Terminal-age Main Sequence Research Articles

Light curve modeling of the eclipsing binary systems V0876 Lyr, V3660 Oph, and V0988 Mon

Abstract Photometric study and light curve modeling for the systems V0876 Lyr, V3660 Oph, and V0988 Mon were carried out by means of their first charge-coupled device observations and the Wilson–Devinney code based on model atmospheres by Kurucz (1993. In: Milone, E. (Ed.), Light curve modeling of eclipsing binary stars. New York: Springer-Verlag. p. 93). The accepted models reveal physical parameters that show that all the primary components of the studied systems are more massive and hotter than the secondary ones. The systems V0876 Lyr and V0988 Mon were classified as over contact, with mass ratios of 0.8940 and 0.3904, respectively, while the system V366Oph was classified as detached, with a mass ratio of 0.1181. The evolutionary state of the system components was investigated, and their spectral types were adopted. Both components of the system V0876 Lyr and secondary components of the systems V3660 Oph and V0988 Mon show lower radii and luminosities than expected for Zero Age Main Sequence (ZAMS). Secondary components of the system, V3660 Oph and V0988 Mon, deviated from ZAMS and the Terminal-age Main Sequence (TAMS) with a higher radius and luminosity than expected for ZAMS and TAMS.

The effects of surface fossil magnetic fields on massive star evolution: V. Models at low metallicity

Abstract At metallicities lower than that of the Small Magellanic Cloud, it remains essentially unexplored how fossil magnetic fields, forming large-scale magnetospheres, could affect the evolution of massive stars, thereby impacting the fundamental building blocks of the early Universe. We extend our stellar evolution model grid with representative calculations of main-sequence, single-star models with initial masses of 20 and 60 M⊙, including appropriate changes for low-metallicity environments (Z = 10−3–10−6). We scrutinise the magnetic, rotational, and chemical properties of the models. When lowering the metallicity, the rotational velocities can become higher and the tendency towards quasi-chemically homogeneous evolution increases. While magnetic fields aim to prevent the development of this evolutionary channel, the weakening stellar winds lead to less efficient magnetic braking in our models. Since the stellar radius is almost constant during a blueward evolution caused by efficient chemical mixing, the surface magnetic field strength remains unchanged in some models. We find core masses at the terminal-age main sequence between 22 and 52 M⊙ for initially 60 M⊙ models. This large difference is due to the vastly different chemical and rotational evolution. We conclude that in order to explain chemical species and, in particular, high nitrogen abundances in the early Universe, the adopted stellar models need to be under scrutiny. The assumptions regarding wind physics, chemical mixing, and magnetic fields will strongly impact the model predictions.

The IACOB project

Context. Blue supergiants (BSGs) are key objects for understanding the evolution of massive stars, which play a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies. However, discrepancies between theoretical predictions and empirical observations have opened up important questions yet to be answered. Studying statistically significant and unbiased samples of these objects can help to improve the situation. Aims. We perform a homogeneous and comprehensive quantitative spectroscopic analysis of a large sample of Galactic luminous blue stars (a majority of which are BSGs) from the IACOB spectroscopic database, providing crucial parameters to refine and improve theoretical evolutionary models. Methods. We derived the projected rotational velocity (υ sin i) and macroturbulent broadening (υmac) using IACOB-BROAD, which combines Fourier transform and line-profile fitting techniques. We compared high-quality optical spectra with state-of-the-art simulations of massive star atmospheres computed with the FASTWIND code. This comparison allowed us to derive effective temperatures (Teff), surface gravities (log 𝑔), microturbulences (ξ), surface abundances of silicon and helium, and to assess the relevance of stellar winds through a wind-strength parameter (log Q). Results. We provide estimates and associated uncertainties of the above-mentioned quantities for the largest sample of Galactic luminous O9 to B5 stars spectroscopically analyzed to date, comprising 527 targets. We find a clear drop in the relative number of stars at Teff ≈ 21 kK, coinciding with a scarcity of fast rotating stars below that temperature. We speculate that this feature (roughly corresponding to B2 spectral type) might be roughly delineating the location of the empirical terminal-age main sequence in the mass range between 15 and 85 M⊙. By investigating the main characteristics of the υ sin i distribution of O stars and BSGs as a function of Teff, we propose that an efficient mechanism transporting angular momentum from the stellar core to the surface might be operating along the main sequence in the high-mass domain. We find correlations between ξ,υmac and the spectroscopic luminosity 𝓛 (defined as Teff4 / g). We also find that no more than 20% of the stars in our sample have atmospheres clearly enriched in helium, and suggest that the origin of this specific subsample might be in binary evolution. We do not find clear empirical evidence of an increase in the wind strength over the wind bi-stability region toward lower Teff.

