arXiv subjects

A. Bressan

Publications and source records attributed to A. Bressan.

210 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

arXiv1998

Calcium Triplet Synthesis

We present theoretical equivalent widths for the sum of the two strongest lines of the Calcium Triplet, CaT index, in the near-IR, using evolutionary techniques and the most recent models and observational data for this feature in individual stars. We compute the CaT index for Single Stellar Populations (instantaneous burst, standard Salpeter-type IMF) at four metallicities, Z=0.004, 0.008, 0.02 (solar) and 0.05, and ranging in age from very young bursts of star formation (few Myr) to old stellar populations, up to 17 gyr, representative of globular clusters, elliptical galaxies and bulges of spirals. The interpretation of the observed equivalent widths of CaT in different stellar systems is discussed. Composite-population models are also computed as a tool to interpret the CaT detections in star-forming regions, in order to disantangle between the component due to Red Supergiants stars, RSG, and the underlying, older, population. CaT is found to be an excellent metallicity-indicator for populations older than 1 Gyr, practically independent of the age. We discuss its application to remove the age- metallicity degeneracy, characteristic of all studies of galaxy evolution based on the usual integrated indices (both broad band colors and narrow band indices). The application of the models computed here to the analysis of a sample of elliptical galaxies will be discussed in a forthcoming paper (Gorgas et al. 1998).

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arXiv1997

Galactic chemical enrichment with new metallicity dependent yields

New detailed stellar yields of several elemental species are derived for massive stars in a wide range of masses (from 6 to 120 Msol) and metallicities (Z= 0.0004, 0.004, 0.008, 0.02, 0.05). Our calculations are based on the Padova evolutionary tracks and take into account recent results on stellar evolution, such as overshooting and quiescent mass-loss, paying major attention to the effects of the initial chemical composition of the star. We finally include modern results on explosive nucleosynthesis in SNae by Woosley & Weaver 1995. The issue of the chemical yields of Very Massive Objects (from 120 to 1000 Msol) is also addressed. Our grid of stellar yields for massive stars is complementary to the results by Marigo et al. (1996, 1997) on the evolution and nucleosynthesis of low and intermediate mass stars, also based on the Padova evolutionary tracks. Altogether, they represent a complete set of stellar yields of unprecedented homogeneity and self-consistency. Our new stellar yields are inserted in a code for the chemical evolution of the Galactic disc with infall of primordial gas, according to the formulation first suggested by Talbot & Arnett (1971, 1973, 1975) and Chiosi (1980). As a first application, the code is used to develop a model of the chemical evolution of the Solar Vicinity, with a detailed comparison to the available observational constraints.

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arXiv1997

Evolution of Massive Stars under New Mass-Loss Rates for RSG: Is the mystery of the missing blue gap solved ?

In this paper we present new models of massive stars based on recent advancements in the theory of diffusive mixing and a new empirical formulation of the mass-loss rates of red supergiant stars. We compute two sets of stellar models of massive stars with initial chemical composition [Z=0.008, Y=0.25] and [Z=0.020, Y=0.28]. Mass loss by stellar wind is also taken into account according to the empirical relationship by de Jager et al. (1988). Despite the new mixing prescription, these models share the same problems of older models in literature as far as the interpretation of the observational distribution of stars across the HRD is concerned. Examining possible causes of the failure, we find that the adopted rate of mass loss for the red supergiant stages under-estimates the observational values by a large factor. Revising the whole problem, first we adopt the recent formulation by Feast (1991), and secondly we take also into account the possibility that the dust to gas ratio varies with the stellar luminosity. Stellar models are then calculated with the new prescription for the mass-loss rates. The models now possess very extended loops in the HRD and are able to match the distribution of stars across the HRD from the earliest to the latest spectral types both in the Milky Way, LMC and SMC. Finally, because the surface H-abundance is close to the limit adopted to start the Wolf-Rayet phase (WNL type), we suggest that a new channel is possible for the formation of low luminosity WNL stars, i.e. by progenitors whose mass can be as low as 20 \msol, that have evolved horizontally across the HRD following the blue-red-blue scheme and suffering large mass loss during the red supergiant stages.

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arXiv1997

TP-AGB stars with envelope burning

In this paper we focus on the TP-AGB evolution of intermediate-mass stars experiencing envelope burning (M=4-5Mo). The approach we have adopted is a semi-analytical one as it combines analytical relationships derived from complete models of TP-AGB stars with sole envelope models in which the physical structure is calculated from the photosphere down to the core. Our efforts are directed to analyse the effects produced by envelope burning, such as: i) the energy contribution which may drive significant deviations from the standard core mass-luminosity relationship; and ii) the changes in the surface chemical composition due to nuclear burning via the CNO cycle. Evolutionary models for stars with initial mass of 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 Mo and two choices of the initial chemical composition ([Y=0.28,Z=0.02] and [Y=0.25,Z=0.008]) are calculated from the first thermal pulse till the complete ejection of the envelope. We find that massive TP-AGB stars can rapidly reach high luminosities (-6>Mbol>-7), without exceeding, however, the classical limit to the AGB luminosity of Mbol~-7.1 corresponding to the Chandrasekhar value of the core mass. No carbon stars brighter than Mbol~-6.5 are predicted to form (the alternative of a possible transition from M-star to C-star during the final pulses is also explored), in agreement with observations which indicate that most of the very luminous AGB stars are oxygen-rich. Finally, new chemical yields from stars in the mass range 4-5 Mo are presented, so as to extend the sets of stellar yields from low-mass stars already calculated by Marigo et al. (1996). For each CNO element we give both the secondary and the primary components.

