Red Giant Branch Phase Research Articles

Testing the asteroseismic estimates of stellar radii with surface brightness-colour relations and Gaia DR3 parallaxes. Red giants and red clump stars

We compared stellar radii derived from asteroseismic scaling relations with those estimated using two independent surface brightness-colour relations (SBCRs) combined with Gaia DR3 parallaxes. We cross-matched asteroseismic and astrometric data for over 6,400 red giant branch (RGB) and red clump (RC) stars from the APO-K2 catalogue with the TESS Input Catalogue v8.2 to obtain precise $V$ band magnitudes and $E(B-V)$ colour excesses. We then adopted two different SBCRs from the literature to derive stellar radius estimates, denoted as $R^a$ and $R^b$, respectively. We analysed the ratio of these SBCR-derived radii to the asteroseismic radius estimates, $R,$ provided in the APO-K2 catalogue. Both SBCRs exhibited good agreement with asteroseismic radius estimates. On average, $R^a$ was overestimated by 1.2<!PCT!> with respect to $R$, while $R^b$ was underestimated by 2.5<!PCT!>. For stars larger than 20 $R_ sun $, SBCR radii are systematically lower than asteroseismic ones. The dispersion in the radius ratio was similar for the two methods (around 10<!PCT!>). The agreement with asteroseismic radii shows a strong dependence on the parallax. The dispersion is halved for stars with a parallax greater than 2.5 mas. In this subsample, $R^b$ showed perfect agreement with $R$, while $R^a$ remained slightly overestimated, by 3<!PCT!>. A trend with Fe/H was found at a level of 4<!PCT!> to 6<!PCT!> per dex. Additionally, a clear trend with asteroseismic mass is found. For stars less massive than about 0.95 $M_ sun $, SBCR radii were significantly higher than asteroseismic ones, by about 6<!PCT!>. This overestimation correlated with the presence of extended helium cores in these stars' structures relative to their envelopes. Furthermore, radius ratios showed a dichotomous behaviour at higher masses, mainly due to the presence of several RC stars with SBCR radii significantly lower with respect to asteroseismology. This behaviour originates from a different response of asteroseismic scaling relations and SBCR to alpha /Fe abundance ratios for massive stars, both in RGB and RC phases, which is reported here for the first time.

Element abundances of galactic RGB stars in the APO-K2 catalogue

Aims. We conducted an investigation on the chemical abundances of 4316 stars in the red giant branch (RGB) phase from the recently released APO-K2 catalogue. Our aim was to characterize the abundance trends of the single elements with [α/Fe], mainly focusing on C, N, and O, which are the most relevant for the estimation of stellar ages. Methods. The chemical analysis of the RGB sample involved cross-matching data from the APO-K2 catalogue with individual element abundances from APOGEE DR17. Results. The analysis detected a statistically significant difference in the [(C+N+O)/Fe]–[α/Fe] trend with respect to the simple α-enhancement scenario. This difference remained robust across different choices for the reference solar mixture and potential zero-point calibrations of C and N abundances. The primary discrepancy was a steeper increase in [O/Fe] with [α/Fe], reaching a 0.1 dex difference at [α/Fe] = 0.3. Notably, the impact on the evolutionary timescale of such oxygen over-abundance with respect to the commonly adopted uniform α-enhancement is rather limited. We verified that stellar models computed using an ad hoc O-rich mixture sped up the evolution by only 1% at [α/Fe] = 0.3, due to the counterbalancing effects of O enrichment on both the evolutionary timescale and the Z-to-[Fe/H] relationship.

