Subgiant Research Articles

Atomic Diffusion and Mixing in Old Stars. I. Very Large Telescope FLAMES‐UVES Observations of Stars in NGC 6397

We present a homogeneous photometric and spectroscopic analysis of 18 stars along the evolutionary sequence of the metal-poor globular cluster NGC 6397 ([Fe/H] ≈ -2), from the main-sequence turnoff point to red giants below the bump. The spectroscopic stellar parameters, in particular stellar parameter differences between groups of stars, are in good agreement with broadband and Stromgren photometry calibrated on the infrared flux method. The spectroscopic abundance analysis reveals, for the first time, systematic trends of iron abundance with evolutionary stage. Iron is found to be 30% less abundant in the turnoff point stars than in the red giants. An abundance difference in lithium is seen between the turnoff point and warm subgiant stars. The impact of potential systematic errors on these abundance trends (stellar parameters, the hydrostatic and LTE approximations) is quantitatively evaluated and found not to alter our conclusions significantly. Trends for various elements (Li, Mg, Ca, Ti, and Fe) are compared with stellar structure models including the effects of atomic diffusion and radiative acceleration. Such models are found to describe the observed element-specific trends well, if extra (turbulent) mixing just below the convection zone is introduced. It is concluded that atomic diffusion and turbulent mixing are largely responsible for the subprimordial stellar lithium abundances of warm halo stars. Other consequences of atomic diffusion in old metal-poor stars are also discussed.

The radius and mass of the subgiant star β Hyi from interferometry and asteroseismology

Abstract We have used the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer to measure the angular diameter of β Hydri. This star is a nearby G2 subgiant the mean density of which was recently measured with high precision using asteroseismology. We determine the radius and effective temperature of the star to be 1.814 ± 0.017 R⊙ (0.9 per cent) and 5872 ± 44 K (0.7 per cent) respectively. By combining the radius with the mean density, as estimated from asteroseismology, we make a direct estimate of the stellar mass. We find a value of 1.07 ± 0.03 M⊙ (2.8 per cent), which agrees with published estimates based on fitting in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, but has much higher precision. These results place valuable constraints on theoretical models of β Hyi and its oscillation frequencies.

An Unbiased Survey of 500 Nearby Stars for Debris Disks: A JCMT Legacy Program

ABSTRACTWe present the scientific motivation and observing plan for an upcoming detection survey for debris disks using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. The SCUBA‐2 Unbiased Nearby Stars (SUNS) survey will observe 500 nearby main‐sequence and subgiant stars (100 of each of the A, F, G, K, and M spectral classes) to the 850 μm extragalactic confusion limit to search for evidence of submillimeter excess, an indication of circumstellar material. The survey distance boundaries are 8.6, 16.5, 22, 25, and 45 pc for M, K, G, F, and A stars, respectively, and all targets lie between the declinations of −40° to 80°. In this survey, no star will be rejected based on its inherent properties: binarity, presence of planetary companions, spectral type, or age. The survey will commence in late 2007 and will be executed over 390 hr, reaching 90% completion within 2 years. This will be the first unbiased survey for debris disks since the Infrared Astronomical Satellite. We expect to detect ∼125 debris disks, including ∼50 cold disks not detectable in current shorter wavelength surveys. To fully exploit the order of magnitude increase in debris disks detected in the submillimeter, a substantial amount of complementary data will be required, especially at shorter wavelengths, to constrain the temperatures and masses of discovered disks. High‐resolution studies will likely be required to resolve many of the disks. Therefore, these systems will be the focus of future observational studies using a variety of observatories, including Herschel, ALMA, and JWST, to characterize their physical properties. For nondetected systems, this survey will set constraints (upper limits) on the amount of circumstellar dust, of typically 200 times the Kuiper Belt mass, but as low as 10 times the Kuiper Belt mass for the nearest stars in the sample (≈2 pc).

