Internal Gravity Waves in Massive Stars II: Frequency Analysis Across Stellar Mass [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06379


Stars with masses above 1.6 solar masses generally possess convective cores and radiative envelopes, which allows the propagation of outward-travelling internal gravity waves. We have studied the generation and propagation of IGWs in such stars using two-dimensional, fully nonlinear hydrodynamical simulations with realistic stellar reference states from the one-dimensional stellar evolution code, Modules for Stellar Astrophysics. Compared to previous similar works, this study utilises radius-dependent thermal diffusivity profiles for 5 different stellar masses at the middle of main sequence: 3 – 13 solar masses. From the simulations, we find that the surface perturbations are larger for higher masses, but no noticeable trends are observed for the frequency slopes with different stellar masses. The slopes are also similar to the results from previous works. We compare our simulation results with stellar photometric data from a recent survey and find that for frequency intervals above 8 microHz, there is a good agreement between the temperature frequency slopes from the simulations and the surface brightness variations of these observed stars, indicating that the brightness variations are caused by core-generated IGWs.

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R. Ratnasingam, T. Rogers, S. Chowdhury, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
3/53

Comments: 17 pages, 30 figures, 5 tables

New Evidence on the Origin of Solar Wind Microstreams/Switchbacks [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06914


Microstreams are fluctuations in the solar wind speed and density associated with polarity-reversing folds in the magnetic field (also denoted switchbacks). Despite their long heritage, the origin of these microstreams/switchbacks remains poorly understood. For the first time, we investigated periodicities in microstreams during Parker Solar Probe (PSP) Encounter 10 to understand their origin. Our analysis was focused on the inbound corotation interval on 2021 November 19-21, while the spacecraft dove toward a small area within a coronal hole (CH). Solar Dynamics Observatory remote-sensing observations provide rich context for understanding the PSP in-situ data. Extreme ultraviolet images from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly reveal numerous recurrent jets occurring within the region that was magnetically connected to PSP during intervals that contained microstreams. The periods derived from the fluctuating radial velocities in the microstreams (approximately 3, 5, 10, and 20 minutes) are consistent with the periods measured in the emission intensity of the jetlets at the base of the CH plumes, as well as in larger coronal jets and in the plume fine structures. Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager magnetograms reveal the presence of myriad embedded bipoles, which are known sources of reconnection-driven jets on all scales. Simultaneous enhancements in the PSP proton flux and ionic ($^3$He, $^4$He, Fe, O) composition during the microstreams further support the connection with jetlets and jets. In keeping with prior observational and numerical studies of impulsive coronal activity, we conclude that quasiperiodic jets generated by interchange/breakout reconnection at CH bright points and plume bases are the most likely sources of the microstreams/switchbacks observed in the solar wind.

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P. Kumar, J. Karpen, V. Uritsky, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
5/53

Comments: ApJ Letters, 19 pages, 12 figures

Solar Cycle Precursors and the Outlook for Cycle 25 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06516


Sunspot Cycle 25 is now over 3 years past the cycle minimum of December 2019. At this point in the cycle, curve-fitting to the activity becomes reliable and now consistently indicates a maximum sunspot number of 135 +/- 10 – slightly larger than Cycle 24’s maximum of 116.4, but well below the average of 179. A geomagnetic precursor, the minimum in the aa-index, and the Sun’s magnetic precursors, the Sun’s polar field strength and its axial dipole moment at the time of minimum, are often used to predict the amplitude of the cycle at (or before) the onset of the cycle. We examine Cycle 25 predictions produced by these precursors. The geomagnetic precursor indicated a Cycle 25 slightly stronger that Cycle 24, with a maximum of 132 +/- 8. The Sun’s magnetic precursors indicated that Cycle 25 would be more similar to Cycle 24, with a maximum sunspot number of 120 +/- 10 or 114 +/- 15. Combining the curve-fitting results with the precursor predictions, we conclude that Cycle 25 will have a maximum smoothed sunspot number of 134 +/- 8 with maximum occurring late in the fall of 2024. Models for predicting the Sun’s magnetic field ahead of minimum, were generally successful at predicting the polar precursors years in advance. The fact that Sun’s magnetic precursors at cycle minimum were successfully predicted years before minimum and that the precursors are consistent with the size of Cycle 25 suggests that we can now reliably predict the solar cycle.

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L. Upton and D. Hathaway
Fri, 12 May 23
8/53

Comments: 14 pages, 5 figures, manuscript submitted to JGR: Space Physics on 5/9/2023

HAZMAT. IX. An Analysis of the UV and X-Ray Evolution of Low-Mass Stars in the Era of Gaia [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06561


Low mass stars ($\leq 1$ M$_{\odot}$) are some of the best candidates for hosting planets with detectable life because of these stars’ long lifetimes and relative planet to star mass and radius ratios. An important aspect of these stars to consider is the amount of ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray radiation incident on planets in the habitable zones due to the ability of UV and X-ray radiation to alter the chemistry and evolution of planetary atmospheres. In this work, we build on the results of the HAZMAT I (Shkolnik & Barman 2014) and HAZMAT III (Schneider & Shkolnik 2018) M star studies to determine the intrinsic UV and X-ray flux evolution with age for M stars using Gaia parallactic distances. We then compare these results to the intrinsic fluxes of K stars adapted from HAZMAT V (Richey-Yowell et al. 2019). We find that although the intrinsic M star UV flux is 10 to 100 times lower than that of K stars, the UV fluxes in their respective habitable zone are similar. However, the habitable zone X-ray flux evolutions are slightly more distinguishable with a factor of 3 — 15 times larger X-ray flux for late-M stars than for K stars. These results suggest that there may not be a K dwarf advantage compared to M stars in the UV, but one may still exist in the X-ray.

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T. Richey-Yowell, E. Shkolnik, A. Schneider, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
15/53

Comments: 16 pages, 14 figures

Merger Conditions of Population III Protostar Binaries [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06843


Massive close binary stars with extremely small separations have been observed, and they are possible progenitors of gravitational-wave sources. The evolution of massive binaries in the protostellar accretion stage is key to understanding their formation process. We, therefore, investigate how close the protostars, consisting of a high-density core and a vast low-density envelope, can approach each other but not coalesce. To investigate the coalescence conditions, we conduct smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations following the evolution of equal-mass binaries with different initial separations. Since Population (Pop) I and III protostars have similar interior structures, we adopt a specific Pop~III model with the mass and radius of $7.75\;M_{\odot}$ and $61.1\;R_{\odot}$ obtained by the stellar evolution calculations. Our results show that the binary separation decreases due to the transport of the orbital angular momentum to spin angular momentum. If the initial separation is less than about 80 per~cent of the sum of the protostellar radius, the binary coalesces in a time shorter than the tidal lock timescale. The mass loss up to the merging is $\lesssim 3$ per~cent. After coalescence, the star rotates rapidly, and its interior structure is independent of the initial separation. We conclude that there must be some orbital shrinking mechanism after the protostars contract to enter the zero-age main-sequence stage.

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T. Kirihara, H. Susa, T. Hosokawa, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
19/53

Comments: 17 pages, 13 figures, Accepted for Publication in ApJ

Rotation and interaction of the September 8 and 10, 2014 CMEs tested with EUHFORIA [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06881


Solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) can catch up and interact with preceding CMEs and solar wind structures to undergo rotation and deflection during their propagation. We aim to show how interactions undergone by a CME in the corona and heliosphere can play a significant role in altering its geoeffectiveness predicted at the time of its eruption. We consider a case study of two successive CMEs launched from the active region NOAA 12158 in early September 2014. The second CME was predicted to be extensively geoeffective based on the remote-sensing observations of the source region. However, in situ measurements at 1~au recorded only a short-lasting weak negative Bz component followed by a prolonged positive Bz component. The EUropean Heliosphere FORecasting Information Asset (EUHFORIA) is used to perform a self-consistent 3D MHD simulation of the two CMEs in the heliosphere. The initial conditions of the CMEs are determined by combining observational insights near the Sun, fine-tuned to match the in situ observations near 1~au, and additional numerical experiments of each individual CME. By introducing CME1 before CME2 in the EUHFORIA simulation, we modelled the negative Bz component in the sheath region ahead of CME2 whose formation can be attributed to the interaction between CME1 and CME2. To reproduce the positive Bz component in the magnetic ejecta of CME2, we had to initialise CME2 with an orientation determined at 0.1~au and consistent with the orientation interpreted at 1~au, instead of the orientation observed during its eruption. EUHFORIA simulations suggest the possibility of a significant rotation of CME2 in the low corona in order to explain the in situ observations at 1~au. Coherent magnetic field rotations, potentially geoeffective, can be formed in the sheath region as a result of CME-CME interactions in the heliosphere even if the individual CMEs are not geoeffective.

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A. Maharana, C. Scolini, B. Schmieder, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
21/53

Comments: The paper is accepted in A&A journal for publication on May 5, 2023

Probable brown dwarf companions detected in binary microlensing events during the 2018-2020 seasons of the KMTNet survey [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06605


We inspect the microlensing data of the KMTNet survey collected during the 2018–2020 seasons in order to find lensing events produced by binaries with brown-dwarf companions. In order to pick out binary-lens events with candidate BD lens companions, we conduct systematic analyses of all anomalous lensing events observed during the seasons. By applying the selection criterion with mass ratio between the lens components of $0.03\lesssim q\lesssim 0.1$, we identify four binary-lens events with candidate BD companions, including KMT-2018-BLG-0321, KMT-2018-BLG-0885, KMT-2019-BLG-0297, and KMT-2019-BLG-0335. For the individual events, we present the interpretations of the lens systems and measure the observables that can constrain the physical lens parameters. The masses of the lens companions estimated from the Bayesian analyses based on the measured observables indicate that the probabilities for the lens companions to be in the brown-dwarf mass regime are high: 59\%, 68\%, 66\%, and 66\% for the four events respectively.

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C. Han, Y. Jung, D. Kim, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
27/53

Comments: 10 pages, 8 figures

Time evolution of Ce as traced by APOGEE using giant stars observed with the Kepler, TESS and K2 missions [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06396


Abundances of s-capture process elements in stars with exquisite asteroseismic, spectroscopic, and astrometric constraints offer a novel opportunity to study stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, and Galactic chemical evolution. We aim to investigate one of the least studied s-process elements in the literature, Ce, using stars with asteroseismic constraints from the Kepler, K2 and TESS missions. We combine the global asteroseismic parameters derived from precise light curves obtained by the Kepler, K2 and TESS missions with chemical abundances from the APOGEE DR17 survey and astrometric data from the Gaia mission. Finally, we compute stellar ages using the code PARAM. We investigate the different trends of [Ce/Fe] as a function of [Fe/H], [alpha/Fe] and age considering the dependence on the radial position, specially in the case of K2 targets which cover a large Galactocentric range. We, finally, explore the [Ce/alpha] ratios as a function of age in different Galactocentric intervals. The studied trends display a strong dependence of the Ce abundances on [Fe/H] and star formation history. Indeed, the [Ce/Fe] ratio shows a non-monotonic dependence on [Fe/H] with a peak around -0.2 dex. Moreover, younger stars have higher [Ce/Fe] and [Ce/alpha] ratios than older stars, confirming the latest contribution of low- and intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch stars to the Galactic chemical enrichment. In addition, the trends of [Ce/Fe] and [Ce/alpha] with age become steeper moving towards the outer regions of the Galactic disc, demonstrating a more intense star formation in the inner regions than in the outer regions. Ce is thus a potentially interesting element to help constraining stellar yields and the inside-out formation of the Milky Way disc. However, the large scatter in all the relations studied here, suggests that spectroscopic uncertainties for this element are still too large.

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G. Casali, V. Grisoni, A. Miglio, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
31/53

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A, 18 pages, 18 figures

Determination of small-scale magnetic fields on Sun-like stars in the near-infrared using CRIRES$^+$ [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06873


We aim to characterise the small-scale magnetic fields for a sample of 16 Sun-like stars and investigate the capabilities of the newly upgraded near-infrared (NIR) instrument CRIRES$^+$ at the VLT in the context of small-scale magnetic field studies. Our targets also had their magnetic fields studied in the optical, which allows us to compare magnetic field properties at different spatial scales on the stellar surface and to contrast small-scale magnetic field measurements at different wavelengths.
We analyse the Zeeman broadening signature for six magnetically sensitive and insensitive \ion{Fe}{I} lines in the H-band to measure small-scale magnetic fields on the stellar surface. We use polarised radiative transfer modelling and NLTE departure coefficients in combination with MCMC to determine magnetic field characteristics together with non-magnetic stellar parameters. We use two different approaches to describe small-scale magnetic fields. The first is a two-component model with a single magnetic region and a free magnetic field strength. The second model contains multiple magnetic components with fixed magnetic field strengths.
We find average magnetic field strengths ranging from $\sim 0.4$ kG down to $<0.1$ kG. The results align closely with other results from high resolution NIR spectrographs such as SPIRou. We find that the small-scale fields correlate with the large-scale fields and that the small-scale fields are at least 10 times stronger than the large-scale fields inferred with Zeeman Doppler imaging. The two- and multi-component models produce systematically different results as the strong fields from the multi-component model increase the obtained mean magnetic field strength. When comparing our results with the optical measurements of small-scale fields we find a systematic offset of 2–3 times stronger fields in the optical.

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A. Hahlin, O. Kochukhov, A. Rains, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
35/53

Comments: 28 pages, 23 figures, accepted by A&A

Does Nature allow formation of ultra-compact black hole X-ray binaries via accretion-induced collapse of neutron stars? [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06550


The formation path to ultra-compact X-ray binaries (UCXBs) with black hole (BH) accretors is still unclear. In the classical formation scenario, it is difficult to eject the massive envelope of the progenitor star of the BH via common envelope process. Given that some neutron stars (NSs) in binary systems evidently have birth masses close to $\sim 2.0\;M_\odot$, we explore here the possibility that BH-UCXBs may form via accretion-induced collapse (AIC) of accreting NSs, assuming that these previously evolved in LMXBs to masses all the way up to the maximum limit of a NS. We demonstrate this formation path by modelling a few cases of NS-UCXBs with initial NS masses close to the maximum mass of a NS that evolve into BH-UCXBs after the NS accretes material from its He~WD companion. We follow the evolution of the post-AIC BH-UCXB and, based on simple arguments, we anticipate that there is about one BH-UCXB with an AIC origin and a He~WD donor within the current sample of known UCXBs and that 2–5 such BH-UCXBs may be detected in gravitational waves by LISA. In addition, we find that the X-ray luminosity of NS-UCXBs near their orbital period minimum exceeds $\sim 10^{39}\;{\rm erg\;s^{-1}}$ and thus such systems may appear as ultraluminous X-ray sources.

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H. Chen, T. Tauris, X. Chen, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
38/53

Comments: ApJ accepted, 12 pages, 3 figures

X-Shooting ULLYSES: massive stars at low metallicity. I. Project Description [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06376


Observations of individual massive stars, super-luminous supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and gravitational-wave events involving spectacular black-hole mergers, indicate that the low-metallicity Universe is fundamentally different from our own Galaxy. Many transient phenomena will remain enigmatic until we achieve a firm understanding of the physics and evolution of massive stars at low metallicity (Z).
The Hubble Space Telescope has devoted 500 orbits to observe 250 massive stars at low Z in the ultraviolet (UV) with the COS and STIS spectrographs under the ULLYSES program.
The complementary “X-Shooting ULLYSES” (XShootU) project provides enhanced legacy value with high-quality optical and near-infrared spectra obtained with the wide-wavelength coverage X-shooter spectrograph at ESO’s Very Large Telescope.
We present an overview of the XShootU project, showing that combining ULLYSES UV and XShootU optical spectra is critical for the uniform determination of stellar parameters such as effective temperature, surface gravity, luminosity, and abundances, as well as wind properties such as mass-loss rates in function of Z. As uncertainties in stellar and wind parameters percolate into many adjacent areas of Astrophysics, the data and modelling of the XShootU project is expected to be a game-changer for our physical understanding of massive stars at low Z.
To be able to confidently interpret James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) spectra of the first stellar generations, the individual spectra of low Z stars need to be understood, which is exactly where XShootU can deliver.

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V. S., M. A., C. P.A., et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
42/53

Comments: Accepted in A&A – 35 Pages, 12 Figures, 4 Tables, 2 Large Tables

XUV emission of the young planet-hosting star V1298\,Tau from coordinated observations with XMM-Newton and HST [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06931


Atmospheric mass loss plays a major role in the evolution of exoplanets. This process is driven by the stellar high-energy irradiation, especially in the first hundreds of millions of years after dissipation of the proto-planetary disk. A major source of uncertainty in modeling atmospheric photo-evaporation and photo-chemistry is due to the lack of direct measurements of the stellar flux at EUV wavelengths. Several empirical relationships have been proposed in the past to link EUV fluxes to emission levels in X-rays, but stellar samples employed for this aim are heterogeneous, and available scaling laws provide significantly different predictions, especially for very active stars. We present new UV and X-ray observations of V1298 Tau with HST/COS and XMM-Newton, aimed to determine more accurately the XUV emission of this solar-mass pre-Main Sequence star, which hosts four exoplanets. Spectroscopic data were employed to derive the plasma emission measure distribution vs.\ temperature, from the chromosphere to the corona, and the possible variability of this irradiation on short and year-long time scales, due to magnetic activity. As a side result, we have also measured the chemical abundances of several elements in the outer atmosphere of V1298 Tau. We employ our results as a new benchmark point for the calibration of the X-ray to EUV scaling laws, and hence to predict the time evolution of the irradiation in the EUV band, and its effect on the evaporation of exo-atmospheres.