Partial tidal disruption events: the elixir of life

ABSTRACT In our Galactic Centre, about $10\,000$ to $100\,000$ stars are estimated to have survived tidal disruption events, resulting in partially disrupted remnants. These events occur when a supermassive black hole (SMBH) tidally interacts with a star, but not enough to completely disrupt the star. We use the 1D stellar evolution code Kepler and the 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamics code Phantom to model the tidal disruption of 1, 3, and $10\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ stars at zero-age main sequence (ZAMS), middle-age main sequence (MAMS), and terminal-age main sequence (TAMS). We map the disruption remnants into Kepler in order to understand their post-distribution evolution. We find distinct characteristics in the remnants, including increased radius, rapid core rotation, and differential rotation in the envelope. The remnants undergo composition mixing that affects their stellar evolution. Although the remnants formed by disruption of ZAMS models evolve similarly to unperturbed models of the same mass, for MAMS and TAMS stars, the remnants have higher luminosity and effective temperature. Potential observational signatures include peculiarities in nitrogen and carbon abundances, higher luminosity, rapid rotation, faster evolution, and unique tracks in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

New ACV variables discovered in the Zwicky Transient Facility survey

The manifestation of surface spots on magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars is most commonly explained by the atomic diffusion theory, which requires a calm stellar atmosphere and only moderate rotation. While very successful and well described, this theory still needs to be revised and fine-tuned to the observations. Our study aims to enlarge the sample of known photometrically variable mCP stars (ACV variables) to pave the way for more robust and significant statistical studies. We derive accurate physical parameters for these objects and discuss our results in the framework of the atomic diffusion theory. We studied 1314 candidate ACV variables that were selected from the Zwicky Transient Factory catalogue of periodic variables based on light curve characteristics. We investigated these objects using photometric criteria, a colour-magnitude diagram, and spectroscopic data from the LAMOST and Gaia missions to confirm their status as ACV variables. We present a sample of 1232 new ACV variables, including information on distance from the Sun, mass, fractional age on the main sequence, fraction of the radius between the zero-age and terminal-age main sequence, and the equatorial velocity and its ratio to the critical velocity. Our results confirm that the employed selection process is highly efficient for detecting ACV variables. We have identified 38 stars with $v_ equ $). This challenges current theories that cannot explain the occurrence of such fast-rotating mCP stars.

Light curve analysis and evolutionary status of four newly identified short-period eclipsing binaries

We present the physical and orbital parameters of four short-period eclipsing W UMa systems: ZTFJ000030.44+391106.9\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ZTFJ000030.44 +391106.9$$\\end{document} (referred to as S1), ZTFJ000817.08+402532.1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ZTFJ000817.08+402532.1$$\\end{document} (referred to as S2), ZTFJ002158.44+252934.04\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ZTFJ002158.44+252934.04$$\\end{document} (referred to as S3), and ZTFJ003357.62+415747.8\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ZTFJ003357.62+415747.8$$\\end{document} (referred to as S4). The absolute parameters and evolutionary status of these systems are determined, and new times of minima are calculated. Additionally, we present the 3D fill-out configuration for each system. The four Systems exhibit moderate contact W UMa binary with a fill-out factor of 49%, 38%, 28%, and 51%, respectively. Comparing the systems’ periods, we observed a proportional relationship, where shorter periods correspond to lower fill-out factors, and longer periods were associated with higher fill-out factors. Based on the derived surface temperatures and mass ratios of the components, all systems are classified as A-type W UMa binaries. The obtained parameters in addition to a list of previously published data are then utilized to derive an updated Mass-Luminosity relation (M-L) for both A and W-type eclipsing W UMa systems. A comparison with previously published relations reveals that the majority of the EW systems lie between 0.2 and 2 Msun on the M-L diagram. Moreover, we discuss the dynamical evolutionary aspects and evolutionary status of the four components, along with their positions on the Zero Age Main Sequence (ZAMS) and Terminal Age Main Sequence (TAMS).