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arXiv1997

To what Extent are Mg2 and indicators of Mg and Fe Abundances?

The gradients in line strength indices such as Mg2 and (Carollo & Danziger 1994a,b; Carollo et al. 1993), and their increase toward massive system (Worthey et al. 1992, Faber et al. 1992, Davies et al. 1993, Weiss et al. 1995) observed in elliptical galaxies are customarily considered as indicators of gradients in the chemical abundances of Mg and Fe and arguments are given for an enhancement of Mg ($α$-elements in general) with respect to Fe toward the center of these galaxies or going from dwarf to massive ellipticals. In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of the whole problem aimed at understanding how the indices Mg2 and depend on the the chemical abundances and age of the stellar mix of a galaxy. We find that Mg2 and do not simply correlate with the abundances of Mg and Fe and the ratio Mg/Fe, but depend also on the underlaying distribution of stars in different metallicity bins N(Z), or equivalently on the past history of star formation. In practice, inferring the abundance of Mg and Fe and their ratio is hampered by the need of some information about N(Z). Finally, the observational gradients in Mg2 and do not automatically imply gradients in chemical abundances.

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arXiv1997

Modelling Intermediate Age and Old Stellar Populations in the Infrared

We have investigated the spectro-photometric properties of the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars and their contribution to the integrated infrared emission in simple stellar populations (SSP). Adopting analytical relations describing the evolution of these stars in the HR diagram and empirical relations for the mass-loss rate and the wind terminal velocity, we were able to model the effects of the dusty envelope around these stars, with a minimal number of parameters. We computed isochrones at different age and initial metal content. We compare our models with existing infrared colors of M giants and Mira stars and with IRAS PSC data. Contrary to previous models, in the new isochrones the mass-loss rate, which establishes the duration of the AGB phase, also determines the spectral properties of the stars. The contribution of these stars to the integrated light of the population is thus obtained in a consistent way. We find that the emission in the mid infrared is about one order of magnitude larger when dust is taken into account in an intermediate age population, irrespective of the particular mixture adopted. The dependence of the integrated colors on the metallicity and age is discussed, with particular emphasis on the problem of age-metallicity degeneracy. We show that, contrary to the case of optical or near infrared colors, the adoption of a suitable pass-band in the mid infrared allows a fair separation of the two effects. We suggest intermediate redshift elliptical galaxies as possible targets of this method of solving the age-metallicity dilemma. The new SSP models constitute a first step in a more extended study aimed at modelling the spectral properties of the galaxies from the ultraviolet to the far infrared.

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arXiv1997

A new scenario of galaxy evolution under a universal IMF

In this paper, basic observational properties of elliptical galaxies such as the integrated spectra, the chemical abundances and the enhancement of $α$-elements inferred from broad-band colors and line strength indices $Mg_2$ and $< Fe >$ (and their gradients), the color-magnitude relation, the UV fluxes, and the mass-luminosity ratios, are examined in the light of current theoretical interpretations, and attention is called on several points of internal contradiction. Indeed existing models for the formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies are not able to simultaneously account for all of the above observational features. We suggest that the new initial mass function (IMF) by Padoan et al. (1997), which depends on the temperature, density, and velocity dispersion of the medium in which stars are formed, may constitute a break-through in the difficulties in question. Models of elliptical galaxies incorporating the new IMF (varying with time and position inside a galaxy) are presented and discussed at some extent. As a result of the changing IMF, the enhancement of $α$-elements and tilt of the Fundamental Plane are easily explained leaving unaltered the interpretation of the remaining properties under examination. Finally, some implications concerning the relative proportions of visible stars, collapsed remnants (baryonic dark matter), and gas left over by the star forming process are examined.

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arXiv1997

Source Counts and Background Radiation

Our present understanding of the extragalactic source counts and background radiation at infrared and sub-mm wavelengths is reviewed. Available count data are used to constrain evolutionary models of galaxies and Active Nuclei. The CIRB, on the other hand, provides crucial information on the integrated past IR emissivity, including sources so faint to be never accessible. The near-IR and sub-mm are suited to search for the CIRB. These cosmological windows are ideal to detect redshifted photons from the two most prominent broad emission features in galaxy spectra: the stellar photospheric 1 micron peak and the one at 100 micron due to dust re-radiation. The recently claimed detection of an isotropic diffuse component at 100-200 microns would support the evidence for strong cosmic evolution from $z=0$ to $z\sim 2$ of faint gas-rich late-type galaxies, as inferred from direct long-$λ$ counts. Furthermore, an equally intense CIRB flux measured in the wavelength range 200 to 500 $μm$ may be in support of models envisaging a dust-enshrouded phase during formation of spheroidal galaxies (e.g. Franceschini et al., 1994): the background spectrum at such long wavelengths would indicate an high redshift ($z>2-3$) for this active phase of star formation, implying a relevant constraint on structure formation scenarios. We argue that, given the difficulties for sky surveys in this spectral domain, only sporadic tests of these ideas will be achieved in the next several years. Only a mission like FIRST, in combination with large mm arrays and optical telescopes, will allow to thoroughly investigate, via photometric and spectroscopic surveys, these IR-bright early phases in the evolution of galaxies and AGNs.