Extended main-sequence turnoff and red clump in intermediate-age star clusters: A study of NGC 419

With the goal of untangling the origin of extended main-sequence turnoffs (eMSTOs) and extended red clumps (eRCs) in star clusters, in this work we present the study of the intermediate-age cluster NGC 419, situated along the Bridge of the Small Magellanic Cloud. To this aim, we analyzed multi-epoch, high angular resolution observations acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope for this dynamically young cluster, which enabled the determination of precise proper motions and therefore the assessment of the cluster membership for each individual star in the field of view. With this unprecedented information at hand, we first studied the radial distribution of kinematically selected member stars in different eMSTO subregions. The absence of segregation supports the rotation scenario as the cause for the turnoff color extension and disfavors the presence of a prolonged period of star formation in the cluster. A similar analysis on the eRC of NGC 419 confirms the absence of segregation, providing further evidence against an age spread, which is at odds with previous investigations. Even so, the currently available evolutionary models including stellar rotation fail at reproducing the two photometric features simultaneously. We argue that either shortcomings in these models or a different origin for the red clump feature, such as a nonstandard differential mass loss along the red giant branch phase, are the only way to reconcile our observational findings with theoretical expectations.

Comparative Study of Low-temperature Opacities with GARSTEC Models

We present a comparative study of the effect of low-temperature opacities on stellar models up to the Red Giant branch (RGB), computed with the GARching STellar Evolution Code. We have used two sets of low-temperature opacities; ÆSOPUS (Æ) from the University of Padova and those from the Wichita State University group (F05). In the relevant range of temperatures for this study, < . Therefore, to compare stellar evolutionary tracks, we performed a solar calibration of the α mlt, for each set of low-temperature opacities. After carrying such a calibration, we find that stellar evolutionary tracks are almost unaffected by the choice of low-temperature opacities, with largest variations of 25–30 K at the latest evolutionary stages of the RGB phase.

A large sample of newly identified carbon-deficient red giants from APOGEE

ABSTRACT Based on the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment survey we conducted a search for carbon-deficient red giants (CDGs). We found 103 new CDGs, increasing the number in the literature by more than a factor of 3. CDGs are very rare, representing 0.03 per cent of giants. They appear as an extended tail off the normal carbon distribution. We show that they are found in all components of the Galaxy, contrary to previous findings. The location of CDGs in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram (HRD) shows that they are primarily intermediate-mass stars ($2-4~\rm {M}_{\odot }$). Their extended distribution may indicate that CDGs can also sometimes have $M \lt 2.0~\rm {M}_{\odot }$. We attempted to identify the evolutionary phases of the CDGs using stellar model tracks. We found that the bulk of the CDGs are likely in the subgiant branch or red clump phase, whereas other CDGs may be in the red giant branch or early asymptotic giant branch phases. Degeneracy in the HRD makes exact identification difficult. We examined their C, N, and O compositions and confirmed previous studies showing that the envelope material has undergone extensive hydrogen burning through the CN(O) cycle. The new-CDGs have [C+N+O/Fe] that generally sum to zero, indicating that they started with scaled-solar composition. However, the previously known-CDGs generally have [C+N+O/Fe] &amp;gt; 0.0, indicating that some He-burning products were added to their envelopes. As to the site(s) in which this originally occurred, we do not find a convincing solution.

Giant Planet Engulfment by Evolved Giant Stars: Light Curves, Asteroseismology, and Survivability

About ten percent of Sun-like (1–2 M ⊙) stars will engulf a 1–10 M J planet as they expand during the red giant branch (RGB) or asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase of their evolution. Once engulfed, these planets experience a strong drag force in the star’s convective envelope and spiral inward, depositing energy and angular momentum. For these mass ratios, the inspiral takes ∼10–102 yr (∼102–103 orbits); the planet undergoes tidal disruption at a radius of ∼1 R ⊙. We use the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA) software instrument to track the stellar response to the energy deposition while simultaneously evolving the planetary orbit. For RGB stars, as well as AGB stars with M p ≲ 5 M J planets, the star responds quasi-statically but still brightens measurably on a timescale of years. In addition, asteroseismic indicators, such as the frequency spacing or rotational splitting, differ before and after engulfment. For AGB stars, engulfment of an M p ≳ 5 M J planet drives supersonic expansion of the envelope, causing a bright, red, dusty eruption similar to a “luminous red nova.” Based on the peak luminosity, color, duration, and expected rate of these events, we suggest that engulfment events on the AGB could be a significant fraction of low-luminosity red novae in the Galaxy. We do not find conditions where the envelope is ejected prior to the planet’s tidal disruption, complicating the interpretation of short-period giant planets orbiting white dwarfs as survivors of common envelope evolution.

