~Mpc through visual inspection and with the gap-finding tool {\it FindTheGap}. We conclude that gaps of $\approx 1.5$~kpc in streams that are created from subhalos of masses $\geq5 \times 10^6$ {\Msun} are detectable within a 2–3~Mpc volume in exposures of 1000s–1~hour. This volume contains $\approx$ 200 galaxies. Large samples of stream gaps in external galaxies will open up a new era of statistical analyses of gap characteristics in stellar streams and help constrain dark matter models.

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C. Aganze, S. Pearson, T. Starkenburg, et. al.
Tue, 23 May 23
77/77

Comments: Submitted to ApJ. Comments are welcome!

Winking filaments due to cyclic evaporation-condensation [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.13237


Observations have shown that some filaments appear and disappear in the H$\alpha$ line wing images periodically. There have been no attempts to model these “winking filaments” thus far. The evaporation–condensation mechanism is widely used to explain the formation of solar filaments. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, how multi-dimensional evaporation–condensation in an arcade setup invariably causes a stretching of the magnetic topology. We aim to check whether this magnetic stretching during cyclic evaporation–condensation could reproduce a winking filament. We used our open-source code MPI-AMRVAC to carry out 2D magnetohydrodynamic simulations based on a quadrupolar configuration. A periodic localized heating, which modulates the evaporation–condensation process, was imposed before, during, and after the formation of the filament. Synthetic H$\alpha$ and 304 \r{A}, images were produced to compare the results with observations. For the first time, we noticed the winking filament phenomenon in a simulation of the formation of on-disk solar filaments, which was in good agreement with observations. Typically, the period of the winking is different from the period of the impulsive heating. A forced oscillator model explains this difference and fits the results well. A parameter survey is also done to look into details of the magnetic stretching phenomenon. We found that the stronger the heating or the higher the layer where the heating occurs, the more significant the winking effect appears.

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Y. Zhou, X. Li, J. Hong, et. al.
Tue, 23 May 23
77/77

Comments: 14 pages, 6 figures. Accepted by A&A

A type II solar radio burst without a coronal mass ejection [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11545


The Sun produces the most powerful explosions in the solar system, solar flares, that can also be accompanied by large eruptions of magnetised plasma, coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These processes can accelerate electron beams up to relativistic energies through magnetic reconnection processes during solar flares and CME-driven shocks. Energetic electron beams can in turn generate radio bursts through the plasma emission mechanism. CME shocks, in particular, are usually associated with type II solar radio bursts. However, on a few occasions, type II bursts have been reported to occur either in the absence of CMEs or shown to be more likely related with the flaring process. It is currently an open question how a shock generating type II bursts forms without the occurrence of a CME eruption. Here, we aim to determine the physical mechanism responsible for a type II burst which occurs in the absence a CME. By using radio imaging from the Nan{\c c}ay Radioheliograph, combined with observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft, we investigate the origin of a type II radio burst that appears to have no temporal association with a white-light CME. We identify a typical type II radio burst with band-split structure that is associated with a C-class solar flare. The type II burst source is located above the flaring active region and ahead of disturbed coronal loops observed in extreme ultraviolet images. The type II is also preceded by type III radio bursts, some of which are in fact J-bursts indicating that accelerated electron beams do not all escape along open field lines. The type II sources show single-frequency movement towards the flaring active region. The type II is located ahead of a faint extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) front propagating through the corona.

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D. Morosan, J. Pomoell, A. Kumari, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
5/60

Comments: 10 pages, 8 figures

A type II solar radio burst without a coronal mass ejection [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11545


The Sun produces the most powerful explosions in the solar system, solar flares, that can also be accompanied by large eruptions of magnetised plasma, coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These processes can accelerate electron beams up to relativistic energies through magnetic reconnection processes during solar flares and CME-driven shocks. Energetic electron beams can in turn generate radio bursts through the plasma emission mechanism. CME shocks, in particular, are usually associated with type II solar radio bursts. However, on a few occasions, type II bursts have been reported to occur either in the absence of CMEs or shown to be more likely related with the flaring process. It is currently an open question how a shock generating type II bursts forms without the occurrence of a CME eruption. Here, we aim to determine the physical mechanism responsible for a type II burst which occurs in the absence a CME. By using radio imaging from the Nan{\c c}ay Radioheliograph, combined with observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft, we investigate the origin of a type II radio burst that appears to have no temporal association with a white-light CME. We identify a typical type II radio burst with band-split structure that is associated with a C-class solar flare. The type II burst source is located above the flaring active region and ahead of disturbed coronal loops observed in extreme ultraviolet images. The type II is also preceded by type III radio bursts, some of which are in fact J-bursts indicating that accelerated electron beams do not all escape along open field lines. The type II sources show single-frequency movement towards the flaring active region. The type II is located ahead of a faint extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) front propagating through the corona.

Read this paper on arXiv…

D. Morosan, J. Pomoell, A. Kumari, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
6/60

Comments: 10 pages, 8 figures

Hall effect on the magnetic reconnections during the evolution of a three-dimensional magnetic flux rope [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11660


We present a novel Hall magnetohydrodynamics (HMHD) numerical simulation of a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic flux rope (MFR) — generated by magnetic reconnections from an initial 3D bipolar sheared field. Magnetic reconnections during the HMHD evolution are compared with the MHD. In both simulations, the MFRs generate as a consequence of the magnetic reconnection at null points which has not been realized in contemporary simulations. Interestingly, the evolution is faster and more intricate in the HMHD simulation. Repetitive development of the twisted magnetic field lines (MFL) in the vicinity of 3D nulls (reconnection site) is unique to the HMHD evolution of the MFR. The dynamical evolution of magnetic field lines around the reconnection site being affected by the Hall forcing, correspondingly affects the large-scale structures.

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K. Bora, S. Agarwal, S. Kumar, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
7/60

Comments: Accepted for publication in Physica Scripta

Planet-disk-wind interaction: the magnetized fate of protoplanets [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11784


Models of planet-disk interaction are mainly based on 2D and 3D viscous hydrodynamical simulations. Accretion is classically prescribed by an alpha parameter which characterizes the turbulent radial transport of angular momentum (AM) in the disk. This accretion scenario has been questioned for a few years and an alternative paradigm has been proposed that involves the vertical transport of AM by MHD winds. We revisit planet-disk interaction in such context, with a focus on the planet’s ability to open a gap and produce meridional flows. Accretion, magnetic field and wind torque in the gap are also explored, as well as the gravitational torque exerted by the disk onto the planet. We carry out high-resolution 3D global non-ideal MHD simulations of a gaseous disk threaded by a large-scale vertical magnetic field harboring a planet in a fixed circular orbit using the GPU-accelerated code Idefix. We consider various planet masses and disk magnetizations. We find that gap-opening always occurs for sufficiently massive planets, with deeper gaps when the planet mass increases and when the initial magnetization decreases. We propose a gap opening criterion when accretion is dominated by MHD winds. We show that accretion is unsteady and comes from surface layers in the outer disk, bringing material directly towards the planet poles. A planet gap is a privileged region for magnetic field accumulation, leading to nearly sonic accretion stream through the gap. For massive planets, the wind torque induces an asymmetric gap, both in depth and in width, that gradually erodes the outer gap edge, reducing the outer Lindblad torque and potentially reversing the migration direction of Jovian planets in magnetized disks after a few hundreds of orbits. For low-mass planets, we find strongly fluctuating gravitational torques that are mostly positive on average, indicating a stochastic outward migration.

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G. Wafflard-Fernandez and G. Lesur
Mon, 22 May 23
9/60

Comments: N/A

The 14 Her Planetary System: Companion Masses and Architecture from Radial Velocities and Astrometry [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11753


We combine Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Fine Guidance Sensor, Hipparcos, and Gaia DR3 astrometric observations of the K0 V star 14 Her with the results of an analysis of extensive ground-based radial velocity data to determine perturbation orbits and masses for two previously known companions, 14 Her b and c. Radial velocities obtained with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope and from the literature now span over twenty five years. With these data we obtain improved RV orbital elements for both the inner companion, 14 Her b and the long-period outer companion, 14 Her c. We also find evidence of an additional RV signal with P $/sim$ 3789d. We then model astrometry from Hipparcos, HST, and Gaia with RV results to obtain system parallax and proper motion, perturbation periods, inclinations, and sizes due to 14 Her b and c. We find P_b = 1767.6 +/- 0.2 d, perturbation semi-major axis {\alpha}_b = 1.3 +/- 0.1 mas, and inclination i_b = 36 +/- 3 degrees, P_c = 52160 +/- 1028 d, perturbation semi-major axis {\alpha}_c = 10.3 +/- 0.7 mas, and inclination i_c = 82 +/- 14 degrees. In agreement with a past investigation, the 14 Her b, c orbits exhibit significant mutual inclination. Assuming a primary mass M = 0.98 +/- 0.04Msun, we obtain companion masses M_b = 8.5 +/- 1.0Mjup and M_c = 7.1 +/- 1.0Mjup.

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G. Benedict, B. McArthur, E. Nelan, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
11/60

Comments: To appear in the Astronomical Journal. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2204.13706

Fast Neutrino Flavor Conversions can Help and Hinder Neutrino-Driven Explosions [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11207


We present the first simulations of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) in axial symmetry (2D) with feedback from fast neutrino flavor conversion (FFC). Our schematic treatment of FFCs assumes instantaneous flavor equilibration under the constraint of lepton-number conservation. Systematically varying the spatial domain where FFCs are assumed to occur, we find that they facilitate SN explosions in low-mass (9-12 solar masses) progenitors that otherwise explode with longer time delays, whereas FFCs weaken the tendency to explode of higher-mass (around 20 solar masses) progenitors.

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J. Ehring, S. Abbar, H. Janka, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
14/60

Comments: 7 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PRL

CN and CO Features: Key Indicators of Red Giant Evolutionary Phase in Moderate-Resolution X-Shooter Spectra [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11620


Data-driven analysis methods can help to infer physical properties of red giant stars where “gold-standard” asteroseismic data are not available. The study of optical and infrared spectra of red giant stars with data-driven analyses has revealed that differences in oscillation frequencies and their separations are imprinted in said spectra. This makes it possible to confidently differentiate core-helium burning red clump stars (RC) from those that are still on their first ascent of the red giant branch (RGB). We extend these studies to a tenfold larger wavelength range of 0.33 to 2.5 microns with the moderate-resolution VLT/X-shooter spectrograph. Our analysis of 49 stars with asteroseismic data from the K2 mission confirms that CN, CO and CH features are indeed the primary carriers of spectroscopic information on the evolutionary stages of red giant stars. We report 215 informative features for differentiating the RC from the RGB within the range of 0.33 to 2.5 microns. This makes it possible for existing and future spectroscopic surveys to optimize their wavelength regions to deliver both a large variety of elemental abundances and reliable age estimates of luminous red giant stars.

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K. Banks, C. Ho, S. Martell, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
15/60

Comments: 6 pages, 2 figures

Temperature inhomogeneities cause the abundance discrepancy in H II regions [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11578


HII regions, ionized nebulae where massive star formation has taken place, exhibit a wealth of emission lines that are the fundamental basis for estimating the chemical composition of the Universe. For more than 80 years, a discrepancy of at least a factor of two between heavy-element abundances derived with collisional excited lines (CELs) and the weaker recombination lines (RLs) has thrown our absolute abundance determinations into doubt. Heavy elements regulate the cooling of the interstellar gas, being essential to the understanding of several phenomena such as nucleosynthesis, star formation and chemical evolution. In this work, we use the best available deep optical spectra of ionized nebulae to analyze the cause of this abundance discrepancy problem. We find for the first time general observational evidence in favor of the temperature inhomogeneities within the gas, quantified by t2. The temperature inhomogeneities inside H II regions are affecting only the gas of high ionization degree and producing the abundance discrepancy problem. This work implies that the metallicity determinations based on CELs must be revised, as they can be severely underestimated, especially in the regions of lower metallicity, such as the JWST high-z galaxies. We present methods to estimate these corrections, which will be critical for robust interpretations of the chemical composition of the Universe over cosmic time.

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J. Méndez-Delgado, C. Esteban, J. García-Rojas, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
18/60

Comments: A Nature paper. The final version of this article can be found here: this https URL This version of ArXiV is the initial version of the article, not refereed and without subsequent editorial changes. The accepted version will be updated here in 6 months. If you are a researcher and do not have access to the final version of Nature, please write me an email

Properties and Asteroseismological analysis of a new ZZ ceti discovered by TMTS [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11585


Tsinghua university-Ma Huateng Telescope for Survey (TMTS) aims to discover rapidly evolving transients by monitoring the northern sky. The TMTS catalog is cross-matched with the white dwarf (WD) catalog of Gaia EDR3, and light curves of more than a thousand WD candidates are obtained so far. Among them, the WD TMTS J23450729+5813146 (hereafter J2345) is one interesting common source. Based on the light curves from the TMTS and follow-up photometric observations, periods of 967.113 s, 973.734 s, 881.525 s, 843.458 s, 806.916 s and 678.273 s are identified. In addition, the TESS observations suggest a 3.39 h period but this can be attributed to the rotation of a comoving M dwarf located within 3″. The spectroscopic observation indicates that this WD is DA type with Teff = 11778+/-617K,log g = 8.38+/-0.31,mass=0.84+/-0.20Msun and age=0.704+/-0.377 Gyrs. Asteroseismological analysis reveals a global best-fit solution of Teff =12110+/-10K and mass=0.760+/-0.005Msun,consistent with the spectral fitting results, and Oxygen and Carbon abundances in the core center are 0.73 and 0.27, respectively. The distance derived from the intrinsic luminosity given by asteroseismology is 93 parsec, which is in agreement with the distance of 98 parsec from Gaia DR3. Additionally, kinematic study shows that this WD is likely a thick disk star. The mass of its zero-age main-sequence mass is estimated to be 3.08 Msun and has a main-sequence plus cooling age of roughly 900 Myrs.

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J. Guo, Y. Chen, X. Wang, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
20/60

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

Radiation-Driven Wind Hydrodynamics of Massive Stars: A Review [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11666


Mass loss from massive stars plays a determining role in their evolution through the upper Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. The hydrodynamic theory that describes their steady-state winds is the line-driven wind theory (m-CAK). From this theory, the mass loss rate and the velocity profile of the wind can be derived, and estimating these properly will have a profound impact on quantitative spectroscopy analyses from the spectra of these objects. Currently, the so-called beta-law, which is an approximation for the fast solution, is widely used instead of m-CAK hydrodynamics, and when the derived value is beta greater than 1.2, there is no hydrodynamic justification for these values. This review focuses on (1) a detailed topological analysis of the equation of motion (EoM), (2) solving the EoM numerically for all three different (fast and two slow) wind solutions, (3) deriving analytical approximations for the velocity profile via the LambertW function and (4) presenting a discussion of the applicability of the slow solutions.

Read this paper on arXiv…

M. Cure and I. Araya
Mon, 22 May 23
23/60

Comments: Published in Galaxies Journal (33 pages, 18 figures)

Sapaki: Galactic O3If* star possibly born in isolation [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11612


Context: The study of high-mass stars found to be isolated in the field of the Milky Way may help to probe the feasibility of the core-accretion mechanism in the case of massive star formation. The existence of truly isolated stars may efficiently probe the possibility that individual massive stars can be born in isolation. Aims: We observed WR67a (hereafter Sapaki), an O3If* star that appears to be isolated close to the center of a well-developed giant cavity that is aptly traced by 8.0 $\mu$m hot dust emission. Methods: We acquired medium-resolution ($R=4100$) and moderate signal-to-noise ($S/N = 95$ at 4500 \r{A}) spectra for Sapaki in the range of 3800-10500 \r{A} with the Magellan Echellette (MagE) at Las Campanas Observatory. We computed the line-of-sight total extinctions. Additionally, we restricted its heliocentric distance by using a range of different estimators. Moreover, we measured its radial velocity from several lines in its spectrum. Finally, we analyzed its proper motions from Gaia to examine its possible runaway status. Results: The star has been classified as having the spectral type O3If* given its resemblance to standard examples of the class. In addition, we found that Sapaki is highly obscured, reaching a line-of-sight extinction value of $A_{V} = 7.87$. We estimated the heliocentric distance to be in the range of $d = 4-7$ kpc. We also estimated its radial velocity to be $V_{r} = -34.2 \pm 15.6$ km/s. We may also discard its runaway status solely based on its 2D kinematics. Furthermore, by analyzing proper motions and parallaxes provided by Gaia, we found only one other star with compatible measurements. Conclusions: Given its apparent non-runaway status and the absence of clustering, Sapaki appears to be a solid candidate for isolated high-mass star formation in the Milky Way.