Solar‐like Oscillations in the G2 Subgiant β Hydri from Dual‐Site Observations

We have observed oscillations in the nearby G2 subgiant star beta Hyi using high-precision velocity observations obtained over more than a week with the HARPS and UCLES spectrographs. The oscillation frequencies show a regular comb structure, as expected for solar-like oscillations, but with several l=1 modes being strongly affected by avoided crossings. The data, combined with those we obtained five years earlier, allow us to identify 28 oscillation modes. By scaling the large frequency separation from the Sun, we measure the mean density of beta Hyi to an accuracy of 0.6%. The amplitudes of the oscillations are about 2.5 times solar and the mode lifetime is 2.3 d. A detailed comparison of the mixed l=1 modes with theoretical models should allow a precise estimate of the age of the star.

Wide-Field Survey around Local Group Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy Leo II: Spatial Distribution of Stellar Content

We carried out a wide-field V, I imaging survey of the Local Group dwarf spheroidal galaxy Leo II using the Subaru Prime Focus Camera on the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope. The survey covered an area of 26.67 × 26.67 arcmin2, far beyond the tidal radius of Leo II (8.63'), down to the limiting magnitude of V 26, which is roughly 1 mag deeper than the turnoff point of the main-sequence stars of Leo II. Radial number density profiles of bright and faint red giant branch (RGB) stars were found to change their slopes at around the tidal radius, and extend beyond the tidal radius with shallower slopes. A smoothed surface brightness map of Leo II suggests the existence of a small substructure (4 × 2.5 arcmin2, 270 × 170 pc 2 in physical size) of globular cluster luminosity beyond the tidal radius. We investigated the properties of the stellar population by means of a color-magnitude diagram. The horizontal branch (HB) morphology index shows a radial gradient in which red HB stars are more concentrated than blue HB stars, which is common to many Local Group dwarf spheroidal galaxies. The color distribution of RGB stars around the mean RGB sequence shows a larger dispersion at the center than in the outskirts, indicating a mixture of stellar populations at the center and a more homogeneous population in the outskirts. Based on the age estimation using subgiant branch stars, we found that although the major star formation took place ~8 Gyr ago, a considerable stellar population younger than 8 Gyr is found at the center; such a younger population is insignificant in the outskirts. The following star formation history is suggested for Leo II. Star-forming activity occurred more than ~8 Gyr ago throughout the galaxy at a modest star formation rate. The star-forming region gradually shrank from the outside toward the center, and star-forming activity finally dropped to ~0 by ~4 Gyr ago, except for the center, where a small population younger than 4 Gyr is present.

Evolutionary models for two hyper-iron-poor low-mass stars

The possible origin of two low-mass hyper-iron-poor (HIP) stars, HE0107-5240 and HE13272326 are investigated. The three scenarios tested are as follows. (i) The star forms metal free (Population III) and accretes metals throughout its lifetime. (ii) A Population III binary star system forms, and the lower mass star accretes metals from the higher mass star during its asymptotic giant branch phase. (iii) An HIP Population II star is formed and evolves with no further pollution. Using the NG-ELMS code, stellar evolution models of these three scenarios are computed and fitted to the observed colours. Models are computed at 0.8 and 0.7 M� , and for several metal accretion rates. It is not possible to unambiguously identify the origin, evolutionary stage or mass for either star with the present observational data. Our evolutionary models indicate that HE0107−5240 is either a red giant or a subgiant close to the base of the red giant branch. In line with the study of Aoki et al., HE1327−2326 is found to be either a main-sequence or a subgiant star. If HE1327−2326 is a main-sequence star the fits indicate that it must have a mass less than 0.8 M� ; if the star is assumed to have an age of around 12.5 Gyr it will have a mass closer to 0.7 M� . Main-sequence low-mass model Population III stars which have been polluted with metals are found to closely resemble Population II stars. However, the case is different for subgiants. The polluted and unpolluted Population III subgiants have luminosity up to twice that of a comparable Population II model. If HE1327−2326 is a subgiant, its distance is measured and if its mass can be reasonably well constrained, it should be possible to determine if it is a Population II or III star.