Period–Luminosity Relationship for δ Scuti Stars Revisited

The Gaia DR3 parallax approach was used to estimate the absolute parameters of 2375 δ Scuti stars from the ASAS catalog. The selected stars have a variety of observational characteristics, with a higher than 80% probability of being δ Scuti stars. We have displayed all the stars in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram along with the δ Scuti instability strip, the Zero Age Main Sequence and the Terminal Age Main Sequence. Then, we determined which fundamental and overtone modes each star belongs to using pulsation constant (Q) calculations. In addition, we evaluated the parameters in the Q calculation equation using three machine learning methods, which showed that surface gravity and temperature have the greatest effect on its calculation. The Period–Luminosity (P-L) relationship of the δ Scuti stars was also revisited. Eventually, using least squares linear regression, we made four linear fits for fundamental and overtone modes and updated their relationships.

SPECTROSCOPIC & PHOTOMETRIC STUDY OF THE ALGOL-TYPE BINARY V1241 TAURI

New radial velocity (RV) data obtained at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) in Victoria, British Columbia along with light curve (LC) data for the Algol-type binary V1241 Tau have been simultaneously analysed with the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney code (WD2003). There were two distinct LC datasets: one was from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the others (BVIc) from the (land-based) Desert Blooms Observatory (DBO). The TESS data were considered to have the least photometric uncertainty; consequently, we derived estimates for M1 (1.91(8) M☉), M2 (1.04(4) M☉), R1 (1.86(1) R☉), R2 (1.73(1) R☉), qWD (0.54(3)), L1 (10.7(8) L☉), and L2 (1.7(2) L☉) following simultaneous analysis (RV+LC) with the WD2003 code. Evolutionary modeling revealed that the primary star is somewhat evolved past the zero age main sequence (ZAMS) while the secondary is much evolved past the terminal age main sequence (TAMS).

Photometric and spectroscopic properties of the eclipsing system V864 Monocerotis

Abstract We present the orbital period variability and evolutionary status of the W UMa-type binary system V864 Mon from accurately measured fundamental parameters. New BV photometric observations of this system were performed in 2019 January and 2022 January, and the first high-resolution spectroscopic observations were carried out on three nights between 2019 January and March. A total of 29 times of minimum light were collected to examine the behavior of the orbital period. Our analysis of these timings indicates a continuous period increase at a rate of +2.62 × 10−7 d yr−1 over the past 20 years, which can be interpreted as a mass transfer from the less massive primary to the secondary component with a rate of 1.22 × 10−7 M⊙ yr−1. We measured the radial velocities (RVs) for both components, and determined the effective temperature and projected rotational velocity of the more massive secondary star to be Teff,2 = 5450 ± 94 K and v2sin i = 192 ± 40 km s−1, respectively, from the comparison of the observed spectrum at the primary minimum and the theoretical models. The individual masses and radii of both components were determined from a simultaneous analysis of the light and RV curves, which are M1 = 0.34 ± 0.02 M⊙, R1 = 0.69 ± 0.01 R⊙, and M2 = 1.06 ± 0.04 M⊙, R2 = 1.16 ± 0.02 R⊙, respectively. Our results indicate that V864 Mon is a W-subtype of W UMa stars with time-varying spot activity. The positions in the mass-luminosity and mass-radius diagrams indicate that the secondary star belongs to the main-sequence region, while the hotter primary is located beyond the terminal-age main sequence.

