scholarly journals GJ 436b and the stellar wind interaction: simulations constraints using Lyα and Hα transits

Author(s):  
Carolina Villarreal D’Angelo ◽  
Aline A Vidotto ◽  
Alejandro Esquivel ◽  
Gopal Hazra ◽  
Allison Youngblood

Abstract The GJ 436 planetary system is an extraordinary system. The Neptune-size planet that orbits the M3 dwarf revealed in the Lyα line an extended neutral hydrogen atmosphere. This material fills a comet-like tail that obscures the stellar disc for more than 10 hours after the planetary transit. Here, we carry out a series of 3D radiation hydrodynamic simulations to model the interaction of the stellar wind with the escaping planetary atmosphere. With these models, we seek to reproduce the $\sim 56\%$ absorption found in Lyα transits, simultaneously with the lack of absorption in Hα transit. Varying the stellar wind strength and the EUV stellar luminosity, we search for a set of parameters that best fit the observational data. Based on Lyα observations, we found a stellar wind velocity at the position of the planet to be around [250-460] km s−1 with a temperature of [3 − 4] × 105 K. The stellar and planetary mass loss rates are found to be 2 × 10−15 M⊙ yr−1 and ∼[6 − 10] × 109 g s−1, respectively, for a stellar EUV luminosity of [0.8 − 1.6] × 1027 erg s−1. For the parameters explored in our simulations, none of our models present any significant absorption in the Hα line in agreement with the observations.

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 523-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Dopita ◽  
I.R. Wilson

AbstractThe problem of the interaction of a strong stellar wind with a massive collapsing neutral hydrogen cloud has been considered and a new class of steady flow solutions found.The detailed comparison of these models with one filamentary shell, N70 in the LMC, shows that they successfully explain all the observed properties of the HII region and enable mean mass-loss rates to be derived for the central stars.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S345) ◽  
pp. 301-303
Author(s):  
N. K. Dwivedi ◽  
M. L. Khodachenko ◽  
I. F. Shaikhislamov ◽  
A. G. Berezutsky ◽  
I. B. Miroshnichenko ◽  
...  

AbstractSelf-Consistent 2D modelling of stellar wind interaction with the upper atmosphere of WASP-12b has been performed. The two case-scenarios of the planetary material escape and interaction with the stellar wind, namely the ‘blown by the wind’ (without the inclusion of tidal force) and ‘captured by the star’ (with the tidal force) have been modelled under different stellar XUV radiations and stellar wind parameters. In the first scenario, a shock is formed around the planet, and the planetary mass loss is controlled completely by the stellar radiation energy input. In the second scenario, the mass loss is mainly due to the gravitational interaction effects. The dynamics of MGII and related absorption were modelled with three sets of different stellar wind parameters and XUV flux values.


2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (1) ◽  
pp. L53-L57
Author(s):  
S Carolan ◽  
A A Vidotto ◽  
P Plavchan ◽  
C Villarreal D’Angelo ◽  
G Hazra

ABSTRACT Here, we study the dichotomy of the escaping atmosphere of the newly discovered close-in exoplanet AU Microscopii (AU Mic) b. On one hand, the high extreme-ultraviolet stellar flux is expected to cause a strong atmospheric escape in AU Mic b. On the other hand, the wind of this young star is believed to be very strong, which could reduce or even inhibit the planet’s atmospheric escape. AU Mic is thought to have a wind mass-loss rate that is up to 1000 times larger than the solar wind mass-loss rate ($\dot{\mathrm{ M}}_\odot$). To investigate this dichotomy, we perform 3D hydrodynamics simulations of the stellar wind–planetary atmosphere interactions in the AU Mic system and predict the synthetic Ly α transits of AU Mic b. We systematically vary the stellar wind mass-loss rate from a ‘no wind’ scenario to up to a stellar wind with a mass-loss rate of $1000~\dot{\mathrm{ M}}_\odot$. We find that, as the stellar wind becomes stronger, the planetary evaporation rate decreases from 6.5 × 1010  g s−1 to half this value. With a stronger stellar wind, the atmosphere is forced to occupy a smaller volume, affecting transit signatures. Our predicted Ly α absorption drops from $\sim 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ in the case of ‘no wind’ to barely any Ly α absorption in the extreme stellar wind scenario. Future Ly α transits could therefore place constraints not only on the evaporation rate of AU Mic b, but also on the mass-loss rate of its host star.


2020 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
pp. A109
Author(s):  
I. F. Shaikhislamov ◽  
L. Fossati ◽  
M. L. Khodachenko ◽  
H. Lammer ◽  
A. García Muñoz ◽  
...  