LITHIUM IN THE STELLAR OPEN CLUSTER M67

In this work we present atmospheric parameters and Li abundances, obtained from a detailed spectroscopic analysis, for a large sample of stars with different evolutionary stages (turn-off, subgiant and giant stars) in the open cluster M67. The observations were carried out with high resolution (R ~ 47,000) and high S/N using the UVES+FLAMES at VLT/UT2. From available photometry and computed synthetic spectra for the region around the lithium line at 6707.75 Å, we derive atmospheric parameters (T eff , log g, [ Fe/H ], v sin i) and Li abundances for each star, in order to better understand the level of mixing and convective dilution of evolved stars in M67.

Medium resolution spectroscopy inω Centauri: abundances of 400 subgiant and turn-off region stars

Medium resolution spectra of more than 400 subgiant and turn-off region stars in Omega Centauri were analysed. The observations were performed at the VLT/Paranal with FORS2/MXU. In order to determine the metallicities of the sample stars, we defined a set of line indices (mostly iron) adjusted to the resolution of our spectra. The indices as determined for Omega Centauri were then compared to line indices from stars in the chemically homogeneous globular cluster M55, in addition to standard stars and synthetic spectra. The uncertainties in the derived metallicities are of the order of 0.2 dex. Our study confirms the large variations in iron abundances found on the giant branch in earlier studies (-2.2 <[Fe/H]< -0.7 dex). In addition, we studied the alpha-element and CN/CH abundances. Stars of different metallicity groups not only show distinct ages, but also different behaviours in their relative abundances. The alpha abundances increase smoothly with increasing metallicity resulting in a flat [alpha/Fe] ratio over the whole observed metallicity range. The combined CN+CH abundance increases smoothly with increasing iron abundance. The most metal-rich stars are CN-enriched. In a CN vs. CH plot, though, the individual abundances divide into CN- and CH-rich branches. The large abundance variations observed in our sample of (unevolved) subgiant branch stars most probably have their origin in the pre-enriched material rather than in internal mixing effects. Together with the age spread of the different sub-populations, our findings favour the formation of Omega Centauri within a more massive progenitor.

Metallicity and absolute magnitude calibrations for UBV photometry

Metallicity and absolute magnitude calibrations for UBV photometry

Solar‐like Oscillations in the Metal‐poor Subgiant ν Indi: Constraining the Mass and Age Using Asteroseismology

Asteroseismology is a powerful method for determining fundamental properties of stars. We report the first application to a metal-poor object, namely the subgiant star ν Ind. We measured precise velocities from two sites, allowing us to detect oscillations and infer a large frequency separation of Δν = 24.25 ± 0.25 μHz. Combining this value with the location of the star in the H-R diagram and comparing with standard evolutionary models, we were able to place constraints on the stellar parameters. In particular, our results indicate that ν Ind has a low mass (0.85 ± 0.04 M☉) and is at least 9 Gyr old.

S1242: a lithium-rich subgiant star in the open cluster M 67

Aims. We report the serendipitous discovery of a lithium-rich subgiant star, S1242. This object is member of a large eccentricity spectroscopic binary system in the solar-age open cluster M 67. Methods. Using VLT/FLAMES-UVES observations and synthetic spectrum analysis, we derived for this star stellar parameters (temperature, gravity, metallicity and rotational velocity) and a surface Li abundance ($A_{\rm Li}=2.7$) larger than the higher abundance of M 67 stars near the turn-off. Results. The high Li abundance we found in S1242 points to an excess of lithium at the subgiant stage. We discuss two possible explanations for this unusually high Li content in this binary system: a preservation of the Li at the turn-off stage due to tidal effects, or an efficient dredge-up of Li, hidden below the convective zone by atomic diffusion occuring in the post turn-off stage.

