arXiv subjects

A. Kucinskas

Publications and source records attributed to A. Kucinskas.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2005

Broad-band photometric colors and effective temperature calibrations for late-type giants. I. Z=0.02

We present new synthetic broad-band photometric colors for late-type giants based on synthetic spectra calculated with the PHOENIX model atmosphere code. The grid covers effective temperatures T_eff=3000...5000K, gravities log g=-0.5...+3.5, and metallicities [M/H]=+0.5...-4.0. We show that individual broad-band photometric colors are strongly affected by model parameters such as molecular opacities, gravity, microturbulent velocity, and stellar mass. Our exploratory 3D modeling of a prototypical late-type giant shows that convection has a noticeable effect on the photometric colors too, as it alters significantly both the vertical and horizontal thermal structures in the outer atmosphere. The differences between colors calculated with full 3D hydrodynamical and 1D model atmospheres are significant (e.g., Δ(V-K)~0.2 mag), translating into offsets in effective temperature of up to ~70K. For a sample of 74 late-type giants in the Solar neighborhood, with interferometric effective temperatures and broad-band photometry available in the literature, we compare observed colors with a new PHOENIX grid of synthetic photometric colors, as well as with photometric colors calculated with the MARCS and ATLAS model atmosphere codes. (abridged)

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arXiv2005

Theoretical modelling of late-type giant atmospheres: preparing for Gaia

Late type giants (RGB/AGB stars) will be important tracers of the Galactic morphology and evolution in the framework of Gaia, as they are intrinsically bright and thus can probe distant stellar populations or those obscured by interstellar extinction. A realistic representation of their atmospheres and spectra with stellar atmosphere models is thus of crucial importance, both for the design and optimization of Gaia instruments, as well as the interpretation of provided astrophysical data. Our analysis of synthetic photometric colors of late-type giants based on PHOENIX, MARCS and ATLAS model atmospheres indicates a general agreement between the current theoretical predictions and observations in the framework of stationary 1-D model atmospheres. Presently available models allow temperature determinations of RGB/AGB stars to an accuracy of ~\pm100 K. In an exploratory study we try to quantify possible residual systematic effects due to the approximations made in 1-D models using full 3-D hydrodynamical models. We find that differences in broad-band photometric colors calculated with 1-D and 3-D models are significant, translating to the offsets in effective temperature of up to ~70 K. Clearly, full 3-D hydrodynamical models will help to alleviate such ambiguities in current theoretical modeling. Additionally, they will allow to study new phenomena, to open qualitatively new windows for stellar astrophysics in the Gaia-era.

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arXiv2005

Beyond the Galaxy with Gaia: evolutionary histories of galaxies in the Local Group

Gaia will play an important role in providing information about star formation histories, merging events, intergalactic streams etc., for nearby galaxies of the Local Group. One of the most crucial contributions will be proper motions, especially for stars in the outermost parts of the galaxies, obtainable for stellar populations to ~150 kpc with RGB stars. Together with radial velocities for the brightest giants <80 kpc, this will provide membership information for individual stars and global kinematical picture of the most nearby galaxies, including the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). Gaia will also provide photometric metallicities (σ([M/H])<0.3) for individual giants and/or supergiants in dwarf galaxies to ~200 kpc. MSTO ages will be possible for the youngest stellar populations in the most nearby galaxies (e.g., MCs), whereas stars on RGB/AGB may provide age estimates for populations to ~150 kpc. Gaia will allow to study the outermost parts of the galaxies, which (because of their large spatial extent) are difficult to assess from the ground. Apart from allowing to clarify the structure and evolution of the dwarf galaxies, this will also make it possible to investigate galactic tidal debris, thus providing additional details for the global picture of formation and evolution of the Milky Way Galaxy.

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arXiv2004

Status and future of hydrodynamical model atmospheres

Since about 25 years ago work has been dedicated to the development of hydrodynamical model atmospheres for cool stars (of A to T spectral type). Despite their obviously sounder physical foundation in comparison with standard hydrostatic models, their general application has been rather limited. In order to understand why this is, and how to progress, we review the present status of hydrodynamical modelling of cool star atmospheres. The development efforts were and are motivated by the theoretical interest of understanding the dynamical processes operating in stellar atmospheres. To show the observational impact, we discuss examples in the fields of spectroscopy and stellar structure where hydrodynamical modelling provided results on a level qualitatively beyond standard models. We stress present modelling challenges, and highlight presently possible and future observations that would be particularly valuable in the interplay between model validation and interpretation of observables, to eventually widen the usage of hydrodynamical model atmospheres within the astronomical community.