Read this paper on arXiv…

M. Plaza, A. Roman-Lopes and D. Sanmartim
Mon, 22 May 23
24/60

Comments: 7 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables

EUV fine structure and variability associated with coronal rain revealed by Solar Orbiter/EUI HRIEUV and SPICE [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11691


Coronal rain is the most dramatic cooling phenomenon of the solar corona and an essential diagnostic tool for the coronal heating properties. A puzzling feature of the solar corona, besides the heating, is its EUV filamentary structure and variability. We aim to identify observable features of the TNE-TI scenario underlying coronal rain at small and large spatial scales, to understand the role it plays in the solar corona. We use EUV datasets at unprecedented spatial resolution of ~240 km from EUI/HRIEUV and SPICE of Solar Orbiter from the spring 2022 perihelion. EUV absorption features produced by coronal rain are detected at scales as small as 260 km. As the rain falls, heating and compression is produced immediately downstream, leading to a small EUV brightening accompanying the fall and producing a “fireball” phenomenon. Just prior to impact, a flash-like EUV brightening downstream of the rain, lasting a few minutes is observed for the fastest events. For the first time, we detect the atmospheric response to the rain’s impact on the chromosphere and consists of upward propagating rebound shocks and flows partly reheating the loop. The observed widths of the rain clumps are 500 +- 200 km. They exhibit a broad velocity distribution of 10 – 150 km s^-1, peaking below 50 km s^-1. Coronal strands of similar widths are observed along the same loops co-spatial with cool filamentary structure, which we interpret as the CCTR. Matching with the expected cooling, prior to the rain appearance sequential loop brightenings are detected in gradually cooler lines from corona to chromospheric temperatures. Despite the large rain showers, most cannot be detected in AIA 171 in quadrature, indicating that LOS effects play a major role in coronal rain visibility. Still, AIA 304 and SPICE observations reveal that only a small fraction of the rain can be captured by HRIEUV.

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P. Antolin, A. Dolliou, F. Auchère, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
26/60

Comments: Astronomy & Astrophysics; 32 Pages, 24 Main Figures, Appendix

Rotation-tunneling spectrum and astrochemical modeling of dimethylamine, CH$_3$NHCH$_3$, and searches for it in space [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11656


Methylamine has been the only simple alkylamine detected in the interstellar medium for a long time. With the recent secure and tentative detections of vinylamine and ethylamine, respectively, dimethylamine has become a promising target for searches in space. Its rotational spectrum, however, has been known only up to 45 GHz until now. Here we investigate the rotation-tunneling spectrum of dimethylamine in selected regions between 76 and 1091 GHz using three different spectrometers in order to facilitate its detection in space. The quantum number range is extended to $J = 61$ and $K_a = 21$, yielding an extensive set of accurate spectroscopic parameters. To search for dimethylamine, we refer to the spectral line survey ReMoCA carried out with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array toward the high-mass star-forming region Sagittarius B2(N) and a spectral line survey of the molecular cloud G+0.693$-$0.027 employing the IRAM 30 m and Yebes 40 m radio telescopes. We report nondetections of dimethylamine toward the hot molecular cores Sgr B2(N1S) and Sgr B2(N2b) as well as G+0.693$-$0.027 which imply that dimethylamine is at least 14, 4.5 and 39 times less abundant than methylamine toward these sources, respectively. The observational results are compared to computational results from a gas-grain astrochemical model. The modeled methylamine to dimethylamine ratios are compatible with the observational ratios. However, the model produces too much ethylamine compared with methylamine which could mean that the already fairly low levels of dimethylamine in the models may also be too high.

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H. Müller, R. Garrod, A. Belloche, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
27/60

Comments: Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., accepted. 33 pages including tables, figures, and appendix

Element Abundances in Impulsive Solar Energetic Particle Events [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11816


We outline and discuss a model for the enhanced abundances of trans-Fe elements in impulsive Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) events, where large mass dependent abundance enhancements are frequently seen. It comes about as a variation of the ponderomotive force model for the First Ionization Potential (FIP) Effect, i.e. the increase in coronal abundance of elements like Fe, Mg, and Si that are ionized in the solar chromosphere relative to those that are neutral. In this way, the fractionation region is placed in the chromosphere, and is connected to the solar envelope allowing the huge abundance variations to occur, that might otherwise be problematic with a coronal fractionation site. The principal mechanism behind the mass-independent FIP fractionation becoming the mass dependent impulsive SEP fractionation is the suppression of acoustic waves in the chromosphere. The ponderomotive force causing the fractionation must be due to torsional Alfven waves, which couple much less effectively to slow modes than do shear waves, and upward propagating acoustic waves deriving from photospheric convection must be effectively mode converted to fast modes at the chromospheric layer where Alfven and sound speeds are equal, and subsequently totally internally reflected. We further discuss observations of the environments thought to be the source of impulsive SEPs, and the extent to which the real Sun might meet these conditions.

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J. Laming and N. Kuroda
Mon, 22 May 23
32/60

Comments: 11 pages, accepted to the Astrophysical Journal

Constraints on star formation in Orion A from Gaia [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11823


We develop statistical methods within a Bayesian framework to infer the star formation history from photometric surveys of pre-main sequence populations. Our procedures include correcting for biases due to extinction in magnitude-limited surveys, and using distributions from subsets of stars with individual extinction measurements. We also make modest corrections for unresolved binaries. We apply our methods to samples of populations with Gaia photometry in the Orion A molecular cloud. Using two well-established sets of evolutionary tracks, we find that, although our sample is incomplete at youngest ages due to extinction, star formation has proceeded in Orion A at a relatively constant rate between ages of about 0.3 and 5 Myr, in contrast to other studies suggesting multiple epochs of star formation. Similar results are obtained for a set of tracks that attempt to take the effects of strong magnetic fields into account. We also find no evidence for a well-constrained “birthline” that would result from low-mass stars appearing first along the deuterium-burning main sequence, especially using the magnetic evolutionary tracks. While our methods have been developed to deal with Gaia data, they may be useful for analyzing other photometric surveys of star-forming regions.

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J. Alzate, G. Bruzual, M. Kounkel, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
37/60

Comments: N/A

A New LBV Candidate in M33 [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11687


The evolutionary relationships and mechanisms governing the behavior of the wide variety of luminous stars populating the upper H-R diagram are not well established. Luminous blue variables (LBVs) are particularly rare, with only a few dozen identified in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies. Since 2012, the Barber Observatory Luminous Stars Survey has monitored more than 100 luminous targets in M33, including M33C-4119 which has recently undergone photometric and spectroscopic changes consistent with an S Doradus eruption of an LBV.

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J. Martin, R. Humphreys, K. Weis, et. al.
Mon, 22 May 23
50/60

Comments: 6 pages, 4 figures, 1 Table

Low-period spacing core-helium burning giants: `hot subdwarf analogues'? [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10578


Global stellar oscillations probe the internal structure of stars. In low- to intermediate-mass red giants, these oscillations provide signatures from both the outer regions of the star as well as from the core. These signatures are imprinted in e.g. the frequency of maximum oscillation power, and in the differences in periods of non-radial oscillations (period spacings), respectively. In core helium burning giants with masses below about 1.7 solar masses, i.e. stars that have gone through a helium flash, the asymptotic period spacings take values of about 220 -350 s at frequency of maximum oscillation power of $\sim$30-50 $\mu$Hz. A set of stars with asymptotic period spacings lower than about 200 s at similar frequencies separations has recently been discovered by Elsworth and collaborators. In this work, we present a hypothesis for the formation scenario of these stars. We find that these stars can be the result of a mass-loss event at the end of the red-giant branch phase of stars massive enough to not have a degenerate core, i.e. one of the scenarios to form hot subdwarf stars. Therefore, these stars can be classified as `hot subdwarf analogues’. Interestingly, if mass loss continues gradually during the core helium burning phase, these stars turn hotter and denser, and could, therefore, be hot subdwarf progenitors as they shed more of their envelope.

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S. Hekker, Y. Elsworth, T. Braun, et. al.
Fri, 19 May 23
3/46

Comments: Scientific content recommended for publication in MNRAS

The Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) VII: a discovery of the first inner Galaxy CEMP-r/s star [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10717


Well-studied very metal-poor (VMP, [Fe/H] < -2 ) stars in the inner Galaxy are few in number, and they are of special interest because they are expected to be among the oldest stars in the MilkyWay. We present high-resolution spectroscopic follow-up of the carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) star Pristine_184237.56-260624.5 (hereafter Pr184237) identified in the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey. This star has an apocentre of about 2 kpc. Its atmospheric parameters (Teff = 5100 K, log g = 2.0, [Fe/H] = -2.60) were derived based on the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) line formation. We determined abundances for 32 elements, including 15 heavy elements beyond the iron group. The NLTE abundances were calculated for 13 elements from Na to Pb. Pr184237 is strongly enhanced in C, N, O, and both s- and r-process elements from Ba to Pb; it reveals a low carbon isotope ratio of 12C/13C = 7. The element abundance pattern in the Na-Zn range is typical of halo stars. With [Ba/Eu] = 0.32, Pr184237 is the first star of the CEMP-r/s subclass identified in the inner Galaxy. Variations in radial velocity suggest binarity. We tested whether a pollution by the s- or i-process material produced in the more massive and evolved companion can form the observed abundance pattern and find that an i-process in the asymptotic giant branch star with a progenitor mass of 1.0-2.0 Msun can be the solution.

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L. Mashonkina, A. Arentsen, D. Aguado, et. al.
Fri, 19 May 23
6/46

Comments: 15 pages, 11 figures, 5 tables, MNRAS, accepted

Temporal and Latitudinal Variation in Penumbra-Umbra Ratios of the Sunspots: Analyses of RGO, Kodaikanal and Debrecen Databases [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10757


We study the latitudinal distribution and temporal evolution of the sunspot penumbra-umbra ratio (q) for the even and odd Solar Cycles 12-24 of RGO sunspot groups, SC21-SC24 of Debrecen sunspot groups and Kodaikanal sunspot dataset for SC16-SC24. We find that RGO even (odd) Cycles have q-values 5.20 (4.75), Kodaikanal even (odd) cycles have q-values 5.27 (5.43), and Debrecen cycles has q-value 5.74 on the average. We also show that q is at lowest around the Equator of the Sun and increases towards higher latitudes having maximum values at about 10-25 degrees. This is understandable, because smaller sunspots and groups locate nearer to Equator and have smaller q-values than larger sunspots and groups, which maximize at about 10-20 degrees at both hemispheres. The error limits are very wide and thus the confidence of this result is somewhat vague. For Debrecen dataset we find a deep valley in the temporal q-values before the middle of the cycle. We show that this exists simultaneously with the Gnevyshev gap (GG) in the graph of the total and umbral areas of the large sunspot groups. Other databases do not show GG in their q-graphs, although GG exists in their temporal total area and umbral area.

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T. Juhani
Fri, 19 May 23
18/46

Comments: 17 pages, 15 figures

Automated detection and analysis of coronal active region structures across Solar Cycle 24 [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11066


Observations from the NASA Solar Dynamic Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly were employed to investigate targeted physical properties of coronal active region structures across the entirety of Solar Cycle 24 (dates). This is the largest consistent study to date which analyses emergent trends in structural width, location, and occurrence rate by performing an automatic and long-term examination of observable coronal limb features within equatorial active region belts across four extreme ultraviolet wavelengths (171, 193, 211, and 304 angstroms). This has resulted in over thirty thousand observed coronal structures and hence allows for the production of spatial and temporal distributions focused upon the rise, peak and decay activity phases of Solar Cycle 24. Employing a self-organized-criticality approach as a descriptor of coronal structure formation, power law slopes of structural widths versus frequency are determined, ranging from -1.6 to -3.3 with variations of up to 0.7 found between differing periods of the solar cycle, compared to a predicted Fractal Diffusive Self Organized Criticality (FD-SOC) value of -1.5. The North-South hemispheric asymmetry of these structures was also examined with the northern hemisphere exhibiting activity that is peaking earlier and decaying slower than the southern hemisphere, with a characteristic “butterfly” pattern of coronal structures detected. This represents the first survey of coronal structures performed across an entire solar cycle, demonstrating new techniques available to examine the composition of the corona by latitude in varying wavelengths at selected altitudes.

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D. Gass and R. Walsh
Fri, 19 May 23
29/46

Comments: 16 pages, 10 figures. Preprint copy

Gravitational Machines [CL]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10470


A gravitational machine is defined as an arrangement of gravitating masses from which useful energy can be extracted. It is shown that such machines may exist if the masses are of normal astronomical size. A simple example of a gravitational machine, consisting of a double star with smaller masses orbiting around it, is described. It is shown that an efficient gravitational machine will also be an emitter of gravitational radiation. The emitted radiation sets a limit on the possible performance of gravitational machines, and also provides us with a possible means for detecting such machines if they exist.

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F. Dyson
Fri, 19 May 23
34/46

Comments: 4 pages, one figure

Multiple Peaks and a Long Precursor in the Type IIn Supernova 2021qqp: An Energetic Explosion in a Complex Circumsteller Environment [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11168


We present detailed optical photometry and spectroscopy of the Type IIn supernova (SN) 2021qqp. Its unusual light curve is marked by a long gradual brightening (i.e., precursor) for about 300 days, a rapid increase in brightness for about 60 days, and then a sharp increase of about 1.6 mag in only a few days to a first peak of $M_r\approx -19.5$ mag. The light curve then turns over and declines rapidly, until it re-brightens to a second distinct and sharp peak with $M_r\approx -17.3$ mag centered at about 335 days after the first peak. The spectra are dominated by Balmer-series lines with a complex morphology that includes a narrow component with a width of $\approx 1300$ km s$^{-1}$ (first peak) and $\approx 2500$ km s$^{-1}$ (second peak) that we associate with the circumstellar medium (CSM), and a P Cygni component with an absorption velocity of $\approx 8500$ km s$^{-1}$ (first peak) and $\approx 5600$ km s$^{-1}$ (second peak) that we associate with the SN-CSM interaction shell. Using the bolometric light curve and velocity evolution, we construct an analytical model to extract the CSM profile and SN properties. We find two significant mass-loss episodes with peak mass loss rates of $\approx 10$ M$\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ and $\approx 5$ M$\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ about 0.8 and 2 years before explosion, and a total CSM mass of $\approx 2-4\,M_\odot$. We show that the most recent mass-loss episode can explain the precursor for the year preceding the explosion. The SN ejecta mass is constrained to be $M_{\rm SN}\approx 5-30\,M_\odot$ for an explosion energy of $E_{\rm SN}\approx (3-10)\times10^{51}\,{\rm erg}$. We discuss eruptive massive stars (luminous blue variable, pulsational pair instability) and an extreme stellar merger with a compact object as possible progenitor channels for generating the energetic explosion in the complex CSM environment.