Residual eccentricity of an Earth-like planet orbiting a red giant Sun

Context. The late phases of the orbital evolution of an Earth-like planet around a Sun-like star are revisited in order to consider the effect of density fluctuations associated with convective motions inside the star. Aims. Such fluctuations produce a random perturbation of the stellar outer gravitational field that excites a small residual eccentricity in the orbit of the planet. This counteracts the effects of tides, which tend to circularize the orbit. Methods. We computed the power spectrum of the outer gravitational field fluctuations of the star in the quadrupole approximation and studied their effects on the orbit of the planet using a perturbative approach. The residual eccentricity is found to be a stochastic variable showing a Gaussian distribution. Results. Adopting a model of the stellar evolution of our Sun computed with Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA), we find that the Earth will be engulfed by the Sun when it is close to the tip of the red giant branch phase of evolution. We find a maximum mean value of the residual eccentricity of ~0.026 immediately before engulfment. Considering an Earth-mass planet with an initial orbital semimajor axis sufficiently large to escape engulfment, we find that the mean value of the residual eccentricity is greater than 0.01 for an initial separation of up to ~l.4 au. Conclusions. The engulfment of the Earth by the red giant Sun is found to be a stochastic process instead of being deterministic as assumed in previous studies. If an Earth-like planet escapes engulfment, its orbit around its remnant white dwarf (WD) star will be moderately eccentric. Such a residual eccentricity of on the order of a few hundredths can play a relevant role in sustaining the pollution of the WD atmosphere by asteroids and comets, as observed in several objects.

A Young White Dwarf Orbiting PSR J1835−3259B in the Bulge Globular Cluster NGC 6652

We report on the discovery of the companion star to the millisecond pulsar PSR J1835−3259B in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6652. Taking advantage of deep photometric archival observations acquired through the Hubble Space Telescope in near-UV and optical bands, we identified a bright and blue object at a position compatible with that of the radio pulsar. The companion is located along the helium-core white dwarf cooling sequence, and the comparison with binary evolution models provides a mass of 0.17 ± 0.02 M ⊙, a surface temperature of 11,500 ± 1900 K, and a very young cooling age of only 200 ± 100 Myr. The mass and the age of the companion are compatible with a progenitor star of about 0.87 M ⊙, which started transferring mass to the primary during its evolution along the subgiant branch and stopped during the early red giant branch phase. Combining together the pulsar mass function and the companion mass, we found that this system is observed at an almost edge-on orbit and hosts a neutron star with a mass of 1.44 ± 0.06 M ⊙, thus suggesting a highly nonconservative mass accretion phase. The young age of the WD companion is consistent with the scenario of a powerful, relatively young MSP indicated by the earlier detection of gamma-rays from this system.

WOCS 4540: Detailed Analysis of a very Long Orbital Period Blue Straggler

WOCS 4540 is the longest orbital period (P orb = 3030 days) blue straggler star (BSS)—white dwarf (WD) pair in the old open cluster NGC 188. It also contains one of the most luminous BSS in the cluster. Prior Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origins Spectrograph spectroscopy measured a WD mass of 0.53 M ⊙, indicative of a carbon–oxygen WD and suggesting previous mass transfer from an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star. Detailed modeling of the system evolution, including red giant branch phase wind mass transfer, AGB wind Roche-lobe overflow, and regular Roche-lobe overflow, is done with Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics. The best-fit model produces excellent agreement with a wide array of observational constraints on the BSS, the WD, and the binary system. To produce the observed luminosity and effective temperature of the BSS, all three donor mass-transfer mechanisms contribute similarly to build a 1.5 M ⊙ BSS. The overall mass-transfer efficiency is 55%. Regular Roche-lobe overflow occurs only during the largest AGB thermal pulse, but yields a very high accretion rate at 75% efficiency and briefly (less than 1 Myr) a very high luminosity boost from the accretor.