Three-dimensional Simulations of Massive Stars. II. Age Dependence

We present 3D full star simulations, reaching up to 90% of the total stellar radius, for three 7 M ⊙ stars of different ages: zero-age main sequence (ZAMS), mid–main sequence (midMS), and terminal-age main sequence (TAMS). A comparison with several theoretical prescriptions shows that the generation spectra for all three ages are dominated by convective plumes. Two distinct overshooting layers are observed, with most plumes stopped within the layer situated directly above the convective boundary; overshooting to the second, deeper layer becomes progressively more infrequent with increasing stellar age. Internal gravity wave (IGW) propagation is significantly impacted in the midMS and TAMS models as a result of some IGWs getting trapped within their Brunt–Väisälä frequency spikes. A fundamental change in the wave structure across radius is also observed, driven by the effect of density stratification on IGW propagation causing waves to become evanescent within the radiative zone, with older stars being affected more strongly. We find that the steepness of the frequency spectrum at the surface increases from ZAMS to the older models, with older stars also showing more modes in their spectra.

The Unexpected Optical and Ultraviolet Variability of the Standard Star α Sex (HD 87887)

The analysis of the available Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) light curves of α Sex (HD 87887) reveals low-frequency pulsations with a period of about 9.1 hr in this spectroscopic A0 III standard star. The IUE observations in 1992 December reveal large flux variations both in the far-UV and in the mid-UV, which are accompanied by variations of the brightness in the V band recorded by the the Fine Error Sensor on board IUE. The ultraviolet variability could be due to an eclipse by an hitherto undetected companion of smaller radius, possibly 2.5 R ⊙, but this needs confirmation by further monitoring possibly with TESS. An abundance determination yields solar abundances for most elements. Only carbon and strontium are underabundant and titanium, vanadium, and baryum mildly overabundant. Identification is provided for most of the lines absorbing more than 2% in the optical spectrum of α Sex. Stellar evolution modeling shows that α Sex is near the terminal-age main sequence, and its mass, radius, and age are estimated to be M = 2.57 ± 0.32 M ⊙, R = 3.07 ± 0.90 R ⊙, A = 385 ± 77 Myr, respectively.

Theoretical investigation of the occurrence of tidally excited oscillations in massive eccentric binary systems

Context. Massive and intermediate-mass stars reside in binary systems at a much higher rate than low-mass stars. At the same time, binaries containing massive main-sequence (MS) component(s) are often characterised by eccentric orbits, and can therefore be observed as eccentric ellipsoidal variables (EEVs). The orbital phase-dependent tidal potential acting on the components of EEVs can induce tidally excited oscillations (TEOs), which can affect the evolution of the binary system. Aims. We investigate how the history of resonances between the eigenmode spectra of the EEV components and the tidal forcing frequencies depends on the initial parameters of the system, limiting our study to the MS. Each resonance is a potential source of TEO. We are particularly interested in the total number of resonances, their average rate of occurrence, and their distribution in time. Methods. We synthesised 20 000 evolutionary models of the EEVs across the MS using Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA) software for stellar structure and evolution. We considered a range of masses of the primary component from 5 to 30 M⊙. Later, using the GYRE stellar non-adiabatic oscillations code, we calculated the eigenfrequencies for each model recorded by MESA. We focused only on the l = 2, m = 0, +2 modes, which are suspected of being dominant TEOs. Knowing the temporal changes in the orbital parameters of simulated EEVs and the changes in the eigenfrequency spectra for both components, we were able to determine so-called resonance curves, which describe the overall chance of a resonance occurring and therefore of a TEO occurring. We analysed the resonance curves by constructing basic statistics for them and analysing their morphology using machine learning methods, including the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) tool. Results. The EEV resonance curves from our sample are characterised by a striking diversity, including the occurrence of exceptionally long resonances or the absence of resonances for long evolutionary times. We find that the total number of resonances encountered by components in the MS phase ranges from ∼102 to ∼103, mostly depending on the initial eccentricity. We also noticed that the average rate of resonances is about an order of magnitude higher (∼102 Myr−1) for the most massive components in the assumed range than for EEVs with intermediate-mass stars (∼101 Myr−1). The distribution of resonances over time is strongly inhomogeneous, and its shape depends mainly on whether the system is able to circularise its orbit before the primary component reaches the terminal-age main sequence (TAMS). Both components may be subject to increased resonance rates as they approach the TAMS. Thanks to the low-dimensional UMAP embeddings performed for the resonance curves, we argue that their morphology changes smoothly across the resulting manifold for different initial EEV conditions. The structure of the embeddings allowed us to explore the whole space of resonance curves in terms of their morphology and to isolate some extreme cases. Conclusions. Resonances between tidal forcing frequencies and stellar eigenfrequencies cannot be considered rare events for EEVs with massive and intermediate-mass MS stars. On average, we should observe TEOs more frequently in EEVs that contain massive components than those that contain intermediate-mass ones. The TEOs will be particularly well pronounced for EEVs whose component(s) are close to the TAMS, which calls for observational verification. Given the total number of resonances and their rates, TEOs may play an important role in the transport of angular momentum within massive and intermediate-mass stars (mainly near the TAMS).