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D. Hiramatsu, T. Matsumoto, E. Berger, et. al.
Fri, 19 May 23
37/46

Comments: 20 pages, 7 figures, submitted to ApJ

Peering into the tilted heart of Cyg X-1 with high-precision optical polarimetry [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10813


We present the high-precision optical polarimetric observations of black hole X-ray binary Cyg X-1, spanning several cycles of its 5.6 day orbital period. Week-long observations on two telescopes located in opposite hemispheres allowed us to track the evolution of the polarization within one orbital cycle with the highest temporal resolution to date. Using the field stars, we determine the interstellar polarization in the source direction and subsequently its intrinsic polarization. The optical polarization angle is aligned with that in the X-rays as recently obtained with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer. Furthermore, it is consistent, within the uncertainties, with the position angle of the radio ejections. We show that the intrinsic PD is variable with the orbital period with the amplitude of $\sim$0.2% and discuss various sites of its production. Assuming the polarization arises from a single Thomson scattering of the primary star radiation by the matter that follows the black hole in its orbital motion, we constrain the inclination of the binary orbit $i>120^\circ$ and its eccentricity $e<0.08$. The asymmetric shape of the orbital profiles of Stokes parameters implies also the asymmetry of the scattering matter distribution about the orbital plane, which may arise from the tilted accretion disk. We compare our data to the polarimetric observations made over 1975-1987 and find good, within $1^\circ$, agreement between the intrinsic polarization angles. On the other hand, the PD decreased by 0.4% over half a century, suggesting the presence of secular changes in the geometry of accreting matter.

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V. Kravtsov, A. Veledina, A. Berdyugin, et. al.
Fri, 19 May 23
45/46

Comments: 12 pages, 18 figures

A Simple Code for Rotational Broadening of Broad Wavelength Range High-Dispersion Spectra [IMA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09693


In high dispersion spectra of rotating bodies such as stars and planets, the rotation contributes significantly to, and sometimes dominates, the line broadening. We present a simple method for rotationally broadening large wavelength ranges of high-dispersion spectra. The broadening is rapid and scales linearly with the length of the spectrum array. For large wavelength ranges, the method is much faster than the popular convolution-based broadening. We provide the code implementation of this method in a publicly accessible repository.

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A. Carvalho and C. Johns-Krull
Thu, 18 May 23
3/67

Comments: 2 pages, 1 figure, published in RNAAS

Left Ringing: Betelgeuse Illuminates the Connection Between Convective outbursts, Mode switching, and Mass Ejection in Red Supergiants [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09732


Betelgeuse, the nearest red supergiant, dimmed to an unprecedented level in early 2020. The star emerged from this Great Dimming episode with its typical, roughly 400-day pulsation cycle halved, and a new dominant period of around 200 days. The dimming event has been attributed to a surface mass ejection, in which rising material drove shocks through the stellar atmosphere and expelled some material, partially obscuring the star as it formed molecules and dust. In this paper, we use hydrodynamic simulations to reveal the connections between Betelgeuse’s vigorously convective envelope, the surface mass ejection, and the pulsation mode switching that ensued. An anomalously hot convective plume, generated rarely but naturally in the star’s turbulent envelope, can rise and break free from the surface, powering an upwelling that becomes the surface mass ejection. The rising plume also breaks the phase coherence of the star’s pulsation, causing the surface to keep expanding even as the deeper layers contract. This drives a switch from the 400-day fundamental mode of pulsation, in which the whole star expands and contracts synchronously, to the 200-day first overtone, where a radial node separates the interior and exterior of the envelope moving in opposite phase. We predict that the star’s convective motions will damp the overtone oscillation and Betelgeuse will return to its previous, 400-day fundamental mode pulsation in the next 5-10 years. With its resolved surface and unprecedentedly detailed characterization, Betelgeuse opens a window to episodic surface mass ejection in the late-stage evolution of massive stars.

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M. MacLeod, A. Antoni, C. Huang, et. al.
Thu, 18 May 23
13/67

Comments: Submitted to AAS Journals, we welcome comments!

A catalog of collected debris disks: properties, classifications and correlations between disks and stars/planets [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10364


We have collected a catalog of 1095 debris disks with properties and classification (resolved, planet, gas) information. From the catalog, we defined a less biased sample with 612 objects and presented the distributions of their stellar and disk properties to search for correlations between disks and stars. We found debris disks were widely distributed from B to M-type stars while planets were mostly found around solar-type stars, gases were easier to detect around early-type stars and resolved disks were mostly distributed from A to G- type stars. The fractional luminosity dropped off with stellar age and planets were mostly found around old stars while gas-detected disks were much younger. The dust temperature of both one-belt systems and cold components in two-belt systems increased with distance while decreasing with stellar age. In addition, we defined a less biased planet sample with 211 stars with debris disks but no planets and 35 stars with debris disks and planets and found the stars with debris disks and planets had higher metallicities than stars with debris disks but no planets. Among the 35 stars with debris disks and planets, we found the stars with disks and cool Jupiters were widely distributed with age from 10 Myr to 10 Gyr and metallicity from -1.56 to 0.28 while the other three groups tended to be old (> 4Gyr) and metal-rich (> -0.3). Besides, the eccentricities of cool Jupiters are distributed from 0 to 0.932 wider than the other three types of planets (< 0.3).

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P. Cao, Q. Liu, N. Liao, et. al.
Thu, 18 May 23
16/67

Comments: 34 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables, Accepted for publication in RAA

Seven Classes of Rotational Variables From a Study of 50,000 Spotted Stars with ASAS-SN, Gaia, and APOGEE [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09715


We examine the properties of $\sim50,000$ rotational variables from the ASAS-SN survey using distances, stellar properties, and probes of binarity from $\textit{Gaia}$ DR3 and the SDSS APOGEE survey. They have high amplitudes and span a broader period range than previously studied $\textit{Kepler}$ rotators. We find they divide into three groups of main sequence stars (MS1, MS2s, MS2b) and four of giants (G1/3, G2, G4s, and G4b). MS1 stars are slowly rotating (10-30 days), likely single stars with a limited range of temperatures. MS2s stars are more rapidly rotating (days) single stars spanning the lower main sequence up to the Kraft break. There is a clear period gap (or minimum) between MS1 and MS2s, similar to that seen for lower temperatures in the $\textit{Kepler}$ samples. MS2b stars are tidally locked binaries with periods of days. G1/3 stars are heavily spotted, tidally locked RS CVn with periods of tens of days. G2 stars are less luminous, heavily spotted, tidally locked sub-subgiants with periods of $\sim10$ days. G4s stars have intermediate luminosities to G1/3 and G2, slow rotation periods (approaching 100 days) and are almost certainly all merger remnants. G4b stars have similar rotation periods and luminosities to G4s, but consist of sub-synchronously rotating binaries. We see no difference in indicators for the presence of very wide binary companions between any of these groups and control samples of photometric twin stars built for each group.

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A. Phillips, C. Kochanek, T. Jayasinghe, et. al.
Thu, 18 May 23
36/67

Comments: 15 pages, 11 figures, 5 tables, submitted to MNRAS

Physics-driven machine learning for the prediction of coronal mass ejections' travel times [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10057


Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) correspond to dramatic expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the solar corona into the heliosphere. CMEs are scientifically relevant because they are involved in the physical mechanisms characterizing the active Sun. However, more recently CMEs have attracted attention for their impact on space weather, as they are correlated to geomagnetic storms and may induce the generation of Solar Energetic Particles streams. In this space weather framework, the present paper introduces a physics-driven artificial intelligence (AI) approach to the prediction of CMEs travel time, in which the deterministic drag-based model is exploited to improve the training phase of a cascade of two neural networks fed with both remote sensing and in-situ data. This study shows that the use of physical information in the AI architecture significantly improves both the accuracy and the robustness of the travel time prediction.

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S. Guastavino, V. Candiani, A. Bemporad, et. al.
Thu, 18 May 23
40/67

Comments: N/A

GlobULeS-V. UVIT/AstroSat studies of stellar populations in NGC 362: Detection of Blue Lurkers in a Globular Cluster [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09723


We report the discovery of four blue lurkers with low and extremely low-mass white dwarf (ELM WDs) companions in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 362 using AstroSat Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT). We analyzed the multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) of FUV-bright MS stars using data from the UVIT, UVOT, GAIA EDR3, and 2.2m ESO/MPI telescopes. Two each of low-mass WDs and ELM WDs are found as companions for the four blue lurkers by the fitting of two-component SED models. The effective temperatures, radii, luminosities, and masses of two low-mass WDs are (35000, 23000) K, (0.04, 0.05) Rsun , (1.45, 0.22) Lsun , and (0.2, 0.2) Msun, while the two ELM WDs are (14750, 14750) K, (0.09, 0.10) Rsun, (0.34, 0.40) Lsun, and (0.18, 0.18) Msun. The position of blue lurkers within the cluster shows that they originated via the Case A/B mass-transfer mechanism in a low-density environment. This is the first detection of blue lurkers with low-mass WDs and ELM WDs as companions in a globular cluster. The companion cooling age is less than 4 Myr, which suggests that they were just recently formed. These binary systems might have originated due to the cluster recent core collapse.

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A. Dattatrey, R. Yadav, G. Kumawat, et. al.
Thu, 18 May 23
50/67

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures, 1 table

Variability of Known Exoplanet Host Stars Observed by TESS [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09687


Both direct and indirect methods of exoplanet detection rely upon detailed knowledge of the potential host stars. Such stellar characterization allows for accurate extraction of planetary properties, as well as contributing to our overall understanding of exoplanetary system architecture. In this analysis, we examine the photometry of 264 known exoplanet host stars (harboring 337 planetary companions) that were observed during the TESS Prime Mission. We identify periodic signatures in the light curves of these stars and make possible connections to stellar pulsations and their rotation periods, and compare the stellar variability to the published planetary orbital periods. From these comparisons, we quantify the effects of stellar variability on exoplanet detection, confirming that exoplanets detection is biased toward lower variability stars, but larger exoplanets dominate the population of exoplanets around variable stars. Exoplanet detection methods represented among these systems are distinct between stellar spectral types across the main sequence, though notable outliers exist. In addition, biases present in both the sourced data from TESS and the host star selection process, which strongly influences the representation of both stellar and planetary characteristics in the final populations. We also determine whether the host star’s photometric variability affects or mimics the behavior or properties of the system’s planets. These results are discussed in the context of how the behavior of the host star is responsible for how we observe exoplanet characteristics, most notably their radii and atmospheric properties, and how the activity may alter our measurements or impact the evolution of planetary properties.

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E. Simpson, T. Fetherolf, S. Kane, et. al.
Thu, 18 May 23
59/67

Comments: 13 pages, 6 figures, resubmitted to AAS Journals after positive referee report

Effect of Spherical Polarization on the Magnetic Spectrum of the Solar Wind [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09763


Magnetic fluctuations in the solar wind are often observed to maintain constant magnitude of the magnetic field in a manner consistent with spherically-polarized large-amplitude Alfv\’en waves. We investigate the effect of spherical polarization on the magnetic spectral index through a statistical survey of magnetic fluctuations observed by Parker Solar Probe between 20$R_\odot$ and 200$R_\odot$. We find that deviations from spherical polarization, i.e., changes in $|\mathbf{B}|$ (compressive fluctuations) and one-dimensional discontinuities, have a dramatic effect on the scaling behavior of the turbulent fluctuations. We show that shallow $k^{-3/2}$ spectra are only observed for constant magnetic field strength, three-dimensional structures, which we identify as large amplitude Alfv\’en waves. The presence of compressive fluctuations coincides with a steepening of the spectrum up to $k^{-5/3}$. Steeper power law scalings approaching $k^{-2}$ are observed when the fluctuations are dominated by discontinuities. Near-sun fluctuations are found to be the most spherically polarized, suggesting that this spherical state is fundamental to the generation of the solar wind. With increasing distance from the Sun, fluctuations are found to become less three dimensional and more compressive, which may indicate the breakdown of the Alfv\’enic equilibrium state.

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C. Dunn, T. Bowen, A. Mallet, et. al.
Thu, 18 May 23
65/67

Comments: 10 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to The Astrophysical Journal

Rotation reduces convective mixing in Jupiter and other gas giants [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09921


Recent measurements of Jupiter’s gravitational moments by the Juno spacecraft and seismology of Saturn’s rings suggest that the primordial composition gradients in the deep interior of these planets have persisted since their formation. One possible explanation is the presence of a double-diffusive staircase below the planet’s outer convection zone, which inhibits mixing across the deeper layers. However, hydrodynamic simulations have shown that these staircases are not long-lasting and can be disrupted by overshooting convection. In this paper we suggests that planetary rotation could be another factor for the longevity of primordial composition gradients. Using rotational mixing-length theory and 3D hydrodynamic simulations, we demonstrate that rotation significantly reduces both the convective velocity and the mixing of primordial composition gradients. In particular, for Jovian conditions at $t\sim10^{8}~\mathrm{yrs}$ after formation, rotation reduces the convective velocity by a factor of 6, and in turn, the kinetic energy flux available for mixing gets reduced by a factor of $6^3\sim 200$. This leads to an entrainment timescale that is more than two orders of magnitude longer than without rotation. We encourage future hydrodynamic models of Jupiter and other gas giants to include rapid rotation, because the decrease in the mixing efficiency could explain why Jupiter and Saturn are not fully mixed.

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J. Fuentes, E. Anders, A. Cumming, et. al.
Thu, 18 May 23
66/67

Comments: Submitted to AAS Journals

Fullerenes in the circumstellar medium of Herbig Ae/Be stars: Insights from the Spitzer mid-infrared spectral catalog [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09491


This study presents the largest mid-infrared spectral catalog of Herbig Ae/Be stars to date, containing the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph spectra of 126 stars. Based on the catalog analysis, two prominent infrared vibrational modes of C\textsubscript{60} bands at 17.4 $\mu m$ and 18.9 $\mu m$ are detected in the spectra of nine sources, while 7.0 $\mu m$ feature is identified in the spectra of HD 319896. The spectral index analysis and the comparison of the known sources with C\textsubscript{60} features indicated that there exist two different types of emission classes among the sample of stars. The infrared spectra of six Herbig Ae/Be stars in this study resemble that of reflection nebulae, and their association with previously known reflection nebulae is confirmed. In the case of three Herbig Ae/Be stars we report the tentative evidence of C\textsubscript{60} emission features originating from the circumstellar disk or nearby diffused emission region. The detection fraction of C\textsubscript{60} in the total HAeBe star sample is $\sim$ 7\%, whereas the detection fraction is 30\% for HAeBe stars associated with nebulosity. In the catalog, C\textsubscript{60} is exclusively present in the circumstellar regions of B type Herbig Ae/Be stars, with no evidence of its presence detected in stars with later spectral types. The present study has increased the number of young stellar objects and reflection nebulae detected with C\textsubscript{60} multifold, which can help in understanding the excitation and formation pathway of the species.

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R. Arun, B. Mathew, P. Manoj, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
1/67

Comments: 14 pages,2 tables, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

The effect of the ambient solar wind medium on a CME-driven shock and the associated gradual solar energetic particle event [CL]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09525


We present simulation results of a gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) event detected on 2021 October 9 by multiple spacecraft, including BepiColombo (Bepi) and near-Earth spacecraft such as the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE). A peculiarity of this event is that the presence of a high speed stream (HSS) affected the low-energy ion component ($\lesssim 5$ MeV) of the gradual SEP event at both Bepi and ACE, despite the HSS having only a modest solar wind speed increase. Using the EUHFORIA (European Heliospheric FORecasting Information Asset) magnetohydrodynamic model, we replicate the solar wind during the event and the coronal mass ejection (CME) that generated it. We then combine these results with the energetic particle transport model PARADISE (PArticle Radiation Asset Directed at Interplanetary Space Exploration). We find that the structure of the CME-driven shock was affected by the non-uniform solar wind, especially near the HSS, resulting in a shock wavefront with strong variations in its properties such as its compression ratio and obliquity. By scaling the emission of energetic particles from the shock to the solar wind compression at the shock, an excellent match between the PARADISE simulation and in-situ measurements of $\lesssim 5$ MeV ions is obtained. Our modelling shows that the intricate intensity variations observed at both ACE and Bepi were influenced by the non-uniform emission of energetic particles from the deformed shock wave and demonstrates the influence of even modest background solar wind structures on the development of SEP events.