Finding benchmark brown dwarfs to probe the substellar initial mass function as a function of time

Using a simulated disc brown dwarf (BD) population, we find that new large area infrared surveys are expected to identify enough BDs covering wide enough mass–age ranges to potentially measure the present day mass function down to ∼0.03 M⊙, and the BD formation history out to 10 Gyr, at a level that will be capable of establishing if BD formation follows star formation. We suggest these capabilities are best realized by spectroscopic calibration of BD properties (Teff, g and [M/H]) which when combined with a measured luminosity and an evolutionary model can give BD mass and age relatively independent of BD atmosphere models. Such calibration requires an empirical understanding of how BD spectra are affected by variations in these properties, and thus the identification and study of ‘benchmark BDs’ whose age and composition can be established independently. We identify the best sources of benchmark BDs as young open cluster members, moving group members, and wide (>1000 au) BD companions to both subgiant stars and high-mass white dwarfs (WDs). To accurately asses the likely number of wide companion BDs available, we have constrained the wide L dwarf companion fraction using the 2-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), and find a companion fraction of 2.7+0.7−0.5 per cent for separations of ∼1000–5000 au. This equates to a BD companion fraction of 34+9−6 per cent if one assumes an α∼ 1 companion mass function. Using this BD companion fraction, we simulate populations of wide BD binaries, and estimate that 80+21−14 subgiant–BD binaries, and 50+13−10 benchmark WD–BD binaries could be identified using current and new facilities. The WD–BD binaries should all be identifiable using the Large Area Survey component of the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) Infrared Deep Sky Survey, combined with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Discovery of the subgiant–BD binaries will require a near-infrared imaging campaign around a large (∼900) sample of Hipparcos subgiants. If identified, spectral studies of these benchmark BD populations could reveal the spectral sensitivities across the Teff, g and [M/H] space probed by new surveys.

Elodie metallicity-biased search for transiting Hot Jupiters

We report the discovery of a new planet candidate orbiting the subgiant star HD 118203 with a period of P = 6.1335 days. The best Keplerian solution yields an eccentricity e = 0.31 and a minimum mass = 2.1 MJup for the planet. This star has been observed with the ELODIE fiber-fed spectrograph as one of the targets in our planet-search programme biased toward high-metallicity stars, on-going since March 2004 at the Haute-Provence Observatory. An analysis of the spectroscopic line profiles using line bisectors revealed no correlation between the radial velocities and the line-bisector orientations, indicating that the periodic radial-velocity signal is best explained by the presence of a planet-mass companion. A linear trend is observed in the residuals around the orbital solution that could be explained by the presence of a second companion in a longer-period orbit. We also present here our orbital solution for another slightly evolved star in our metal-rich sample, HD 149143, recently proposed to host a 4-d period Hot Jupiter by the N2K consortium. Our solution yields a period P = 4.09 days, a marginally significant eccentricity e = 0.08 and a planetary minimum mass of 1.36 MJup. We checked that the shape of the spectral lines does not vary for this star as well.

