Atmospheric NLTE models for the spectroscopic analysis of blue stars with winds

Context. Obtaining precise stellar and wind properties and abundance patterns of massive stars is crucial to understanding their nature and interactions with their environments, as well as to constrain their evolutionary paths and end-products. Aims. To enable higher versatility and precision of the complete ultraviolet (UV) to optical range, we improve our high-performance, unified, NLTE atmosphere and spectrum synthesis code FASTWIND. Moreover, we aim to obtain an advanced description of X-ray emission from wind-embedded shocks, consistent with alternative modeling approaches. Methods. We include a detailed comoving frame radiative transfer for the essential frequency range, but still apply methods that enable low turnaround times. We compare the results of our updated computations with those from the alternative code CMFGEN, and our previous FASTWIND version, for a representative model grid. Results. In most cases, our new results agree excellently with those from CMFGEN, both regarding the total radiative acceleration, strategic optical lines, and the UV-range. Moderate differences concern He II λλ4200-4541 and N V λλ4603-4619. The agreement regarding N III λλ4634−4640−4642 has improved, though there are still certain discrepancies, mostly related to line overlap effects in the extreme ultraviolet, depending on abundances and micro-turbulence. In the UV range of our coolest models, we find differences in the predicted depression of the pseudo-continuum, which is most pronounced around Lyα. This depression is larger in CMFGEN, and related to different Fe IV atomic data. The comparison between our new and previous FASTWIND version reveals an almost perfect agreement, except again for N V λλ4603-4619. Using an improved, depth-dependent description for the filling factors of hot, X-ray emitting material, we confirm previous analytic scaling relations with our numerical models. Conclusions. We warn against uncritically relying on transitions, which are strongly affected by direct or indirect line-overlap effects. The predicted UV-continuum depression for the coolest grid-models needs to be checked, both observationally, and regarding the underlying atomic data. Wind lines from “super-ionized” ions such as O VI can, in principle, be used to constrain the distribution of wind-embedded shocks. The new FASTWIND version v11 is now ready to be used.

The large-scale magnetic field of the eccentric pre-main-sequence binary system V1878 Ori

ABSTRACT We report time-resolved, high-resolution optical spectropolarimetric observations of the young double-lined spectroscopic binary V1878 Ori. Our observations were collected with the ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope through the BinaMIcS large programme. V1878 Ori A and B are partially convective intermediate mass weak-line T Tauri stars on an eccentric and asynchronous orbit. We also acquired X-ray observations at periastron and outside periastron. Using the least-squares deconvolution technique (LSD) to combine information from many spectral lines, we clearly detected circular polarization signals in both components throughout the orbit. We refined the orbital solution for the system and obtained disentangled spectra for the primary and secondary components. The disentangled spectra were then employed to determine atmospheric parameters of the two components using spectrum synthesis. Applying our Zeeman Doppler imaging code to composite Stokes IV LSD profiles, we reconstructed brightness maps and the global magnetic field topologies of the two components. We find that V1878 Ori A and B have strikingly different global magnetic field topologies and mean field strengths. The global magnetic field of the primary is predominantly poloidal and non-axisymmetric (with a mean field strength of 180 G). While the secondary has a mostly toroidal and axisymmetric global field (mean strength of 310 G). These findings confirm that stars with very similar parameters can exhibit radically different global magnetic field characteristics. The analysis of the X-ray data shows no sign of enhanced activity at periastron, suggesting the lack of strong magnetospheric interaction at this epoch.

Impact of the convective mixing-length parameter α on stellar metallicity

Context. Mixing-length theory is used to treat stellar convection. As a simulation in one-dimensional stellar atmospheres models, the mixing-length parameter α is calibrated from the Sun and then applied to other stars. However, there is no strong evidence to suggest that α should be the same for stars of different evolutionary stages. Aims. We evaluate the impact of the α value on the metallicity of different types of stars and investigate the correlation between the metallicity discrepancy (Δ[Fe∕H]) and stellar parameters (Teff, log g). Methods. We selected ten well-studied field stars and one open cluster of nine members for which high-resolution and high signal-to-noise spectra are available. The model atmospheres were calculated with the code MAFAGS-OS. We derived iron abundances from Fe I and Fe II lines both under local thermodynamic equilibrium and non-LTE conditions using a spectrum synthesis method. After deriving [Fe/H] for each line, we calculated Δ[Fe∕H] with two different α values, fixed solar-calibrated α, and α obtained for each star individually. Finally, we investigated the correlation between Δ[Fe∕H] caused by revised α with stellar parameters. Results. For FGK dwarf stars, the Δ[Fe∕H] caused by the α correction is less than 0.02 dex, while for turn-off and giant stars, the Δ[Fe∕H] values are no more than 0.03 dex, which are lower than typical uncertainties in metallicity. For main-sequence stars, Δ[Fe∕H] versus Teff and Δ[Fe∕H] versus log g are well fit by linear relations.