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A. Maggio, I. Pillitteri, C. Argiroffi, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
46/53

Comments: 17 pages, 14 figures. Accepted for pubblication on ApJ

A Wide View of the Galactic Globular Cluster NGC 2808: Red Giant and Horizontal Branch Star Spatial Distributions [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06419


Wide-field and deep DECam multi-band photometry, combined with HST data for the core of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 2808, allowed us to study the distribution of various stellar sub-populations and stars in different evolutionary phases out to the cluster tidal radius. We used the C_ugi = (u-g)-(g-i) index to identify three chemically distinct sub-populations along the red giant branch and compared their spatial distributions. The most light-element enriched sub-population (P3) is more centrally concentrated; however, it shows a more extended distribution in the external regions of the cluster compared to the primordial (P1) and intermediate (P2) composition populations. Furthermore, the P3 sub-population centroid is off-center relative to those of the P1 and P2 groups. We also analyzed the spatial distribution of horizontal branch stars and found that the relative fraction of red horizontal branch stars increases for radial distances larger than ~ 1.5′ while that of the blue and hotter stars decreases. These new observations, combined with literature spectroscopic measurements, suggest that the red horizontal branch stars are the progeny of all the stellar sub-populations in NGC 2808, i.e. primordial and light-element enhanced, while the blue stars are possibly the result of a combination of the “hot-flasher” and the “helium-enhanced” scenarios. A similar distribution of different red giant branch sub-populations and horizontal branch stars was also found for the most massive Galactic globular cluster, omega Cen, based on combined DECam and HST data, which suggests the two may share a similar origin.

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C. Johnson, A. Calamida, J. Kader, et. al.
Fri, 12 May 23
49/53

Comments: Accepted for publication in AJ; 22 pages; 16 figures; the full version of table 2 will be available in electronic form with the published version

Semi-Analytical Expression of G-Mode Period Spacing: The Case of Brunt-Väisälä Frequency with Not a Jump But a Ramp [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06840


To decipher complex patterns of gravity-mode period spacings observed for intermediate-mass main-sequence stars is an important step toward the better understanding of the structure and dynamics in the deep radiative region of the stars. In this study, we apply JWKB approximation to derive a semi-analytical expression of the g-mode period spacing pattern, for which the gradient in the Brunt-V\”ais\”al\”a frequency is taken into account. The formulation includes a term $P^{-1} B_{\star}$, where $P$ and $B_{\star}$ represent the g-mode period and degree of the structural variation, the latter of which especially is related to the steepness of the gradient of the Brunt-V\”ais\”al\”a frequency. Tests with 1-dimensional stellar models show that the semi-analytical expression derived in this study is useful for inferring the degree of the structural variation $B_{\star}$ with accuracy of $\sim 10\,\%$ in the case of relatively massive intermediate-mass models with the mass $M$ larger than $3 \,M_{\odot}$. The newly formulated expression will possibly allow us to put further constraints on, e.g., mixing processes inside intermediate-mass main-sequence g-mode pulsators such as $\beta$ Cep, SPB, and $\gamma$ Dor stars that have been principal targets in asteroseismology.

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Y. Hatta
Fri, 12 May 23
50/53

Comments: 20 pages, 15 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in ApJ

Ultra low-mass and small-radius white dwarfs made of heavy elements [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05847


Seven ultra low-mass and small-radius white dwarfs (LSPM J0815+1633, LP 240-30, BD+20 5125B, LP 462-12, WD J1257+5428, 2MASS J13453297+4200437, and SDSS J085557.46+053524.5) have been recently identified with masses ranging from $\sim$0.02 $M_\odot$ to $\sim$0.08 $M_\odot$ and radii from $\sim$ 4270 km to 10670 km. The mass-radius measurements of these white dwarfs pose challenges to traditional white dwarf models assuming they are mostly made of nuclei lighter than $^{56}$Fe. In this work we consider the possibility that those white dwarfs are made of heavier elements. Due to the small charge-to-mass ratios in heavy elements, the electron number density in white dwarf matter is effectively reduced, which reduces the pressure with additional contributions of lattice energy and electron polarization corrections. This consequently leads to white dwarfs with much smaller masses and radii, which coincide with the seven ultra low-mass and small-radius white dwarfs. The corresponding equation of state and matter contents of dense stellar matter with and without reaching the cold-catalyzed ground state are presented, which are obtained using the latest Atomic Mass Evaluation (AME 2020). Further observations are necessary to unveil the actual matter contents in those white dwarfs via, e.g., spectroscopy, asteroseismology, and discoveries of other ultra low-mass and small-radius white dwarfs.

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C. Xia, Y. Huang, H. Li, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
2/55

Comments: N/A

Stellar Parameters and Chemical Abundances Estimated from LAMOST-II DR8 MRS based on Cycle-StarNet [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05854


Deriving stellar atmospheric parameters and chemical abundances from stellar spectra is crucial for understanding the evolution of the Milky Way. By performing a fitting with MARCS model atmospheric theoretical synthetic spectra combined with a domain-adaptation method, we estimate the fundamental stellar parameters (Teff, log g, [Fe/H], vmic, and vmac) and 11 chemical abundances for 1.38 million FGKM-type stars of the Medium-Resolution Spectroscopic Survey (MRS) from LAMOST-II DR8. The domain-adaptation method, Cycle-StarNet, is employed to reduce the gap between observed and synthetic spectra, and the L-BFGS algorithm is used to search for the best-fit synthetic spectra. By combining the 2MASS photometric survey data, Gaia EDR3 parallax, and MIST isochrones, the surface gravities of the stars are constrained after estimating their bolometric luminosities. The accuracy of Teff, log g, and [Fe/H] can reach 150 K, 0.11 dex, and 0.15 dex, evaluated by the PASTEL catalog, asteroseismic samples, and other spectroscopic surveys. The precision of these parameters and elemental abundances ([C/Fe], [Na/Fe], [Mg/Fe], [Si/Fe], [Ca/Fe], [Ti/Fe], [Cr/Fe], [Mn/Fe], [Co/Fe], [Ni/Fe], and [Cu/Fe]) is assessed by repeated observations and validated by cluster members. For spectra with signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios greater than 10, the precision of the three stellar parameters and elemental abundances can achieve 76 K, 0.014 dex, 0.096 dex, and 0.04-0.15 dex. For spectra with S/N ratios higher than 100, the precision stabilizes at 22 K, 0.006 dex, 0.043 dex, and 0.01-0.06 dex. The full LAMOST MRS stellar properties catalog is available online.

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R. Wang, A. Luo, S. Zhang, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
7/55

Comments: Accepted for publication in ApJS

1100 Days in the Life of the Supernova 2018ibb — the Best Pair-Instability Supernova Candidate, to date [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05796


Abridged – Stars with ZAMS masses between 140 and $260 M_\odot$ are thought to explode as pair-instability supernovae (PISNe). During their thermonuclear runaway, PISNe can produce up to several tens of solar masses of radioactive nickel, resulting in luminous transients similar to some superluminous supernovae (SLSNe). Yet, no unambiguous PISN has been discovered so far. SN2018ibb is a H-poor SLSN at $z=0.166$ that evolves extremely slowly compared to the hundreds of known SLSNe. Between mid 2018 and early 2022, we monitored its photometric and spectroscopic evolution from the UV to the NIR with 2-10m class telescopes. SN2018ibb radiated $>3\times10^{51} \rm erg$ during its evolution, and its bolometric light curve reached $>2\times10^{44} \rm erg\,s^{-1}$ at peak. The long-lasting rise of $>93$ rest-frame days implies a long diffusion time, which requires a very high total ejected mass. The PISN mechanism naturally provides both the energy source ($^{56}$Ni) and the long diffusion time. Theoretical models of PISNe make clear predictions for their photometric and spectroscopic properties. SN2018ibb complies with most tests on the light curves, nebular spectra and host galaxy, potentially all tests with the interpretation we propose. Both the light curve and the spectra require 25-44 $M_\odot$ of freshly nucleosynthesised $^{56}$Ni, pointing to the explosion of a metal-poor star with a He-core mass of 120-130 $M_\odot$ at the time of death. This interpretation is also supported by the tentative detection of [Co II]$\lambda$1.025$\mu$m, which has never been observed in any other PISN candidate or SLSN before. Powering by a central engine, such as a magnetar or a black hole, can be excluded with high confidence. This makes SN2018ibb by far the best candidate for being a PISN, to date.

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S. Schulze, C. Fransson, A. Kozyreva, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
9/55

Comments: Submitted to A&A, 44 pages, main text 38 pages, 37 figures, 16 Tables

A 3D physico-chemical model of a pre-stellar core. I. Environmental and structural impact on the distribution of CH$_3$OH and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05932


Pre-stellar cores represent the earliest stage of the star- and planet-formation process. By characterizing the physical and chemical structure of these cores we can establish the initial conditions for star and planet formation and determine to what degree the chemical composition of pre-stellar cores is inherited to the later stages. A 3D MHD model of a pre-stellar core embedded in a dynamic star-forming cloud is post-processed using sequentially continuum radiative transfer, a gas-grain chemical model, and a line-radiative transfer model. Results are analyzed and compared to observations of CH$_3$OH and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ in L1544. Nine different chemical models are compared to the observations to determine which initial conditions are compatible with the observed chemical segregation in the prototypical pre-stellar core L1544. The model is able to reproduce several aspects of the observed chemical differentiation in L1544. Extended methanol emission is shifted towards colder and more shielded regions of the core envelope while $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ emission overlaps with the dust continuum, consistent with the observed chemical structure. Increasing the strength of the interstellar radiation field or the cosmic-ray ionization rate with respect to the typical values assumed in nearby star-forming regions leads to synthetic maps that are inconsistent with the observed chemical structure. Our model shows that the observed chemical dichotomy in L1544 can arise as a result of uneven illumination due to the asymmetrical structure of the 3D core and the environment within which the core has formed. This highlights the importance of the 3D structure at the core-cloud transition on the chemistry of pre-stellar cores.

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S. Jensen, S. Spezzano, P. Caselli, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
11/55

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A

Magnetic reconnection as an erosion mechanism for magnetic switchbacks [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06035


Magnetic switchbacks are localised polarity reversals in the radial component of the heliospheric magnetic field. Observations from Parker Solar Probe (PSP) have shown that they are a prevalent feature of the near-Sun solar wind. However, observations of switchbacks at 1 au and beyond are less frequent, suggesting that these structures evolve and potentially erode through yet-to-be identified mechanisms as they propagate away from the Sun. We analyse magnetic field and plasma data from the Magnetometer and Solar Wind Analyser instruments aboard Solar Orbiter between 10 August and 30 August 2021. During this period, the spacecraft was 0.6 to 0.7 au from the Sun. We identify three instances of reconnection occurring at the trailing edge of magnetic switchbacks, with properties consistent with existing models describing reconnection in the solar wind. Using hodographs and Walen analysis methods, we test for rotational discontinuities (RDs) in the magnetic field and reconnection-associated outflows at the boundaries of the identified switchback structures. Based on these observations, we propose a scenario through which reconnection can erode a switchback and we estimate the timescales over which this occurs. For our events, the erosion timescales are much shorter than the expansion timescale and thus, the complete erosion of all three observed switchbacks would occur well before they reach 1 au. Furthermore, we find that the spatial scale of these switchbacks would be considerably larger than is typically observed in the inner heliosphere if the onset of reconnection occurs close to the Sun. Hence, our results suggest that the onset of reconnection must occur during transport in the solar wind in our cases. These results suggest that reconnection can contribute to the erosion of switchbacks and may explain the relative rarity of switchback observations at 1 au.

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G. Suen, C. Owen, D. Verscharen, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
21/55

Comments: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics 05/05/2023

Jet-powered turbulence in common envelope evolution [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06266


We conduct a three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulation of a common envelope evolution (CEE) where a neutron star (NS) spirals-in inside the envelope of a red supergiant (RSG) star in a predetermined orbit. We find that the jets shed pairs of vortices in an expanding spiral pattern, inflate two expanding spirally-shaped low-density bubbles, one above and one below the equatorial plane, and deposit angular momentum to the envelope. In the simulation we do not include the gravity of the NS such that all effects we find are solely due to the jets that the spiralling-in NS launches. The angular momentum that the jets deposit to the envelope is of the same order of magnitude as the orbital angular momentum and has the same direction. The turbulence that the jets induce in the common envelope might play a role in transporting energy and angular momentum. The jet-deposited energy that is radiated away (a process not studied here) leads to a transient event that is termed common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN) and might mimic an energetic core collapse supernova. The turbulence and the spiral pattern that we explore here might lead to bumps in the late light curve of the CEJSN when different segments of the ejected envelope collide with each other. This study emphasises the roles that jets can play in CEE (including jets launched by black hole companions) and adds to the rich variety of processes in CEJSN events.

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S. Hillel, R. Schreier and N. Soker
Thu, 11 May 23
26/55

Comments: Will be submitted in two days to allow for comments

DMPP-3: confirmation of short-period S-type planet(s) in a compact eccentric binary star system, and warnings about long-period RV planet detections [EPA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06263


We present additional HARPS radial velocity observations of the highly eccentric ($e \sim 0.6$) binary system DMPP-3AB, which comprises a K0V primary and a low-mass companion at the hydrogen burning limit. The binary has a $507$ d orbital period and a $1.2$ au semi-major axis. The primary component harbours a known $2.2$ M$_{\oplus}$ planet, DMPP-3A b, with a $6.67$ day orbit. New HARPS measurements constrain periastron passage for the binary orbit and add further integrity to previously derived solutions for both companion and planet orbits. Gaia astrometry independently confirms the binary orbit, and establishes the inclination of the binary is $63.89 \pm 0.78 ^{\circ}$. We performed dynamical simulations which establish that the previously identified $\sim800$ d RV signal cannot be attributed to an orbiting body. The additional observations, a deviation from strict periodicity, and our new analyses of activity indicators suggest the $\sim800$ d signal is caused by stellar activity. We conclude that there may be long period planet ‘detections’ in other systems which are similar misinterpreted stellar activity artefacts. Without the unusual eccentric binary companion to the planet-hosting star we could have accepted the $\sim800$ d signal as a probable planet. Further monitoring of DMPP-3 will reveal which signatures can be used to most efficiently identify these imposters. We also report a threshold detection (0.2 per cent FAP) of a $\sim2.26$ d periodicity in the RVs, potentially attributed to an Earth-mass S-type planet interior to DMPP-3A b.

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A. Stevenson, C. Haswell, J. Barnes, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
29/55

Comments: 20 pages, 15 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Temperature and density dependence of line profiles of sodium perturbed by helium [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06079


Ultracool stellar atmospheres show absorption by alkali resonance lines severely broadened by collisions with neutral perturbers. In the coolest and densest atmospheres, such as those of T dwarfs, Na I and K I broadened by molecular hydrogen and helium can come to dominate the entire optical spectrum. The effects of NaHe collision broadening are also central to understanding the opacity of cool DZ white dwarf stars. In order to be able to construct synthetic spectra of brown dwarfs and cool DZ white dwarfs, where helium density can reach several 10^21~cm-3 NaHe line profiles of the resonance lines have been computed over a wide range of densities and temperatures. Unified line profiles that are valid from the core to the far wings at high densities are calculated in the semiclassical approach using up-to-date molecular data including in particular electronic spin-orbit coupling from the sodium atom. We present a comprehensive study of Na-He collisional profiles at high density, and temperatures from 5000~K, the temperature prevailing in the atmosphere of ultra-cool DZ white dwarf stars, down to 1~K, the temperature in liquid helium clusters. Collision broadening and shift parameters within the impact approximation obtained in the semiclassical and quantum theory using our new accurate molecular data are presented.

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N. Allard, K. Myneni, J. Blakely, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
36/55

Comments: N/A

The Merging of a Coronal Dimming and the Southern Polar Coronal Hole [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06106


We report on the merging between the southern polar coronal hole and an adjacent coronal dimming induced by a coronal mass ejection on 2022 March 18, resulting in the merged region persisting for at least 72 hrs. We use remote sensing data from multiple co-observing spacecraft to understand the physical processes during this merging event. The evolution of the merger is examined using Extreme-UltraViolet (EUV) images obtained from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly onboard the Solar Dynamic Observatory and Extreme Ultraviolet Imager onboard the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. The plasma dynamics are quantified using spectroscopic data obtained from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer onboard Hinode. The photospheric magnetograms from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager are used to derive magnetic field properties. To our knowledge, this work is the first spectroscopical analysis of the merging of two open-field structures. We find that the coronal hole and the coronal dimming become indistinguishable after the merging. The upflow speeds inside the coronal dimming become more similar to that of a coronal hole, with a mixture of plasma upflows and downflows observable after the merging. The brightening of bright points and the appearance of coronal jets inside the merged region further imply ongoing reconnection processes. We propose that component reconnection between the coronal hole and coronal dimming fields plays an important role during this merging event, as the footpoint switching resulting from the reconnection allows the coronal dimming to intrude onto the boundary of the southern polar coronal hole.