우리은하 구상성단들의 역학적 세부구조 III. NGC 7006

구상성단 NGC 7006의 거성종족에 따른 성단 중심부의 역학적 세부구조 변화를 알아보기 위해서 VGC 7006의 BV CCD영상에 대해 점광원 함수 측광을 실시하여 4개의 거성종족을 분류한 후 각 종족을 차례대로 제거하면서 ellipse맞추기를 실시하여 성단의 중심으로부터 반경에 따른 타원율과 위치각의 변화를 얻었다. 타원율과 위치각의 전체적인 변화를 살펴보면, <TEX>$r_{eff}<3r_h$</TEX> 영역에서 타원율은 <TEX>$0.02\~0.06$</TEX>의 변화를 보이며 위치각의 경우는 <TEX>$-10^{\circ}\~+90^{\circ}$</TEX>의 변화를 보인다. 거성종족의 제거에 따른 NGC 7006의 중심부 타원율과 위치각의 변화를 보면, <TEX>$r_{eff}<r_h$</TEX>인 영역에서 밝은 거성종족을 제거했을 경우 타원율과 위치각의 변화가 각각 <TEX>$-0.05\~+0.05,-20^{\circ}\~+20^{\circ}$</TEX>로 나타났으며, 수평계열을 제거했을 경우에는 각각 <TEX>$-0.05\~+0.025,-25^{\circ}\~+20^{\circ}$</TEX>로 나타나는 것으로부터 중심부에서는 밝은 거성종족과 수평계열에 의한 영향이 가장 크다는 것을 유추할 수 있다. 또한, 어두운 거성종족에 의한 중심부의 타원율과 위치각의 변화도 확인 할 수 있었던 반면 준거성종족에 의해서는 크게 영향을 받지 않는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. To study the effects of giant population on dynamical substructures of the central region of NGC 7006, we examine the radial variations of ellipticity and position angle on By stellar photometry using ellipse fitting technique. Total variations of ellipticity and position angle lie in the range <TEX>$0.02\~0.06\;and\;-10^{\circ}+90^{\circ}$</TEX>, respectively, from the center out to three times the half light radius. Our ellipse fitting results, after removing giant populations, show that the apparent central dynamical substructures of NGC 7006 are mainly affected by red giant, horizontal branch stars. On the contrary, the contribution of light from subgiant stars to the inner dynamical substructure seems to be insignificant.

Metallicities, Relative Ages, and Kinematics of Stellar Populations in ω Centauri

We present results of an extensive spectroscopic survey of subgiant stars in the stellar system ω Cen. Using infrared Ca II triplet lines, we derived metallicities and radial velocities for more than 250 stars belonging to different stellar populations of the system. We find that the most metal-rich component, the anomalous subgiant branch (SGB-a), has a metallicity of [Fe/H] ~ -0.6, fully compatible with that determined along the anomalous red giant branch (RGB-a). Our analysis suggests that the age of this component and of the other metal-intermediate (-1.4 < [Fe/H] < -1.0) stellar populations of the system are all comparable to that of the dominant metal-poor population within 2 Gyr, regardless of the choice of helium abundance. These results impose severe constraints on the timescale of the enrichment process of this stellar system, excluding the possibility of an extended star formation period. The radial velocity analysis of the entire sample demonstrates that only metal-intermediate populations are kinematically cooler than the others.

Sulphur abundances in metal-poor stars

We investigate the debated "sulphur discrepancy" found among metal-poor stars of the Galactic halo with [Fe/H] < -2. This discrepancy stems in part from the use of two different sets of sulphur lines, the very weak triplet at 8694-95 A and the stronger triplet lines at 9212 - 9237 A. For three representative cases of metal-poor dwarf, turnoff and subgiant stars, we argue that the abundances from the 8694-95 lines have been overestimated which has led to a continually rising trend of [S/Fe] as metallicity decreases. Given that the near-IR region is subject to CCD fringing, these weak lines become excessively difficult to measure accurately in the metallicity regime of [Fe/H] < -2. Based on homogeneously determined spectroscopic stellar parameters, we also present updated [S/Fe] ratios from the 9212-9237 lines which suggest a plateau-like behaviour similar to that seen for other alpha elements.

Early and late time VLT spectroscopy of SN 2001el - progenitor constraints for a type Ia supernova