The search for transiting planets around hot subdwarfs

The main goal of this project is to investigate star-planet interactions during the Red Giant Branch (RGB) phase. In particular, we focus on what happens to planetary systems once their host stars leave the main sequence and engulf close-in planets, presumably, perturbing the dy-namical architecture of the system. In this context, we wonder if close-in planets may survive this evolutionary phase, evolving towards a new stable configuration, or on the contrary, if these planets are destroyed and the entire system collapses. Whatever the outcome, how will this interaction alter the star and affect its subsequent evolution? Here, we search for observational evidence of transiting planets orbiting hot subdwarfs (sdBs) stars, which are direct post-RGB objects that have lost most of their envelopes. To this end, we analyze light curves from the space missions Kepler/K2, TESS, and CHEOPS to search for shallow periodic transits of close-in, previously engulfed planets or their remnants, such as the rocky cores of giant gas planets. By determining the occurrence of planets or remnants around sdB stars, we will place strong constraints on the evolution of planetary systems after the RGB phase of their host stars. This summary describes the methods, tools, and strategies used to explore the available photometric data in the search for transiting planets and establish detection limits that allow us to build planet occurrence rates around these stars.

Modelling of the post-asymptotic giant branch phase as a tool to understand asymptotic giant branch evolution and nucleosynthesis

ABSTRACT We study a sample of single Galactic post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) stars with known surface chemical composition. Gaia EDR3 and Gaia DR3 parallaxes have enabled accurate determinations of the luminosities of these objects, thus making it possible to characterize them in terms of their initial masses, chemical compositions, and progenitor ages. We used extant evolutionary sequences of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars produced using the ATON stellar evolutionary code extended to the post-AGB phase, specifically for this study. The luminosity and surface carbon abundance together prove to be the most valuable indicator of the previous evolution and nucleosynthetic history of the star, particularly regarding the efficiency of mixing mechanisms and the growth of the core. This analysis allows us to place the post-AGB sample into classes based on their evolutionary history on the AGB. This includes low-mass objects that evolved as M-type stars without third dredge-up, carbon stars, and intermediate-mass AGB stars with hot bottom burning (HBB). Additionally, our analysis reveals that AGB nucleosynthesis is not homogeneous, even for stars with similar initial masses and metallicities. The approach of using observations of post-AGB stars to constrain AGB and post-AGB models shed new light on still debated issues related to the AGB evolution, such as the threshold mass required to become a C-star, the minimum mass for HBB and the amount of carbon that can be accumulated in the surface regions of the star during the AGB lifetime, as well as deep mixing experienced during the red giant branch phase.

Establishing the accuracy of asteroseismic mass and radius estimates of giant stars

Context. Eclipsing binary stars with an oscillating giant component allow accurate stellar parameters to be derived and asteroseismic methods to be tested and calibrated. To this aim, suitable systems need to be firstly identified and secondly measured precisely and accurately. KIC 4054905 is one such system, which has been identified, but with measurements of a relatively low precision and with some confusion regarding its parameters and evolutionary state. Aims. Our aim is to provide a detailed and precise characterisation of the system and to test asteroseismic scaling relations. Methods. Dynamical and asteroseismic parameters of KIC 4054905 were determined from Kepler time-series photometry and multi-epoch high-resolution spectra from FIES at the Nordic Optical Telescope. Results. KIC 4054905 was found to belong to the thick disk and consist of two lower red giant branch (RGB) components with nearly identical masses of 0.95 M⊙ and an age of 9.9 ± 0.6 Gyr. The most evolved star with R ≃ 8.4 R⊙ displays solar-like oscillations. These oscillations suggest that the star belongs to the RGB, supported also by the radius, which is significantly smaller than the red clump phase for this mass and metallicity. Masses and radii from corrected asteroseismic scaling relations can be brought into full agreement with the dynamical values if the RGB phase is assumed, but a best scaling method could not be identified. Conclusions. The dynamical masses and radii were measured with a precision better than 1.0%. We firmly establish the evolutionary nature of the system to be that of two early RGB stars with an age close to 10 Gyr, unlike previous findings. The metallicity and Galactic velocity suggest that the system belongs to the thick disk of the Milky Way. We investigate the agreement between dynamical and asteroseismic parameters for KIC 4054905 measured in various ways. This suggests that consistent solutions exist, but the need to analyse more of these systems continues in order to establish the accuracy of asteroseismic methods.