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N. Wijsen, D. Lario, B. Sánchez-Cano, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
4/67

Comments: 13 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

SN 2016ije: An SN 2002es-like Type Ia Supernova Exploded in a Metal-poor and Low-surface Brightness Galaxy [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09417


We have conducted photometric and spectroscopic observations of the peculiar Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2016ije that was discovered through the Tsinghua-NAOC Transient Survey. This peculiar object exploded in the outskirts of a metal-poor, low-surface brightness galaxy (i.e., $M_{g}$ = $-$14.5 mag). Our photometric analysis reveals that SN~2016ije is subluminous ($M_{B,\rm{max}}$ = $-$17.65$\pm$0.06 mag) but exhibits relatively broad light curves (${\Delta}m_{15}(B)$ = 1.35$\pm$0.14 mag), similar to the behavior of SN~2002es. Our analysis of the bolometric light curve indicates that only 0.14$\pm$0.04 $M_{\odot}$ of $^{56}$Ni was synthesized in the explosion of SN~2016ije, which suggests a less energetic thermonuclear explosion when compared to normal SNe~Ia, and this left a considerable amount of unburned materials in the ejecta. Spectroscopically, SN~2016ije resembles other SN~2002es-like SNe~Ia, except that the ejecta velocity inferred from its carbon absorption line ($\sim$ 4500~km~s$^{-1}$) is much lower than that from silicon lines ($\sim$ 8300~km~s$^{-1}$) at around the maximum light. Additionally, most of the absorption lines are broader than other 02es-like SNe Ia. These peculiarities suggest the presence of significant unburned carbon in the inner region and a wide line-forming region along the line of sight. These characteristics suggest that SN 2016ije might originate from the violent merger of a white dwarf binary system, when viewed near an orientation along the iron-group-element cavity caused by the companion star.

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Z. Li, T. Zhang, X. Wang, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
9/67

Comments: 25 pages, 13 figures

Wind-Reprocessed Transients from Stellar-mass Black Hole Tidal Disruption Events [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08905


Tidal disruptions of stars by stellar-mass black holes are expected to occur frequently in dense star clusters. Building upon previous studies that performed hydrodynamic simulations of these encounters, we explore the formation and long-term evolution of the thick, super-Eddington accretion disks formed. We build a disk model that includes fallback of material from the tidal disruption, accretion onto the black hole, and disk mass losses through winds launched in association with the super-Eddington flow. We demonstrate that bright transients are expected when radiation from the central engine powered by accretion onto the black hole is reprocessed at large radii by the optically-thick disk wind. By combining hydrodynamic simulations of these disruption events with our disk+wind model, we compute light curves of these wind-reprocessed transients for a wide range of stellar masses and encounter penetration depths. We find typical peak bolometric luminosities of roughly $10^{41}-10^{44}\,$erg/s (depending mostly on accretion physics parameters) and temperatures of roughly $10^5-10^6\,$K, suggesting peak emission in the ultraviolet/blue bands. We predict all-sky surveys such as the Vera Rubin Observatory and ULTRASAT will detect up to thousands of these events per year in dense star clusters out to distances of several Gpc.

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K. Kremer, B. Mockler, A. Piro, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
13/67

Comments: 16 Pages, 13 figures, 2 tables. Submitted to MNRAS. Comments welcome!

The Period Distribution of Hot Jupiters is Not Dependent on Host Star Metallicity [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09488


The probability that a Sun-like star has a close-orbiting giant planet (period < 1 year) increases with stellar metallicity. Previous work provided evidence that the period distribution of close-orbiting giant planets is also linked to metallicity, hinting that there two formation/evolution pathways for such objects, one of which is more probable in high-metallicity environments. Here, we check for differences in the period distribution of hot Jupiters (P < 10 days) as a function of host star metallicity, drawing on a sample of 232 transiting hot Jupiters and homogeneously-derived metallicities from Gaia Data Release 3. We found no evidence for any metallicity dependence; the period distributions of hot Jupiters around metal-poor and metal-rich stars are indistinguishable. As a byproduct of this study, we provide transformations between metallicities from the Gaia Radial Velocity Spectrograph and from traditional high-resolution optical spectroscopy of main-sequence FGK stars.

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S. Yee and J. Winn
Wed, 17 May 23
14/67

Comments: 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted to ApJL

Physics of Binary Star Evolution — from Stars to X-ray Binaries and Gravitational Wave Sources [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09388


The majority of all stars are members of a binary system. The evolution of such binary stars and their subsequent production of pairs of compact objects in tight orbits, such as double neutron stars and double black holes, play a central role in modern astrophysics, Binary evolution leads to the formation of different types of violent cosmic events such as novae, supernova explosions, gamma-ray bursts, mass transfer and accretion processes in X-ray binaries, and the formation of exotic radio millisecond pulsars. In some cases, the binary systems terminate as spectacular collisions between neutron stars and/or black holes. These collisions lead to powerful emission of gravitational waves, as detected by LIGO since 2015. The coming decade is expected to reveal a large number of discoveries of binary compact systems, as well as their progenitors and merger remnants, from major instruments such as the radio Square-Kilometre Array; the gravitational wave observatories LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA-IndIGO and LISA; the astrometric space observatory Gaia; the James Webb Space Telescope; and the X-ray space observatories eXTP, STROBE-X, and Athena. In this light, it is important to have a modern textbook on the physics of binary stars evolution, from ordinary stars to X-ray binaries and gravitational wave sources. The scope of this book is that the reader (student or educated expert) will learn the physics of binary interactions, from stellar birth to compact objects, and relate this knowledge to the latest observations. The reader will learn about stellar structure and evolution, and detailed binary interactions covering a broad range of phenomena, including mass transfer and orbital evolution, formation and accretion onto compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes), and their observational properties. Exercises are provided throughout the book.

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T. Tauris and E. Heuvel
Wed, 17 May 23
23/67

Comments: 20 pages, 3 figures. Preprint of preface, introductory chapter, and table of content of the 864-pages textbook “Physics of Binary Star Evolution – From Stars to X-ray Binaries and Gravitational Wave Sources”, by Thomas Tauris and Ed van den Heuvel, to be published by Princeton University Press in June 2023

New Near-Infrared Period-Luminosity-Metallicity Relations for Galactic RR Lyrae Stars Based on Gaia EDR3 Parallaxes [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09414


We present new period-luminosity and period-luminosity-metallicity relations for Galactic RR Lyrae stars based on a sample of 28 pulsators located at distances up to $1.5$ kpc from the Sun. Near-infrared photometry was obtained at the Cerro Armazones Observatory and parallaxes were taken from the Gaia Early Data Release 3. Relations were determined for the 2MASS $JHK_s$ bands and the $W_{JK}$ Wesenheit index. We compare our results with other calibrations available in the literature and obtain very good agreement with the photometry of RR Lyraes from the Large Magellanic Cloud anchored using the distance to the Cloud, which based on detached eclipsing binaries. We find that the dependence of absolute magnitudes on metallicity of $0.070\pm 0.042$ mag/dex ($J-$ band) to $0.087 \pm 0.031$ mag/dex ($W_{JK}$ index) for the population of fundamental pulsators (RRab) that is in agreement with previously published phenomenological works. We perform a refined determination of distance to the LMC based on our new calibration and photometry from Szewczyk et al. (2008). We study the dependence of the fitted parameters of fiducial relations and the LMC distance on the systematic parallax offset.

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B. Zgirski, G. Pietrzyński, M. Górski, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
24/67

Comments: 32 pages, 9 figures, 9 tables. Accepted for publication in ApJ

Solar Active Region Magnetogram Image Dataset for Studies of Space Weather [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09492


In this dataset we provide a comprehensive collection of magnetograms (images quantifying the strength of the magnetic field) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The dataset incorporates data from three sources and provides SDO Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) magnetograms of solar active regions (regions of large magnetic flux, generally the source of eruptive events) as well as labels of corresponding flaring activity. This dataset will be useful for image analysis or solar physics research related to magnetic structure, its evolution over time, and its relation to solar flares. The dataset will be of interest to those researchers investigating automated solar flare prediction methods, including supervised and unsupervised machine learning (classical and deep), binary and multi-class classification, and regression. This dataset is a minimally processed, user configurable dataset of consistently sized images of solar active regions that can serve as a benchmark dataset for solar flare prediction research.

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L. Boucheron, T. Vincent, J. Grajeda, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
26/67

Comments: N/A

Estimation of Stellar Parameters and Mass Accretion Rate of Classical T Tauri Stars from LAMOST DR6 [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09237


Classical T Tauri stars are low-mass pre-main sequence stars with an active circumstellar environment. In this work we present the identification and study of 260 Classical T Tauri stars using LAMOST Data Release 6, among which 104 stars are newly identified. We distinguish Classical T Tauri stars from Giants and main-sequence dwarfs based on the log g values and the presence of H (alpha) emission line and infrared excess that arises from the circumstellar accretion disk. We estimated the mass and age of 210 stars using the Gaia color-magnitude diagram. The age is from 0.1 to 20 Myr, where 90% of the stars have age below 10 Myr and the mass ranges between 0.11 to 1.9 M(solar). From the measured H(alpha) equivalent widths, we homogeneously estimated the mass accretion rates for 172 stars, with most values ranging from 10^-7 to 10^-10 M(solar) yr^-1. The mass accretion rates are found to follow a power law distribution with the mass of the star, having a relation of the form Macc proportional to M(star)^1.43 +/- 0.26, in agreement with previous studies.

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N. Sabu, B. Mathew, S. Bhaskaran, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
36/67

Comments: 9 pages, 6 figures. Paper has been accepted in Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy

Astrophysical parameters of M dwarfs with exoplanets [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08893


M dwarfs are the most abundant stars in the Universe and are hosts of a rich diversity of planetary companions. In many cases, planets orbiting M dwarfs can be described in remarkable detail. What makes the difference is how deeply we can characterise the host star. This includes to properly model their atmospheres, their abundance of metals, and their activity processes. If they are well described individually, these numerous stars have the potential for providing statistically robust conclusions when combined into larger samples. Carmencita is the input catalogue of nearby M dwarfs for the CARMENES project, which aims to search for potentially habitable Earth-sized planets orbiting them. It contains more than two thousand M dwarfs that are scrutinized by the consortium members from multiple angles. This thesis contributes to the description of each one of these M dwarfs, including astrometry, photometry, activity, kinematics, and multiplicity, but also to the study of the sample as a whole. The empirical observations presented in this study provide an important benchmark for testing and improving theoretical predictions. By taking a careful, individualized approach to the study of M dwarfs, we not only contribute to the study of the Universe’s physical processes, but we also pave the way for future discoveries of the potential for life beyond our own planet. Overall, the findings of this study underscore the importance of continued research into the most numerous stars and their planetary systems. We expect that the wealth of data gathered in this thesis will serve as a valuable resource for astronomers and researchers in related fields, and that it will inspire further investigations and new insights into the processes that shape the Universe.

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C. Cifuentes
Wed, 17 May 23
38/67

Comments: PhD thesis at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2007.15077

Synthesis of elements in compact stars in pycnonuclear reactions with Carbon isotopes: Quasibound states versus states of zero-points vibrations [CL]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09389


(1) Purpose: Conditions of formation of compound nuclear system needed for synthesis of heavy nuclei in pycnonuclear reactions in compact stars are studied on a quantum mechanical basis. (2) Methods: Method of multiple internal reflections is generalized for pycnoreactions in compact stars with new calculations of quasibound spectra and spectra of zero-point vibrations. (3) Results: Peculiarities of the method are analyzed for reaction with isotopes of Carbon. The developed method takes into account continuity and conservation of quantum flux (describing pycnonuclear reaction) inside the full spacial region of reaction including nuclear region. This gives appearance of new states (called as quasibound states), in which compound nuclear systems of Magnesium are formed with the largest probability. These states have not been studied yet in synthesis of elements in stars. Energy spectra of zero-point vibrations and spectra of quasibound states are estimated with high precision for reactions with isotopes of Carbon. At the first time influence of plasma screening on quasibound states and states of zero-point vibrations in pycnonuclear reactions has been studied. (4) Conclusion: The probability of formation of compound nuclear system in quasibound states in pycnonuclear reaction is essentially larger than the probability of formation of this system in states of zero-point vibrations studied by Zel’dovich and followers. So, synthesis of Magnesium from isotopes of Carbon is more probable through the quasibound states than through the states of zero-point vibrations in compact stars. Energy spectra of zero-point vibrations are changed essentially after taking plasma screening into account. Analysis shows that from all studied isotopes of Magnesium only \isotope[24]{Mg} is stable after synthesis at energy of relative motion of 4.881~MeV of incident nuclei \isotope[12]{C}.

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S. Maydanyuk, G. Wolf and K. Shaulskyi
Wed, 17 May 23
39/67

Comments: 15 pages, 4 captured figures, 4 captured tables. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2205.13895

Improved Type III solar radio burst detection using congruent deep learning models [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09327


Solar flares are energetic events in the solar atmosphere that are often linked with solar radio bursts (SRBs). SRBs are observed at metric to decametric wavelengths and are classified into five spectral classes (Type I–V) based on their signature in dynamic spectra. The automatic detection and classification of SRBs is a challenge due to their heterogeneous form. Near-realtime detection and classification of SRBs has become a necessity in recent years due to large data rates generated by advanced radio telescopes such as the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR). In this study, we implement congruent deep learning models to automatically detect and classify Type III SRBs. We generated simulated Type III SRBs, which were comparable to Type IIIs seen in real observations, using a deep learning method known as Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). This simulated data was combined with observations from LOFAR to produce a training set that was used to train an object detection model known as YOLOv2 (You Only Look Once). Using this congruent deep learning model system, we can accurately detect Type III SRBs at a mean Average Precision (mAP) value of 77.71%.

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J. Scully, R. Flynn, P. Gallagher, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
41/67

Comments: N/A

Emission line variability of young 10-30 Mjup companions : I. The case of GQ Lup b and GSC 06214-00210 b [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09460


Emission lines indicative of active accretion have been seen on a handful of low-mass companions (M < 30 MJup) to stars. Line variability is ubiquitous on stellar accretors but has never been characterized in detail on low-mass companions and can give insights on the accretion mechanism at play. We investigate the emission line variability of two low-mass companions (M<30 MJup) to stars to understand their accretion mechanisms. Using J-band observations, we analyze the short to long-term variability of the HI Paschen {\beta} emission line (1.282 {\mu}m) for GQ Lup b and GSC 06214-00210 b. Archival spectroscopic observations are also examined to extend the time span. We compare their line profiles and intensities to more massive accretors and magnetospheric accretion and shock models. Both objects have HI Paschen {\beta} flux variability that is moderate at short timescales (< 50 %) and increases at longer timescales (~1000 % on decade timescales), resembling classical T Tauri stars. GQ Lup b’s line profiles are compatible with magnetospheric accretion. GSC 06214-00210 b’s profiles are reproduced by both magnetospheric accretion and shock models, except for the brightest epoch for which the shock model is highly favored. Both companions have C/O values broadly consistent with solar values. While magnetospheric accretion is favored for GQ Lup b, higher resolution (R > 10000) observations are required to disentangle the two (non-exclusive) line formation mechanisms. The similarity in variability behavior may support similar accretion mechanisms between these low-mass companions and classical T Tauri stars. The significant variability observed at months and longer timescales could explain the low yield of H{\alpha} imaging campaigns.