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N. Ngampoopun, D. Long, D. Baker, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
39/55

Comments: 17 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Dynamical He Flashes in Double White Dwarf Binaries [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05695


The detonation of an overlying helium layer on a $0.8-1.1\,\mathrm{M}{\odot}$ carbon-oxygen (CO) white dwarf (WD) can detonate the CO WD and create a thermonuclear supernova (SN). Many authors have recently shown that when the mass of the He layer is low ($\lesssim 0.03\,\mathrm{M}{\odot}$), the ashes from its detonation minimally impact the spectra and light-curve from the CO detonation, allowing the explosion to appear remarkably similar to Type Ia SNe. These new insights motivate our investigation of dynamical He shell burning, and our search for a binary scenario that stably accumulates thermally unstable He shells in the $0.01-0.08\,\mathrm{M}{\odot}$ range, thick enough to detonate, but also often thin enough for minimal impact on the observables. We first show that our improved non-adiabatic evolution of convective He shell burning in this shell mass range leads to conditions ripe for a He detonation. We also find that a stable mass-transfer scenario with a high entropy He WD donor of mass $0.15-0.25\,\mathrm{M}\odot$ yields the He shell masses needed to achieve the double detonations. This scenario also predicts that the surviving He donor leaves with a space velocity consistent with the unusual runaway object, D6-2. We find that hot He WD donors originate in common envelope events when a $1.3-2.0\,\mathrm{M}_\odot$ star fills its Roche lobe at the base of the red giant branch at orbital periods of $1-10$ days with the CO WD.

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T. Wong and L. Bildsten
Thu, 11 May 23
45/55

Comments: 12 pages, 6 figures; Accepted to ApJ

Coronal Heating as Determined by the Solar Flare Frequency Distribution Obtained by Aggregating Case Studies [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05687


Flare frequency distributions represent a key approach to addressing one of the largest problems in solar and stellar physics: determining the mechanism that counter-intuitively heats coronae to temperatures that are orders of magnitude hotter than the corresponding photospheres. It is widely accepted that the magnetic field is responsible for the heating, but there are two competing mechanisms that could explain it: nanoflares or Alfv\’en waves. To date, neither can be directly observed. Nanoflares are, by definition, extremely small, but their aggregate energy release could represent a substantial heating mechanism, presuming they are sufficiently abundant. One way to test this presumption is via the flare frequency distribution, which describes how often flares of various energies occur. If the slope of the power law fitting the flare frequency distribution is above a critical threshold, $\alpha=2$ as established in prior literature, then there should be a sufficient abundance of nanoflares to explain coronal heating. We performed $>$600 case studies of solar flares, made possible by an unprecedented number of data analysts via three semesters of an undergraduate physics laboratory course. This allowed us to include two crucial, but nontrivial, analysis methods: pre-flare baseline subtraction and computation of the flare energy, which requires determining flare start and stop times. We aggregated the results of these analyses into a statistical study to determine that $\alpha = 1.63 \pm 0.03$. This is below the critical threshold, suggesting that Alfv\’en waves are an important driver of coronal heating.

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J. Mason, A. Werth, C. West, et. al.
Thu, 11 May 23
49/55

Comments: 1,002 authors, 14 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, published by The Astrophysical Journal on 2023-05-09, volume 948, page 71

Quantifying Uncertainties on the Tip of the Red Giant Branch Method [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.06195


We present an extensive grid of numerical simulations quantifying the uncertainties in measurements of the Tip of the Red Giant Branch (TRGB). These simulations incorporate a luminosity function composed of 2 magnitudes of red giant branch (RGB) stars leading up to the tip, with asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars contributing exclusively to the luminosity function for at least a magnitude above the RGB tip. We quantify the sensitivity of the TRGB detection and measurement to three important error sources: (1) the sample size of stars near the tip, (2) the photometric measurement uncertainties at the tip, and (3) the degree of self-crowding of the RGB population. The self-crowding creates a population of supra-TRGB stars due to the blending of one or more RGB stars just below the tip. This last population is ultimately difficult, though still possible, to disentangle from true AGB stars. In the analysis given here, the precepts and general methodology as used in the Chicago-Carnegie Hubble Program (CCHP) has been followed. However, in the Appendix, we introduce and test a set of new tip detection kernels which internally incorporate self-consistent smoothing. These are generalizations of the two-step model used by the CCHP (smoothing followed by Sobel-filter tip detection), where the new kernels are based on successive binomial-coefficient approximations to the Derivative-of-a-Gaussian (DoG) edge detector, as is commonly used in modern digital image processing.

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B. Madore, W. Owens and I. Jang
Thu, 11 May 23
55/55

Comments: Accepte to the Astronomical Journal

Metal-poor stars observed with the Magellan Telescope. IV. Neutron-capture element signatures in 27 main-sequence stars [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05363


Based on high-resolution spectra obtained with Magellan/MIKE, we present a chemo-dynamical analysis for 27 near main-sequence turnoff metal-poor stars, including 20 stars analyzed for the first time. The sample spans a range in [Fe/H] from -2.5 to -3.6, with 44% having [Fe/H] <-2.9. We derived chemical abundances for 17 elements, including strontium and barium. We derive Li abundances for the sample, which are in good agreement with the “Spite Plateau” value. A dozen of stars are carbon-enhanced. The lighter elements (Z<30) generally agree well with those of other low-metallicity halo stars. This broadly indicates chemically homogeneous gas at the earliest times. Of the neutron-capture elements, we only detected strontium and barium. We used the [Sr/Ba] vs. [Ba/Fe] diagram to classify metal-poor stars into five populations based on their observed ratios. We find HE0232-3755 to be a likely main r-process star, and HE2214-6127 and HE2332-3039 to be limited-r stars. CS30302-145, HE2045-5057, and CD-24 17504 plausibly originated in long-disrupted early dwarf galaxies as evidenced by their [Sr/Ba] and [Ba/Fe] ratios. We also find that the derived [Sr/H] and [Ba/H] values for CD-24 17504 are not inconsistent with the predicted yields of the s-process in massive rotating low-metallicity stars models. Further theoretical explorations will be helpful to better understand the earliest mechanisms and time scales of heavy element production for comparison with these and other observational abundance data. Finally, we investigate the orbital histories of our sample stars. Most display halo-like kinematics although three stars (CS29504-018, HE0223-2814, and HE2133-0421) appear to be disk-like in nature. This confirms the extragalactic origin for CS30302-145, HE2045-5057, and, in particular, CD-24 17504 which likely originated from a small accreted stellar system as one of the oldest stars.

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M. Mardini, A. Frebel, L. Betre, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
4/65

Comments: N/A

Shocks Power Tidal Disruption Events [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05333


Accretion of debris seems to be the natural mechanism to power the radiation emitted during a tidal disruption event (TDE), in which a supermassive black hole tears apart a star. However, this requires the prompt formation of a compact accretion disk. Here, using a fully relativistic global simulation for the long-term evolution of debris in a TDE with realistic initial conditions, we show that at most a tiny fraction of the bound mass enters such a disk on the timescale of observed flares. To “circularize” most of the bound mass entails an increase in the binding energy of that mass by a factor $\sim 30$; we find at most an order unity change. Our simulation suggests it would take a time scale comparable to a few tens of the characteristic mass fallback time to dissipate enough energy for “circularization”. Instead, the bound debris forms an extended eccentric accretion flow with eccentricity $\simeq 0.4-0.5$ by $\sim 2$ fallback times. Although the energy dissipated in shocks in this large-scale flow is much smaller than the “circularization” energy, it matches the observed radiated energy very well. Nonetheless, the impact of shocks is not strong enough to unbind initially bound debris into an outflow.

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T. Ryu, J. Krolik, T. Piran, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
5/65

Comments: 20 pages, 16 figures, Submitted to ApJ, comments welcome!

AREPO White Dwarf merger simulations resulting in edge-lit detonation and run-away hypervelocity companion [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05192


We present a series of high-resolution simulations generated with the moving-mesh code AREPO to model the merger of a $1.1 \, \mathrm{M_\odot}$ carbon-oxygen primary white dwarf with an outer helium layer and a $0.35\,\mathrm{M_\odot}$ secondary helium white dwarf. Our simulations lead to detonations that are consistent with the edge-lit scenario, where a helium detonation is ignited at the base of the helium layer of the primary WD, which triggers an off-centre carbon detonation. This produces an asymmetric ejecta pattern and differences in line-of-sight observables (e.g. mean atomic weight). The ejecta that are flung into space are dominated by $^{56}\mathrm{Ni}$, $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$, and $^{32}\mathrm{S}$. Our simulations result in a surviving degenerate companion of mass $0.22-0.25$ $\mathrm{M_\odot}$ moving at $>1\,700$ $\mathrm{km}\,\mathrm{s}^{-1}$, consistent with the observational findings of hypervelocity WDs. The secondary’s surface layers are enriched by heavy metals, with $^{56}\mathrm{Ni}$ making up approximately $0.8 \%$ of the remaining mass. We also analyse the sensitivity of the outcome on simulation parameters, including the “inspiral time”, which defines a period of accelerated angular momentum loss. We find that the choice of “inspiral time” qualitatively influences the simulation result, including the survival of the secondary. We argue that the shorter inspiral cases result in qualitatively and quantitatively similar outcomes. We also investigate the sensitivity of our results on the primary’s chemical profile by comparing simulations using isothermal, constant composition models with the same mass and central composition and characterised by either a bare carbon-oxygen core (no helium) or a carbon-oxygen core enveloped by a thick helium layer.

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U. Burmester, L. Ferrario, R. Pakmor, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
6/65

Comments: The submission has been accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS). 20 pages, 12 figures

ZZ Ceti stars of the southern ecliptic hemisphere re-observed by TESS [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05246


Context. In 2020, a publication presented the first-light results for 18 known ZZ Ceti stars observed by the TESS space telescope during the first survey observations of the southern ecliptic hemisphere. However, in the meantime, new measurements have become available from this field, in many cases with the new, 20s ultrashort cadence mode.
Aims. We investigated the similarities and differences in the pulsational behaviour of the observed stars between the two observational seasons, and searched for new pulsation modes for asteroseismology.
Methods. We performed Fourier analysis of the light curves using the standard pre-whitening process, and compared the results with frequencies obtained from the earlier data. Utilising the 2018 version of the White Dwarf Evolution Code, we also performed an asteroseismic analysis of the different stars. We searched for models with seismic distances in the vicinity of the Gaia geometric distances.
Results. We detected several new possible pulsation modes of the studied pulsators. In the case of HE 0532-5605, we found a similar brightening phase to the one presented in the 2020 first-light paper, which means this phenomenon is recurring. Therefore, HE 0532-5605 appears to be a new outbursting DAV star. We also detected a lower-amplitude brightening phase in the star WD J0925+0509. However, this case has proven to be the result of the passage of a Solar System object in the foreground. We accept asteroseismic model solutions for six stars.

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Z. Bognár, &. Sódor, I. Clark, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
13/65

Comments: 15 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

RAM: Rapid Advection Algorithm on Arbitrary Meshes [IMA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05362


The study of many astrophysical flows requires computational algorithms that can capture high Mach number flows, while resolving a large dynamic range in spatial and density scales. In this paper we present a novel method, RAM: Rapid Advection Algorithm on Arbitrary Meshes. RAM is a time-explicit method to solve the advection equation in problems with large bulk velocity on arbitrary computational grids. In comparison with standard up-wind algorithms, RAM enables advection with larger time steps and lower truncation errors. Our method is based on the operator splitting technique and conservative interpolation. Depending on the bulk velocity and resolution, RAM can decrease the numerical cost of hydrodynamics by more than one order of magnitude. To quantify the truncation errors and speed-up with RAM, we perform one and two-dimensional hydrodynamics tests. We find that the order of our method is given by the order of the conservative interpolation and that the effective speed up is in agreement with the relative increment in time step. RAM will be especially useful for numerical studies of disk-satellite interaction, characterized by high bulk orbital velocities, and non-trivial geometries. Our method dramatically lowers the computational cost of simulations that simultaneously resolve the global disk and well inside the Hill radius of the secondary companion.

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P. Benítez-Llambay, L. Krapp, X. Ramos, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
14/65

Comments: 15 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to ApJ. Comments are welcome

The odd bunch: chrono-chemo-dynamics of sixteen unusual stars from Kepler [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05024


In this study we combine asteroseismic, spectroscopic and kinematic information to perform a detailed analysis of a sample of 16 stars from the Kepler field. Our selection focuses on stars that appear to contradict Galactic chemical evolution models: young and $\alpha$-rich, old and metal-rich, as well as other targets with unclear classification in past surveys. Kinematics are derived from Gaia DR3 parallaxes and proper motions, and high-resolution spectra from HIRES/Keck are used to calculate chemical abundances for over 20 elements. This information is used to perform careful checks on asteroseismic masses and ages derived via grid-based modelling. Among the seven stars previously classified as young and $\alpha$-rich, only one seems to be an unambiguously older object masking its true age. We confirm the existence of two very old ($\geq$11 Gyr), super metal rich ($\geq$0.1 dex) giants. These two stars have regular thin disc chemistry and in-plane solar circle orbits which fit well in the picture of radial migration via the churning mechanism. The alternative explanation that these stars have younger ages would require mass-loss rates which strongly increases with increasing metallicity. Finally, we suggest further investigations to explore the suitability of Zn as a chemical clock in red giants.

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A. Puls, L. Casagrande, S. Monty, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
21/65

Comments: 10 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Implementation of chemistry in the Athena++ code [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04965


Chemistry plays a key role in many aspects of astrophysical fluids. Atoms and molecules are agents for heating and cooling, determine the ionization fraction, serve as observational tracers, and build the molecular foundation of life. We present the implementation of a chemistry module in the publicly available magneto-hydrodynamic code Athena++. We implement several chemical networks and heating and cooling processes suitable for simulating the interstellar medium (ISM). A general chemical network framework in the KIDA format is also included, allowing the user to easily implement their own chemistry. Radiation transfer and cosmic-ray ionization are coupled with chemistry and solved with the simple six-ray approximation. The chemical and thermal processes are evolved as a system of coupled ODEs with an implicit solver from the CVODE library. We perform and present a series of tests to ensure the numerical accuracy and convergence of the code. Many tests combine chemistry with gas dynamics, including comparisons with analytic solutions, 1D problems of the photo-dissociation regions and shocks, and realistic 3D simulations of the turbulent ISM. We release the code with the new public version of Athena++, aiming to provide a robust and flexible code for the astrochemical simulation community.

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M. Gong, K. Ho, J. Stone, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
27/65

Comments: N/A

Binary neutron star populations in the Milky Way [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04955


Galactic binary neutron stars (BNSs) are a unique laboratory to probe the evolution of BNSs and their progenitors. Here, we use a new version of the population synthesis code SEVN to evolve the population of Galactic BNSs, by modeling the spin up and down of pulsars self-consistently. We analyze the merger rate $\mathcal{R}{\rm MW}$, orbital period $P{\rm orb}$, eccentricity $e$, spin period $P$, and spin period derivative $\dot{P}$ of the BNS population. Values of the common envelope parameter $\alpha=1 – 3$ and an accurate model of the Milky Way star formation history best reproduce the BNS merger rate in our Galaxy ($\mathcal{R}{\rm MW}\approx{}30$ Myr$^{-1}$). We apply radio-selection effects to our simulated BNSs and compare them to the observed population. Using a Dirichlet process Gaussian mixture method, we evaluate the four-dimensional likelihood in the $(P{\rm orb}, e, P, \dot{P})$ space, by comparing our radio-selected simulated pulsars against Galactic BNSs. Our analysis favours an uniform initial distribution for both the magnetic field ($10^{10-13}$ G) and the spin period ($10-100$ ms). The implementation of radio selection effects is critical to match not only the spin period and period derivative, but also the orbital period and eccentricity of Galactic BNSs. According to our fiducial model, the Square Kilometre Array will detect $\sim 20$ new BNSs in the Milky Way.

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C. Sgalletta, G. Iorio, M. Mapelli, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
33/65

Comments: 20 pages, 8 figures, 8 tables, comments welcome

ICME pancaking: a cause of two-step severe storm ($Dst \sim -187$ nT) of 25th solar cycle observed on 23 April 2023 [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05381


Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs) are prominent drivers of space weather disturbances and mainly lead to intense or extreme geomagnetic storms. The reported studies suggested that the planar ICME sheath and planar magnetic clouds (MCs) cause extreme storms. Here, we investigated the severe two-step geomagnetic storm ($Dst \sim -187$ nT) of 25$^{th}$ solar cycle. Our analysis demonstrates flattened (pancaked) ICME structures, i.e., quasi-planar magnetic structures (PMS). The study corroborates our earlier reported finding that the less adiabatic expansion in quasi-PMS transformed ICME enhanced the strength of the southward magnetic field component. It contributes to the efficient transfer of plasma and energy in the Earth’s magnetosphere to cause the observed severe storm.