A New Third Planet and the Dynamical Architecture of the HD 33142 Planetary System* *Based on observations collected at the European Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere under ESO programs 60.A-9700, 60.A-9036, 097.C-0090, 0100.C-0414, 0101.C-0232, 0102.C-0338, and MPG programs 088.C-0892, 099.A-9009, 0100.A-9006.

Based on recently-taken and archival HARPS, FEROS, and HIRES radial velocities (RVs), we present evidence for a new planet orbiting the first ascent red giant star HD 33142 (with an improved mass estimate of M1.52 ± 0.03 M ⊙), already known to host two planets. We confirm the Jovian-mass planets HD 33142b and c, with periods of P b = days and P c = days and minimum dynamical masses of = M Jup and = MJup, respectively. Furthermore, our periodogram analysis of the precise RVs shows strong evidence for a short-period Doppler signal in the residuals of a two-planet Keplerian fit, which we interpret as a third, Saturn-mass planet with = M Jup in a close-in orbit with an orbital period of P d = days. We study the dynamical behavior of the three-planet system configuration with an N-body integration scheme, finding it to be long-term stable with the planets alternating between low and moderate eccentricity episodes. We also perform N-body simulations, including stellar evolution and second-order dynamical effects such as planet–stellar tides and stellar mass loss on the way to the white dwarf phase. We find that planets HD 33142b, c, and d are likely to be engulfed near the tip of the red giant branch phase due to tidal migration. These results make the HD 33142 system an essential benchmark for planet population statistics of the multiple-planet systems found around evolved stars.

A search for transiting planets around hot subdwarfs

Context. Hot subdwarfs, which are hot and small He-burning objects, are ideal targets for exploring the evolution of planetary systems after the red giant branch (RGB). Thus far, no planets have been confirmed around them, and no systematic survey to find planets has been carried out. Aims. In this project, we aim to perform a systematic transit survey in all light curves of hot subdwarfs from space-based telescopes (Kepler, K2, TESS, and CHEOPS). The goal is to compute meaningful statistics on two points: firstly, the occurrence rates of planets around hot subdwarfs, and secondly, the probability of survival for close-in planets engulfed during the RGB phase of their host. This paper focuses on the analysis of the observations carried out during cycle 1 of the TESS mission. Methods. We used our specifically designed pipeline SHERLOCK to search for transits in the available light curves. When a signal is detected, it is processed in the next evaluating stages before an object is qualified for follow-up observations and in-depth analysis to determine the nature of the transiting body. Results. We applied our method to the 792 hot subdwarfs observed during cycle 1 of TESS. While 378 interesting signals were detected in the light curves, only 26 stars were assigned for follow-up observations. We have identified a series of eclipsing binaries, transiting white dwarfs, and other types of false positives, but no planet has been confirmed thus far. A first computation of the upper limit for occurrence rates was made with the 549 targets displaying no signal. Conclusions. The tools and method we developed proved their efficiency in analysing the available light curves from space missions, from detecting an interesting signal to identifying a transiting planet. This will allow us to fulfil the two main goals of this project.