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D. Demars, M. Bonnefoy, C. Dougados, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
47/67

Comments: 21 pages, 10 figures

On the feasibility of structure inversions for gravity-mode pulsators [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09624


Gravity-mode asteroseismology has significantly improved our understanding of mixing in intermediate mass stars. However, theoretical pulsation periods of stellar models remain in tension with observations, and it is often unclear how the models of these stars should be further improved. Inversions provide a path forward by directly probing the internal structure of these stars from their pulsation periods, quantifying which parts of the model are in need of improvement. This method has been used for solar-like pulsators, but has not yet been applied to main-sequence gravity-mode pulsators. Our aim is to determine whether structure inversions for gravity-mode pulsators are feasible. We focus on the case of slowly rotating SPB stars. We computed and analyzed dipole mode kernels for three variables pairs: $(\rho,c), (N^2,c)$, and $(N^2,\rho)$. We assessed the potential of these kernels by predicting the oscillation frequencies of a model after perturbing its structure. We then tested two inversion methods, RLS and SOLA, using a model grid computed with MESA and GYRE. We find that changing the stellar structure affects the oscillation frequencies in a nonlinear way. The oscillation modes for which this nonlinear dependency is the strongest are in resonance with the near-core peak in the buoyancy frequency. The near core region of the star can be probed with SOLA, while RLS requires fine tuning to obtain accurate results. Both RLS and SOLA are strongly affected by the nonlinear dependencies on the structure differences, as these methods are based on a first-order approximation. These inversion methods need to be modified for meaningful applications of inversions to SPB stars. Our results show that inversions of gravity-mode pulsators are possible in principle, but that the typical inversion methods developed for solar-like oscillators are not applicable. [abridged]

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V. Vanlaer, C. Aerts, E. Bellinger, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
50/67

Comments: Accepted to A&A, 21 pages, 33 figures

Magnetic Activity-Rotation-Age-Mass Relations in Late Pre-main Sequence Stars [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09013


We study the four-dimensional relationships between magnetic activity, rotation, mass and age for solar-type stars in the age range 5-25Myr. This is the late-pre-main sequence (l-PMS) evolutionary phase when rapid changes in star’s interior may lead to the changes in magnetic dynamo mechanisms. We carefully derive rotational periods and spot sizes for 471 members of several l-PMS open clusters using photometric light curves from the Zwicky Transient Facility. Magnetic activity was measured in our previous Chandra-based study, and additional rotational data were obtained from other work. Several results emerge. Mass-dependent evolution of rotation through the l-PMS phase agrees with astrophysical models of stellar angular momentum changes, although the data point to a subpopulation of stars with slower initial rotations than commonly assumed. There is a hint of the onset of unsaturated tachoclinal dependency of X-ray activity on rotation, as reported by Argiroffi et al. (2016), but this result is not confidently confirmed. Both X-ray luminosity and star spot area decrease approximately as t^{-1} for solar mass stars suggesting that spot magnetic fields are roughly constant and l-PMS stars follow the universal solar-scaling law between the X-ray luminosity and surface magnetic flux. Assuming convective dynamos are dominant, theoretical magnetic fluxes fail to reveal the universal law for l-PMS stars that enter late Henyey tracks. Altogether we emerge with a few lines of evidence suggesting that the transition from the turbulent to solar-type dynamo occurs at the later stages of l-PMS evolution as stars approach the Zero-Age Main Sequence.

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K. Getman, E. Feigelson and G. Garmire
Wed, 17 May 23
52/67

Comments: 29 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, May 15, 2022

Modelling supernova nebular lines in 3D with $\texttt{ExTraSS}$ [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08933


We present $\texttt{ExTraSS}$ (EXplosive TRAnsient Spectral Simulator), a newly developed code aimed at generating 3D spectra for supernovae in the nebular phase by using modern multi-dimensional explosion models as input. It is well established that supernovae are asymmetric by nature, and that the morphology is encoded in the line profiles during the nebular phase, months after the explosion. In this work, we use $\texttt{ExTraSS}$ to study one such simulation of a $3.3\,M_\odot$ He-core explosion ($M_\text{ejecta}=1.3\,M_\odot$, $E_\text{kin}=1.05\times10^{51}\,$erg) modelled with the $\texttt{Prometheus-HotB}$ code and evolved to the homologous phase. Our code calculates the energy deposition from the radioactive decay of $^{56}$Ni $\rightarrow$ $^{56}$Co $\rightarrow$ $^{56}$Fe and uses this to determine the Non-Local-Thermodynamic-Equilibrium temperature, excitation and ionization structure across the nebula. From the physical condition solutions we generate the emissivities to construct spectra depending on viewing angles. Our results show large variations in the line profiles with viewing angles, as diagnosed by the first three moments of the line profiles; shifts, widths, and skewness. We compare line profiles from different elements, and study the morphology of line-of-sight slices that determine the flux at each part of a line profile. We find that excitation conditions can sometimes make the momentum vector of the ejecta emitting in the excited states significantly different from that of the bulk of the ejecta of the respective element, thus giving blueshifted lines for bulk receding material, and vice versa. We compare the 3.3 $M_\odot$ He-core model to observations of the Type Ib supernova SN 2007Y.

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B. Baal, A. Jerkstrand, A. Wongwathanarat, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
54/67

Comments: 20 pages, 15 Figures 2 Tables. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Ionized gas metallicity of the strong [OIII]λ emission-line compact galaxies in the LAMOST survey [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09191


This article reports a sample of 1830 strong [O III] {\lambda}5007 emission-line compact galaxies discovered with the LAMOST spectroscopic survey and the photometric catalog of SDSS. We newly identify 402 spectra of 346 strong [O III]{\lambda}5007 emission-line compact galaxies by finding compact isolated point sources. Combined with the samples in our previous work (Liu et al. 2022), this returns a sample of 1830 unique strong [O III]{\lambda}5007 emission-line compact galaxies with 2033 spectra of z <= 0.53. For the sources with 2{\sigma} [OIII]{\lambda}4363 detections, we calculate the gas-phase metallicity with the direct-Te method, and verify that the strong-line metallicity diagnostics calibrated with the direct-Te method also applies to this sample. The strong [O III]{\lambda}5007 emission-line compact galaxies fall below several Te-calibrated mass-metallicity relations. The N/O measurements of the strong [O iii]{\lambda}5007 emission-line compact galaxies mainly locate at a plateau at low metallicity, indicating the product of primary nucleosynthesis. The Ne3O2 and O32 relation follows a tight linear relation with no redshift evolution. The Ne3O2 anti-correlates with the stellar mass, and at fixed stellar mass the Ne3O2 increase with the redshift. Eight sources with asymmetric [O III]{\lambda}5007 emission-line profiles have been identified, however with no [O III]{\lambda}4363 detection, which proves the rich metal content and complex ionized gas kinematics within the galaxies. Higher-resolution spectroscopy will be necessary to identify the ionized gas components in detail.

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S. Liu, A. Luo, W. Zhang, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
59/67

Comments: 20 pages, 13 pictures, accepted by ApJS

Characterising abundance-age relations of GALAH stars using oxygen-enhanced stellar models [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09138


Main Sequence Turn-off stars (MSTO) and subgiant stars are good tracers of galactic populations. We present a study of 41,034 MSTO and subgiant stars from the GALAH survey. Using a grid of stellar models that accounts for the variation of O abundances, we determine their ages with a median age uncertainty of $\sim$9.4 per cent. Our analysis reveals that the ages of high-O stars based on O-enhanced models (OEM models) are smaller than those determined with $\alpha$-enhanced models, resulting in a mean fractional age difference of -5.3 per cent at [O/$\alpha$] = 0.2 and -11.0 per cent at [O/$\alpha$] = 0.4. This age difference significantly impacts the age distribution of thick disc and halo stars, leading to a steeper downward trend in the [Fe/H]-age plane from 8 Gyr to 14 Gyr, indicating a shorter formation time-scale and a faster chemical-enhanced history for these populations. We confirm the V-shape of the normalized age-metallicity distribution $p$($\tau$$\mid$[Fe/H]) of thin disc stars, which is presumably a consequence of the second gas infall. Additionally, we find that the halo stars in our sample can be divided into two sequences, a metal-rich sequence (Splash stars) and a metal-poor sequence (accreted stars), with the Splash stars predominantly older than 9 Gyr and the accreted halo stars older than 10 Gyr. Finally, we observe two distinct sequences in the relations between various chemical abundances and age for disc stars, namely a young sequence with ages $<$ $\sim$8 Gyr and an old sequence with ages $>$ $\sim$8 Gyr.

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T. Sun, X. Chen, S. Bi, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
62/67

Comments: 11 pages, 12 figures

S-type stars from LAMOST DR10: classification of intrinsic and extrinsic stars [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.09294


In this paper, we found 2939 S-type stars from LAMOST Data Release 10 using two machine-learning methods, and 2306 of them were reported for the first time. The main purpose of this work is to study how to divide S-type stars into intrinsic and extrinsic stars with photometric data and LAMOST spectra. Using infrared photometric data, we adopted two methods to distinguish S-type stars, i.e., XGBoost algorithm and color-color diagrams. We trained XGBoost model with 15 input features consisting of colors and absolute magnitudes of Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), AllWISE, AKARI, and IRAS, and found that the model trained by input features with 2MASS, AKARI, and IRAS data has the highest accuracy of 95.52%. Furthermore, using this XGBoost model, we found four color-color diagrams with six infrared color criteria to divide S-type stars, which has an accuracy of about 90%. Applying the two methods to the 2939 S-type stars, 381 (XGBoost)/336 (color-color diagrams) intrinsic and 495 (XGBoost)/82 (color-color diagrams) extrinsic stars were classified, respectively. Using these photometrically classified intrinsic and extrinsic stars, we retrained XGBoost model with their blue and red medium-resolution spectra, and the 2939 stars were divided into 855 intrinsic and 2056 extrinsic stars from spectra with an accuracy of 94.82%. In addition, we also found four spectral regions of Zr I (6451.6A), Ne II (6539.6A), H{\alpha} (6564.5A), and Fe I (6609.1A) and C I (6611.4A) are the most important features, which can reach an accuracy of 92.1% when using them to classify S-type stars.

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J. Chen, Y. Li, A. Luo, et. al.
Wed, 17 May 23
63/67

Comments: 21 pages,13 figures, Accepted by ApJS

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Quiescent Coronal Rain over an Active Region [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08775


The solar corona produces coronal rain, hundreds of times colder and denser material than the surroundings. Coronal rain is known to be deeply linked to coronal heating, but its origin, dynamics, and morphology are still not well understood. The leading theory for its origin is thermal instability (TI) occurring in coronal loops in a state of thermal non-equilibrium (TNE), the TNE-TI scenario. Under steady heating conditions, TNE-TI repeats in cycles, leading to long-period EUV intensity pulsations and periodic coronal rain. In this study, we investigate coronal rain on the large spatial scales of an active region (AR) and over the long temporal scales of EUV intensity pulsations to elucidate its distribution at such scales. We conduct a statistical study of coronal rain observed over an AR off-limb with IRIS and SDO imaging data, spanning chromospheric to transition region (TR) temperatures. The rain is widespread across the AR, irrespective of the loop inclination, and with minimal variation over the 5.45-hour duration of the observation. Most rain has a downward ($87.5\%$) trajectory; however, upward motions ($12.5\%$) are also ubiquitous. The rain dynamics are similar over the observed temperature range, suggesting that the TR and chromospheric emission are co-located on average. The average clump widths and lengths are similar in the SJI channels and wider in the AIA 304 channel. We find ubiquitous long-period EUV intensity pulsations in the AR. Short-term periodicity is found (16 min) linked to the rain appearance, which constitutes a challenge to explain under the TNE-TI scenario.

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S. Şahin, P. Antolin, C. Froment, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
9/83

Comments: N/A

High-resolution [O I] line spectral mapping of TW Hya supportive of magnetothermal wind [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07929


Disk winds are thought to play a critical role in the evolution and dispersal of protoplanetary disks. The primary diagnostic of this physics is emission from the wind, especially in the low-velocity component of the [O I] $\lambda6300$ line. However, the interpretation of the line is usually based on spectroscopy alone, which leads to confusion between magnetohydrodynamic winds and photoevaporative winds. Here, we report that in high-resolution VLT/MUSE spectral mapping of TW~Hya, 80 % of the [O ] emission is confined to within 1 AU radially from the star. A generic model of a magnetothermal wind produces [O I] emission at the base of the wind that broadly matches the flux and the observed spatial and spectral profiles. The emission at large radii is much fainter that predicted from models of photoevaporation, perhaps because the magnetothermal wind partially shields the outer disk from energetic radiation from the central star. This result calls into question the assumed importance of photoevaporation in disk dispersal predicted by models.

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M. Fang, L. Wang, G. Herczeg, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
11/83

Comments: Accepted for publication in Nature Astronomy

Outflows from Short-Lived Neutron-Star Merger Remnants Can Produce a Blue Kilonova [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07738


We present a 3D general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulation of a short-lived neutron star remnant formed in the aftermath of a binary neutron star merger. The simulation uses an M1 neutrino transport scheme to track neutrino-matter interactions and is well-suited to studying the resulting nucleosynthesis and kilonova emission. We find that the ejecta in our simulations under-produce $r$-process abundances beyond the second $r$-process peak. For sufficiently long-lived remnants, these outflows \textit{alone} can produce blue kilonovae, including the blue kilonova component observed for AT2017gfo.

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S. Curtis, P. Bosch, P. Mösta, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
14/83

Comments: 9 pages, 5 figures, submitted to ApJL

Possible Detection of A Flare-associated Coronal Mass Ejection on A M-dwarf [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08294


We here report a probable detection of a stellar coronal mass ejection (CME) in active M dwarf KIC 8093473 by performing an analysis on its time resolved X-ray spectra observed by XMM-Newton satellite. Compared to the value at quiescent state and the interstellar one, our spectral modeling returns a marginal (and probably evolving) excess of hydrogen column density in the flare state at a significance level of 1$\sigma$, which can be understood by an additional absorption due to a flare-associate CME. The CME mass is then estimated to be $\sim7\times10^{18}-2\times10^{20}$ g according to the ice cream cone model.

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J. Wang
Tue, 16 May 23
15/83

Comments: 8 pages, 3 figures and 1 table. To be published in Research in Astron. Astrophys

Faint but not forgotten. I. First results from a search for astrospheres around AGB stars in the far-ultraviolet [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07735


Using the GALEX archive, we have discovered extended structures around ten asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars (out of a total 92 searched) emitting in the far-ultraviolet (FUV) band. In all but one, we find the typical morphology expected for a spherical wind moving relative to, and interacting with the ISM to produce an astrosphere. The exception is V\,Hya whose mass-ejection is known to be highly aspherical, where we find evidence of its large parabolic outflows interacting with the ISM, and its collimated, extreme velocity outflows interacting with the circumstellar medium. For 8 objects with relatively large proper motions, we find (as expected) that the termination-shock region lies in a hemisphere that contains the proper motion vector. Radial intensity cuts for each source have been used to locate the termination shock and the astropause’s outer edge. In a few objects, the cuts also reveal faint emission just outside the astropause that likely arises in shocked ISM material. We have used these data, together with published mass-loss rates and wind expansion velocities, to determine the total mass lost and duration for each source — we find that the duration of and total mass in the shocked wind are significantly larger than their corresponding values for the unshocked wind. The combination of FUV and far-IR data on AGB astrospheres, provides a unique database for theoretical studies (numerical simulations) of wind-ISM interactions. We show that a Cyclical Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometer on a small space-based telescope, can provide high-resolution spectra of astrospheres to confirm the emission mechanism.

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R. Sahai and B. Stenger
Tue, 16 May 23
22/83

Comments: N/A

Intercomparison of Brown Dwarf Model Grids and Atmospheric Retrieval Using Machine Learning [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07719


Understanding differences between sub-stellar spectral data and models has proven to be a major challenge, especially for self-consistent model grids that are necessary for a thorough investigation of brown dwarf atmospheres. Using the supervised machine learning method of the random forest, we study the information content of 14 previously published model grids of brown dwarfs (from 1997 to 2021). The random forest method allows us to analyze the predictive power of these model grids, as well as interpret data within the framework of Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC). Our curated dataset includes 3 benchmark brown dwarfs (Gl 570D, {\epsilon} Indi Ba and Bb) as well as a sample of 19 L and T dwarfs; this sample was previously analyzed in Lueber et al. (2022) using traditional Bayesian methods (nested sampling). We find that the effective temperature of a brown dwarf can be robustly predicted independent of the model grid chosen for the interpretation. However, inference of the surface gravity is model-dependent. Specifically, the BT-Settl, Sonora Bobcat and Sonora Cholla model grids tend to predict logg ~3-4 (cgs units) even after data blueward of 1.2 {\mu}m have been disregarded to mitigate for our incomplete knowledge of the shapes of alkali lines. Two major, longstanding challenges associated with understanding the influence of clouds in brown dwarf atmospheres remain: our inability to model them from first principles and also to robustly validate these models.