THE OVERCONTACT BINARY V563 LYRAE

Radial velocity (RV) and light curve (LC) data for the overcontact binary V563 Lyr have been obtained and analysed with the 2003 version of the WilsonDevinney (WD) code with results K1 = 147.4 ± 2.1 km/s, K2 = 247.2 ± 1.1 km/s, RVγ = 22.5 ± 1.5 km/s, qsp = 0.596 ± 0.008, M1 = 2.49(4)M☉, M2 = 1.45(4)M☉, R1 = 2.23(2)R☉, R2 = 1.81(2)R☉. A third component was identified, with radial velocity RV3 = 18.8 ± 6.7 km/s. Inserting the derived parameters of the eclipsing pair into a Log (L)-Log (Teff) plot for each star using data from Yakut and Eggleton (2005) suggested that both stars are over-luminous and evolved to, and perhaps past, the terminal age main sequence (TAMS). The companion (star 3) has a spectral type of A0 ± 1 spectral subclass but cannot be gravitationally bound to the eclipsing pair, as its flux would dominate that of the pair, which was not observed. The companion must lie at some other distance.

Detailed evolutionary models for twins in sight of new spectral data: AN Cam, RS Ari, and V455 Aur

ABSTRACT We present the evolutionary scenarios for three eclipsing twin (q(M2/M1) ∼1) binary systems using their combined spectroscopic and photometric data. Using accurate TESS photometric data, RV measurements, and spectroscopic data enabled us to calculate fundamental parameters, such as mass and radius, better than 2 per cent. The temperature of each component and metallicity of the systems have been obtained via high-resolution spectra. According to our spectral analysis, the metallicity values of AN Cam, RS Ari, and V455 Aur are [M/H] = 0.00 ± 0.12, 0.05 ± 0.08, and −0.07 ± 0.07, respectively. Using the derived metallicity for each system, initial orbital parameters, and detailed evolutionary status of these three systems are calculated with high precision by using mesa. According to our analysis, both components of AN Cam have passed the terminal-age main sequence (TAMS), the primary component of RS Ari is in the giant phase while the secondary component has passed the TAMS, finally, both components of V455 Aur are still on the main sequence. The current ages of the three systems AN Cam, RS Ari, and V455 Aur are 3.0, 3.3, and 1.4 Gyr, respectively, and they will approximately start to transfer mass between components in 400, 250, and 2700 Myr, respectively.

First detection of a magnetic field in low-luminosity B[e] stars

We report the first detection of the magnetic field in a star of FS CMa type, a subgroup of objects characterized by the B[e] phenomenon. The split of magnetically sensitive lines in IRAS 17449+2320 determines the magnetic field modulus of 6.2 ± 0.2 kG. Spectral lines and their variability reveal the presence of a B-type spectrum and a hot continuum source in the visible. The hot source confirms GALEX UV photometry. Because there is a lack of spectral lines for the hot source in the visible, the spectral fitting gives only the lower temperature limit of the hot source, which is 50 000 K, and the upper limit for the B-type star of 11 100 K. The V∕R ratio of the Hα line shows quasiperiodic behavior on timescale of 800 days. We detected a strong red-shifted absorption in the wings of Balmer and O I lines in some of the spectra. The absorption lines of helium and other metals show no, or very small, variations, indicating unusually stable photospheric regions for FS CMa stars. We detected two events of material infall, which were revealed to be discrete absorption components of resonance lines. The discovery of the strong magnetic field together with the Gaia measurements of the proper motion show that the most probable nature of this star is that of a post-merger object created after the binary left its birth cluster. Another possible scenario is a magnetic Ap star around Terminal-Age Main Sequence. On the other hand, the strong magnetic field defies the hypothesis that IRAS 17449+2320 is an extreme classical Be star. Thus, IRAS 17449+2320 provides a pretext for exploring a new explanation of the nature of FS CMa stars or, at least, a group of stars with very similar spectral properties.