Identification of new hot subdwarf binary systems by means of Virtual Observatory tools

ABSTRACT The estimation of the binary fraction of hot subdwarfs is key to shed light on the different evolution scenarios proposed to explain the loss of the hydrogen envelope during the red giant branch phase. In this paper, we analyse the spectral energy distribution of the hot subdwarfs included in a recent and comprehensive catalogue with the aim of identifying companions. Our methodology shows a performance superior to the photometric criteria used in that study, identifying 202 objects wrongly classified as binaries according to their spectral energy distributions, and finding 269 new binaries. Out of an initial sample of 3186 objects, we classified 2469 as single and 615 as binary hot subdwarfs. The rest of the objects (102) were not classified because of their inadequate spectral energy distribution fitting due, in turn, to poor quality photometry. Effective temperatures, luminosities, and radii were computed for 192 singles and 42 binaries. They, in particular the binary sample, constitute an excellent data set to further perform a more careful spectroscopic analysis that could provide detailed values for the chemical composition, masses, ages, rotation properties, or reflection effects for the shortest period systems. The results obtained in this paper will be used as a reference for a forthcoming work where we aim to generalize binary and single hot subdwarf classification using Artificial Intelligence-based techniques.

Seismic signature of electron degeneracy in the core of red giants: Hints for mass transfer between close red-giant companions

The detection of mixed modes in red giants with space missions COROT and Kepler has revealed their deep internal structure. These modes allow us to characterize the pattern of pressure modes (through the measurement of their asymptotic frequency separation Δν) and the pattern of gravity modes (through the determination of their asymptotic period spacing ΔΠ1). It has been shown that red giant branch (RGB) stars regroup on a well-defined sequence in the Δν − ΔΠ1 plane. Our first goal is to theoretically explain the features of this sequence and understand how it can be used to probe the interiors of red giants. Using a grid of red giant models computed with MESA, we demonstrate that red giants join the Δν − ΔΠ1 sequence whenever electron degeneracy becomes strong in the core. We argue that this can be used to estimate the central densities of these stars, and potentially to measure the amount of core overshooting during the main sequence part of the evolution. We also investigate a puzzling subsample of red giants that are located below the RGB sequence, in contradiction with stellar evolution models. After checking the measurements of the asymptotic period spacing for these stars, we show that they are mainly intermediate-mass red giants. This is doubly peculiar because these stars should have nondegenerate cores and they are expected to be located well above the RGB sequence. We show that these peculiarities are well accounted for if these stars result from the interaction between two low-mass (M ≲ 2 M⊙) close companions during the red giant branch phase. If the secondary component has already developed a degenerate core before mass transfer begins, it becomes an intermediate-mass giant with a degenerate core. The secondary star is then located below the degenerate sequence, which is in agreement with the observations.

Robust statistical tools for identifying multiple stellar populations in globular clusters in the presence of measurement errors

Context.The finding of multiple stellar populations (MPs), which are defined by patterns in the stellar element abundances, is considered today a distinctive feature of globular clusters. However, while data availability and quality have improved in the past decades, this is not always true for the techniques that are adopted to analyse them, which creates problems of objectivity for the claims and reproducibility.Aims.Using NGC 2808 as test case, we show the use of well-established statistical clustering methods. We focus our analysis on the red giant branch phase, where two data sets are available in the recent literature for low- and high-resolution spectroscopy.Methods.We adopted hierarchical clustering and partition methods. We explicitly addressed the usually neglected problem of measurement errors, for which we relied on techniques that were recently introduced in the statistical literature. The results of the clustering algorithms were subjected to a silhouette width analysis to compare the performance of the split into different numbers of MPs.Results.For both data sets the results of the statistical pipeline are at odds with those reported in the literature. Two MPs are detected for both data sets, while the literature reports five and four MPs from high- and low-resolution spectroscopy, respectively. The silhouette analysis suggests that the population substructure is reliable for high-resolution spectroscopy data, while the actual existence of MP is questionable for the low-resolution spectroscopy data. The discrepancy with literature claims can be explained with the different methods that were adopted to characterise MPs. By means of Monte Carlo simulations and multimodality statistical tests, we show that the often adopted study of the histogram of the differences in some key elements is prone to multiple false-positive findings.Conclusions.The adoption of statistically grounded methods, which adopt all the available information to split the data into subsets and explicitly address the problem of data uncertainty, is of paramount importance to present more robust and reproducible research.

