Browsing by Subject "cool dwarf stars"

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An In-Depth Spectroscopic Analysis Of The Blazhko Star Rr Lyrae I. Characterisation Of The Star: Abundance Analysis And Fundamental Parameters
(2010-09) Kolenberg, K.; Fossati, L.; Shulyak, D.; Pikall, H.; Barnes, T. G.; Kochukhov, O.; Tsymbal, V.; Barnes, T. G.
Context. The knowledge of accurate stellar parameters is a keystone in several fields of stellar astrophysics, such as asteroseismology and stellar evolution. Although the fundamental parameters can be derived from both spectroscopy and multicolour photometry, the results obtained are sometimes affected by systematic uncertainties. Stellar pulsation reaches high amplitudes in RR Lyrae stars, and as a consequence the stellar parameters vary significantly over the pulsation cycle. The abundances of the star, however, are not expected to change. Aims. We present a self-consistent spectral analysis of the pulsating star RR Lyr, which is the primary target of our study of the Blazhko effect. Methods. We used high-resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio spectra to carry out a consistent parameter determination and abundance analysis for RR Lyr. The LLmodels code was employed for model atmosphere calculations, while the SYNTH3 and WIDTH9 codes were used for line profile calculations and LTE abundance analysis. We describe in detail the methodology adopted to derive the fundamental parameters and the abundances. From a set of available high-resolution spectra of RR Lyr, we selected the phase of maximum radius at which the spectra are least disturbed by the pulsation. Using the abundances determined at this phase as a starting point, we expect to be able to determine the fundamental parameters determined at other phases more accurately. Results. The set of fundamental parameters obtained in this work fits the observed spectrum accurately. From the abundance analysis, we find clear indications of a depth-dependent microturbulent velocity, that we quantify. Conclusions. We confirm the importance of a consistent analysis of relevant spectroscopic features, the application of advanced model atmospheres, and the use of up-to-date atomic line data for determining stellar parameters. These results are crucial for further studies, e. g., detailed theoretical modelling of the observed pulsations.
Manganese Abundances In The Globular Cluster Omega Centauri
(2010-07) Cunha, Katia; Smith, Verne V.; Bergemann, Maria; Suntzeff, Nicholas B.; Lambert, David L.; Lambert, David L.
We present manganese abundances in 10 red giant members of the globular cluster omega Centauri; eight stars are from the most metal-poor population (RGB MP and RGB MInt1) while two targets are members of the more metal-rich groups (RGB MInt2 and MInt3). This is the first time Mn abundances have been studied in this peculiar stellar system. The LTE values of [Mn/Fe] in omega Cen overlap those of Milky Way stars in the metal-poor. Cen populations ([Fe/H] similar to -1.5 to -1.8), however unlike what is observed in Milky Way halo and disk stars, [Mn/Fe] declines in the two more metal-rich RGB MInt2 and MInt3 targets. Non-LTE calculations were carried out in order to derive corrections to the LTE Mn abundances. The non-LTE results for omega Cen in comparison with the non-LTE [Mn/Fe] versus [Fe/H] trend obtained for the Milky Way confirm and strengthen the conclusion that the manganese behavior in omega Cen is distinct. These results suggest that low-metallicity supernovae (with metallicities <= -2) of either Type II or Type Ia dominated the enrichment of the more metal-rich stars in omega Cen. The dominance of low-metallicity stars in the chemical evolution of omega Cen has been noted previously in the s-process elements where enrichment from metal-poor asymptotic giant branch stars is indicated. In addition, copper, which also has metallicity-dependent yields, exhibits lower values of [Cu/Fe] in the RGB MInt2 and MInt3 omega Cen populations.