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K. Ghag, A. Raghav, A. Bhaskar, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
35/65

Comments: N/A

Solar Cycle Variation of 0.3-1.29 MeV/nucleon Heavy Ion Composition during Quiet Times near 1 AU in Solar Cycles 23 and 24 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05441


We report on the annual variation of quiet-time suprathermal ion composition for C through Fe using Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE)/Ultra-Low Energy Isotope Spectrometer (ULEIS) data over the energy range 0.3 MeV/nuc to 1.28 MeV/nuc from 1998 through 2019, covering solar cycle 23’s rising phase through Solar Cycle 24’s declining phase. Our findings are (1) quiet time suprathermal abundances resemble CIR-associated particles during solar minima; (2) quiet time suprathermals are M/Q fractionated in a manner that is consistent with M/Q fractionation in large gradual solar energetic particle events (GSEP) during solar maxima; and (3) variability within the quiet time suprathermal pool increases as a function of M/Q and is consistent with the analogous variability in GSEP events. From these observations, we infer that quiet time suprathermal ions are remnants of CIRs in solar minima and GSEP events in solar maxima. Coincident with these results, we also unexpectedly show that S behaves like a low FIP ion in the suprathermal regime and therefore drawn from low FIP solar sources.

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B. Alterman, M. Desai, M. Dayeh, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
44/65

Comments: Accepted in Astrophysical Journal. 19 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables

First observations of warm and cold methanol in Class 0/I proto-brown dwarfs [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04991


We present results from the first molecular line survey to search for the fundamental complex organic molecule, methanol (CH${3}$OH), in 14 Class 0/I proto-brown dwarfs (proto-BDs). IRAM 30-m observations over the frequency range of 92-116 GHz and 213-280 GHz have revealed emission in 14 CH${3}$OH transition lines, at upper state energy level, E${upper}\sim$7-49 K, and critical densities, $n{crit}$ of 10$^{5}$ to 10$^{9}$ cm$^{-3}$. The most commonly detected lines are at E${upper} <$ 20 K, while 11 proto-BDs also show emission in the higher excitation lines at E${upper}\sim$21-49 K and $n_{crit}\sim$10$^{5}$ to 10$^{8}$ cm$^{-3}$. In comparison with the brown dwarf formation models, the high excitation lines likely probe the warm ($\sim$25-50 K) corino region at $\sim$10-50 au in the proto-BDs, while the low-excitation lines trace the cold ($<$ 20 K) gas at $\sim$50-150 au. The column density for the cold component is an order of magnitude higher than the warm component. The CH${3}$OH ortho-to-para ratios range between $\sim$0.3-2.3. The volume-averaged CH${3}$OH column densities show a rise with decreasing bolometric luminosity among the proto-BDs, with the median column density higher by a factor of $\sim$3 compared to low-mass protostars. Emission in high-excitation (E${upper}>$ 25 K) CH${3}$OH lines together with the model predictions suggest that a warm corino is present in $\sim$78\% of the proto-BDs in our sample. The remaining show evidence of only the cold component, possibly due to the absence of a strong, high-velocity jet that can stir up the warm gas around it.

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B. Riaz, W. Thi and M. Machida
Wed, 10 May 23
48/65

Comments: Accepted in MNRAS

Understanding Sun-as-a-star variability of solar Balmer lines [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05510


Precise, high-cadence, long-term records of stellar spectral variability at different temporal scales lead to better understanding of a wide variety of phenomena including stellar atmospheres and dynamos, convective motions, and rotational periods. Here, we investigate the variability of solar Balmer lines (H-$\alpha$, -$\beta$, -$\gamma$, -$\delta$) observed by space-borne radiometers (OSIRIS, SCIAMACHY, OMI, and GOME-2), combining these precise, long-term observations with high-resolution data from the ground-based NSO/ISS spectrograph. We relate the detected variability to the appearance of magnetic features on the solar disk. We find that on solar-rotational timescales (about 1 month), the Balmer line activity indices (defined as line-core to line-wing ratios) closely follow variations in the total solar irradiance (which is predominantly photospheric), thus frequently (specifically, during passages of sunspot groups) deviating from behavior of activity indices that track chromospheric activity levels. On longer timescales, the correlation with chromospheric indices increases, with periods of low- or even anti-correlation found at intermediate timescales. Comparison of these observations with estimates from semi-empirical irradiance reconstructions helps quantify the contributions of different magnetic and quiet features. We conclude that both the lower sensitivity to network and in part the higher sensitivity to filaments and prominences, may result in complex, time-dependent relationships between Balmer and other chromospheric indices observed for the Sun and solar-like stars. The fact that core and wings contribute in similar manner to the variability, and current knowledge of Balmer-lines formation in stellar atmospheres, support the notion that Balmer lines core-to-wing ratios indices behave more like photospheric rather than chromospheric indices.

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S. Criscuoli, S. Marchenko, M. DeLand, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
49/65

Comments: Accepted for publication on ApJ on April 28, 2023

A Low-Mass Helium Star Progenitor Model for the Type Ibn SN 2020nxt [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05015


A growing number of supernovae (SNe) are now known to exhibit evidence for significant interaction with a dense, pre-existing, circumstellar medium (CSM). SNe Ibn comprise one such class that can be characterised by both rapidly evolving light curves and persistent narrow He I lines. The origin of such a dense CSM in these systems remains a pressing question, specifically concerning the progenitor system and mass-loss mechanism. In this paper, we present multi-wavelength data of the Type Ibn SN 2020nxt, including $HST$/STIS ultraviolet spectra. We fit the data with recently updated CMFGEN models designed to handle configurations for SNe Ibn. The UV coverage yields strong constraints on the energetics and, when combined with the CMFGEN models, offer new insight on potential progenitor systems. We find the most successful model is a $\lesssim4 {\rm M}\odot$ helium star that lost its $\sim 1\,{\rm M}\odot$ He-rich envelope in the years preceding core collapse. We also consider viable alternatives, such as a He white dwarf merger. Ultimately, we conclude at least some SNe Ibn do not arise from single, massive ($>30 {\rm M}_\odot$) Wolf-Rayet-like stars.

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Q. Wang, A. Goel, L. Dessart, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
53/65

Comments: 17 pages, 13 figures, 1 table, submitted to MNRAS

Discovery of Radial Spectral Hardening in the Hot Bubble of Planetary Nebula BD+30 3639 with Median Energy Imaging [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04948


We introduce a new imaging analysis technique to study the spatial distribution of the X-ray emission from the hot bubble of planetary nebula BD+30 3639. Hot bubble emission is typically photon-starved, thus limiting the methods for spatial-spectral analysis, however, this new technique uses the statistics of photon energies across the nebula to identify spatial variations. Using the median energy value of the X-ray photons, we identified a rise in median energy values towards the projected edge of the nebula, which we refer to as radial spectral hardening. We explored the origin of this radial spectral hardening with X-ray spectral analysis of distinct regions of high- and low-median energy values. Given that the hot bubble is embedded within a young, dense, planetary nebula, we argue that the radial spectral hardening is due to an increased column density at the projected nebular edge. Median energy imaging provides a promising new methodology for exploring the spatial variations in faint extended X-ray sources.

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R. Jr
Wed, 10 May 23
55/65

Comments: 10 pages, 6 figures, and one potentially embarrassing last minute revision. Submitted to ApJ

On the onset delays of solar energetic electrons and protons: Evidence for a common accelerator [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05347


The processes responsible for the acceleration of solar energetic particles (SEPs) are still not well understood, including whether SEP electrons and protons are accelerated by common or separate processes. Using a numerical particle transport model that includes both pitch-angle and perpendicular spatial diffusion, we simulate, amongst other quantities, the onset delay for MeV electrons and protons and compare the results to observations of SEPs from widely-separated spacecraft. Such observations have previously been interpreted, in a simple scenario assuming no perpendicular diffusion, as evidence for different electron and proton sources. We show that, by assuming a common particle source together with perpendicular diffusion, we are able to simultaneously reproduce the onset delays for both electrons and protons. We argue that this points towards a common accelerator for these particles. Moreover, a relatively broad particle source is required in the model to correctly describe the observations. This is suggestive of diffusive shock acceleration occurring at large shock structures playing a significant role in the acceleration of these SEPs.

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R. Strauss, N. Dresing, I. Richardson, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
63/65

Comments: Accepted to ApJ

EPIC 206197016: A very hot white dwarf orbited by a strongly irradiated red dwarf [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05270


Very precise satellite photometry has revealed a large number of variable stars whose variability is caused either by surface spots or by binarity. Detailed studies of such variables provide insights into the physics of these objects. We study the nature of the periodic light variability of the white dwarf EPIC 206197016 that was observed by the K2 mission. We obtain phase-resolved medium-resolution spectroscopy of EPIC 206197016 using XSHOOTER spectrograph at VLT to understand the nature of the white dwarf variability. We use NLTE model atmospheres to determine stellar parameters at individual phases. EPIC 206197016 is a hot DA white dwarf with $T_\text{eff}=78\,$kK. The analysis of the spectra reveals periodic radial velocity variations that can result from gravitational interaction with an invisible secondary whose mass corresponds to a red dwarf. The close proximity of the two stars where the semimajor axis is about $3\,R_\odot$ results in the irradiation of the companion with temperatures more than twice as high on the illuminated side compared to the nonilluminated hemisphere. This effect can explain the observed light variations. The spectra of the white dwarf show a particular feature of the Balmer lines called the Balmer line problem, where the observed cores of the lower Balmer lines are deeper than predicted. This can be attributed to either weak pollution of hydrogen in the white dwarf atmosphere by heavy elements or to the presence of a circumstellar cloud or disk.

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J. Krticka, A. Kawka, Z. Mikulasek, et. al.
Wed, 10 May 23
64/65

Comments: 8 pages, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

No Surviving SN Ia Companion In SNR 0509-67.5: Stellar Population Characterization and Comparison To Models [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03750


The community agrees that Type Ia supernovae arise from Carbon/Oxygen white dwarfs undergoing thermonuclear runaway. However, the full progenitor system and the process that prompts the white dwarf to explode remain unknown. Most current models suggest that the white dwarf explodes because of interaction with a binary companion which may survive the process and remain within the resulting remnant of the exploded star. Furthermore, both the pre-supernova interaction process and the explosion of the primary are expected to imprint a significant departure from ordinary stellar radii and temperatures onto the secondary, making the star identifiable against the unrelated stellar population. Identification of a surviving companion inside an SN Ia remnant might confirm a specific corresponding SN Ia progenitor channel based on the identity of the companion. We conducted a surviving companion search of the Type Ia remnant SNR 0509-67.5 based in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The well-constrained distance to and foreground extinction of the Large Magellanic Cloud allow for Bayesian inference of stellar parameters with low correlation and uncertainties. We present a deep catalog of fully characterized stars interior to SNR 0509-67.5 with radii, effective temperatures, and metallicities inferred using combined Hubble Space Telescope photometric observations across multiple visits. We then compile a list of surviving companion models appropriate for the age of the remnant (roughly 400 years after the explosion). We compare these predictions with the inferred stellar parameters and conclude that none of the stars are consistent with the predicted signatures of a surviving companion.

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J. Shields, P. Arunachalam, W. Kerzendorf, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
8/88

Comments: 16 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables

On the nature of the planet-powered transient event ZTF SLRN-2020 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04909


The Red Nova ZTF SLRN-2020 is the third transient event with properties that are compatible with the merger of a planet with a main sequence (or close to) star on a dynamical timescale. While the two first transient events occurred in young systems, ZTF SLRN-2020 occurred in an old system. Nonetheless, I show that the three star-planet intermediate luminosity optical transients (ILOTs, also termed Red Novae) occupy the same area in the energy-time diagram of ILOTs. Based on models for ILOTs that are power by stellar binary interaction I suggest that the planet in ZTF SLRN-2020 launched jets at about its escape speed before it was engulfed by the star. Interestingly, the escape speed from the planet is similar to the orbital speed of the planet. This leads to an outflow with a very low terminal velocity, much below the escape velocity from the star, and in concentration around ~45 degrees to the equatorial plane. As well, the planet might have lost back some of the accreted mass just before engulfment, forming an accretion disk around the star. This disk might have launched jets during the main outburst of the event. The jets form a bipolar expanding nebula.

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N. Soker
Tue, 9 May 23
12/88

Comments: Will be submitted in 3 days to allow for comments before submission and press release (including of missing references and transients)

Gravity modes on rapidly rotating accreting white dwarfs and their variation after dwarf novae [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03809


Accreting white dwarfs in Cataclysmic variables (CVs) show short-period (tens of minutes) brightness variations that are consistent with non-radial oscillations similar to gravity (g) modes observed in isolated white dwarfs (WDs). GW Librae, a dwarf nova, was the first CV in which non-radial oscillations were observed and continues to be the best studied accreting WD displaying these pulsations. Unlike isolated WDs, accreting WDs rotate rapidly, with spin periods comparable to or shorter than typical low-order oscillation periods. Accreting WDs also have a different relationship between their interior temperature and surface temperature. The surface temperature of an accreting WD varies on a months to year timescale between dwarf novae accretion events, allowing study of how this temperature change effects g-mode behavior. Here we show results from adiabatic seismological calculations for accreting WDs, focusing on low-order ($\ell=1$) modes. We demonstrate how g-modes vary in response to temperature changes in the subsurface layers due to a dwarf nova accretion event. These calculations include rotation non-perturbatively, required by the high spin rate. We discuss the thermal history of these accreting WDs, and compare the seismological properties with and without rotation. Comparison of $g$-mode frequencies to observed objects may allow inference of features of the structure of the WD such as mass, surface abundance, accretion history, and more. The variation of mode frequencies during cooling after an outburst provides a novel method of identifying modes.

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P. Kumar and D. Townsley
Tue, 9 May 23
14/88

Comments: 18 pages, 13 figures, Accepted to ApJ

Does the i-process operate at nearly solar metallicity? [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04189


A sample of 895 s-process-rich candidates has been found among the 454180 giant stars surveyed by LAMOST at low spectral resolution (R~1800). In a previous study, taking advantage of the higher resolution (R~86 000) offered by the the HERMES-Mercator spectrograph, we performed the re-analysis of 15 among the brightest stars of this sample. Among these 15 program stars, having close-to-solar metallicities, 11 showed mild to strong heavy element overabundances. The nucleosynthesis process(es) at the origin of these overabundances were however not questioned in our former study. We derive the abundances in s- and r-process elements of the 15 targets in order to investigate whether some stars also show an i-process signature, as sometimes found in their lower metallicity counterparts (namely, the Carbon-Enhanced Metal-Poor (CEMP)-rs stars). Abundances are derived from the high-resolution HERMES spectra for Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu, using the TURBOSPECTRUM radiative transfer LTE code with MARCS model atmospheres. Using the new classification scheme proposed in our recent study we find that two stars show overabundances in both s- and r-process elements well above the level expected from the Galactic chemical evolution, an analogous situation to the one of CEMP-rs stars at lower metallicities. We compare the abundances of the most enriched stars with the nucleosynthetic predictions from the STAREVOL stellar evolutionary code and find abundances compatible with an i-process occurring in AGB stars. Despite a larger number of heavy elements to characterize the enrichment pattern, the limit between CEMP-s and CEMP-rs stars remains fuzzy. It is however interesting to note that an increasing number of extrinsic stars are found to have abundances better reproduced by an i-process pattern even at close-to-solar metallicities.

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D. Karinkuzhi, S. Eck, S. Goriely, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
20/88

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A, 9 pages, 9 figures including the two in appendix

The 2022 active state of the AM CVn star NSV 1440 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04194


We found an active state lasting for ~200 d in the AM CVn star NSV 1440 in 2022. During this state, the object reached a magnitude of 16.5, 2.0-2.5 mag above quiescence, and showed a number of superposed normal outbursts. Such an active state was probably brought either by an enhanced mass-transfer from the secondary or increased quiescent viscosity of the accretion disk. These possibilities are expected to be distinguished by an observation of the interval to the next superoutburst. We also found that the brightness and the course toward the end of the event were similar to the post-superoutburst fading tail in 2021. The mechanism producing the 2022 active state and post-superoutburst fading tails in AM CVn stars may be the same, and the present finding is expected to clarify the nature of these still poorly understood fading tails in AM CVn stars, and potentially of the corresponding phenomenon in hydrogen-rich WZ Sge stars. We also note that the faint, long “superoutbursts” in long-period AM CVn stars claimed in the past were not true outbursts powered by disk instability, but were more likely phenomena similar to the 2022 active state in NSV 1440.

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T. Kato and R. Stubbings
Tue, 9 May 23
23/88

Comments: 8 pages, 3 figures, VSOLJ Variable Star Bulletin No. 116

Discovery of a substellar companion in the TESS light curve of the $δ$ Scuti/$γ$ Doradus hybrid pulsator HD 31221 [EPA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04000


Close-in, sub-stellar companions to $\delta$ Scuti type stars present a highly suitable testbed for examining how planetary-mass objects can influence stellar pulsations. We aim to constrain the mass of HD 31221 b, probe its atmosphere, and demonstrate how it affects the pulsational pattern of its host, HD 31221. We made use of the available data from the short-cadence Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). We modeled the nine observed transits and the out-of-phase variations, including Doppler beaming, ellipsoidal variations, and the reflection effect. We also incorporated ground-based photometry from the MuSCAT2 imager installed at the 1.52 m Telescopio Carlos Sanchez in the Teide Observatory, Spain. We found HD 31221 b to have an orbital period of $4.66631 \pm 0.00011$ days, with a radius of $1.32 \pm 0.14$ R$J$ and a mass of $11.5 \pm 10.3$ M$_J$ (from the ellipsoidal effect), making it consistent with either a brown dwarf or a giant planet. As HD 31221 is a rapid rotator ($v \sin I\star = 175.31 \pm 1.74$ km s$^{-1}$), we deduced the spin-orbit misalignment to be $\lambda = -121.6 \pm 14.4^\circ$ and $I_\star = 55.9 \pm 11.3^\circ$. The phase curve is dominated by the reflection effect, with a geometric albedo of $1.58 \pm 0.50$. We also found evidence that HD 31221 is a $\delta$ Scuti/$\gamma$ Doradus hybrid pulsator. There are three cases for which the $3$rd, $85$th, and $221$st orbital harmonics almost exactly coincide with peaks in the Fourier spectrum of the star, hinting at tidally perturbed stellar oscillations. HD 31221 b is the third substellar object that is found to be disrupting the pulsations of its host, following HAT-P-2 and WASP-33. Additional photometric observations by CHEOPS and/or PLATO can be used to further constrain its mass and provide a more in-depth analysis of its atmosphere.