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A. Lueber, D. Kitzmann, C. Fisher, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
23/83

Comments: 28 pages, 14 figures, 4 Tables. Under review at AAS Journals. Feedback welcome!

TOI-1994b: A Low Mass Eccentric Brown Dwarf Transiting A Subgiant Star [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08836


We present the discovery of TOI-1994b, a low-mass brown dwarf transiting a hot subgiant star on a moderately eccentric orbit. TOI-1994 has an effective temperature of $7700^{+720}{-410}$ K, V magnitude of 10.51 mag and log(g) of $3.982^{+0.067}{-0.065}$. The brown dwarf has a mass of $22.1^{+2.6}{-2.5}$ $M_J$, a period of 4.034 days, an eccentricity of $0.341^{+0.054}{-0.059}$, and a radius of $1.220^{+0.082}_{-0.071}$ $R_J$. TOI-1994b is more eccentric than other transiting brown dwarfs with similar masses and periods. The population of low mass brown dwarfs may have properties similar to planetary systems if they were formed in the same way, but the short orbital period and high eccentricity of TOI-1994b may contrast this theory. An evolved host provides a valuable opportunity to understand the influence stellar evolution has on the substellar companion’s fundamental properties. With precise age, mass, and radius, the global analysis and characterization of TOI-1994b augments the small number of transiting brown dwarfs and allows the testing of substellar evolution models.

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E. Page, J. Pepper, D. Wright, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
27/83

Comments: 12 pages, 7 figures, Submitted to AAS Journals

The Radial Distribution of Ion-scale Waves in the Inner Heliosphere [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08424


Determining the mechanism responsible for the plasma heating and particle acceleration is a fundamental problem in the study of the heliosphere. Due to efficient wave-particle interactions of ion-scale waves with charged particles, these waves are widely believed to be a major contributor to ion energization, and their contribution considerably depends on the wave occurrence rate. By analyzing the radial distribution of quasi-monochromatic ion-scale waves observed by the Parker Solar Probe, this work shows that the wave occurrence rate is significantly enhanced in the near-Sun solar wind, specifically 21%$-$29% below 0.3 au, in comparison to 6%$-$14% beyond 0.3 au. The radial decrease of the wave occurrence rate is not only induced by the sampling effect of a single spacecraft detection, but also by the physics relating to the wave excitation, such as the enhanced ion beam instability in the near-Sun solar wind. This work also shows that the wave normal angle $\theta$, the absolute value of ellipticity $\epsilon$, the wave frequency $f$ normalized by the proton cyclotron frequency $f_{\mathrm{cp}}$, and the wave amplitude $\delta B$ normalized by the local background magnetic field $B_0$ slightly vary with the radial distance. The median values of $\theta$, $|\epsilon|$, $f$, and $\delta B$ are about $9^\circ$, $0.73$, $3f_{\mathrm{cp}}$, and $0.01B_0$, respectively. Furthermore, this study proposes that the wave mode nature of the observed left-handed and right-handed polarized waves corresponds to the Alfv\’en ion cyclotron mode wave and the fast-magnetosonic whistler mode wave, respectively.

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W. Liu, J. Zhao, T. Wang, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
31/83

Comments: Accepted for publication by The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ)

The Puzzling Structure of Solar Convection: Window into the Dynamo [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08823


The operation of the solar dynamo, with all of its remarkable spatio-temporal ordering, remains an outstanding problem of modern solar physics. A number of mechanisms that might plausibly contribute to its operation have been proposed, but the relative role played by each remains unclear. This uncertainty stems from continuing questions concerning the speed and structure of deep-seated convective flows. Those flows are in-turn thought to sustain both the Sun’s turbulent EMF and the large-scale flows of differential rotation and meridional circulation suspected of influencing the dynamo’s organization and timing. Continued progress in this area is complicated by (i) inconsistencies between helioseismic measurements of convective and meridional flow made with different techniques and instruments, and (ii) a lack of high-latitude data for convection, differential rotation, and meridional flow. We suggest that the path forward to resolving these difficulties is twofold. First, the acquisition of long-term helioseismic and emissivity measurements obtained from a polar vantage point is vital to complete our picture of the Sun’s outer convection zone. Second, sustained and expanded investment in theory-oriented and combined theory/observational research initiatives will be crucial to fully exploit these new observations and to resolve inconsistencies between existing measurements.

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N. Featherstone, K. Augustson, J. Aurnou, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
32/83

Comments: White paper submitted to the Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics 2024-2033. 7 pages; 4 figures

Double outbursts in V544 Her and ASASSN-19yt [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08288


In Kato et al. (2019, arXiv:1909.00910), I reported on a double outburst and rebrightenings in 2018 in V544 Her. Such a phenomenon is usually observed in WZ Sge stars which evolved after the period bounce and the colors of V544 Her in quiescence apparently exclude this possibility. Although this phenomenon was considered to be rare, I detected almost exactly the same one in 2021 using ZTF, ATLAS and ASAS-SN public data. I also detected a phenomenon very similar to this in ASASSN-19yt in 2022. The same object showed a different type of outburst in 2019 whose morphology looked like that of an SS Cyg star. If ASASSN-19yt is an SU UMa star, the morphology of the 2019 outburst would challenge our knowledge in SU UMa stars. If this object, or V544 Her, is an SS Cyg star, what causes a double outburst and rebrightenings would become an unsolved problem in dwarf novae.

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T. Kato
Tue, 16 May 23
36/83

Comments: 7 pages, 6 figures, VSOLJ Variable Star Bulletin No. 117

Spectroscopic follow-up of Gaia exoplanet candidates: Impostor binary stars invade the Gaia DR3 astrometric exoplanet candidates [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08623


In this paper we report on the follow-up of five potential exoplanets detected with Gaia astrometry and provide an overview of what is currently known about the nature of the entire Gaia astrometric exoplanet candidate sample, 72 systems in total. We discuss the primary false-positive scenario for astrometric planet detections: binary systems with alike components that produce small photocenter motions, mimicking exoplanets. These false positives can be identified as double-lined SB2 binaries through analysis of high resolution spectra. Doing so we find that three systems, Gaia DR3 1916454200349735680, Gaia DR3 2052469973468984192, and Gaia DR3 5122670101678217728 are indeed near equal mass double star systems rather than exoplanetary systems. The spectra of the other two analyzed systems, HD 40503 and HIP 66074, are consistent with the exoplanet scenario in that no second set of lines can be found in the time series of publicly available high resolution spectra. However, their Gaia astrometric solutions imply radial-velocity semi-amplitudes $\sim$\,3 (HD 40503) and $\sim$\,15 (HIP 66074) larger than what was observed with ground based spectrographs. The Gaia astrometry orbital solutions and ground-based radial-velocity measurements exhibit inconsistencies in six out of a total of 12 exoplanet candidate systems where such data are available, primarily due to substantial differences between observed ground-based radial-velocity semi-amplitudes and those implied by the Gaia orbits. We investigated various hypotheses as to why this might be the case, and though we found no clear perpetrator, we note that a mismatch in orbital inclination offers the most straightforward explanation.

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M. Marcussen and S. Albrecht
Tue, 16 May 23
37/83

Comments: N/A

Transverse vertical oscillations during the contraction and expansion of coronal loops [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08338


In this paper, we carry out a detailed analysis of the M1.6 class eruptive flare occurring in NOAA active region 13078 on 2022 August 19. The flare is associated with a fast coronal mass ejection (CME) propagating in the southwest direction with an apparent speed of $\sim$926 km s$^{-1}$. Meanwhile, a shock wave is driven by the CME at the flank. The eruption of CME generates an extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) wave expanding outward from the flare site with an apparent speed of $\geq$200 km s$^{-1}$. As the EUV wave propagates eastward, it encounters and interacts with the low-lying adjacent coronal loops (ACLs), which are composed of two loops. The compression of EUV wave results in contraction, expansion, and transverse vertical oscillations of ACLs. The commencements of contraction are sequential from western to eastern footpoints and the contraction lasts for $\sim$15 minutes. The speeds of contraction lie in the range of 13$-$40 km s$^{-1}$ in 171 {\AA} and 8$-$54 km s$^{-1}$ in 193 {\AA}. A long, gradual expansion follows the contraction at lower speeds. Concurrent vertical oscillations are superposed on contraction and expansion of ACLs. The oscillations last for 2$-$9 cycles and the amplitudes are $\leq$4 Mm. The periods are between 3 to 12 minutes with an average value of 6.7 minutes. The results show rich dynamics of coronal loops.

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Q. Zhang, Y. Zhou, C. Li, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
39/83

Comments: 10 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

The GRAVITY young stellar object survey — XI. Probing the inner disk and magnetospheric accretion region of CI Tau [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08170


Aims: We aim at spatially and spectrally resolving the innermost scale of the young stellar object CI Tau to constrain the inner disk properties and better understand the magnetospheric accretion phenomenon. Methods: The high sensitivity offered by the combination of the four 8-m telescopes of the VLTI allied with the spectral resolution of the K-band beam combiner GRAVITY offers a unique capability to probe the sub-au scale of the CI Tau system, tracing both dust and gas emission regions. We develop a geometrical model to fit the interferometric observables and constrain the physical properties of the inner dusty disk. The continuum-corrected pure line visibilities have been used to estimate the size of the Br$\gamma$ emitting region. Results: From the K-band continuum study, we report an highly inclined resolved inner dusty disk, with an inner edge located at a distance of $21\pm2\,R_\star$ from the central star, which is significantly larger than the dust sublimation radius (R${sub}= 4.3$ to $8.6\,R\star$). The inner disk appears misaligned compared to the outer disk observed by ALMA and the non-zero closure phase indicates the presence of a bright asymmetry on the south-west side. From the differential visibilities across the Br$\gamma$ line, we resolve the line emitting region, and measure a size of $4.8^{+0.8}{-1.0}$ $R\star$. Conclusions: The extended inner disk edge compared to the dust sublimation radius is consistent with the claim of an inner planet, CI Tau b, orbiting close-in. The inner-outer disk misalignment may be induced by gravitational torques or magnetic warping. The size of the Br$\gamma$ emitting region is consistent with the magnetospheric accretion process. Assuming it corresponds to the magnetospheric radius, it is significantly smaller than the co-rotation radius, which suggests an unstable accretion regime that is consistent with CI Tau being a burster.

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G. Collaboration, A. Soulain, K. Perraut, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
41/83

Comments: 12 pages, 13 figures

Peculiar Spectral Evolution of the Type I Supernova 2019eix: A Possible Double Detonation from a Helium Shell on a Sub-Chandrasekhar-mass White Dwarf [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07708


We present photometric and spectroscopic data for the nearby Type I supernova (SN Ia) 2019eix (originally classified as a SN Ic), from its discovery day up to 100 days after maximum brightness. Before maximum light SN 2019eix resembles a typical SN Ic, albeit lacking the usual \ion{O}{1} feature. Its lightcurve is similar to the typical SN Ic with decline rates of ($\Delta M_{15,V}= 0.84$) and absolute magnitude of $M_{V}= -18.35$. However, after maximum light this SN has unusual spectroscopic features, a large degree of line blending, significant line blanketing in the blue ($\lambda < 5000$\AA), and strong Ca II absorption features during and after peak brightness. These unusual spectral features are similar to models of sub-luminous thermonuclear explosions, specifically double-detonation models of SNe Ia. Photometrically SN 2019eix appears to be somewhat brighter with slower decline rates than other double detonation candidates. We modeled the spectra using the radiative transfer code TARDIS using SN 1994I (a SN Ic) as a base model to see whether we could reproduce the unusual features of SN 2019eix and found them to be consistent with the exception of the \ion{O}{1} feature. We also compared SN 2019eix with double detonation models and found them to match the observations of SN 2019eix best, but failed to reproduce its full photometric and spectroscopic evolution.

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E. Gonzalez, D. Howell, J. Burke, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
44/83

Comments: 24 pages, 16 figures, submitted to ApJ

Sunspot positions from observations by Flaugergues in the Dalton Minimum [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08417


French astronomer Honor\’e Flaugergues compiled astronomical observations in a series of hand-written notebooks for 1782$\unicode{x2013}$1830, which are preserved at Paris Observatory. We reviewed these manuscripts and encoded the records that contain sunspot measurements into a numerical table for further analysis. All measurements are timings and we found three types of measurements allowing the reconstruction of heliographic coordinates. In the first case, the Sun and sunspots cross vertical and horizontal wires, in the second case, one vertical and two mirror-symmetric oblique wires, and in the third case, a rhombus-shaped set of wires. Additionally, timings of two solar eclipses also provided a few sunspot coordinates. As a result, we present the time–latitude (butterfly) diagram of the reconstructed sunspot coordinates, which covers the period of the Dalton Minimum and confirms consistency with those of Derfflinger and Prantner. We identify four solar cycles in this diagram and discuss the observed peculiarities as well as the data reliability.

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E. Illarionov and R. Arlt
Tue, 16 May 23
50/83

Comments: N/A

Surface magnetism in the pulsating RV Tauri star R Scuti [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07849


We present the surface magnetic field conditions of the brightest pulsating RV Tauri star, R Sct. Our investigation is based on the longest spectropolarimetric survey ever performed on this variable star. The analysis of high resolution spectra and circular polarization data give sharp information on the dynamics of the atmosphere and the surface magnetism, respectively. Our analysis shows that surface magnetic field can be detected at different phases along a pulsating cycle, and that it may be related to the presence of a radiative shock wave periodically emerging out of the photosphere and propagating throughout the stellar atmosphere.

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S. Georgiev, A. Lèbre, E. Josselin, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
55/83

Comments: 16 pages, 14 figures

Comparative study of TESS photometry and radial velocities on six early K-type contact binaries with similar periods around 0.268 days [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08198


High-precision light curves were extracted from TESScut images. Together with APOGEE and LAMOST medium resolution spectra, a joint study was made for six early K-type contact binary candidates selected unbiasedly with orbital periods around 0.268 days. It is found that all of them (RV CVn, EK Com, V384 Ser, V1038 Her, EH CVn, and CSS$_$J125403.7+503945) are W-subtype shallow contact systems though with different mass ratios ($1/q$ = 0.27–0.62). The effective temperature differences between binary components are around a few hundred Kelvins. The original definition of A- and W-subtypes were compared with the customarily used methods which rely on the shape or on the photometric solutions of light curves. The latter two methods are not always reliable and therefore the radial velocity analysis is strongly recommended. Through a collection of all available K-type contact binaries with both photometric and spectroscopic measurements, it is found that almost all of them are W-subtype systems, except a few objects which have nearly identical temperatures for binary components. This W-subtype phenomenon for K-type contact binaries should be further checked with more samples in the future. Finally, the physical parameters of the targets were determined with joint data analysis and the multiplicity is discussed for these targets. V384 Ser and RV CVn are confirmed very likely to be triple systems from comprehensive analysis, while V1038 Her is a candidate of a triple system based on photometric and spectroscopic solutions.