The Belgian Repository of Fundamental Atomic Data and Stellar Spectra (BRASS)

Background: BRASS (Belgian Repository of Fundamental Atomic Data and Stellar Spectra) is an international networking project for the development of a new public database providing accurate fundamental atomic data of vital importance for stellar spectroscopic research. We present an overview of research results obtained in the past four years. Methods: The BRASS database offers atomic line data we thoroughly tested by comparing theoretical and observed stellar spectra. We perform extensive quality assessments of selected atomic input data using advanced radiative transfer spectrum synthesis calculations, which we compare to high-resolution Mercator-HERMES and ESO-VLT-UVES spectra of F-, G-, and K-type benchmark stars observed with very high signal-to-noise ratios. We have retrieved about half a million atomic lines required for our detailed spectrum synthesis calculations from the literature and online databases such as VAMDC, NIST, VALD, CHIANTI, Spectr-W 3 , TIPbase, TOPbase, SpectroWeb. Results: The atomic datasets have been cross-matched based on line electronic configuration information and organized in a new online repository called BRASS. The validated atomic data, combined with the observed and theoretical spectra are also interactively offered in BRASS. The combination of these datasets is a novel approach for its development providing a universal reference for advanced stellar spectroscopic research. Conclusion: We present an overview of the BRASS Data Interface developments allowing online user interaction for the combined spectrum and atomic data display, line identification, atomic data accuracy assessments including line log(gf)-values, and line equivalent width measurements.

Be and O in the ultra metal-poor dwarf 2MASS J18082002-5104378: the Be–O correlation

Context. Measurable amounts of Be could have been synthesised primordially if the Universe were non-homogeneous or in the presence of late decaying relic particles. Aims. We investigate the Be abundance in the extremely metal-poor star 2MASS J1808-5104 ([Fe/H] = −3.84) with the aim of constraining inhomogeneities or the presence of late decaying particles. Methods. High resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) UV spectra were acquired at ESO with the Kueyen 8.2 m telescope and the UVES spectrograph. Abundances were derived using several model atmospheres and spectral synthesis code. Results. We measured log(Be/H) = −14.3 from a spectrum synthesis of the region of the Be line. Using a conservative approach, however we adopted an upper limit two times higher, i.e. log(Be/H) < −14.0. We measured the O abundance from UV–OH lines and find [O/H] = −3.46 after a 3D correction. Conclusions. Our observation reinforces the existing upper limit on primordial Be. There is no observational indication for a primordial production of 9Be. This places strong constraints on the properties of putative relic particles. This result also supports the hypothesis of a homogeneous Universe, at the time of nucleosynthesis. Surprisingly, our upper limit of the Be abundance is well below the Be measurements in stars of similar [O/H]. This may be evidence that the Be–O relation breaks down in the early Galaxy, perhaps due to the escape of spallation products from the gas clouds in which stars such as 2MASS J1808-5104 have formed.

Carbon 12C/13C isotope ratio of α Aurigae revised

Context. Capella (α Aur) is one of the few binaries in the sky with two cool giant stars. With spectral types of G8III and G0III, the two components appear at different but distinct stages in their evolution. The G0 secondary star is a Hertzsprung-gap giant, and the G8 primary star is thought to be a clump giant. Aims. We present a new measure of the carbon 12C/13C isotope ratio of the primary component of Capella using high-resolution R ≈ 250 000 spectra obtained with the Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and Spectroscopic Instrument (PEPSI) with both the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT) and the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Methods. Signal-to-noise ratios of up to 2 700 were obtained by averaging nightly spectra. These average spectra were used to disentangle the two binary components. The isotope ratio was derived with the use of spectrum synthesis from the CN lines at 8004 Å. Results. We found that the 12C/13C ratio of the primary component of Capella is 17.8 ± 1.9. Our measurement precision is now primarily limited by the spectral-line data and by the grid-step size of the model atmospheres rather than the data. The separated spectrum of the secondary component does not show distinguishable 12CN and 13CN lines because of its vsini and higher temperature. Conclusions. Our new 12C/13C value is significantly lower than the previous value of 27 ± 4 but now agrees better with the recent model prediction of 18.8–20.7.