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S. Kálmán, A. Derekas, S. Csizmadia, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
27/88

Comments: Accepted for publication as a Letter in A&A, 12 pages, 10 figures

Radiation pressure acting on the neutral He atoms in the Heliosphere [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04510


The Interstellar Neutral Helium (ISN He) is an important source of information on the physical state of the Local Interstellar Medium. Radiation pressure acting on the neutral helium atoms in the heliosphere has always been neglected, its effect has been considered insignificant compared to gravitational force. The most advanced numerical models of ISN He take into account more and more subtle effects, therefore it is important to check if the effect of radiation pressure is still negligible. In this paper, we use the most up-to-date version of the Warsaw Test Particle Model (WTPM) to calculate the expected helium distribution in the heliosphere, and simulate the flux of ISN He observed by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) and in the future by the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). We compare results calculated with and without radiation pressure during low and high solar activity. The results show that in the analysis of IBEX-Lo observations the radiation pressure acting on typical helium causes flux differences at a level of 1-4% and is comparable to the observational errors. For the more sensitive IMAP-Lo instrument, there are some regions in the considered observations configurations where radiation pressure causes potentially statistically significant changes in the calculated fluxes. The effect can be up to 9% for the indirect beam and is likely to be higher than the estimated errors. Therefore, we claim that in the future analysis of the IMAP-Lo observations radiation pressure acting on ISN He should be considered.

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I. Kowalska-Leszczynska, M. Kubiak and M. Bzowski
Tue, 9 May 23
34/88

Comments: Accepted to ApJ

A rotational age for the open cluster NGC 2281 [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03755


Cool star rotation periods have become an important tool in determining ages of open clusters. We aim to estimate the age of the open cluster NGC 2281 based on the rotational properties of its low-mass members. Previous age estimates for this open cluster range from 275 Myr to 630 Myr. Based on an eight month-long photometric time series obtained at the 1.2 m robotic STELLA telescope in Tenerife, we measured rotation periods for 126 cool star members (70% of the observed members) of NGC 2281. The large set of rotation periods allows us to construct a rich colour-period diagram for NGC 2281 with very few outliers above the slow rotator sequence. We identify an evolved fast rotator sequence which can be used to accurately age date the open cluster relative to other open clusters. Comparisons with M37 and M48 show that all three open clusters are roughly coeval, and we estimate the age of NGC 2281 to be $435\pm50$ Myr. Through comparisons with the younger NGC 3532 and the older Praesepe, we determine the spin down rates of mid-K and early-M fast rotators to be significantly lower than for early-K stars. We suspect that the spin down of early-K fast rotators might be governed by an additional mass dependence. Finally, we show the path towards an empirical description of the evolved fast rotator sequences in open clusters.

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D. Fritzewski, S. Barnes, J. Weingrill, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
37/88

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A. 14 pages, 10 figures

Breakdown of the Newton-Einstein Standard Gravity at Low Acceleration in Internal Dynamics of Wide Binary Stars [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04613


A gravitational anomaly is found at weak gravitational acceleration $g_{\rm{N}} < 10^{-9}$ m s$^{-2}$ from analyses of the dynamics of wide binary stars selected from the Gaia EDR3 database that have accurate distances, proper motions, and reliably inferred stellar masses. Implicit high-order multiplicities are required and the multiplicity fraction is calibrated so that binary internal motions agree statistically with Newtonian dynamics at a high enough acceleration of $10^{-8}$ m s$^{-2}$. The observed sky-projected motions and separation are deprojected to the three-dimensional relative velocity $v$ and separation $r$ through a Monte Carlo method, and a statistical relation between the Newtonian acceleration $g_{\rm{N}} \equiv GM/r^2$ (where $M$ is the total mass of the binary system) and a kinematic acceleration $g \equiv v^2/r$ is compared with the corresponding relation predicted by Newtonian dynamics. The empirical acceleration relation at $< 10^{-9}$ m s$^{-2}$ systematically deviates from the Newtonian expectation. A gravitational anomaly parameter $\delta_{\rm{obs-newt}}$ between the observed acceleration at $g_{\rm{N}}$ and the Newtonian prediction is measured to be: $\delta_{\rm{obs-newt}}= 0.034\pm 0.007$ and $0.109\pm 0.013$ at $g_{\rm{N}}\approx10^{-8.91}$ and $10^{-10.15}$ m s$^{-2}$, from the main sample of 26,615 wide binaries within 200 pc. These two deviations in the same direction represent a $10\sigma$ significance. The deviation represents a direct evidence for the breakdown of standard gravity at weak acceleration. At $g_{\rm{N}}=10^{-10.15}$ m s$^{-2}$, the observed to Newton predicted acceleration ratio is $g_{\rm{obs}}/g_{\rm{pred}}=10^{\sqrt{2}\delta_{\rm{obs-newt}}}=1.43\pm 0.06$. This systematic deviation agrees with the boost factor that the AQUAL theory predicts for kinematic accelerations in circular orbits under the Galactic external field.

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K. Chae
Tue, 9 May 23
38/88

Comments: 31 pages, 28 figures, submitted to ApJ

Substructures in Compact Disks of the Taurus Star-forming Region [EPA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03862


Observations of substructure in protoplanetary disks have largely been limited to the brightest and largest disks, excluding the abundant population of compact disks which are likely sites of planet formation. Here, we reanalyze ~0.1”, 1.33 mm ALMA continuum observations of 12 compact protoplanetary disks in the Taurus star-forming region. By fitting visibilities directly, we identify substructures in 6 of the 12 compact disks. We then compare the substructures identified in the full Taurus sample of 24 disks in single star systems and the ALMA DSHARP survey, differentiating between compact (R_eff,90% < 50 au) and extended (R_eff,90% > 50 au) disk sources. We find that substructures are detected at nearly all radii in both small and large disks. Tentatively, we find fewer wide gaps in intermediate-sized disks with R_eff,90% between 30 and 90 au. We perform a series of planet-disk interaction simulations to constrain the sensitivity of our visibility-fitting approach. Under an assumption of planet-disk interaction, we use the gap widths and common disk parameters to calculate potential planet masses within the Taurus sample. We find that the young planet occurrence rate peaks near Neptune masses, similar to the DSHARP sample. For 0.01 $M_J/M_\odot$ $\lesssim$ $M_p/M_$ $\lesssim$ 0.1 $M_J/M_\odot$, the rate is 17.4$\pm$8.3%; for 0.1 $M_J/M_\odot$ $\lesssim$ $M_p/M_$ $\lesssim$ 1 $M_J/M_\odot$, it is 27.8$\pm$8.3%. Both of them are consistent with microlensing surveys. For gas giants more massive than 5 $M_J$, the occurrence rate is 4.2$\pm$4.2%, consistent with direct imaging surveys.

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S. Zhang, M. Kalscheur, F. Long, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
39/88

Comments: 30 pages, 15 figures, 6 tables, accepted to be published in The Astrophysical Journal

NGTS clusters survey $-$ V: Rotation in the Orion Star-forming Complex [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04621


We present a study of rotation across 30 square degrees of the Orion Star-forming Complex, following a $\sim$200 d photometric monitoring campaign by the Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS). From 5749 light curves of Orion members, we report periodic signatures for 2268 objects and analyse rotation period distributions as a function of colour for 1789 stars with spectral types F0$-$M5. We select candidate members of Orion using $\textit{Gaia}$ data and assign our targets to kinematic sub-groups. We correct for interstellar extinction on a star-by-star basis and determine stellar and cluster ages using magnetic and non-magnetic stellar evolutionary models. Rotation periods generally lie in the range 1$-$10 d, with only 1.5 per cent of classical T Tauri stars or Class I/II young stellar objects rotating with periods shorter than 1.8 d, compared with 14 per cent of weak-line T Tauri stars or Class III objects. In period$-$colour space, the rotation period distribution moves towards shorter periods among low-mass (>M2) stars of age 3$-$6 Myr, compared with those at 1$-$3 Myr, with no periods longer than 10 d for stars later than M3.5. This could reflect a mass-dependence for the dispersal of circumstellar discs. Finally, we suggest that the turnover (from increasing to decreasing periods) in the period$-$colour distributions may occur at lower mass for the older-aged population: $\sim$K5 spectral type at 1$-$3 Myr shifting to $\sim$M1 at 3$-$6 Myr.

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G. Smith, E. Gillen, S. Hodgkin, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
40/88

Comments: This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. 20 pages. 21 figures

Precise Masses, Ages of ~1.0 million RGB and RC stars observed by the LAMOST [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04528


We construct a catalogue of stellar masses and ages for 696,680 red giant branch (RGB) stars, 180,436 primary red clump (RC) stars, and 120,907 secondary RC stars selected from the LAMOST\,DR8. The RGBs, primary RCs, and secondary RCs are identified with the large frequency spacing ($\Delta \nu$) and period spacing ($\Delta P$), estimated from the LAMOST spectra with spectral SNRs $> 10$ by the neural network method supervised with the seismologic information from LAMOST-Kepler sample stars. The purity and completeness of both RGB and RC samples are better than 95\% and 90\%, respectively. The mass and age of RGBs and RCs are determined again with the neural network method by taking the LAMOST-Kepler giant stars as the training set. The typical uncertainties of stellar mass and age are, respectively, 10\% and 30\% for the RGB stellar sample. For RCs, the typical uncertainties of stellar mass and age are 9\% and 24\%, respectively. The RGB and RC stellar samples cover a large volume of the Milky Way (5 $< R < 20$\,kpc and $|Z| <$\,5\,kpc), which are valuable data sets for various Galactic studies.

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C. Wang, Y. Huang, Y. Zhou, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
43/88

Comments: 13 pages, 16 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in A&A

Swirls in the Solar Corona [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03769


Vortex flows have been found in the photosphere, chromosphere and low corona in observations and simulations. It has been suggested that vortices play an important role for channeling energy and plasma into the corona, but the impact of vortex flows on the corona has not directly been studied in a realistic setup. We investigate the role vortices play for coronal heating using high resolution simulations of coronal loops. The vortices are not artificially driven, but arise self-consistently from magnetoconvection. We perform 3D resistive MHD simulations with the MURaM code. Studying an isolated coronal loop in a Cartesian geometry allows us to resolve the structure of the loop interior. We conduct a statistical analysis to determine vortex properties as a function of height from the chromosphere into the corona. We find that the energy injected into the loop is generated by internal coherent motions within strong magnetic elements. A significant part of the resulting Poynting flux is channeled through the chromosphere in vortex tubes forming a magnetic connection between the photosphere and corona. Vortices can form contiguous structures that reach up to coronal heights, but in the corona itself the vortex tubes get deformed and eventually lose their identity with increasing height. Vortices show increased upward directed Poynting flux and heating rate both in the chromosphere and corona, but their effect becomes less pronounced with increasing height. While vortices play an important role for the energy transport and structuring in the chromosphere and low corona, their importance higher up in the atmosphere is less clear since the swirls are less distinguishable from their environment. Vortex tubes reaching the corona show a complex relationship with the coronal emission.

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C. Breu, H. Peter, R. Cameron, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
44/88

Comments: 18 pages, 12 figures

Infall and Outflow Towards High-mass Starless Clump Candidates [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04256


The evolutionary sequence for high-mass star formation starts with massive starless clumps that go on to form protostellar, young stellar objects and then compact HII regions. While there are many examples of the three later stages, the very early stages have proved to be elusive. We follow-up a sample of 110 mid-infrared dark clumps selected from the ATLASGAL catalogue with the IRAM telescope in an effort to identify a robust sample of massive starless clumps. We have used the HCO+ (1-0) and HNC (1-0) transitions to identify clumps associated with infall motion and the SiO (2-1) transition to identity outflow candidates. We have found blue asymmetric line profile in 65% of the sample, and have measured the infall velocities and mass infall rates (0.6-$36 \times 10^{-3}$ Msun/yr) for 33 of these clumps. We find a trend for the mass infall rate decreasing with an increase of bolometric luminosity to clump mass i.e. star formation within the clumps evolves. Using the SiO 2-1 line, we have identified good outflow candidates. Combining the infall and outflow tracers reveals that 67% of quiescent clumps are already undergoing gravitational collapse or are associated with star formation; these clumps provide us with our best opportunity to determined the initial conditions and study the earliest stages of massive star formation. Finally, we provide an overview of a systematic high-resolution ALMA study of quiescent clumps selected that allows us to develop a detailed understanding of earliest stages and their subsequent evolution.

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T. Pillai, J. Urquhart, S. Leurini, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
46/88

Comments: 10 pages and 7 figures

The emergence of a neutral wind region in the orbital plane of symbiotic binaries during their outbursts [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04220


Accretion of mass onto a white dwarf (WD) in a binary system can lead to stellar explosions. If a WD accretes from stellar wind of a distant evolved giant in a symbiotic binary, it can undergo occasional outbursts in which it brightens by several magnitudes, produces a low- and high-velocity mass-outflow, and, in some cases, ejects bipolar jets. In this paper, we complement the current picture of these outbursts by the transient emergence of a neutral region in the orbital plane of symbiotic binaries consisting of wind from the giant. We prove its presence by determining H$^0$ column densities ($N_{\rm H}$) in the direction of the WD and at any orbital phase of the binary by modeling the continuum depression around the Ly$\alpha$ line caused by Rayleigh scattering on atomic hydrogen for all suitable objects, i.e., eclipsing symbiotic binaries, for which a well-defined ultraviolet spectrum from an outburst is available. The $N_{\rm H}$ values follow a common course along the orbit with a minimum and maximum of a few times $10^{22}$ and $10^{24}$ cm$^{-2}$ around the superior and inferior conjunction of the giant, respectively. Its asymmetry implies an asymmetric density distribution of the wind from the giant in the orbital plane with respect to the binary axis. The neutral wind is observable in the orbital plane due to the formation of a dense disk-like structure around the WD during outbursts, which blocks ionizing radiation from the central burning WD in the orbital plane.

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A. Skopal
Tue, 9 May 23
51/88

Comments: 10 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, and 7 appendices with 5 figures and 4 tables on the next 15 pages. Accepted for The Astronomical Journal

Flight of the Bumblebee: the Early Excess Flux of Type Ia Supernova 2023bee revealed by $TESS$, $Swift$ and Young Supernova Experiment Observations [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03779


We present high-cadence ultraviolet through near-infrared observations of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2023bee in NGC~2708 ($D = 32 \pm 3$ Mpc), finding excess flux in the first days after explosion relative to the expected power-law rise from an expanding fireball. This deviation from typical behavior for SNe Ia is particularly obvious in our 10-minute cadence $TESS$ light curve and $Swift$ UV data. Compared to a few other normal SNe Ia with detected early excess flux, the excess flux in SN 2023bee is redder in the UV and less luminous. We present optical spectra of SN 2023bee, including two spectra during the period where the flux excess is dominant. At this time, the spectra are similar to those of other SNe Ia but with weaker Si II, C II and Ca II absorption lines, perhaps because the excess flux creates a stronger continuum. We compare the data to several theoretical models that have been proposed to explain the early flux excess in SNe Ia. Interaction with either a nearby companion star or close-in circumstellar material is expected to produce a faster evolution than seen in the data. Radioactive material in the outer layers of the ejecta, either from a double detonation explosion or simply an explosion with a $^{56}$Ni clump near the surface, can not fully reproduce the evolution either, likely due to the sensitivity of early UV observable to the treatment of the outer part of ejecta in simulation. We conclude that no current model can adequately explain the full set of observations. We find that a relatively large fraction of nearby, bright SNe Ia with high-cadence observations have some amount of excess flux within a few days of explosion. Considering potential asymmetric emission, the physical cause of this excess flux may be ubiquitous in normal SNe Ia.

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Q. Wang, A. Rest, G. Dimitriadis, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
64/88

Comments: 20 pages, 12 figures

Magnetic Fields of New CP Stars Discovered with Kepler Mission Data [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04898


The paper presents the first results of the ongoing spectropolarimetric monitoring of magnetic fields of stars, whose chemically peculiar nature has been previously revealed with the 1-m SAO RAS telescope. We selected the sample candidates using the photometric data of the Kepler and TESS space missions. The efficiency of the method of searching for new CP stars based on photometric light curves has been confirmed. We present the magnetic field measurements and estimate the atmospheric parameters of the objects under study.