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N. Liu, S. Qian, W. Liao, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
59/83

Comments: N/A

Identification of molecular clouds in emission maps: a comparison between methods in the \ce{^{13}CO}/\ce{C^{18}O} ($J=3-2$) Heterodyne Inner Milky Way Plane Survey [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07874


The growing range of automated algorithms for the identification of molecular clouds and clumps in large observational datasets has prompted the need for the direct comparison of these procedures. However, these methods are complex and testing for biases is often problematic: only a few of them have been applied to the same data set or calibrated against a common standard. We compare the Fellwalker method, a widely used watershed algorithm, to the more recent Spectral Clustering for Interstellar Molecular Emission Segmentation (SCIMES). SCIMES overcomes sensitivity and resolution biases that plague many friends-of-friends algorithms by recasting cloud segmentation as a clustering problem. Considering the \ce{^{13}CO}/\ce{C^{18}O} ($J = 3 – 2$) Heterodyne Inner Milky Way Plane Survey (CHIMPS) and the CO High-Resolution Survey (COHRS), we investigate how these two different approaches influence the final cloud decomposition. Although the two methods produce largely similar statistical results over the CHIMPS dataset, FW appears prone to over-segmentation, especially in crowded fields where gas envelopes around dense cores are identified as adjacent, distinct objects. FW catalogue also includes a number of fragmented clouds that appear as different objects in a line-of-sight projection. In addition, cross-correlating the physical properties of individual sources between catalogues is complicated by different definitions, numerical implementations, and design choices within each method, which make it very difficult to establish a one-to-one correspondence between the sources.

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R. Rani, T. Moore, D. Eden, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
64/83

Comments: accepted MNRAS

Thermal instabilities in accretion disks II: Numerical Experiments for the Goldreich-Schubert-Fricke Instability and the Convective Overstability in disks around young stars [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08165


The linear stability analysis of a stratified rotating fluid (see paper I) showed that disks with a baroclinic stratification under the influence of thermal relaxation will become unstable to thermal instabilities. One instability is the Goldreich-Schubert-Fricke instability (GSF), which is the local version of the Vertical Shear Instability (VSI) and the other is a thermal overstability, the Convective Overstability (COS).
In the present paper we reproduce the analytic predicted growth rates for both instabilities in numerical experiments of small axisymmetric sections of vertically isothermal disks with a radial temperature gradient, especially for cooling times longer than the critical cooling time for VSI. In this cooling time regime our simulations reveal the simultaneous and independent growth of both modes: COS and GSF. We consistently observe that GSF modes exhibit a faster growth rate compared to COS modes. Near the midplane, GSF modes eventually stop growing, while COS modes continue to grow and ultimately dominate the flow pattern.
Away from the midplane, we find GSF modes to saturate, when bands of constant angular momentum have formed. In these bands we observe the formation and growth of eddies driven by the baroclinic term, further enhancing the velocity perturbations. In geophysics this effect is known as horizontal convection or sea-breeze instability. Three-dimensional simulations will have to show whether similar effects will occur when axisymmetry is not enforced. Our local simulations help to reveal the numerical resolution requirements to observe thermal instabilities in global simulations of disks around young stars.

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H. Klahr, H. Baehr and J. Fuksman
Tue, 16 May 23
66/83

Comments: ApJ, in press: 27 pages, 18 figures, 4 Movies

Tidal Spin-up of Black Hole Progenitor Stars [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08356


Gravitational wave observations indicate the existence of merging black holes (BHs) with high spin ($a\gtrsim0.3$), whose formation pathways are still an open question. A possible way to form those binaries is through the tidal spin-up of a Wolf-Rayet (WR) star by its BH companion. In this work, we investigate this scenario by directly calculating the tidal excitation of oscillation modes in WR star models, determining the tidal spin-up rate, and integrating the coupled spin-orbit evolution for WR-BH binaries. We find that for short-period orbits and massive WR stars, the tidal interaction is mostly contributed by standing gravity modes, in contrast to Zahn’s model of travelling waves which is frequently assumed in the literature. The standing modes are less efficiently damped than traveling waves, meaning that prior estimates of tidal spin-up may be overestimated. We show that tidal synchronization is rarely reached in WR-BH binaries, and the resulting BH spins have $a \lesssim 0.4$ for all but the shortest period ($P_{\rm orb} ! \lesssim 0.5 \, {\rm d}$) binaries. Tidal spin-up in lower-mass systems is more efficient, providing an anti-correlation between the mass and spin of the BHs, which could be tested in future gravitational wave data. Non-linear damping processes are poorly understood but may allow for more efficient tidal spin-up. We also discuss a new class of gravito-thermal modes that appear in our calculations.

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L. Ma and J. Fuller
Tue, 16 May 23
68/83

Comments: Revised after referee report from ApJ. Comments welcome

Ground-based monitoring of the variability of visible Solar spectral lines for improved understanding of solar and stellar magnetism and dynamics [IMA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07676


Long-term high-cadence measurements of stellar spectral variability are fundamental to better understand stellar atmospheric properties and stellar magnetism. These, in turn, are fundamental for the detectability of exoplanets as well as the characterization of their atmospheres and habitability. The Sun, viewed as a star via disk-integrated observations, offers a means of exploring such measurements while also offering the spatially resolved observations that are necessary to discern the causes of observed spectral variations. High-spectral resolution observations of the solar spectrum are fundamental for a variety of Earth-system studies, including climate influences, renewable energies, and biology. The Integrated Sunlight Spectrometer at SOLIS, has been acquiring daily high-spectral resolution Sun-as-a-star measurements since 2006.More recently, a few ground-based telescopes with the capability of monitoring the solar visible spectrum at high spectral resolution have been deployed (e.g. PEPSI, HARPS, NEID). However, the main scientific goal of these instruments is to detect exo-planets, and solar observations are acquired mainly as a reference. Consequently, their technical requirements are not ideal to monitor solar variations with high photometric stability, especially over solar-cycle temporal scales.The goal of this white paper is to emphasize the scientific return and explore the technical requirements of a network of ground-based spectrographs devoted to long-term monitoring of disk-integrated solar-spectral variability with high spectral resolution and high photometric stability, in conjunction with disk-resolved observations in selected spectral lines,to complement planet-hunter measurements and stellar-variability studies. The proposed network of instruments offers the opportunity for a larger variety of multidisciplinary studies.

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S. Criscuoli, L. Bertello, D. Choudhary, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
73/83

Comments: Submitted to the Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033

Fast rotating Blue Stragglers prefer loose clusters [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08478


Blue stragglers are anomalously luminous core hydrogen-burning stars formed through mass-transfer in binary/triple systems and stellar collisions. Their physical and evolutionary properties are largely unknown and unconstrained. Here we analyze 320 high-resolution spectra of blue stragglers collected in eight galactic globular clusters with different structural characteristics and show evidence that the fraction of fast rotating blue stragglers (with rotational velocities larger than 40 km/s) increases for decreasing central density of the host system. This trend suggests that fast spinning blue stragglers prefer low-density environments and promises to open an unexplored route towards understanding the evolutionary processes of these stars. Since large rotation rates are expected in the early stages of both formation channels, our results provide direct evidence for recent blue straggler formation activity in low-density environments and put strong constraints on the timescale of the collisional blue straggler slow-down processes.

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F. Ferraro, A. Mucciarelli, B. Lanzoni, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
75/83

Comments: Published in Nature Communications

Full velocities and propagation directions of coronal mass ejections inferred from simultaneous full-disk imaging and Sun-as-a-star spectroscopic observations [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.08765


Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are violent ejections of magnetized plasma from the Sun, which can trigger geomagnetic storms, endanger satellite operations and destroy electrical infrastructures on the Earth. After systematically searching Sun-as-a-star spectra observed by the Extreme-ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) from May 2010 to May 2022, we identified eight CMEs associated with flares and filament eruptions by analyzing the blue-wing asymmetry of the O III 52.58 nm line profiles. Combined with images simultaneously taken by the 30.4 nm channel of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly onboard SDO, the full velocity and propagation direction for each of the eight CMEs are derived. We find a strong correlation between geomagnetic indices (Kp and Dst) and the angle between the CME propagation direction and the Sun-Earth line, suggesting that Sun-as-a-star spectroscopic observations at EUV wavelengths can potentially help to improve the prediction accuracy of the geoeffectiveness of CMEs. Moreover, an analysis of synthesized long-exposure Sun-as-a-star spectra implies that it is possible to detect CMEs from other stars through blue-wing asymmetries or blueshifts of spectral lines.

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H. Lu, H. Tian, H. Chen, et. al.
Tue, 16 May 23
81/83

Comments: Accepted by ApJ

All-Sky Faint DA White Dwarf Spectrophotometric Standards for Astrophysical Observatories: The Complete Sample [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07563


Hot DA white dwarfs have fully radiative pure hydrogen atmospheres that are the least complicated to model. Pulsationally stable, they are fully characterized by their effective temperature Teff, and surface gravity log g, which can be deduced from their optical spectra and used in model atmospheres to predict their spectral energy distribution (SED). Based on this, three bright DAWDs have defined the spectrophotometric flux scale of the CALSPEC system of HST. In this paper we add 32 new fainter (16.5 < V < 19.5) DAWDs spread over the whole sky and within the dynamic range of large telescopes. Using ground based spectra and panchromatic photometry with HST/WFC3, a new hierarchical analysis process demonstrates consistency between model and observed fluxes above the terrestrial atmosphere to < 0.004 mag rms from 2700 {\AA} to 7750 {\AA} and to 0.008 mag rms at 1.6{\mu}m for the total set of 35 DAWDs. These DAWDs are thus established as spectrophotometric standards with unprecedented accuracy from the near ultraviolet to the near-infrared, suitable for both ground and space based observatories. They are embedded in existing surveys like SDSS, PanSTARRS and GAIA, and will be naturally included in the LSST survey by Rubin Observatory. With additional data and analysis to extend the validity of their SEDs further into the IR, these spectrophotometric standard stars could be used for JWST, as well as for the Roman and Euclid observatories.

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T. Axelrod, A. Saha, T. Matheson, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
4/53

Comments: Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal

Large-scale Velocity-coherent Filaments in the SEDIGISM Survey: Association with Spiral Arms and Fraction of Dense Gas [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07353


Context. Filamentary structures in the interstellar medium are closely related to star formation. Dense gas mass fraction (DGMF) or clump formation efficiency in large-scale filaments possibly determine their hosting star formation activities. Aims. We aim to automatically identify large-scale filaments, characterize them, investigate their association with Galactic structures, and study their DGMFs. Methods. We use a modified minimum spanning tree (MST) algorithm to chain parsec-scale 13CO clumps previously extracted from the SEDIGISM (Structure, Excitation, and Dynamics of the Inner Galactic InterStellar Medium) survey. The MST connects nodes in a graph such that the sum of edge lengths is minimum. Modified MST also ensures velocity coherence between nodes, so the identified filaments are coherent in position-position-velocity (PPV) space. Results. We generate a catalog of 88 large-scale ($>10pc$) filaments in the inner Galactic plane (with $-60^\circ < l < 18^\circ and $|b| < 0.5^\circ$). These SEDIGISM filaments are larger and less dense than MST filaments previously identified from the BGPS and ATLASGAL surveys. We find that eight of the filaments run along spiral arms and can be regarded as “bones” of the Milky Way. We also find three bones associated with the Local Spur in PPV space. By compiling 168 large-scale filaments with available DGMF across the Galaxy, an order of magnitude more than previously investigated, we find that DGMFs do not correlate with Galactic location, but bones have higher DGMFs than other filaments.

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Y. Ge, K. Wang, A. Duarte-Cabral, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
8/53

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A. 30 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables

Overstable Convective Modes in a Polytropic Stellar Atmosphere [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07064


Within the convection zone of a rotating star, the presence of the Coriolis force stabilizes long-wavelength convective modes. These modes, which would have been unstable if the star lacked rotation, are called overstable convective modes or thermal Rossby waves. We demonstrate that the Sun’s rotation rate is sufficiently rapid that the lower half of its convection zone could possess overstable modes. Further, we present an analytic solution for atmospheric waves that reside within a polytropic stratification. We explore in detail the properties of the overstable and unstable wave modes that exist when the polytrope is weakly unstable to convective overturning. Finally, we discuss how the thermal Rossby waves that reside within the convection zone of a star might couple with the prograde branch of the $g$ modes that are trapped within the star’s radiative zone. We suggest that such coupling might enhance the photospheric visibility of a subset of the Sun’s $g$ modes.

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B. Hindman and R. Jain
Mon, 15 May 23
9/53

Comments: 11 pages, 6 figures, published in the Astrophysical Journal (this https URL)

Spectroscopic substellar initial mass function of NGC 2244 [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07158


We aim at characterizing the low-mass (sub)stellar population of the central portion (2.4 pc$^2$) of the $\sim$2 Myr old cluster NGC 2244 using near infrared spectroscopy. By studying this cluster, characterized by a low stellar density and numerous OB stars, we aim at exploring the effect that OB stars may have on the production of BDs. We obtain near infrared HK spectroscopy of 85 faint candidate members of NGC 2244. We derive the spectral type and extinction by comparison with spectral templates. We evaluate cluster membership using three gravity-sensitive spectral indices based on the shape of the $H$-band. Furthermore, we evaluate the infrared excess from Spitzer of all the candidate members of the cluster. Finally, we estimate the mass of all the candidate members of the cluster and derive the initial mass function, star-to-BD number ratio and disk fraction. The initial mass function is well represented by a power law ($dN/dM \propto M^{-\alpha}$) below 0.4 $M_\odot$, with a slope $\alpha$ = 0.7-1.1 depending on the fitted mass range. We calculate a star-to-BD number ratio of 2.2-2.8. We find the low-mass population of NGC 2244 to be consistent with nearby star-forming regions, although it is at the high-end of BD production. We find BDs in NGC 2244 to be on average closer to OB stars than to low-mass stars, which could potentially be the first evidence of OB stars affecting the formation of BDs. We find a disk fraction of all the members with spectral type later than K0 of 39$\pm$9% which is lower than typical values found in nearby star-forming regions of similar ages.

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V. Almendros-Abad, K. Mužić, H. Bouy, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
12/53

Comments: Accepted by A&A, KMOS spectroscopic data will be made public on Vizier upon publication

First detection of deuterated methylidyne (CD) in the interstellar medium [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07143


While the abundance of elemental deuterium is relatively low (D/H ~ a few 1E-5), orders of magnitude higher D/H abundance ratios have been found for many interstellar molecules, enhanced by deuterium fractionation. In cold molecular clouds (T < 20K) deuterium fractionation is driven by the H2D+ ion, whereas at higher temperatures (T > 20-30K) gas-phase deuteration is controlled by reactions with CH2D+ and C2HD+. While the role of H2D+ in driving cold interstellar deuterium chemistry is well understood, thanks to observational constraints from direct measurements of H2D+, deuteration stemming from CH2D+ is far less understood, caused by the absence of direct observational constraints of its key ions. Therefore, making use of chemical surrogates is imperative for exploring deuterium chemistry at intermediate temperatures. Formed at an early stage of ion-molecule chemistry, directly from the dissociative recombination of CH3+ (CH2D+), CH (CD) is an ideal tracer for investigating deuterium substitution initiated by reactions with CH2D+. This paper reports the first detection of CD in the interstellar medium, carried out using the APEX 12m telescope toward the widely studied low-mass protostellar system IRAS 16293-2422. Gas-phase chemical models reproducing the observed CD/CH abundance ratio of 0.016 suggests that it reflects `warm deuterium chemistry’ (which ensues in moderately warm conditions of the interstellar medium) and illustrates the potential use of the CD/CH ratio in constraining the gas temperatures of the envelope gas clouds it probes.

