arXiv subjects

B. Montesinos

Publications and source records attributed to B. Montesinos.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Exocomets: A spectroscopic survey

While exoplanets are now routinely detected, the detection of small bodies in extrasolar systems remains challenging. Since the discovery of sporadic events interpreted as exocomets (Falling Evaporating Bodies) around $β$ Pic in the early 80s, only $\sim$20 stars have been reported to host exocomet-like events. We aim to expand the sample of known exocomet-host stars, as well as to monitor the hot-gas environment around stars with previously known exocometary activity. We have obtained high-resolution optical spectra of a heterogeneous sample of 117 main-sequence stars in the spectral type range from B8 to G8. The data have been collected in 14 observing campaigns expanding over 2 years from both hemispheres. We have analysed the Ca ii K&H and Na i D lines in order to search for non-photospheric absorptions originated in the circumstellar environment, and for variable events that could be caused by outgassing of exocomet-like bodies. We have detected non-photospheric absorptions towards 50% of the sample, attributing a circumstellar origin to half of the detections (i.e. 26% of the sample). Hot circumstellar gas is detected in the metallic lines inspected via narrow stable absorptions, and/or variable blue-/red-shifted absorption events. Such variable events were found in 18 stars in the Ca ii and/or Na i lines; 6 of them are reported in the context of this work for the first time. In some cases the variations we report in the Ca ii K line are similar to those observed in $β$ Pic. While we do not find a significant trend with the age or location of the stars, we do find that the probability of finding CS gas in stars with larger vsin i is higher. We also find a weak trend with the presence of near-infrared excess, and with anomalous ($λ$ Boo-like) abundances, but this would require confirmation by expanding the sample.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

HR 10: A main-sequence binary with circumstellar envelopes around both components. Discovery and analysis

This paper is framed within a large project devoted to studying the presence of circumstellar material around main sequence stars, and looking for exocometary events. The work concentrates on HR 10 (A2 IV/V), known for its conspicuous variability in the circumstellar narrow absorption features of Ca II K and other lines, so far interpreted as $β$ Pic-like phenomena, within the falling evaporating body scenario. The main goal of this paper is to carry out a thorough study of HR 10 to find the origin of the observed variability, determine the nature of the star, its absolute parameters, and evolutionary status. Interferometric near-infrared (NIR) observations, multi-epoch high-resolution optical spectra spanning a time baseline of more than 32 years, and optical and NIR photometry, together with theoretical modelling, were used to tackle the above objectives. Our results reveal that HR 10 is a binary. The narrow circumstellar absorption features superimposed on the photospheric Ca II K lines -- and lines of other species -- can be decomposed into two or more components, the two deep ones tracing the radial velocity of the individual stars, which implies that their origin cannot be ascribed to transient exocometary events, their variability being fully explained by the binarity of the object. There does not appear to be transient events associated with potential exocomets. Each individual star holds its own circumstellar shell and there are no traces of a circumbinary envelope. The combined use of the interferometric and radial velocity data leads to a complete spectrometric and orbital solution for the binary, the main parameters being: an orbital period of 747.6 days, eccentricities of the orbits around the centre of mass 0.25 (HR 10-A), 0.21 (HR 10-B) and a mass ratio of q=M$_{\rm B}$/M$_{\rm A}$=0.72-0.84. The stars are slightly off the main sequence, the binary being $\sim530$ Myr old.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

Re-visiting the case of R Mon: Is CO removed at R<20 au?

To our knowledge, R Mon is the only B0 star in which a gaseous Keplerian disk has been detected. However, there is some controversy about the spectral type of R Mon. Some authors propose that it could be a later B8e star, where disks are more common. We have re-evaluated the spectral type of R Mon using the available continuum data and UVES emission lines. We used a power-law disk model to fit previous 12 CO 1-0 and 2-1 interferometric observations and the PACS CO data to investigate the disk structure. Interferometric detections of 13 CO J=1-0, HCO+ 1-0, and CN 1-0 lines using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI) are presented. The HCN 1-0 line was not detected. Our analysis confirms that R Mon is a B0 star. The disk model compatible with the 12 CO 1-0 and 2-1 interferometric observations falls short of predicting the observed fluxes of the 14 31 CO lines suggest the existence of a region empty of CO at R<20 au in the proto-planetary disk. The intense emission of the HCO+ and CN lines shows the strong influence of UV photons on gas chemistry. The observations gathered in this paper are consistent with the presence around R Mon of a transition disk with a cavity about 20 au. This size is similar to the photoevaporation radius that supports the interpretation that UV photoevaporation is main disk dispersal mechanism in massive stars

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

Debris disks with multiple absorption features in metallic lines: circumstellar or interstellar origin?