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I. Yakunin, E. Semenko, I. Romanyuk, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
71/88

Comments: Accepted in Astrophysical Bulletin

Are Non-thermal Velocities in Active Region Coronal Loops Anisotropic? [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03808


We have measured line widths in active region coronal loops in order to determine whether the non-thermal broadening is anisotropic with respect to the magnetic field direction. These non-thermal velocities are caused by unresolved fluid motions. Our analysis method combines spectroscopic data and a magnetic field extrapolation. We analyzed spectra from the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer on Hinode. A differential emission measure analysis showed that many spectral lines that are commonly considered to be formed in the active region have a substantial contribution from the background quiet Sun. From these spectra we identified lines whose emission was dominated by the active region loops rather than background sources. Using these lines, we constructed maps of the non-thermal velocity. With data from the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager on the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Coronal Modeling System nonlinear force-free magnetic field reconstruction code, we traced several of the magnetic field lines through the active region. Comparing the spectroscopic and magnetic data, we looked for correlations of non-thermal velocity with the viewing angle between the line of sight and the magnetic field. We found that non-thermal velocities show a weak anti-correlation with the viewing angle. That is, the tendency is for the non-thermal velocity to be slightly larger in the parallel direction. This parallel broadening may be due to acoustic waves or unresolved parallel flows.

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M. Hahn, M. Asgari-Targhi and D. Savin
Tue, 9 May 23
75/88

Comments: Submitted to the Astrophysical Journal

Revealing the intrinsic X-ray reverberation lags in IRAS 13224-3809 through the Granger causality test [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04185


The Granger causality is an econometric test for determining whether one time series is useful for forecasting another one with a certain Granger lag. Here, the light curves in the 0.3-1 keV (reflection dominated, soft) and 1.2-5 keV (continuum dominated, hard) bands of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are produced, and the Granger lags are estimated and compared to the traditional lag-frequency spectra. We find that the light curves in the hard band Granger-cause (lead) those in the soft band, whereas the obtained Granger lags could be interpreted as the intrinsic reverberation lags. Then, we extract the Granger-lag profiles from 14 XMM-Newton observations of IRAS 13224-3809, and find that the lags are significant in 12 observations. The majority of the obtained Granger (intrinsic) lags are ~ 200-500 s. With the IRAS 13224-3809 mass of 2 $\times 10^6$ $M_{\odot}$, these lags correspond to the true light-travel distance of ~ 20-50 $r_g$. Hence, by assuming a lamp-post geometry and a face-on disc, this places the corona at ~ 10-25 $r_{g}$ above the central black hole. Moreover, multiple Granger lags consisting of the small and large lags of < 500 s and > 1000 s are detected in 4 observations. This means that the corona height can significantly evolve from ~ 10-25 $r_{g}$ to ~ 55 $r_{g}$, or vice versa, towards the end of the observation. Granger lags are a promising way to measure the intrinsic lags, and provide evidence of coronal height variability within each individual observation.

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P. Chainakun, N. Nakhonthong, W. Luangtip, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
80/88

Comments: 13 pages, 10 figures, 1 Table, accepted for publication in MNRAS

ATLASGAL: 3-mm class I methanol masers in high-mass star formation regions [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.04264


We analyzed the 3-mm wavelength spectral line survey of 408 ATLASGAL clumps observed with the IRAM 30m-telescope, focusing on the class I methanol masers with frequencies near 84, 95 and 104.3 GHz. We detect narrow, maser-like features towards 54, 100 and 4 sources in the maser lines near 84, 95 and 104.3 GHz, respectively. Among them, fifty 84 GHz masers, twenty nine 95 GHz masers and four rare 104.3 GHz masers are new discoveries. The new detections increase the number of known 104.3 GHz masers from 5 to 9. The 95 GHz class I methanol maser is generally stronger than the 84 GHz maser counterpart. We find 9 sources showing class I methanol masers but no SiO emission, indicating that class I methanol masers might be the only signpost of protostellar outflow activity in extremely embedded objects at the earliest evolutionary stage. Class I methanol masers that are associated with sources that show SiO line wings are more numerous and stronger than those without such wings. The total integrated intensity of class I methanol masers is well correlated with the integrated intensity and velocity coverage of the SiO (2–1) emission. The properties of class I methanol masers are positively correlated with the bolometric luminosity, clump mass, peak H$_2$ column density of their associated clumps but uncorrelated with the luminosity-to-mass ratio, dust temperature, and mean H$_2$ volume density. We suggest that the properties of class I masers are related to shocks traced by SiO. Based on our observations, we conclude that class I methanol masers at 84 and 95 GHz can trace a similar evolutionary stage as H$_2$O maser, and appear prior to 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol and OH masers. Despite their small number, the 104.3 GHz class I masers appear to trace a short and more evolved stage compared to the other class I masers. [abridged]

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W. Yang, Y. Gong, K. Menten, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
84/88

Comments: 23 pages, 27 figures, 8 tables, accepted for publication in A&A

Spectral distortions of astrophysical blackbodies as axion probes [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03749


Recent studies reveal that more than a dozen of white dwarfs displaying near-perfect blackbody spectra in the optical range have been lurking in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey catalog. We point out that, in a way analogous to the Cosmic Microwave Background, these stars serve as excellent testbeds for new physics. Specifically, we show how their observed lack of spectral distortions translates into limits on the parameter space of axions with electromagnetic coupling. The prospects for future improvements are also discussed.

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J. Chang, R. Ebadi, X. Luo, et. al.
Tue, 9 May 23
85/88

Comments: 14 pages, 8 figures

The ELM Survey South. II. Two dozen new low mass white dwarf binaries [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03079


We present the results from our ongoing spectroscopic survey targeting low mass white dwarf binaries, focusing on the southern sky. We used a Gaia DR2 and eDR3 based selection and identified 28 new binaries, including 19 new extremely low mass white dwarfs, one short period, likely eclipsing, DABZ, and two potential LISA binaries. We present orbital and atmospheric parameters for each new binary based on our spectroscopic follow-up.
Four of our new binaries show periodic photometric variability in the TESS 2-minute cadence data, including one new eclipsing double-lined spectroscopic binary. Three others show periodic photometric variability in ZTF, including one new eclipsing binary. We provide estimates for the inclinations and scaled component radii for these ZTF variables, based on light curve modeling to our high-speed photometric follow-up observations.
Our observations have increased the sample of ELM Survey binaries identified in the southern sky to 41, an increase of 64%. Future time domain surveys, such as BlackGEM and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time, will efficiently identify the photometric variables in the southern sky and significantly increase the population of southern sky low mass white dwarf binaries, leading to a more complete all-sky population of these systems.

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A. Kosakowski, W. Brown, M. Kilic, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
2/63

Comments: 28 pages. 13 Figures, 5 Tables. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

V618 Sgr: Galactic eclipsing symbiotic nova detected in repeated outbursts [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03537


V618 Sgr was previously classified as an R CrB-type variable and later as a possible symbiotic star. Our study aims to analyse the nature of this target, which is currently undergoing significant brightening in properties similar to those of known symbiotic novae. We analyse literature information, photometric observations, and 35 new optical spectra. Our findings strongly suggest that V618 Sgr is an eclipsing symbiotic nova currently in outburst. Additionally, since the star has demonstrated at least two similar brightenings in the past, we propose that V618 Sgr could be the first known galactic symbiotic nova observed in repeated outbursts of this type and may host a relatively massive white dwarf.

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J. Merc, R. Gális, P. Velez, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
3/63

Comments: 6 pages, 6 figures, 1 table; accepted in MNRAS

Extension of the Asfgrid for correcting asteroseismic large frequency separations [IMA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03221


The asteroseismic scaling relation, dnu~rho^{0.5}, linking a star’s large frequency separation, dnu, and its mean density, rho, is not exact. Yet, it provides a very useful way to obtain fundamental stellar properties. Common ways to make the relation more accurate is to apply correction factors to it. Because the corrections depend on stellar properties, such as mass, Teff, and metallicity, it is customary to interpolate these properties over stellar model grids that include both dnu, measured from adiabatic frequencies of the models, and the models’ stellar density; hence linking both sides of the scaling relation. A grid and interpolation tool widely used for this purpose, known as Asfgrid, was published by Sharma & Stello 2016. Here, we present a significant extension of Asfgrid to cover higher- and lower-mass stars and to increase the density of grid points, especially in the low-metallicity regime.

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D. Stello and S. Sharma
Mon, 8 May 23
5/63

Comments: Published in RNAAS

The first massive compact companion in a wide orbit around a hot subdwarf star [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03475


We report the discovery of the first hot subdwarf B (sdB) star with a massive compact companion in a wide ($P=892.5\pm60.2\,{\rm d}$) binary system. It was discovered based on an astrometric binary solution provided by the Gaia mission Data Release 3. We performed detailed analyses of the spectral energy distribution (SED) as well as spectroscopic follow-up observations and confirm the nature of the visible component as a sdB star. The companion is invisible despite of its high mass of $M_{\rm comp}=1.50_{-0.45}^{+0.37}\,M_{\rm \odot}$. A main sequence star of this mass would significantly contribute to the SED and can be excluded. The companion must be a compact object, either a massive white dwarf or a neutron star. Stable Roche lobe overflow to the companion likely led to the stripping of a red giant and the formation of the sdB, the hot and exposed helium core of the giant. Based on very preliminary data, we estimate that $\sim9\%$ of the sdBs might be formed through this new channel. This binary might also be the prototype for a new progenitor class of supernovae type Ia, which has been predicted by theory.

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S. Geier, M. Dorsch, H. Dawson, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
10/63

Comments: 11 pages, accepted for publication in A&A

Early excess emission in Type Ia supernovae from the interaction between supernova ejecta and their circumstellar wind [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03363


The effects of the interaction between Type Ia supernova ejecta and their circumstellar wind on the photometric properties of Type Ia supernovae are investigated. We assume that a hydrogen-rich, dense, and extended circumstellar matter (CSM) is formed by the steady mass loss of their progenitor systems. The CSM density is assumed to be proportional to r^{-2}. When the mass-loss rate is above 1e-4 Msun/yr with a wind velocity of 100 km/s, CSM interaction results in an early flux excess in optical light-curves within 4 days of explosion. In these cases, the optical colour quickly evolves to the blue. The ultraviolet flux below 3000 A is found to have a persistent flux excess compared to Type Ia supernovae as long as CSM interaction continues. Type Ia supernovae with progenitor mass-loss rates between 1e-4 and 1e-3 Msun/yr may not have a CSM that is dense enough to affect spectra to make them Type Ia-CSM, but they may still result in Type Ia supernovae with an early optical flux excess. Because they have a persistent ultraviolet flux excess, ultraviolet light curves around the luminosity peak would be significantly different from those with a low-density CSM.

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T. Moriya, P. Mazzali, C. Ashall, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
11/63

Comments: 8 pages, 8 figures, accepted by Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Compressible Turbulence in the Near-Sun Solar Wind: Parker Solar Probe's First Eight Perihelia [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03566


Many questions remain about the compressibility of solar wind turbulence with respect to its origins and properties. Low plasma beta (ratio of thermal to magnetic pressure) environments allow for the easier generation of compressible turbulence, enabling study of the relationship between density fluctuations and turbulent Mach number. Utilizing Parker Solar Probe plasma data, we examine the normalized proton density fluctuations $\langle \delta n_p^2 \rangle ^{1/2}/\langle n_p\rangle = \delta {n_p}{rms}/\langle n_p\rangle$ as a function of turbulent Mach number $M_t$ conditioned on plasma beta and cross helicity. With consideration of statistical error in the parameters computed from in-situ data, we find a general result that $\delta {n_p}{rms}/\langle n_p\rangle \sim M_t^{1.18 \pm 0.04}$, consistent with both linear-wave theory, and nearly-incompressible turbulence in an inhomogeneous background field. We compare observational results conditioned on plasma beta and cross helicity with 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations, and observe rather significant similarities with respect to how those parameters affect the proportionality between density fluctuations and turbulent Mach number. This study further investigates the complexity of compressible turbulence as viewed by the density scaling relationship, and may help better understand the compressible environment of the near-Sun solar wind.

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M. Cuesta, R. Chhiber, X. Fu, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
16/63

Comments: 8 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, submitted to ApJL

The role of the drag force in the gravitational stability of dusty planet-forming disc — II. Numerical simulations [EPA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03659


Young protostellar discs are likely to be both self-gravitating, and to support grain growth to sizes where the particles decoupled from the gas. This combination could lead to short-wavelength fragmentation of the solid component in otherwise non-fragmenting gas discs, forming Earth-mass solid cores during the Class 0/I stages of Young Stellar Object evolution. We use three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of two-fluid discs, in the regime where the Stokes number of the particles St>1, to study how the formation of solid clumps depends on the disc-to-star mass ratio, the strength of gravitational instability, and the Stokes number. Gravitational instability of the simulated discs is sustained by local cooling. We find that the ability of the spiral structures to concentrate solids increases with the cooling time, and decreases with the Stokes number, while the relative dynamical temperature between gas and dust of the particles decreases with the cooling time and the disc-to-star mass ratio, and increases with the Stokes number. Dust collapse occurs in a subset of high disc mass simulations, yielding clumps whose mass is close to linear theory estimates, namely 1-10 Earth masses. Our results suggest that if planet formation occurs via this mechanism, the best conditions correspond to near the end of the self-gravitating phase, when the cooling time is long and the Stokes number close to unity.

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C. Longarini, P. Armitage, G. Lodato, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
17/63

Comments: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 20 pages

A Catalog of Distance Determinations for the LAMOST DR8 K Giants in the Galactic Halo [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03311


We present a catalog of distances for 19544 K giants drawn from LAMOST DR8. Most of them are located in the halo of the Milky Way up to ~120~kpc. There are 15% K giants without SDSS photometry, for which we supplements with Pan-STARRS1 (PS1) photometry calibrated to SDSS photometric system. The possible contamination of the red clumps/horizontal branch are removed according to metallicities and colors before the distance determination. Combining the LAMOST spectroscopic metallicities with the SDSS/PS1 photometry, we estimate the absolute magnitudes in SDSS $r-$band, the distance moduli, and the corresponding uncertainties through an Bayesian approach devised by Xue et al. (2014) for the SEGUE halo K-giants. The typical distance precision is about 11%. The stars in the catalog lie in a region of 4-126 kpc from the Galactic center, of which with 6, 320 stars beyond 20 kpc and 273 stars beyond 50 kpc, forming the largest spectroscopic sample of distant tracers in the Milky Way halo so far.

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L. Zhang, X. Xue, C. Yang, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
23/63

Comments: Accepted for publication in AJ

Elasticity of neutron star mantle: improved compressible liquid drop model for cylindrical phases [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03603


Neutron stars are the densest objects in the Universe. They have microscopically homogeneous core and heterogeneous crust. In particular, there may be a specific layer inside neutron stars, the mantle, which consists of substantially non-spherical nuclei immersed in a background of relativistic degenerate electrons and quasi-free neutrons. In this paper we reconsider transverse shear modulus for cylindrical phases of the mantle within the framework of compressible liquid drop model. We demonstrate that transverse shear affects the shape of nuclear clusters: their cross-section becomes elliptical. This effect reduces respective elastic constant. Using a simple model we perform all derivations analytically and obtain the expression for the transverse shear modulus, which can be useful for astrophysical applications.

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N. Zemlyakov and A. Chugunov
Mon, 8 May 23
24/63

Comments: 12 pages, 4 figures, published in Universe

Dark Matter-Induced Stellar Oscillations [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03085


It has been hypothesized that dark matter is comprised of ultra-light bosons whose collective phenomena can be described as a scalar field undergoing coherent oscillations. Examples include axion and fuzzy dark matter models. In this ultra-light dark matter scenario, the harmonic variation in the field’s energy-momentum tensor sources an oscillating component of the gravitational potential that we show can resonantly-excite stellar oscillations. A mathematical framework for predicting the amplitude of these oscillations is developed, which reveals that ultra-light dark matter predominantly excites p-modes of degree $l=1$. An investigation of resonantly-excited solar oscillations is presented, from which we conclude that dark matter-induced oscillations of the Sun are likely undetectable. We discuss prospects for constraining ultra-light dark matter using other stellar objects.

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J. Sakstein and I. Saltas
Mon, 8 May 23
25/63

Comments: 5 pages, no figures. Comments welcome. A reproduction package for our numerical analysis is available here: this https URL

Tip of the Red Giant Branch Bounds on the Axion-Electron Coupling Revisited [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03113


We present a novel method to constrain the axion-electron coupling constant using the observed calibration of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) I band magnitude $M_I$ that fully accounts for uncertainties and degeneracies with stellar input physics.~We simulate a grid of 116,250 models varying initial mass, helium abundance, and metallicity and train a machine learning emulator to predict $M_I$ as a function of these parameters.~Our emulator enables the use of Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations where the axion-electron coupling $\alpha_{26}$ is varied simultaneously with the stellar parameters. We find that, once stellar uncertainties and degeneracies are accounted for, the region $\alpha_{26} < 2$ is not excluded by empirical TRGB calibrations.~Our work opens up a large region of parameter space currently believed to be excluded.~$\alpha_{26} = 2$ is the upper limit of the parameter space considered by this study, and it is likely that larger values of $\alpha_{26}$ are also unconstrained.~We discuss potential applications of our work to reevaluate other astrophysical probes of new physics.