Lithium Evolution of Giant Stars Observed by LAMOST and Kepler

Abstract Mapping lithium evolution for evolved stars will provide restrictions and constraints on the fundamental stellar interior physical processes, which will shed further light on our understanding of the theory of stellar structure and evolution. Based on a sample of 1848 giants with known evolutionary phases and lithium abundances from the LAMOST-Kepler and LAMOST-K2 fields, we construct mass–radius diagrams to characterize the evolutionary features of lithium. The stars at red giant branch (RGB) phase show natural depletion along with their stellar evolution; particularly, there are no obvious crowd stars with anomalously high Li abundances near the bump. Most of the low-mass stars reaching their zero-age sequence of core helium burning (ZAHeB) have Li abundances around ∼1.0 dex, which shows an increase of Li abundance by ∼0.6 dex compared to the stars above the RGB bump. This suggests that helium flash may be responsible for moderate Li production, while for super Li-rich stars, some special mechanisms should be considered during helium flash. Other scenarios, such as mergers, could also be sources given that Li-rich stars can be found at any time during the steady-state phase of core He burning. During the core He-burning (HeB) phase, there is no indication of obvious lithium depletion.

Curiouser and curiouser: the peculiar chemical composition of the Li- and Na-rich star in ω Centauri

We present a multi-instrument spectroscopic analysis of the unique Li- and Na-rich giant star #25664 in ω Centauri, using spectra acquired with FLAMES-GIRAFFE, X-shooter, UVES, and HARPS. Li and Na abundances have been derived from the UVES spectrum using transitions weakly sensitive to non-local thermodynamic equilibrium and assumed isotopic ratios. This new analysis confirms the surprising Li and Na abundances of this star (A(Li)NLTE = +2.71 ± 0.07 dex, [Na/Fe]NLTE = +1.00 ± 0.05 dex). Additionally, we provide new pieces of evidence for its chemical characterisation. The 12C∕13C isotopic ratio (15 ± 2) shows that this star has not yet undergone the extra-mixing episode usually associated with the red giant branch bump. Therefore, we can rule out the scenario of efficient deep extra mixing during the red giant branch phase envisaged to explain the high Li and Na abundances. Also, the star exhibits high abundances of both C and N ([C/Fe] = +0.45 ± 0.16 dex and [N/Fe] = +0.99 ± 0.20 dex), which is not compatible with the typical C-N anti-correlation observed in globular cluster stars. We found evidence of a radial velocity variability in #25664, suggesting that the star could be part of a binary system, likely having accreted material from a more massive companion when the latter was evolving in the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase. Viable candidates for the donor star are AGB stars with 3–4 M⊙ and super-AGB stars (~7–8 M⊙), both of which are able to produce Li- and Na-rich material. Alternatively, the star could have formed from the pure ejecta of a super-AGB star before the dilution with primordial gas occurred.

Dark matter capture and annihilation in stars: Impact on the red giant branch tip

Context.While stars have often been used as laboratories to study dark matter (DM), red giant branch (RGB) stars and all the rich phenomenology they encompass have frequently been overlooked by such endeavors.Aims.We study the capture, evaporation, and annihilation of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) DM in low-mass RGB stars (M = 0.8−1.4 M⊙).Methods.We used a modified stellar evolution code to study the effects of DM self-annihilation on the structure and evolution of low-mass RGB stars.Results.We find that the number of DM particles that accumulate inside low-mass RGB stars is not only constant during this phase of evolution, but also mostly independent of the stellar mass and to some extent stellar metallicity. Moreover, we find that the energy injected into the stellar core due to DM annihilation can promote the conditions necessary for helium burning and thus trigger an early end of the RGB phase. The premature end of the RGB, which is most pronounced for DM particles withmχ ≃ 100 GeV, is thus achieved at a lower helium core mass, which results in a lower luminosity at the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB). Although in the current WIMP paradigm, these effects are only relevant if the number of DM particles inside the star is extremely large, we find that for light WIMPs (mχ ≃ 4 GeV), relevant deviations from the standard TRGB luminosity (∼8%) can be achieved with conditions that can be realistic in the inner parsec of the Milky Way.