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arXiv2003

GAIA: AGB stars as tracers of star formation histories in the Galaxy and beyond

We discuss the tracing of star formation histories with ESA's space astrometry mission GAIA, emphasizing the advantages of AGB stars for this purpose. GAIA's microarcsecond-level astrometry, multi-band photometry and spectroscopy will provide individual distances, motions, effective temperatures, gravities and metallicities for vast numbers of AGB stars in the Galaxy and beyond. Reliable ages of AGB stars can be determined to distances of \~200 kpc in a wide range of ages and metallicities, allowing star formation histories to be studied in a diversity of astrophysical environments.

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arXiv2002

AGB Stars as Tracers of Star Formation Histories: Implications for GAIA Photometry and Spectroscopy

We argue that tracing star formation histories with ESA's space mission GAIA using main sequence turn-off (MSTO) point dating will mainly be effective in cases of mild interstellar extinction (E(B-V)<0.5). For higher reddenings the MSTO approach will be severely limited both in terms of traceable ages (t<0.5 Gyr at 8 kpc; E(B-V)=1.0) and/or distances (d<2 kpc for t=15 Gyr; E(B-V)=1.0), since the MSTO will be located at magnitudes too faint for GAIA. AGB stars may alternatively provide precise population ages with GAIA for a wide range of ages and metallicities, with traceable distances of up to 250 kpc at E(B-V)=0 (d=15 kpc if E(B-V)=2.0). It is essential however that effective temperatures precise to 0.01 dex, metallicities to 0.2 dex, and E(B-V) to 0.03 are derived for individual stars, in order to obtain their ages precise to 0.2 dex. This task is quite challenging for GAIA photometry and spectroscopy, though preliminary tests show that comparable precisions may be achieved with GAIA medium band photometry.

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arXiv2000

Mid-infrared studies of the AGB star populations in the Local Group galaxies : the Magellanic Clouds

We present a brief summary of the ISO survey of AGB stars in 8 populous intermediate age clusters of the Magellanic Clouds. Totally, more than 100 AGB and RGB stars were observed at 4.5, 6.7 and 12 $μ$m. We introduce a new method to estimate effective temperatures of oxygen-rich AGB stars, and derive precise bolometric magnitudes and effective temperatures for a large population of AGB objects in both LMC and SMC. The derived stellar parameters are used to construct observed HR diagrams which are employed further to estimate cluster ages using the isochrone fitting. We show that proposed method gives a powerful tool to study AGB star populations within the Local Group galaxies, especially, when backed up with the observations from forthcoming mid-IR astronomical space facilities (IRIS, SIRTF) and large ground-based telescopes (SUBARU, VLT, etc.).

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arXiv2000

ISO observations of the planetary nebula Lindsay 305 in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present ISO (Infrared Space Observatory) observations of the planetary nebula Lindsay 305 (L 305) in the Small Magellanic Cloud. L 305 is very prominent in the ISOCAM frames at 6.75 and 11.5 $μ$m, although it is under the detection limit at 4.5 $μ$m. The obtained spectral energy distribution shows a strong mid-IR excess, which, depending on the amount of energy radiated at wavelengths longer than 11.5 $μ$m, may be as large as $\sim 1500 L_{\odot}$. However, since an accurate estimate of the total nebular luminosity is not available up to date, the evolutionary status of L 305 can not yet be constrained precisely.

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arXiv1999

New infrared object in the field of the SMC cluster NGC 330

We report ISO (Infrared Space Observatory) observations of a new infrared source discovered in the vicinity of the young populous cluster NGC 330 in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The object was observed with ISOCAM at 4.5, 6.75 and 11.5 $μ$m and shows a prominent mid-infrared excess, indicating the presence of a dust shell. The available observations of the optical counterpart together with the mid-infrared ISOCAM data suggest that this object is most likely a post-AGB star, or a Be supergiant. Cluster membership and candidate evolutionary scenarios are discussed briefly.

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