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M. Dennis and J. Sakstein
Mon, 8 May 23
26/63

Comments: 14 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, dataset at this https URL

A search for stellar siblings of the ~ 200 Myr TOI-251b planetary system [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03255


Young planets (< 1 Gyr) are helpful for studying the physical processes occurring at the early stage of planet evolution. TOI-251 b is a recently discovered sub-Neptune orbiting a young G dwarf, which has an imprecise age estimation of 40-320 Myr. We select TOI-251 sibling candidates based on kinematics and spatial proximity to TOI-251, and further use the color-magnitude diagram (CMD) to refine the list and to compare to multiple open clusters. We report stellar rotational period for 321 sibling candidates in a 50 pc radius around TOI-251 by analyzing their stellar light curves, and find a color – rotational period sequence that lie in between the Group X (300 Myr) and Pleiades (120 Myr) members, suggesting an age ~ 200 Myr. A quantitative age analysis by using gyrochronology relations give 204 $\pm$ 45 Myr, consistent with the average Li-age of selected siblings (238 $\pm$ 38 Myr) and the Gaia variability age (193$^{102}_{-54}$ Myr). The detection fraction of comoving candidates that have short rotational period is 68.1%, much higher than the typical value in the field (14% – 16% from Kepler). The overdensity of young stars and consistency in age of stellar siblings suggest a potential young association candidate in the Pheonix-Grus constellation. Though TOI-251 b has a radius larger than most of its field-age counterparts, we are uncertain whether TOI-251 is inflated due to a lack of knowledge on the planet’s mass.

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Q. Sun, S. Wang, A. Mann, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
27/63

Comments: 19 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, ApJ accepted

Extreme evaporation of planets in hot thermally unstable protoplanetary discs: the case of FU Ori [EPA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03392


Disc accretion rate onto low mass protostar FU Ori suddenly increased hundreds of times 85 years ago and remains elevated to this day. We show that the sum of historic and recent observations challenges existing FU Ori models. We build a theory of a new process, Extreme Evaporation (EE) of young gas giant planets in discs with midplane temperatures exceeding 30, 000 K. Such temperatures are reached in the inner 0.1 AU during thermal instability bursts. In our 1D time-dependent code the disc and an embedded planet interact through gravity, heat, and mass exchange. We use disc viscosity constrained by simulations and observations of dwarf novae instabilities, and we constrain planet properties with a stellar evolution code. We show that dusty gas giants born in the outer self-gravitating disc reach the innermost disc in a $\sim$ 10,000 years with radius of $\sim 10 R_J$. We show that their EE rates are $\sim 10^{-5}$ Msun/yr; if this exceeds the background disc accretion activity then the system enters a planet-sourced mode. Like a stellar secondary in mass-transferring binaries, the planet becomes the dominant source of matter for the star, albeit for $\sim$ O(100) years. We find that a $\sim$ 6 Jupiter mass planet evaporating in a disc fed at a time-averaged rate of $\sim 10^{-6}$ Msun/yr appears to explain all that we currently know about FU Ori accretion outburst. More massive planets and/or planets in older less massive discs do not experience EE process. Future FUOR modelling may constrain planet internal structure and evolution of the earliest discs.

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S. Nayakshin, J. Owen and V. Elbakyan
Mon, 8 May 23
32/63

Comments: Accepted to MNRAS

The Early Light Curve of SN 2023bee: Constraining Type Ia Supernova Progenitors the Apian Way [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03071


We present very early photometric and spectroscopic observations of the Type Ia supernova (SN) 2023bee, starting about 8 hours after the explosion, which reveal a strong excess in the optical and nearest UV (U and UVW1) bands during the first several days of explosion. This data set allows us to probe the nature of the binary companion of the exploding white dwarf and the conditions leading to its ignition. We find a good match to the Kasen model in which a main-sequence companion star stings the ejecta with a shock as they buzz past. Models of double detonations, shells of radioactive nickel near the surface, interaction with circumstellar material, and pulsational-delayed detonations do not provide good matches to our light curves. We also observe signatures of unburned material, in the form of carbon absorption, in our earliest spectra. Our radio non-detections place a limit on the mass-loss rate from the putative companion that rules out a red giant but allows a main-sequence star. We discuss our results in the context of other similar Type Ia SNe in the literature.

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G. Hosseinzadeh, D. Sand, S. Sarbadhicary, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
37/63

Comments: submitted to ApJL

Complete replacement of magnetic flux in a flux rope during a coronal mass ejection [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03217


Solar coronal mass ejections are the most energetic events in the Solar System. In their standard formation model, a magnetic flux rope builds up into a coronal mass ejection through magnetic reconnection that continually converts overlying, untwisted magnetic flux into twisted flux enveloping the pre-existing rope. However, only a minority of coronal mass ejections carry a coherent magnetic flux rope as their core structure, which casts doubt on the universality of this orderly wrapping process. Here we provide observational evidence of a different formation and eruption mechanism of a magnetic flux rope from an S-shaped thread, where its magnetic flux is fully replaced via flare reconnections. One of the footpoints of the sigmoidal feature slipped and expanded during the formation, and then moved to a completely new place, associated with the highly dynamical evolution of flare ribbons and a twofold increase in magnetic flux through the footpoint, during the eruption. Such a configuration is not predicted by standard formation models or numerical simulations and highlights the three-dimensional nature of magnetic reconnections between the flux rope and the surrounding magnetic field.

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T. Gou, R. Liu, A. Veronig, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
38/63

Comments: N/A

A Census of the TW Hya Association with Gaia [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03557


I have used high-precision photometry and astrometry from the third data release of Gaia to perform a survey for members of the TW Hya association (TWA). I have identified candidate members that appear to share similar kinematics and ages with bona fide members compiled by Gagne et al. (2017) and I have assessed their membership using radial velocities and spectroscopic diagnostics of age from various sources. My new catalog of adopted members contains 67 Gaia sources in 55 systems. The histogram of spectral types for TWA peaks near M5 (~0.15 Msun), resembling the distributions measured for other nearby young associations. The UVW velocities of its members indicate that the association is expanding. The rate of expansion corresponds to an age of 9.6+0.9/-0.8 Myr. In a Gaia color-magnitude diagram, the members of TWA exhibit well-defined sequences of single stars and unresolved binary stars. The combined sequence of low-mass stars in TWA is indicative of an age of 11.4+1.3/-1.2 Myr when compared to the sequence for Upper Centaurus-Lupus/Lower Centaurus-Crux, for which an age of 20 Myr is assumed. Based on these expansion and isochronal ages, I have adopted an age of 10+/-2 Myr for TWA. Finally, I have used mid-infrared photometry from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer to check for excess emission from circumstellar disks among the TWA members. Fourteen members have detected disks, all of which have been reported in previous studies. The fraction of members at <=M6 (>=0.1 Msun) that have full, transitional, or evolved disks is 10/52=0.19+0.08/-0.06. That value is similar to the fraction previously measured for the Upper Sco association, which is roughly coeval with TWA.

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K. Luhman
Mon, 8 May 23
41/63

Comments: The Astronomical Journal, in press

Influence of the Lower Atmosphere on Wave Heating and Evaporation in Solar Coronal Loops [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03621


We model a coronal loop as a three-dimensional magnetic cylinder in a realistic solar atmosphere that extends from the chromosphere to the corona. Kink oscillations, believed ubiquitous in the solar corona, are launched in the loop. Heating is expected due to the dissipation of wave energy at small structures that develop from the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability induced by kink oscillations. Increases in temperature and internal energy can be observed in the coronal counterpart of the driven loop. With the presence of thermal conduction, chromospheric evaporation can also be seen. Although the volume averaged temperature and density changes seem slight ($\sim4\%$ relative to a non-driven loop), the enthalpy flow from the lower atmosphere redistributes the density and temperature in the vertical direction, thus enhancing the dissipation of wave energy in the corona. The efficient heating in the coronal counterpart of the loop can complement the thermal conductive losses shown in the current model and thus maintain the internal energy in the corona.

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M. Guo, T. Duckenfield, T. Doorsselaere, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
48/63

Comments: Accepted for publication in ApJL

ATOMIUM: Probing the inner wind of evolved O-rich stars with new, highly excited H$_2$O and OH lines [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03171


Water and the hydroxyl radical are major constituents of the envelope of O-rich late-type stars. Transitions involving energy levels that are highly excited have been observed in both H$2$O and OH. These and more recently discovered transitions can now be observed at a high sensitivity and angular resolution with the ALMA Array. Spectra and maps of H$_2$O and OH observed with an angular resolution of 20 to $\sim$200 mas were obtained at two epochs with the ALMA array. Observations with the Compact Array were also used to check for time variability of water transitions. Radiative transfer models of water were revisited to characterize masing conditions and up-to-date chemical models were used for comparison with our observations. Ten rotational transitions of H$_2$O with energies up to 9000 K were observed in various vibrational states. All but one are new detections in space, and from these we have derived accurate rest frequencies. Hyperfine split $\Lambda$-doubling transitions in v = 0, J = 27/2 and 29/2 levels of the $^2\Pi{3/2}$ state and, $J = 33/2$ and 35/2 of the $^2\Pi_{1/2}$ state of OH with excitation energies up to 8900 K were also observed. Four of these transitions are new detections in space. Combining our measurements with earlier observations of OH, the v = 0 and v = 1 $\Lambda$-doubling frequencies have been improved. Our H$_2$O maps show compact emission and extensions up to twelve stellar radii or more. The 268.149 GHz emission line of water in the v$_2$ = 2 state is time variable, tends to be masing with dominant radiative pumping, and is widely excited. The widespread but weaker 262.898 GHz water line in v$_2$ = 1 also shows signs of maser emission. Emission and absorption of both H$_2$O and OH reveal an infall of matter and complex kinematics influenced by binarity. From our observed column densities, we derived OH/H$_2$O abundance ratios in a few stars.

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A. Baudry, K. Wong, S. Etoka, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
51/63

Comments: 41 pages with references and 25 figures in main text. 4 Tables in Appendix A. 10 figures in Appendix B. 2 figures in Appendix C. 14 figures in Appendix D. 5 figures in Appendix E. 2 figures in Appendix F

Nonparametric model for the equations of state of neutron star from deep neural network [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03323


It is of great interest to understand the equation of state (EOS) of the neutron star (NS), whose core includes highly dense matter. However, there are large uncertainties in the theoretical predictions for the EOS of NS. It is useful to develop a new framework, which is flexible enough to consider the systematic error in theoretical predictions and to use them as a best guess at the same time. We employ a deep neural network to perform a non-parametric fit of the EOS of NS using currently available data. In this framework, the Gaussian process is applied to represent the EOSs and the training set data required to close physical solutions. Our model is constructed under the assumption that the true EOS of NS is a perturbation of the relativistic mean-field model prediction. We fit the EOSs of NS using two different example datasets, which can satisfy the latest constraints from the massive neutron stars, NICER, and the gravitational wave of the binary neutron stars. Given our assumptions, we find that a maximum neutron star mass is $2.38^{+0.15}{-0.13} M\odot$ or $2.41^{+0.15}{-0.14}$ at $95\%$ confidence level from two different example datasets. It implies that the $1.4 M\odot$ radius is $12.31^{+0.29}{-0.31}$ km or $12.30^{+0.35}{-0.37}$ km. These results are consistent with results from previous studies using similar priors. It has demonstrated the recovery of the EOS of NS using a nonparametric model.

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W. Zhou, J. Hu, Y. Zhang, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
54/63

Comments: 12 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables, accepted by Astrophysical Journal

Large-Scale Ejecta of Z CMa — Proper Motion Study and New Features Discovered [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03080


Z Canis Majoris is a fascinating early-type binary with a Herbig Be primary and a FU Orionis-type secondary. Both of the stars exhibit sub-arcsecond jet-like ejecta. In addition, the primary is associated with the extended jet as well as with the large-scale outflow. In this study, we investigate further the nature of the large-scale outflow, which has not been studied since its discovery almost three and a half decades ago. We present proper motion measurements of individual features of the large-scale outflow and determine their kinematical ages. Furthermore, with our newly acquired deep images, we have discovered additional faint arc-shaped features that can be associated with the central binary.

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T. Liimets, M. Kraus, L. Cidale, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
55/63

Comments: 15 pages, 4 figures, published in Galaxies

The surprising evolution of the shadow on the TW Hya disk [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03611


We report new total intensity visible light high contrast imaging of the TW Hya disk taken with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This represents the first published images of the disk with STIS since 2016, when a moving shadow on the disk surface was reported. We continue to see the shadow moving in a counter-clockwise fashion, but in these new images the shadow has evolved into two separate shadows, implying a change in behavior for the occulting structure. Based on radiative transfer models of optically thick disk structures casting shadows, we infer that a plausible explanation for the change is that there are now two misaligned components of the inner disk. The first of these disks is located between 5-6au with an inclination of 5.5\arcdeg and PA of 170\arcdeg, the second between 6-7au with and inclination of 7\arcdeg and PA of 50\arcdeg. Finally, we speculate on the implications of the new shadow structure and determine that additional observations are needed to disentangle the nature of TW Hya’s inner disk architecture.

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J. Debes, R. Nealon, R. Alexander, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
58/63

Comments: 20 pages, 9 figures, published in ApJ

Unsigned magnetic flux proxy from solar optical intensity spectra [EPA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03522


The photospheric unsigned magnetic flux has been shown to be highly correlated with radial velocity (RV) variations caused by solar surface activity. This activity indicator is therefore a prime candidate to unlock the potential of RV surveys to discover Earth twins orbiting Sun-like stars. We show for the first time how a precise proxy of the unsigned magnetic flux ($\Delta\alpha B^2$) can be obtained from Sun-as-a-star intensity spectra by harnessing the magnetic information contained in over 4000 absorption lines in the wavelength range from 380 to 690 nm. This novel activity proxy can thus be obtained from the same spectra from which RVs are routinely extracted. We derived $\Delta\alpha B^2$ from 500 randomly selected spectra from the HARPS-N public solar data set, which spans from 2015 to 2018. We compared our estimates with the unsigned magnetic flux values from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) finding excellent agreement (median absolute deviation: 4.9 per cent). The extracted indicator $\Delta\alpha B^2$ correlates with SDO’s unsigned magnetic flux estimates on the solar rotational timescale (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.67) and on the three-year timescale of our data set (correlation coefficient 0.91). We find correlations of $\Delta\alpha B^2$ with the HARPS-N solar RV variations of 0.49 on the rotational timescale and 0.78 on the three-year timescale. The Pearson correlation of $\Delta\alpha B^2$ with the RVs is found to be greater than the correlation of the classical activity indicators with the RVs. For solar-type stars, $\Delta\alpha B^2$ therefore represents the best simultaneous activity proxy known to date.

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F. Lienhard, A. Mortier, H. Cegla, et. al.
Mon, 8 May 23
59/63

Comments: 17 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Spectro-polarimetry at the Pic du Midi Turret Dome and new observations of the solar CaII K line [IMA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.03345


We summarize in this paper the spectro-polarimetric methods used at the Pic du Midi Turret Dome in spectroscopic or imagery mode. The polarimeters and spectrograph allow the cartography of solar magnetic fields at high spatial resolution through the Zeeman effect or measurements of the unresolved turbulent magnetic fields in the quiet Sun through the Hanle effect. We describe in this paper the optical capabilities of the successive versions of the polarimeters operating since 2003, and we present new results of magnetic field analysis with the CaII K 3933.7 {\AA} spectral line.

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J. Malherbe and T. Roudier
Mon, 8 May 23
61/63

Comments: N/A

Three-dimensional orbit of AC Her determined: Binary-induced truncation cannot explain the large cavity in this post-AGB transition disk [EPA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02408


Some evolved binaries, namely post-asymptotic giant branch binaries, are surrounded by stable and massive circumbinary disks similar to protoplanetary disks found around young stars. Around 10% of these disks are transition disks: they have a large inner cavity in the dust. Previous interferometric measurements and modeling have ruled out the cavity being formed by dust sublimation and suggested that the cavity is due to a massive circumbinary planet that traps the dust in the disk and produces the observed depletion of refractory elements on the surface of the post-AGB star. In this study, we test alternative scenario in which the large cavity could be due to dynamical truncation from the inner binary. We performed near-infrared interferometric observations with the CHARA Array on the archetype of such a transition disk around a post-AGB binary: AC Her. We detect the companion at ten epochs over 4 years and determine the 3-dimensional orbit using these astrometric measurements in combination with the radial velocity time series. This is the first astrometric orbit constructed for a post-AGB binary system. We derive the best-fit orbit with a semi-major axis $2.01 \pm 0.01$ mas ($2.83\pm0.08$ au), inclination $(142.9 \pm 1.1)^\circ$ and longitude of the ascending node $(155.1 \pm 1.8)^\circ$. We find that the theoretical dynamical truncation and dust sublimation radius are at least $\sim3\times$ smaller than the observed inner disk radius ($\sim21.5$ mas or 30 au). This strengthens the hypothesis that the origin of such a cavity is due to the presence of a circumbinary planet.

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N. Anugu, J. Kluska, T. Gardner, et. al.
Fri, 5 May 23
9/67

Comments: Accepted to be published in The Astrophysical Journal

The edge-on protoplanetary disk HH 48 NE I. Modeling the geometry and stellar parameters [EPA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02338


Context. Observations of edge-on disks are an important tool for constraining general protoplanetary disk properties that cannot be determined in any other way. However, most radiative transfer models cannot simultaneously reproduce the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and resolved scattered light and submillimeter observations of these systems, due to the differences in geometry and dust properties at different wavelengths. Aims. We simultaneously constrain the geometry of the edge-on protoplanetary disk HH 48 NE and the characteristics of the host star. HH 48 NE is part of the JWST early release science program Ice Age. This work serves as a stepping stone towards a better understanding of the disk physical structure and icy chemistry in this particular source. This kind of modeling lays the groundwork for studying other edge-on sources to be observed with the JWST. Methods. We fit a parameterized dust model to HH 48 NE by coupling the radiative transfer code RADMC-3D and an MCMC framework. The dust structure was fitted independently to a compiled SED, a scattered light image at 0.8 ${\mu}$m and an ALMA dust continuum observation at 890 ${\mu}$m. Results. We find that 90% of the dust mass in HH 48 NE is settled to the disk midplane, less than in average disks, and that the atmospheric layers of the disk contain exclusively large grains (0.3-10 ${\mu}$m). The exclusion of small grains in the upper atmosphere likely has important consequences for the chemistry due to the deep penetration of high-energy photons. The addition of a relatively large cavity (ca. 50 au in radius) is necessary to explain the strong mid-infrared emission, and to fit the scattered light and continuum observations simultaneously.