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arXiv1997

Diagnostic of chemical abundances and ages from the line strength indices Hb, , and Mg2: what do they really imply ?

The line strength indices Hb, Mg2, and , together with their gradients and dependence on the galaxy luminosity (mass), observed in elliptical galaxies are customarily considered as reliable indicators of systematic differences in age and abundances of Mg and Fe. In this paper, we address the question whether or not the indices Mg2 and (and their gradients) are real indicators of chemical abundances and enhancement of these or other effects must be taken into account. We show that this is not the case because the above indices are severely affected by the unknown relative percentage of stars as function of the metallicity. In order to cast the problem, first we provide basic calibrations for the variations dHb, dMg2, and d as a function of the age Dlog(t) (in Gyr), metallicity Dlog(Z/Z_o), and D[Mg/Fe]. Second, we analyze the implications of the gradients in Mg2 and observed across these systems. Finally, the above calibration is used to explore the variations from galaxy to galaxy of the nuclear values of Hb, Mg2, and . The differences dHb, dMg2, and d are converted to differences Dlog(t), Dlog(Z/Z_o), and D[Mg/Fe]. We thoroughly examine the relationship Dlog(t)-Mv, Dlog(Z/Z_o)-Mv, and D[Mg/Fe]-Mv, and advance the suggestion that the duration of the star forming period gets longer or the age of the last episode of stellar activity gets closer to the present at decreasing galaxy mass. This result is discussed in the context of current theories of galaxy formation and evolution. i.e. merger and isolation. In brief, we conclude that none of these can explain the results of our analysis, and suggest that the kind of time and space dependent IMF proposed by Padoan et al. (1997) and the associated models of elliptical galaxies elaborated by Chiosi et al. (1997) should be at work.

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arXiv1997

Probing the Galaxy I. The galactic structure towards the galactic pole

Observations of (B-V) colour distributions towards the galactic poles are compared with those obtained from synthetic colour-magnitude diagrams to determine the major constituents in the disc and spheroid. The disc is described with four stellar sub-populations: the young, intermediate, old, and thick disc populations, which have respectively scale heights of 100 pc, 250 pc, 0.5 kpc, and 1.0 kpc. The spheroid is described with stellar contributions from the bulge and halo. The bulge is not well constrained with the data analyzed in this study. A non-flattened power-law describes the observed distributions at fainter magnitudes better than a deprojected R^{1/4}-law. Details about the age, metallicity, and normalizations are listed in Table 1. The star counts and the colour distributions from the stars in the intermediate fields towards the galactic anti-centre are well described with the stellar populations mentioned above. Arguments are given that the actual solar offset is about 15 pc north from the galactic plane.

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arXiv1996

Probing the Age of Elliptical Galaxies

In this paper we address the question whether age and metallicity effects can be disentangled with the aid of the broad-band colours and spectral indices from absorption feature strengths, so that the age of elliptical galaxies can be inferred. The observational data under examination are the indices Hbeta and [MgFe], and the velocity dispersion Sigma for the sample of galaxies of Gonzales (1993), supplemented by the ultra-violet data, i.e. the colour (1550-V), of Burstein et al. (1988). The analysis is performed with the aid of chemo-spectro-photometric models of elliptical galaxies with infall of primordial gas (aimed at simulating the collapse phase of galaxy formation) and the occurrence of galactic winds. The galaxy models are from Tantalo et al. (1995).

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arXiv1996

Spectro-photometric Evolution of Elliptical Galaxies. II. Models with infall

In this paper we present new chemo-spectro-photometric models of elliptical galaxies in which infall of primordial gas is allowed to occur. They aim to simulate the collapse of a galaxy made of two components, i.e. luminous material and dark matter. The mass of the dark component is assumed to be constant in time, whereas that of the luminous material is supposed to accrete at a suitable rate. They also include the effect of galactic winds powered by supernova explosions and stellar winds from massive, early-type stars. The models are constrained to match a number of properties of elliptical galaxies, i.e. the slope and mean colours of the colour-magnitude relation (CMR), V versus (V--K), the UV excess as measured by the colour (1550--V) together with the overall shape of the integrated spectral energy distribution (ISED) in the ultraviolet, the relation between the Mg2 index and (1550--V), the mass to blue luminosity ratio M/Lb as a function of the B luminosity, and finally the broad-band colours (U--B), (B--V), (V--I), (V--K), etc.

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