Mode identification and seismic study of δ Scuti, the prototype of a class of pulsating stars

ABSTRACT We present a seismic study of δ Scuti based on a mode identification from multicoulor photometry. The dominant frequency can be associated only with a radial mode and the second frequency is, most probably, a dipole mode. The other six frequencies have more ambiguous identifications. The photometric mode identification provided also some constraints on the atmospheric metallicity [m/H] ≈ +0.5 and microturbulent velocity ξt ≈ 4 km s−1. For models reproducing the dominant frequency, we show that only the fundamental mode is possible and the first overtone is excluded. However, the location of δ Scuti near the terminal age main sequence requires the consideration of three stages of stellar evolution. For the star to be on the main sequence, it is necessary to include overshooting from the convective core with a parameter of at least αov = 0.25 at the metallicity greater than Z = 0.019. It turned out that the value of the relative amplitude of the bolometric flux variations (the non-adiabatic parameter f) is mainly determined by the position of the star in the HR diagram, i.e. by its effective temperature and luminosity, whereas the effect of the evolutionary stage is minor. On the other hand, the convective efficiency in the subphotospheric layers has a dominant effect on the value of the parameter f. Comparing the theoretical and empirical values of f for the radial dominant mode, we obtain constraints on the mixing length parameter αMLT which is less than about 1.0, independently of the adopted opacity data and chemical mixture. This value of αMLT is substantially smaller than for a calibrated solar model indicating rather low to moderately efficient convection in the envelope of δ Scuti.

KIC 5950759: a high-amplitude δ Sct star with amplitude and frequency modulation near the terminal age main sequence

ABSTRACT Among the intermediate mass pulsating stars known as δ Sct stars is a subset of high-amplitude and predominantly radial-mode pulsators known as high-amplitude δ Sct (HADS) stars. From more than 2000 δ Sct stars observed by the Kepler space mission, only two HADS stars were detected. We investigate the more perplexing of these two HADS stars, KIC 5950759. We study its variability using ground- and space-based photometry, determine its atmospheric parameters from spectroscopy and perform asteroseismic modelling to constrain its mass and evolutionary stage. From spectroscopy, we find that KIC 5950759 is a metal-poor star, which is in agreement with the inferred metallicity needed to reproduce its pulsation mode frequencies from non-adiabatic pulsation models. Furthermore, we combine ground-based WASP and Kepler space photometry, and measure a linear change in period of order $\dot{P}/P \simeq 10^{-6}$ yr−1 for both the fundamental and first overtone radial modes across a time base of several years, which is at least two orders of magnitude larger than predicted by evolution models, and is the largest measured period change in a δ Sct star to date. Our analysis indicates that KIC 5950759 is a metal-poor HADS star near the short-lived contraction phase and the terminal-age main sequence, with its sub-solar metallicity making it a candidate SX Phe star. KIC 5950759 is a unique object among the thousands of known δ Sct stars and warrants further study to ascertain why its pulsation modes are evolving remarkably faster than predicted by stellar evolution.