Debris disks are second generation dusty disks thought to be devoid of gas. However, this idea has been challenged in the last years by gas detections in some systems. We compiled a database of 301 debris disks and collected high--resolution optical spectra for $\sim77\%$ of them. From the analysis of these data we identified a group of 23 debris disks presenting several absorption features superimposed to the photospheric Ca II and Na I doublets. These absorptions could be due to circumstellar material or interstellar clouds. In order to discriminate between the two scenarios, we characterized each feature in terms of its radial velocity, equivalent width and column density. Additionally, we searched in the literature for local clouds in the line of sight of the stars, and looked for the presence of similar absorption features in nearby stars. Our study concludes that while all the objects present interstellar absorptions in their spectra, three objects show features more compatible with circumstellar origin: HD 110058 presents a stable circumstellar absorption, while HR 4796 and c Aql present variable absorption features likely due to exocometary activity. The minute-scale variability we detect towards c Aql is the shortest of this kind detected so far. The detection of circumstellar features in these objects is consistent with their near edge-on inclinations. We also provide evidence challenging previous claims of circumstellar gas detections for HR 6507. Given the properties of the sample, we speculate that transient gaseous events must be a common phenomenon among debris disks.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

Searching for H$_α$ emitting sources around MWC758: SPHERE/ZIMPOL high-contrast imaging

MWC758 is a young star surrounded by a transitional disk. Recently, a protoplanet candidate has been detected around MWC758 through high-resolution $L'$-band observations. The candidate is located inside the disk cavity at a separation of $\sim$111 mas from the central star, and at an average position angle of $\sim$165.5 degrees. We have performed simultaneous adaptive optics observations of MWC758 in the H$_α$ line and the adjacent continuum using SPHERE/ZIMPOL at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). We aim at detecting accreting protoplanet candidates through spectral angular differential imaging observations. The data analysis does not reveal any H$_α$ signal around the target. The derived contrast curve in the B_Ha filter allows us to derive a 5$σ$ upper limit of $\sim$7.6 mag at 111 mas, the separation of the previously detected planet candidate. This contrast translates into a H$_α$ line luminosity of $L_{\rm H_α}\lesssim$ 5$\times$10$^{-5}$ $L_{\odot}$ at 111 mas, and an accretion luminosity of $L_{acc} <$3.7$\times$10$^{-4}\,L_{\odot}$. For the predicted mass range of MWC758b, 0.5-5 $M_{\rm Jup}$, this implies accretion rates of $\dot M \lesssim$ 3.4$\times$(10$^{-8}$-10$^{-9})\,M_{\odot}/yr$, for an average planet radius of 1.1 $R_{\rm Jup}$. Therefore, our estimates are consistent with the predictions of accreting circumplanetary accretion models for $R_{\rm in} = 1 R_{\rm Jup}$. In any case, the non-detection of any H$_α$ emitting source in the ZIMPOL images does not allow us to unveil the true nature of the $L'$ detected source.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