Context. π Men c is the first planet to have been discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. It orbits a bright, nearby star and has a relatively low average density, making it an excellent target for atmospheric characterisation. The existing planetary upper atmosphere models of π Men c predict significant atmospheric escape, but Lyα transit observations indicate the non-detection of hydrogen escaping from the planet. Aims. Our study is aimed at constraining the conditions of the wind and high-energy emission of the host star and reproducing the non-detection of Lyα planetary absorption. Methods. We modelled the escaping planetary atmosphere, the stellar wind, and their interaction employing a multi-fluid, three-dimensional hydrodynamic code. We assumed a planetary atmosphere composed of hydrogen and helium. We ran models varying the stellar high-energy emission and stellar mass-loss rate, and, for each case, we further computed the Lyα synthetic planetary atmospheric absorption and compared it with the observations. Results. We find that a non-detection of Lyα in absorption employing the stellar high-energy emission estimated from far-ultraviolet and X-ray data requires a stellar wind with a stellar mass-loss rate about six times lower than solar. This result is a consequence of the fact that, for π Men c, detectable Lyα absorption can be caused exclusively by energetic neutral atoms, which become more abundant with increasing velocity or density of the stellar wind. By considering, instead, that the star has a solar-like wind, the non-detection requires a stellar ionising radiation about four times higher than estimated. The reason for this is that despite the fact that a stronger stellar high-energy emission ionises hydrogen more rapidly, it also increases the upper atmosphere heating and expansion, pushing the interaction region with the stellar wind farther away from the planet, where the planet atmospheric density that remains neutral becomes smaller and the production of energetic neutral atoms less efficient. Conclusions. Comparing the results of our grid of models with what is expected and estimated for the stellar wind and high-energy emission, respectively, we support the idea that it is likely that the atmosphere of π Men c is not hydrogen-dominated. Therefore, future observations should focus on the search for planetary atmospheric absorption at the position of lines of heavier elements, such as He, C, and O.


1979 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
pp. 431-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter S. Conti

The stellar wind mass loss rates of at least some single Of type stars appear to be sufficient to remove much if not all of the hydrogen-rich envelope such that nuclear processed material is observed at the surface. This highly evolved state can then be naturally associated with classic Population I WR stars that have properties of high luminosity for their mass, helium enriched composition, and nitrogen or carbon enhanced abundances. If stellar wind mass loss is the dominant process involved in this evolutionary scenario, then stars with properties intermediate between Of and WR types should exist. The stellar parameters of luminosity, temperature, mass and composition are briefly reviewed for both types. All late WN stars so far observed are relatively luminous like Of stars, and also contain hydrogen. All early WN stars, and WC stars, are relatively faint and contain little or no hydrogen. The late WN stars seem to have the intermediate properties required if a stellar wind is the dominant mass loss mechanism that transforms an Of star to a WR type.


2013 ◽  
Vol 436 (4) ◽  
pp. 3820-3855 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. I. Madura ◽  
T. R. Gull ◽  
A. T. Okazaki ◽  
C. M. P. Russell ◽  
S. P. Owocki ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S357) ◽  
pp. 114-118
Author(s):  
Agnès Kim

AbstractThe new version of the White Dwarf Evolution Code (Bischoff-Kim & Montgomery 2018) overcomes limitations of earlier versions by utilizing MESA modules for the equations of state and opacities, now allowing regions of the model with a mix of helium, carbon, and oxygen. This single improvement allows us to almost exactly replicate models output by other stellar evolution codes. Armed with this new capability, we use as a star to fit, a hydrogen atmosphere white dwarf model from the La Plata group (using the LPCODE). We present results of fitting different subsets of periods for that model. This allows us some validation of our fitting methods, knowing exactly what properties we should be recovering in our best fit model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 914 (2) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Lachlan Lancaster ◽  
Eve C. Ostriker ◽  
Jeong-Gyu Kim ◽  
Chang-Goo Kim

1979 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
pp. 409-414
Author(s):  
D. Vanbeveren ◽  
J.P. De Grève ◽  
C. de Loore ◽  
E.L. van Dessel

It is generally accepted that massive (and thus luminous) stars lose mass by stellar wind, driven by radiation force (Lucy and Solomon, 1970; Castor et al. 1975). For the components of massive binary systems, rotational and gravitational effects may act together with the radiation force so as to increase the mass loss rate. Our intention here is to discuss the influence of a stellar wind mass loss on the evolution of massive close binaries. During the Roche lobe overflow phase, mass and angular momentum can leave the system. Possible reasons for mass loss from the system are for example the expansion of the companion due to accretion of the material lost by the mass losing star (Kippenhahn and Meyer-Hofmeister, 1977) or the fact that due to the influence of the radiation force in luminous stars, mass will be lost over the whole surface of the star and not any longer through a possible Lagrangian point as in the case of classical Roche lobe overflow (Vanbeveren, 1978). We have therefore investigated the influence of both processes on binary evolution. Our results are applied to 5 massive X-ray binaries with a possible implication for the existence of massive Wolf Rayet stars with a very close invisible compact companion. A more extended version of this talk is published in Astronomy and Astrophysics (Vanbeveren et al. 1978; Vanbeveren and De Grève, 1978). Their results will be briefly reviewed.


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