We present early time high-resolution (VLT/UVES) and late time low-resolution (VLT/FORS) optical spectra of the normal type Ia supernova, SN 2001el. The high-resolution spectra were obtained at -9 and -2 days to allow the detection of narrow hydrogen and/or helium emission lines from the circumstellar medium of the SN. No such lines were detected, and we therefore use photoionisation models to derive upper limits of 9x10^-6 Msun/yr and 5x10^-5 Msun/yr for the mass loss rate from the progenitor system assuming velocities of 10 km/s and 50 km/s, respectively, for a wind extending to outside at least a few x 10^15 cm away from the SN explosion site. These limits exclude a symbiotic star in the upper mass loss rate regime from being the progenitor of SN 2001el. The low resolution spectrum was obtained in the nebular phase of the SN, 400 days after the maximum light, to search for any hydrogen rich gas originating from the SN progenitor system. However, we see no signs of Balmer lines in our spectrum. Therefore, we model the late time spectra to derive an upper limit of ~0.03 Msun for solar abundance material present at velocities lower than 1000 km/s within the SN explosion site. According to simulations of Marietta et al. (2000) this is less than the expected mass lost by a subgiant, red giant or main sequence secondary star at a small binary separation as a result of the SN explosion. Finally, we discuss the origin of high velocity Ca II lines. We see both the CaII IR triplet and the H&K lines in the -9 days spectrum at a very high velocity of up to 34000 km/s. The spectrum also shows a flat-bottomed Si II `6150 A' feature similar to the one previously observed in SN 1990N at -14 days. We compare these spectral features to those observed in SNe 1984A and 1990N at even higher velocities.

Chromospherically Active Stars in the Galactic Bulge

We present the results from the discovery and study of ∼3000 chromospherically active giant and subgiant stars toward the Galactic bulge. We find that these stars are predominantly RS CVn binaries with rotation periods between 10 and 100 days. We discover that the average rotational period of these stars decreases with their distance from the Galactic plane. We find that the primary stars in the RS CVn systems are predominantly first-ascent giants. Our research also suggests that if these stars have spot cycles like the Sun, then the cycle period must be longer than 10 yr on average. We confirm that the amplitude of the spot-induced modulations observed in the light curves of these objects is generally larger at minimum light than at maximum. Furthermore, we confirm that the amplitudes of the modulations due to stellar spots generally increase as the observed change in average brightness increases. We find no evidence for a relationship between a chromospherically active star's brightness and its rotational period. However, the average period does increase with color for stars with periods ≲30 days.

An Astrometric Study of the Binary Star α Ophiuchi

The work reported here combines data from the Multichannel Astrometric Photometer (MAP), the European astrometric satellite, Hipparcos, and infrared speckle observations of the nearby subgiant binary star system α Oph. The A5 IV primary is found to have a mass of 2.84 ± 0.19 M⊙, while the approximately K2 V companion has a mass of 0.78 ± 0.058 M⊙. The distance modulus is 0.834 ± 0.024 mag, yielding an absolute visual magnitude of 1.248 ± 0.025 mag and an absolute K magnitude of the secondary of 4.3 ± 0.2 mag. Tables list the MAP data and an ephemeris that indicates that the next 4 yr are ideal for further interferometry.

Can Life Develop in the Expanded Habitable Zones around Red Giant Stars?

We present some new ideas about the possibility of life developing around sub-giant and red giant stars. Our study concerns the temporal evolution of the habitable zone. The distance between the star and the habitable zone, as well as its width, increases with time as a consequence of stellar evolution. The habitable zone moves outward after the star leaves the main sequence, sweeping a wider range of distances from the star until the star reaches the tip of the asymptotic giant branch. If life could form and evolve over time intervals from $5 \times 10^8$ to $10^9$ years, then there could be habitable planets with life around red giant stars. For a 1 M$_{\odot}$ star at the first stages of its post main-sequence evolution, the temporal transit of the habitable zone is estimated to be of several 10$^9$ years at 2 AU and around 10$^8$ years at 9 AU. Under these circumstances life could develop at distances in the range 2-9 AU in the environment of sub-giant or giant stars and in the far distant future in the environment of our own Solar System. After a star completes its first ascent along the Red Giant Branch and the He flash takes place, there is an additional stable period of quiescent He core burning during which there is another opportunity for life to develop. For a 1 M$_{\odot}$ star there is an additional $10^9$ years with a stable habitable zone in the region from 7 to 22 AU. Space astronomy missions, such as proposed for the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) and Darwin should also consider the environments of sub-giants and red giant stars as potentially interesting sites for understanding the development of life.