The co-existence of hot and cold gas in debris discs

Debris discs have often been described as gas-poor discs as the gas-to-dust ratio is expected to be considerably lower than in primordial,protoplanetary discs. However, recent observations have confirmed the presence of a non-negligible amount of cold gas in the circumstellar (CS) debris discs around young main-sequence stars.This cold gas has been suggested to be related to the outgassing of planetesimals and cometary-like objects. The aim of the paper is to investigate the presence of hot gas in the surroundings of stars bearing cold-gas debris discs. High-resolution optical spectra of all currently known cold-gas-bearing debris-disc systems, with the exception of $β$ Pic and Fomalhaut, have been obtained from different observatories.We have analysed the Ca II H & K and the Na I D lines searching for non-photospheric absorptions of CS origin, usually attributed to cometary-like activity. Narrow, stable Ca II and/or Na I absorption features have been detected superimposed to the photospheric lines in 10 out of the 15 observed cold-gas-bearing debris disc.Features are found at the radial velocity of the stars, or slightly blue- or red-shifted, and/or at the velocity of the local interstellar medium (ISM). Some stars also present transient variable events or absorptions extended towards red wavelengths. These are the first detections of such Ca II features in 7 out of the 15 observed stars. In some of these stars, results suggest that the stable and variable absorptions arise from relatively hot gas located in the CS close-in environment. This hot gas is detected in at least ~80%, of edge-on cold-gas-bearing debris discs, while in only ~10% of the discs seen close to face-on. We interpret this as a geometrical effect, and suggest that the non-detection of hot gas absorptions is due to the disc inclination rather than to the absence of the hot-gas component.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

A new look inside Planetary Nebula LoTr 5: A long-period binary with hints of a possible third component

LoTr 5 is a planetary nebula with an unusual long-period binary central star. As far as we know, the pair consists of a rapidly rotating G-type star and a hot star, which is responsible for the ionization of the nebula. The rotation period of the G-type star is 5.95 days and the orbital period of the binary is now known to be $\sim$2700 days, one of the longest in central star of planetary nebulae. The spectrum of the G central star shows a complex H$α$ double-peaked profile which varies with very short time scales, also reported in other central stars of planetary nebulae and whose origin is still unknown. We present new radial velocity observations of the central star which allow us to confirm the orbital period for the long-period binary and discuss the possibility of a third component in the system at $\sim$129 days to the G star. This is complemented with the analysis of archival light curves from SuperWASP, ASAS and OMC. From the spectral fitting of the G-type star, we obtain a effective temperature of $T_{\rm eff}$ = 5410$\pm$250 K and surface gravity of $\log g$ = 2.7$\pm$0.5, consistent with both giant and subgiant stars. We also present a detailed analysis of the H$α$ double-peaked profile and conclude that it does not present correlation with the rotation period and that the presence of an accretion disk via Roche lobe overflow is unlikely.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

DZ Cha: a bona fide photoevaporating disc

DZ Cha is a weak-lined T Tauri star (WTTS) surrounded by a bright protoplanetary disc with evidence of inner disc clearing. Its narrow $\Ha$ line and infrared spectral energy distribution suggest that DZ Cha may be a photoevaporating disc. We aim to analyse the DZ Cha star + disc system to identify the mechanism driving the evolution of this object. We have analysed three epochs of high resolution optical spectroscopy, photometry from the UV up to the sub-mm regime, infrared spectroscopy, and J-band imaging polarimetry observations of DZ Cha. Combining our analysis with previous studies we find no signatures of accretion in the $\Ha$ line profile in nine epochs covering a time baseline of $\sim20$ years. The optical spectra are dominated by chromospheric emission lines, but they also show emission from the forbidden lines [SII] 4068 and [OI] 6300$\,Å$ that indicate a disc outflow. The polarized images reveal a dust depleted cavity of $\sim7$ au in radius and two spiral-like features, and we derive a disc dust mass limit of $M_\mathrm{dust}<3\MEarth$ from the sub-mm photometry. No stellar ($M_\star > 80 \MJup$) companions are detected down to $0\farcs07$ ($\sim 8$ au, projected). The negligible accretion rate, small cavity, and forbidden line emission strongly suggests that DZ Cha is currently at the initial stages of disc clearing by photoevaporation. At this point the inner disc has drained and the inner wall of the truncated outer disc is directly exposed to the stellar radiation. We argue that other mechanisms like planet formation or binarity cannot explain the observed properties of DZ Cha. The scarcity of objects like this one is in line with the dispersal timescale ($\lesssim 10^5$ yr) predicted by this theory. DZ Cha is therefore an ideal target to study the initial stages of photoevaporation.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2017