Convective core sizes in rotating massive stars

Context. Spectroscopic studies of Galactic O and B stars show that many stars with masses above 8 M⊙ have been observed in the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram just beyond the main-sequence (MS) band, as predicted by stellar models computed with a moderate overshooting. This may be an indication that the convective core sizes in stars in the upper part of the HR diagram are larger than predicted by these models. Aims. Combining stellar evolution models and spectroscopic parameters derived for a large sample of Galactic O and B stars with the inclusion of brand-new information about their projected rotational velocities, we reexamine the question of the convective core size in MS massive stars. Methods. We computed a grid of 120 different stellar evolutionary tracks with three initial rotations at solar metallicity (Z = 0.014), spanning a mass range from 7 to 25 M⊙, and combining different values for the initial rotation rate and overshooting parameter. For the rotating models, we considered two cases, one with a moderate and one with a strong angular momentum transport, the latter imposing a solid body rotation during most of the MS phase. We confront the results with two observed features: the position of the terminal age main sequence (TAMS) in the HR diagram and the decrease of the surface rotation when the surface gravity decreases at the end of the MS phase. Results. We confirm that for stars more massive than about 8 M⊙, the convective core size at the end of the MS phase increases more rapidly with the mass than in models computed with a constant step overshoot chosen to reproduce the main sequence width in the low mass range (around 2 M⊙). This conclusion is valid for both the cases of non-rotating models and rotating models either with a moderate or a strong angular momentum transport. The increase of the convective core mass with the mass obtained from the TAMS position is, however, larger than the one deduced from the surface velocity drop for masses above about 15 M⊙. Although the observations that are available at present cannot determine the best choice between the core sizes given by the TAMS and the velocity drop, we discuss various methods of escaping this dilemma. At the moment, comparisons with eclipsing binaries seem to favor the solution given by the velocity drop. Conclusions. While we confirm the need for larger convective cores at higher masses, we find tensions among different methods for stars more massive than 15 M⊙. The use of single-aged stellar populations (non-interacting binaries or stellar clusters) would be a great asset in resolving this tension.

The Detached Binary V887 Persei

New radial velocity and photometric data for V887 Persei have been obtained, and Roche-based simultaneous analysis of RV and light curve data for V887 Per has been accomplished for the first time, using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney code. Masses and stellar radii have been determined: M1 = 1.77 (4) Mʘ, M 2 = 1.44 (2) Mʘ, and R1 = 2.30 (2) Rʘ, and R2 = 1.67 (2) Rʘ. Based on the WD solution, the luminosities are L 1 = 16.9 (1.5) Lʘ and L 2 = 6.67 (59) Lʘ.. By direct calculation from photometry, L1 = 17.1 (8) Lʘ and L 2 = 6.59 (8) Lʘ, displaying close agreement. Notwithstanding the uncertainty in the metallicity, it is clear that both stars have significantly evolved away from the main sequence and are approaching the terminal age main sequence.

New mercury-manganese stars and candidates from LAMOST DR4

Aims.The present work presents our efforts at identifying new mercury-manganese (HgMn/CP3) stars using spectra obtained with the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST).Methods.Suitable candidates were searched for among pre-selected early-type spectra from LAMOST DR4 using a modified version of the MKCLASS code that probes several Hg IIand Mn IIfeatures. The spectra of the resulting 332 candidates were visually inspected. Using parallax data and photometry fromGaiaDR2, we investigated magnitudes, distances from the Sun, and the evolutionary status of our sample stars. We also searched for variable stars using diverse photometric survey sources.Results.We present 99 bona fide CP3 stars, 19 good CP3 star candidates, and seven candidates. Our sample consists of mostly new discoveries and contains, on average, the faintest CP3 stars known (peak distribution 9.5 ≤G≤ 13.5 mag). All stars are contained within the narrow spectral temperature-type range from B6 to B9.5, in excellent agreement with the expectations and the derived mass estimates (2.4 ≤M⊙≤ 4 for most objects). Our sample stars are between 100 Myr and 500 Myr old and cover the whole age range from zero-age to terminal-age main sequence. They are almost homogeneously distributed at fractional ages on the main sequence ≤80%, with an apparent accumulation of objects between fractional ages of 50% to 80%. We find a significant impact of binarity on the mass and age estimates. Eight photometric variables were discovered, most of which show monoperiodic variability in agreement with rotational modulation.Conclusions.Together with the recently published catalogue of APOGEE CP3 stars, our work significantly increases the sample size of known Galactic CP3 stars, paving the way for future in-depth statistical studies.