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A. Jacob, K. Menten, F. Wyrowski, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
14/53

Comments: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics (14 pages, 11 figures and 7 tables including Appendix)

Trajectories of Coronal Mass Ejection from Solar-type Stars [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07159


The Sun and other solar-type stars have magnetic fields that permeate their interior and surface, extends through the interplanetary medium, and is the main driver of stellar activity. Stellar magnetic activity affects physical processes and conditions of the interplanetary medium and orbiting planets. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the most impacting of these phenomena in near-Earth space weather, and consist of plasma clouds, with magnetic field, ejected from the solar corona. Precisely predicting the trajectory of CMEs is crucial in determining whether a CME will hit a planet and impact its magnetosphere and atmosphere. Despite the rapid developments in the search for stellar CMEs, their detection is still very incipient. In this work we aim to better understand the propagation of CMEs by analysing the influence of initial parameters on CME trajectories, such as position, velocities, and stellar magnetic field’s configuration. We reconstruct magnetograms for Kepler-63 (KIC 11554435) and Kepler-411 (KIC 11551692) from spot transit mapping, and use a CME deflection model, ForeCAT, to simulate trajectories of hypothetical CMEs launched into the interplanetary medium from Kepler-63 and Kepler-411. We apply the same methodology to the Sun, for comparison. Our results show that in general, deflections and rotations of CMEs decrease with their radial velocity, and increase with ejection latitude. Moreover, magnetic fields stronger than the Sun’s, such as Kepler-63’s, tend to cause greater CME deflections.

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F. Menezes, A. Valio, Y. Netto, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
19/53

Comments: N/A

Zeeman Doppler Imaging of ksi Boo A and B [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07470


We present a magnetic-field surface map for both stellar components of the young visual binary ksi Boo AB (A: G8V, B: K5V). Employed are high resolution Stokes-V spectra obtained with the Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and Spectroscopic Instrument (PEPSI) at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Stokes V line profiles are inverted with our iMAP software and compared to previous inversions. We employed an iterative regularization scheme without the need of a penalty function and incorporated a three-component description of the surface magnetic-field vector. The spectral resolution of our data is 130,000 (0.040-0.055A) and have signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of up to three thousand per pixel depending on wavelength. A singular-value decomposition (SVD) of a total of 1811 spectral lines is employed for averaging Stokes-V profiles. Our mapping is accompanied by a residual bootstrap error analysis. Magnetic flux densities of the radial field component of up to plus/minus 115 +/- 5 G were reconstructed for ksi Boo A while up to plus/minus 55 +/- 3G were reconstructed for ksi Boo B. ksi Boo A’s magnetic morphology is characterized by a very high latitude, nearly polar, spot of negative polarity and three low-to-mid latitude spots of positive polarity while ksi Boo B’s morphology is characterized by four low-to-mid latitude spots of mixed polarity. No polar magnetic field is reconstructed for the cooler ksi Boo B star. Both our maps are dominated by the radial field component, containing 86 and 89 percent of the magnetic energy of ksi Boo A and B, respectively. We found only weak azimuthal and meridional field densities on both stars (plus/minus 15-30 G), about a factor two weaker than what was seen previously for ksi Boo A. The phase averaged longitudinal field component and dispersion is +4.5 +/- 1.5G for ksi Boo A and -5.0 +/- 3.0 G for ksi Boo B.

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K. Strassmeier, T. Carroll and I. Ilyin
Mon, 15 May 23
25/53

Comments: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted at A&A. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1902.11201

Efficient radial migration by giant molecular clouds in the first several hundred Myr after the stellar birth [GA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07050


Stars in the Galactic disc, including the Solar system, have deviated from their birth orbits and have experienced radial mixing and vertical heating. By performing hydrodynamical simulations of a galactic disc, we investigate how much tracer particles, which are initially located in the disc to mimic newborn stars and the thin and thick disc stars, are displaced from initial near-circular orbits by gravitational interactions with giant molecular clouds (GMCs). To exclude the influence of other perturbers that can change the stellar orbits, such as spiral arms and the bar, we use an axisymmetric form for the entire galactic potential. First, we investigate the time evolution of the radial and vertical velocity dispersion $\sigma_R$ and $\sigma_z$ by comparing them with a power law relation of $\sigma \propto t^{\beta}$. Although the exponents $\beta$ decrease with time, they keep large values of 0.3 $\sim$ 0.6 for 1 Gyr, indicating fast and efficient disc heating. Next, we find that the efficient stellar scattering by GMCs also causes a change in angular momentum for each star and, therefore, radial migration. This effect is more pronounced in newborn stars than old disc stars; nearly 30 per cent of stars initially located on the galactic mid-plane move more than 1 kpc in the radial direction for 1 Gyr. The dynamical heating and radial migration drastically occur in the first several hundred Myr. As the amplitude of the vertical oscillation increases, the time spent in the galactic plane, where most GMCs are distributed, decreases, and the rate of an increase in the heating and migration slows down.

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Y. Fujimoto, S. Inutsuka and J. Baba
Mon, 15 May 23
29/53

Comments: 17 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to MNRAS. The simulation movie can be found at this https URL

Statistics of Magrathea exoplanets beyond the Main Sequence. Simulating the long-term evolution of circumbinary giant planets with TRES [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07057


Notwithstanding the tremendous growth of the exoplanetary field in the last decade, limited attention has been paid to the planets around binary stars. Circumbinary planets (CBPs) have been discovered primarily around Main Sequence (MS) stars. No exoplanet has been found orbiting double white dwarf (DWD) binaries yet. We modelled the long-term evolution of CBPs, throughout the life stages of their hosts, from MS to white dwarf (WD). Our goal is to provide the community with both theoretical constraints on CBPs evolution beyond the MS and the occurrence rates of planet survival. We further developed the publicly available Triple Evolution Simulation (TRES) code, implementing a variety of physical processes affecting substellar bodies. We then used this code to simulate the evolution, up to one Hubble time, of two synthetic populations of circumbinary giant planets. Each population has been generated using different priors for the planetary orbital parameters. In our simulated populations we identified several evolutionary categories, such as survived, merged, and destabilised systems. Our primary focus is those systems where the planet survived the entire system evolution and orbits a DWD binary, which we call “Magrathea” planets. We found that a significant fraction of simulated CBPs survive and become Magratheas. In the absence of multi-planet migration mechanisms, this category of planets is characterised by long orbital periods. Magrathea planets are a natural outcome of triple systems evolution, and they could be relatively common in the Galaxy. They can survive the death of their binary hosts if they orbit far enough to avoid engulfment and instabilities. Our results can ultimately be a reference to orient future observations of this uncharted class of planets and to compare different theoretical models.

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G. Columba, C. Danielski, A. Dorozsmai, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
31/53

Comments: Accepted for publication on A&A. 17 pages (+7 in the appendix), 8 figures (+9 in the appendix), 3 tables

CHEOPS's hunt for exocomets: photometric observations of 5 Vul [EPA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07578


The presence of minor bodies in exoplanetary systems is in most cases inferred through infra-red excesses, with the exception of exocomets. Even if over 35 years have passed since the first detection of exocomets around beta Pic, only ~ 25 systems are known to show evidence of evaporating bodies, and most of them have only been observed in spectroscopy. With the appearance of new high-precision photometric missions designed to search for exoplanets, such as CHEOPS, a new opportunity to detect exocomets is available. Combining data from CHEOPS and TESS we investigate the lightcurve of 5 Vul, an A-type star with detected variability in spectroscopy, to search for non periodic transits that could indicate the presence of dusty cometary tails in the system. While we did not find any evidence of minor bodies, the high precision of the data, along with the combination with previous spectroscopic results and models, allows for an estimation of the sizes and spatial distribution of the exocomets.

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I. Rebollido, S. Zieba, D. Iglesias, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
32/53

Comments: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

On collective nature of nonlinear torsional Alfvén waves [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07485


Torsional Alfv\’en waves in coronal plasma loops are usually considered to be non-collective, i.e. consist of cylindrical surfaces evolving independently, which significantly complicates their detection in observations. This non-collective nature, however, can get modified in the nonlinear regime. To address this question, the propagation of nonlinear torsional Alfv\’en waves in straight magnetic flux tubes has been investigated numerically using the astrophysical MHD code Athena++ and analytically, to support numerical results, using the perturbation theory up to the second order. Numerical results have revealed that there is radially uniform induced density perturbation whose uniformity does not depend on the radial structure of the mother Alfv\’en wave. Our analysis showed that the ponderomotive force leads to the induction of the radial and axial velocity perturbations, while the mechanism for the density perturbation is provided by a non-equal elasticity of a magnetic flux tube in the radial and axial directions. The latter can be qualitatively understood by the interplay between the Alfv\’en wave perturbations, external medium, and the flux tube boundary conditions. The amplitude of these nonlinearly induced density perturbations is found to be determined by the amplitude of the Alfv\’en driver squared and the plasma parameter $\beta$. The existence of the collective and radially uniform density perturbation accompanying nonlinear torsional Alfv\’en waves could be considered as an additional observational signature of Alfv\’en waves in the upper layers of the solar atmosphere.

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S. Belov, D. Riashchikov, D. Kolotkov, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
39/53

Comments: N/A

The nuclear reaction network WinNet [IMA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07048


We present the state-of-the-art single-zone nuclear reaction network WinNet that is capable of calculating the nucleosynthetic yields of a large variety of astrophysical environments and conditions. This ranges from the calculation of the primordial nucleosynthesis where only a few nuclei are considered to the ejecta of neutron star mergers with several thousands of involved nuclei. Here we describe the underlying physics and implementation details of the reaction network. We additionally present the numerical implementation of two different integration methods, the implicit Euler method and Gears method along with their advantages and disadvantages. We furthermore describe basic example cases of thermodynamic conditions that we provide together with the network and demonstrate the reliability of the code by using simple test cases. Once the manuscript has been accepted for publication, WinNet will be publicly available and open source.

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M. Reichert, C. Winteler, O. Korobkin, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
44/53

Comments: N/A

Observational predictions for Thorne-Żytkow objects [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07337


Thorne-$.Z$ytkow objects (T$.Z$O) are potential end products of the merger of a neutron star with a non-degenerate star. In this work, we have computed the first grid of evolutionary models of T$.Z$Os with the MESA stellar evolution code. With these models, we predict several observational properties of T$.Z$Os, including their surface temperatures and luminosities, pulsation periods, and nucleosynthetic products. We expand the range of possible T$.Z$O solutions to cover $3.45 \lesssim \log \left(T/K\right) \lesssim 3.65$ and $4.85 \lesssim \log \left(L/L_{\odot}\right) \lesssim 5.5$. Due to the much higher densities our T$.Z$Os reach compared to previous models, if T$.Z$Os form we expect them to be stable over a larger mass range than previously predicted, without exhibiting a gap in their mass distribution. Using the GYRE stellar pulsation code we show that T$.Z$Os should have fundamental pulsation periods of 1000–2000 days, and period ratios of $\approx$0.2–0.3. Models computed with a large 399 isotope fully-coupled nuclear network show a nucleosynthetic signal that is different to previously predicted. We propose a new nucleosynthetic signal to determine a star’s status as a T$.Z$O: the isotopologues $^{44}\rm{Ti} \rm{O}_2$ and $^{44}\rm{Ti} \rm{O}$, which will have a shift in their spectral features as compared to stable titanium-containing molecules. We find that in the local Universe (~SMC metallicities and above) T$.Z$Os show little heavy metal enrichment, potentially explaining the difficulty in finding T$.Z$Os to-date.

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R. Farmer, M. Renzo, Y. Götberg, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
46/53

Comments: 17 pages, 16 figures, 3 Tables, Sumbitedd to MNRAS, Zenodo data available this https URL

Stellar Characterization and Radius Inflation of Hyades M Dwarf Stars From the APOGEE Survey [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07065


We present a spectroscopic analysis of a sample of 48 M dwarf stars ($0.2 M_{\odot}< M < 0.6 M_{\odot}$) from the Hyades open cluster using high-resolution H-band spectra from the SDSS/APOGEE survey. Our methodology adopts spectrum synthesis with LTE MARCS model atmospheres, along with the APOGEE DR17 line list, to determine effective temperatures, surface gravities, metallicities, and projected rotational velocities. The median metallicity obtained for the Hyades M dwarfs is [M/H]= 0.09$\pm$0.03 dex, indicating a small internal uncertainty and good agreement with optical results for Hyades red-giants. Overall, the median radii are larger than predicted by stellar models by 1.6$\pm$2.3\% and 2.4$\pm$2.3\%, relative to a MIST and DARTMOUTH isochrone, respectively. We emphasize, however, that these isochrones are different and the fractional radius inflation for the fully- and partially-convective regimes have distinct behaviors depending on the isochrone. Using a MIST isochrone there is no evidence of radius inflation for the fully convective stars, while for the partially convective M-dwarfs the radii are inflated by 2.7$\pm$2.1\%, which is in agreement with predictions from models that include magnetic fields. For the partially-convective stars, rapid-rotators present on average higher inflation levels than slow-rotators. The comparison with SPOTS isochrone models indicates that the derived M dwarf radii can be explained by accounting for stellar spots in the photosphere of the stars, with 76\% of the studied M dwarfs having up to 20\% spot coverage, and the most inflated stars with $\sim$20 — 40\% spot coverage.

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F. Wanderley, K. Cunha, D. Souto, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
47/53

Comments: Accepted for publication by The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ)

Improving the Understanding of Subsurface Structure and Dynamics of Solar Active Regions (A white paper submitted to the decadal survey for solar and space Physics (Heliophysics) — SSPH 2024-2033) [SSA]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07585


The goal of helioseismology is to provide accurate information about the Sun’s interior from the observations of the wave field at its surface. In the last three decades, both global and local helioseismology studies have made significant advances and breakthroughs in solar physics. However, 3-d mapping of the structure and dynamics of sunspots and active regions below the surface has been a challenging task and are among the longest standing and intriguing puzzles of solar physics due to the complexity of the turbulent and dynamic nature of sunspots. Thus the key problems that need to be addressed during the next decade are: (i) Understanding the wave excitation mechanisms in the quiet Sun and magnetic regions, (ii) Characterizing the wave propagation and transformation in strong and inclined magnetic field regions and understanding the magnetic portals in the chromosphere, (iii) Improving helioseismology techniques and investigating the whole life cycle of active regions, from magnetic flux emergence to dissipation, and (iv) Detecting helioseismic signature of the magnetic flux of active regions before it becomes visible on the surface so as to provide warnings several days before the emergence. For a transformative progress on these problems require full disk, simultaneous Doppler and vector magnetic field measurements of the photosphere up to the chromosphere with a spatial resolution of about 2 arc-sec as well as large-scale radiative MHD simulations of the plasma dynamics from the sub-photosphere to the chromosphere.

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S. Tripathy, K. Jain, D. Braun, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
50/53

Comments: A White Paper Submitted to the Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) — SSPH 2024-2033

Spectroscopic Searches for Evolutionary Orbital Period Changes in WR+OB Binaries: The case of CQ Cep and CX Cep [HEAP]

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http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.07105


We present the results of spectroscopic observations of two eclipsing WR+OB-type systems – CQ Cep and CX Cep, performed in 2020-2023 with a low-resolution slit spectrograph TDS ($\lambda\lambda= 3660-7410$\AA, $R = 1300-2500$) on 2.5-m telescope of the SAI MSU Caucasian Mountain Observatory. For CQ Cep, the radial velocity curves of a WN6 star are constructed, the problem of visibility of spectroscopic traces of an OB star is discussed and the components’ mass ratio $q\sim 0.6$ is estimated. For CX Cep, the radial velocity curves are constructed for both the WN5 and O5 components enabling their masses and circular orbit elements to be refined. The comparison of the radial velocity curves of these systems obtained in different epochs allowed us to derive the orbital period change rate $\dot{P}$ by the spectroscopic method, which is found to be in good agreement with estimates obtained by comparing the moments of primary eclipse minima: $\dot{P} = -0.0151\pm0.0013$ s yr$^{-1}$ for CQ Cep and $\dot{P} = 0.054\pm0.009$ s yr$^{-1}$ for CX Cep. The prospects of applicability of the spectroscopic dynamical method for studying the orbital evolution of Galactic WR+OB binaries and related objects are considered. We also discuss the effect of finite sizes of stars with stellar wind mass loss in close binary systems on their orbital evolution.

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I. Shaposhnikov, A. Cherepashchuk, A. Dodin, et. al.
Mon, 15 May 23
52/53

Comments: 13 pages, 8 figures, 11 tables, accepted for publication in MNRAS