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J. Sturm, M. McClure, C. Law, et. al.
Fri, 5 May 23
10/67

Comments: 16 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Small-scale dynamos: From idealized models to solar and stellar applications [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02787


In this article we review small-scale dynamo processes that are responsible for magnetic field generation on scales comparable to and smaller than the energy carrying scales of turbulence. We provide a review of critical observation of quiet Sun magnetism, which have provided strong support for the operation of a small-scale dynamo in the solar photosphere and convection zone. After a review of basic concepts we focus on numerical studies of kinematic growth and non-linear saturation in idealized setups, with special emphasis on the role of the magnetic Prandtl number for dynamo onset and saturation. Moving towards astrophysical applications we review convective dynamo setups that focus on the deep convection zone and the photospheres of solar-like stars. We review the critical ingredients for stellar convection setups and discuss their application to the Sun and solar-like stars including comparison against available observations.

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M. Rempel, T. Bhatia, L. Rubio, et. al.
Fri, 5 May 23
11/67

Comments: 54 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Space Science Reviews

Predicting Stellar Rotation Periods Using XGBoost [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02407


This work aims to develop a computationally inexpensive approach, based on machine learning techniques, to accurately predict thousands of stellar rotation periods. The innovation in our approach is the use of the XGBoost algorithm to predict the rotation periods of Kepler targets by means of regression analysis. Therefore, we focused on building a robust supervised machine learning model to predict surface stellar rotation periods from structured data sets built from the Kepler catalogue of K and M stars. We analysed the set of independent variables extracted from Kepler light curves and investigated the relationships between them and the ground truth. Using the extreme gradient boosting method, we obtained a minimal set of variables that can be used to build machine learning models for predicting stellar rotation periods. Our models are validated by predicting the rotation periods of about 2900 stars. The results are compatible with those obtained by classical techniques and comparable to those obtained by other recent machine learning approaches, with the advantage of using much fewer predictors. Restricting the analysis to stars with rotation periods of less than 45 days, our models are on average 95 to 98 % correct. We have developed an innovative approach, based on a machine learning method, to accurately fit the rotation periods of stars. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that the best models generated by the proposed methodology are competitive with the state-of-the-art approaches, with the advantage of being computationally cheaper, easy to train, and relying on small sets of predictors.

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N. Gomes, F. Sordo and L. Torgo
Fri, 5 May 23
18/67

Comments: Paper submitted to A&A. Comments are welcome!

On the propagation of gravity waves in the lower solar atmosphere in different magnetic configurations [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02740


Gravity waves are generated by turbulent subsurface convection overshooting or penetrating locally into a stably stratified medium. While propagating energy upwards, their characteristic negative phase shift over height is a well-recognized observational signature. Since their first detailed observational detection and estimates of energy content, a number of studies have explored their propagation characteristics and interaction with magnetic fields and other wave modes in the solar atmosphere. Here, we present a study of the atmospheric gravity wave dispersion diagrams utilizing intensity observations that cover photospheric to chromospheric heights over different magnetic configurations of quiet-Sun (magnetic network regions), a plage, and a sunspot as well as velocity observations within the photospheric layer over a quiet and a sunspot region. In order to investigate the propagation characteristics, we construct two-height intensity – intensity and velocity-velocity cross-spectra and study phase and coherence signals in the wavenumber-frequency dispersion diagrams and their association with background magnetic fields. We find signatures of association between magnetic fields and much reduced coherence and phase shifts over height from intensity-intensity and velocity-velocity phase and coherence diagrams, both indicating suppression/scattering of gravity waves by the magnetic fields. Our results are consistent with the earlier numerical simulations, which indicate that gravity waves are suppressed or scattered and reflected back into the lower solar atmosphere in the presence of magnetic fields.

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H. Kumar, B. Kumar and S. Rajaguru
Fri, 5 May 23
20/67

Comments: 19 pages, 19 Figures, Accepted for publication in Advances in Space Research journal

Variability of Young Stellar Objects in the Perseus Molecular Cloud [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02514


We present an analysis of 288 young stellar objects (YSOs) in the Perseus Molecular Cloud that have well defined $g$ and $r$-band lightcurves from the Zwicky Transient Facility. Of the 288 YSOs, 238 sources (83% of our working sample) are identified as variables based on the normalized peak-to-peak variability metric, with variability fraction of 92% for stars with disks and 77% for the diskless populations. These variables are classified into different categories using the quasiperiodicity ($Q$) and flux asymmetry ($M$) metrics. Fifty-three variables are classified as strictly periodic objects that are well phased and can be attributed to spot modulated stellar rotation. We also identify 22 bursters and 25 dippers, which can be attributed to accretion burst and variable extinction, respectively. YSOs with disks tend to have asymmetric and non-repeatable lightcurves, while the YSOs without disks tend to have (quasi)periodic lightcurves. The periodic variables have the steepest change in $g$ versus $g-r$, while bursters have much flatter changes than dippers in $g$ versus $g-r$. Periodic and quasiperiodic variables display the lowest variability amplitude. Simple models suggest that the variability amplitudes of periodic variables correspond to changes of the spot coverage of 30% to 40%, burster variables are attributed to accretion luminosity changes in the range of $L_{\rm acc}/L_{\star}=0.1-0.3$, and dippers are due to variable extinction with $A_{V}$ changes in the range of $0.5-1.3\;$mag.

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X. Wang, M. Fang, G. Herczeg, et. al.
Fri, 5 May 23
27/67

Comments: 26 pages, 16 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in RAA

Rotating neutron stars in the first order post-Newtonian approximation [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02413


We study models of uniformly and differentially rotating neutron stars in the framework of post-Newtonian approximation in general relativity as established by Chandrasechar. In particular, we adopt the polytropic equation of state in order to derive the appropriate hydrodynamic equations and a rotation law based on the generalized Clement’s model. To compute equilibrium configurations at the mass-shedding limit, i.e. at critical angular velocity (equivalently, Keplerian angular velocity), we develop an iterative numerical method, belonging to the category of the well-known self-consistent field methods'', with two perturbation parameters: therotation parameter” $\bar{\upsilon}$ and the “gravitation or relativity parameter” $\bar{\sigma}$. These two parameters represent the effects of rotation and gravity on the configuration. We investigate the validity and the limits of our method by comparing our results with respective results of other computational methods and public domain codes. As it turns out, our method can derive satisfactory results for general-relativistic polytropic configurations at critical rotation.

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A. Fotopoulos, V. Karageorgopoulos and V. Geroyannis
Fri, 5 May 23
30/67

Comments: 28 pages, 6 Figures, 5 Tables, Submitted April 2023 Astronomy and Computing

Bimodal black-hole mass distribution and chirp masses of binary black-hole mergers [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02380


In binary black-hole mergers from isolated binary-star evolution, both black holes are from progenitor stars that have lost their hydrogen-rich envelopes by binary mass transfer. Envelope stripping is known to affect the pre-supernova core structures of such binary-stripped stars and thereby their final fates and compact remnant masses. In this paper, we show that binary-stripped stars give rise to a bimodal black-hole mass spectrum with characteristic black-hole masses of about $9\,\mathrm{M}\odot$ and $16\,\mathrm{M}\odot$ across a large range of metallicities. The bimodality is linked to carbon and neon burning becoming neutrino-dominated, which results in interior structures that are difficult to explode and likely lead to black hole formation. The characteristic black-hole masses from binary-stripped stars have corresponding features in the chirp-mass distribution of binary black-hole mergers: peaks at about $8$ and $14\,\mathrm{M}\odot$, and a dearth in between these masses. Current gravitational-wave observations of binary black-hole mergers show evidence for a gap at $10\text{–}12\,\mathrm{M}\odot$ and peaks at $8$ and $14\,\mathrm{M}_\odot$ in the chirp-mass distribution. These features are in agreement with our models of binary-stripped stars. In the future, they may be used to constrain the physics of late stellar evolution and supernova explosions, and may even help measure the cosmological expansion of the Universe.

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F. Schneider, P. Podsiadlowski and E. Laplace
Fri, 5 May 23
32/67

Comments: 20 pages (including appendix with tabulated data; main text: 8 pages), 6 figures; submitted to AAS journals

Carbon Stars as Standard Candles: An Empirical Test for the Reddening, Metallicity, and Age Sensitivity of the J-region Asymptotic Giant Branch (JAGB) Method [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02453


The J-region Asymptotic Giant Branch (JAGB) method is a standard candle based on the intrinsic luminosities of carbon stars in the near infrared. For the first time, we directly constrain the impact of metallicity, age, and reddening on the JAGB method. We assess how the mode, skew, and scatter of the JAGB star luminosity function change throughout diverse stellar environments in M31’s NE disk from 13<d<18 kpc using data from the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury (PHAT). As expected, the mode is found to be fainter in higher-reddening regions. To cross-check this result, we also measure a fiducial J-band ground-based JAGB distance using data from the UKIRT/WFCam in M31’s outermost disk (18<d<40 kpc) where internal reddening is minimal. We find that this J-band distance modulus agrees well with the F110W distance moduli measured in the lowest reddening regions of the PHAT data, demonstrating the JAGB method is most accurate if measured in the low-reddening outer disks of galaxies. On the other hand, the mode of the JAGB star luminosity function appears empirically to show no dependence on metallicity and age, disputing theoretical predictions that the average luminosity of metal-rich carbon stars is brighter than for metal-poor carbon stars. In conclusion, the JAGB method proves to be a robust standard candle capable of calibrating the luminosities of type Ia supernovae and therefore providing a high-accuracy, high-precision measurement of the Hubble constant.

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A. Lee
Fri, 5 May 23
38/67

Comments: 15 pages, 9 figures 1 tables, submitted to AAS Journals

The Andromeda Galaxy's Last Major Merger: Constraints from the survey of Planetary Nebulae [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02761


The Andromeda galaxy (M 31) has experienced a tumultuous merger history as evidenced by the many substructures present in its inner halo. We use planetary nebulae (PNe) as chemodynamic tracers to shed light on the recent merger history of M 31. We identify the older dynamically hotter thicker disc in M 31 and a distinct younger dynamically colder thin disc. The two discs are also chemically distinct with the PN chemodynamics implying their formation in a `wet’ major merger (mass ratio ~1:5) ~2.5-4.5 Gyr ago. From comparison of PN line-of-sight velocities in the inner halo substructures with predictions of a major-merger model in M 31, we find that the same merger event that formed the M 31 thick and thin disc is also responsible for forming these substructures. We thereby obtain constraints on the recent formation history of M 31 and the properties of its cannibalized satellite.

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S. Bhattacharya, M. Arnaboldi, O. Gerhard, et. al.
Fri, 5 May 23
53/67

Comments: 5 pages, 1 figure, Proceedings of the IAUS 377: Early Disk-Galaxy Formation from JWST to the Milky Way. Kuala-Lumpur, February 6-10, 2023

Are all metal-poor stars of second-generation? [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02358


Hydrodynamical cosmological simulations predict that the metal-free Population III (Pop III) stars were likely very massive and, therefore, short-lived. However, they left their chemical imprint on their descendants, which can also have masses $ < 0.8 \mathrm {M_{\odot}}$ and still be alive today. The Milky Way stellar halo is one of the oldest and most metal-poor component of the Local Group and a peculiar class of stars, the so-called Carbon-Enhanced Metal-Poor (CEMP-no) stars, seem to be directly related to Pop III stars. We aim at revealing if all metal-poor halo stars are true second-generation stars or if they have also been enriched by the subsequent generations of normal (Pop II) stars. For this purpose, we compare the measured carbon and iron abundances of the metal-poor halo stars with the ones predicted by our simple parametric model, varying the pollution level from Pop III and normal stars. We find that only the most C-enhanced and Fe-poor stars enclose in their photospheres the pure imprint of Pop III stars, while, as the [C/Fe] decreases, the probability of being also polluted by normal Pop II stars increases.

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I. Vanni, S. Salvadori and &. Skúladóttir
Fri, 5 May 23
56/67

Comments: 7 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in MemSAIt

Carbon dredge-up required to explain the Gaia white dwarf colour-magnitude bifurcation [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02827


The Gaia colour-magnitude diagram reveals a striking separation between hydrogen-atmosphere white dwarfs and their helium-atmosphere counterparts throughout a significant portion of the white dwarf cooling track. However, pure-helium atmospheres have Gaia magnitudes that are too close to the pure-hydrogen case to explain this bifurcation. To reproduce the observed split in the cooling sequence, it has been shown that trace amounts of hydrogen and/or metals must be present in the helium-dominated atmospheres of hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs. Yet, a complete explanation of the Gaia bifurcation that takes into account known constraints on the spectral evolution of white dwarfs has thus far not been proposed. In this work, we attempt to provide such a holistic explanation by performing population synthesis simulations coupled with state-of-the-art model atmospheres and evolutionary calculations that account for element transport in the envelopes of white dwarfs. By relying on empirically grounded assumptions, these simulations successfully reproduce the bifurcation. We show that the convective dredge-up of optically invisible traces of carbon from the deep interior is crucial to account for the observations. Neither the convective dilution/mixing of residual hydrogen nor the accretion of hydrogen or metals can be the dominant drivers of the bifurcation. Finally, we emphasize the importance of improving the equation of state of partially ionized carbon in warm dense helium, a key input for our predictions of the amount of dredged-up carbon.

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S. Blouin, A. Bédard and P. Tremblay
Fri, 5 May 23
57/67

Comments: Under review at MNRAS, submitted on 2023-03-15

M92 (NGC~6341) Is a Metal-Complex Globular Cluster with an Atypical Primordial Population [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.02983


We present a multiple stellar population study of the metal-poor globular cluster (GC) M92 (NGC 6341), which is long known for the substantial metallicity dispersion, using our own photometric system. We find two groups with slightly different mean metallicities, the metal-poor (MP) stars with [Fe/H] = $-$2.412$\pm$0.03, while the metal-rich (MR) ones with $-$2.282$\pm$0.002. The MP constitutes about 23\% of the total mass with a more central concentration. Our populational tagging based on the [C/Fe] and [N/Fe] provides the mean n(P):n(I):n(E) = 32.2:31.6:36.2 ($\pm$2.4), where P, I, and E denote the primordial, intermediate, and extreme populations, respectively. Our populational number ratio is consistent with those of others. However, the MP has a significantly different populational number ratio than the mean value, and the domination of the primordial population in the MP is consistent with observations of Galactic GCs that less massive GCs contain larger fractions of the primordial population. Structural and constituent differences between the MP and MR may indicate that M92 is a merger remnant in a dwarf galaxy environment, consistent with recent suggestions that M92 is a GC in a dwarf galaxy or a remnant nucleus of the progenitor galaxy. Discrepancy between our method and those widely used for the HST photometry exists in the primordial population. Significant magnesium and oxygen depletions of $-$0.8 and $-$0.3 dex, respectively, and helium enhancement of $\Delta Y$ $\gtrsim$ 0.03 are required to explain the presence of this abnormal primordial group. No clear explanation is available with limited information of detailed elemental abundances.

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J. Lee
Fri, 5 May 23
65/67

Comments: Accepted for publication to the Astrophysical Journal Letters

SN 2022acko: the First Early Far-Ultraviolet Spectra of a Type IIP Supernova [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.01654


We present five far- and near-ultraviolet spectra of the Type II plateau supernova, SN 2022acko, obtained 5, 6, 7, 19, and 21 days after explosion, all observed with the Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph. The first three epochs are earlier than any Type II plateau supernova has been observed in the far-ultraviolet revealing unprecedented characteristics. These three spectra are dominated by strong lines, primarily from metals, which contrasts with the relatively featureless early optical spectra. The flux decreases over the initial time series as the ejecta cools and line-blanketing takes effect. We model this unique dataset with the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium radiation transport code CMFGEN, finding a good match to the explosion of a low mass red supergiant with energy Ekin = 6 x 10^50 erg. With these models we identify, for the first time, the ions that dominate the early UV spectra. We also present optical photometry and spectroscopy, showing that SN 2022acko has a peak absolute magnitude of V = -15.4 mag and plateau length of ~115d. The spectra closely resemble those of SN 2005cs and SN 2012A. Using the combined optical and UV spectra, we report the fraction of flux redwards of the uvw2, U, B, and V filters on days 5, 7, and 19. We also create a spectral time-series of Type II supernovae in the ultraviolet, demonstrating the rapid decline of UV flux over the first few weeks of evolution. Future observations of Type II supernovae will continue to explore the diversity seen in the limited set of high-quality UV spectra.

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K. Bostroem, L. Dessart, D. Hillier, et. al.
Thu, 4 May 23
2/60

Comments: Submitted to ApJL