Herschel observations of the circumstellar environment of the two Herbig Be stars R Mon and PDS27

We report and analyse FIR observations of two Herbig Be stars, R Mon and PDS 27, obtained with Herschel's instruments PACS and SPIRE. We construct SEDs and derive the infrared excess. We extract line fluxes from the PACS and SPIRE spectra and construct rotational diagrams in order to estimate the excitation temperature of the gas. We derive CO, [OI] and [CI] luminosities to determine physical conditions of the gas, as well as the dominant cooling mechanism. We confirm that the Herbig Be stars are surrounded by remnants from their parental clouds, with an IR excess that mainly originates in a disc. In R Mon we detect [OI], [CI], [CII], CO (26 transitions), water and OH, while in PDS 27 we only detect [CI] and CO (8 transitions). We attribute the absence of OH and water in PDS 27 to UV photo-dissociation and photo-evaporation. From the rotational diagrams, we find several components for CO: we derive $T_{rot}$ 949$\pm$90 K, 358$\pm$20 K & 77$\pm$12 K for R Mon, 96$\pm$12 K & 31$\pm$4 K for PDS 27 and 25$\pm$8 K & 27$\pm$6 K for their respective compact neighbours. The forsterite feature at 69$μ$m was not detected in either of the sources, probably due to the lack of (warm) crystalline dust in a flat disc. We find that cooling by molecules is dominant in the Herbig Be stars, while this is not the case in Herbig Ae stars where cooling by [OI] dominates. Moreover, we show that in the Herbig Be star R Mon, outflow shocks are the dominant gas heating mechanism, while in Herbig Ae stars this is stellar. The outflow of R Mon contributes to the observed line emission by heating the gas, both in the central spaxel/beam covering the disc and the immediate surroundings, as well as in those spaxels/beams covering the parabolic shell around it. PDS 27, a B2 star, has dispersed a large part of its gas content and/or destroyed molecules; this is likely given its intense UV field.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Exocomet signatures around the A-shell star $Φ$ Leo?

We present an intensive monitoring of high-resolution spectra of the Ca {\sc ii} K line in the A7IV shell star $Φ$ Leo at very short (minutes, hours), short (night to night), and medium (weeks, months) timescales. The spectra show remarkable variable absorptions on timescales of hours, days, and months. The characteristics of these sporadic events are very similar to most that are observed toward the debris disk host star $β$ Pic, which are commonly interpreted as signs of the evaporation of solid, comet-like bodies grazing or falling onto the star. Therefore, our results suggest the presence of solid bodies around $Φ$ Leo. To our knowledge, with the exception of $β$ Pic, our monitoring has the best time resolution at the mentioned timescales for a star with events attributed to exocomets. Assuming the cometary scenario and considering the timescales of our monitoring, our results indicate that $Φ$ Leo presents the richest environment with comet-like events known to date, second only to $β$ Pic.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Incidence of debris discs around FGK stars in the solar neighbourhood

Debris discs are a consequence of the planet formation process and constitute the fingerprints of planetesimal systems. Their solar system's counterparts are the asteroid and Edgeworth-Kuiper belts. The aim of this paper is to provide robust numbers for the incidence of debris discs around FGK stars in the solar neighbourhood. The full sample of 177 FGK stars with d<20 pc proposed for the DUNES survey is presented. Herschel/PACS observations at 100 and 160 micron complemented with data at 70 micron, and at 250, 350 and 500 micron SPIRE photometry, were obtained. The 123 objects observed by the DUNES collaboration were presented in a previous paper. The remaining 54 stars, shared with the DEBRIS consortium and observed by them, and the combined full sample are studied in this paper. The incidence of debris discs per spectral type is analysed and put into context together with other parameters of the sample, like metallicity, rotation and activity, and age. The subsample of 105 stars with d<15 pc containing 23 F, 33 G and 49 K stars, is complete for F stars, almost complete for G stars and contains a substantial number of K stars to draw solid conclusions on objects of this spectral type. The incidence rates of debris discs per spectral type 0.26 (6 objects with excesses out of 23 F stars), 0.21 (7 out of 33 G stars) and 0.20 (10 out of 49 K stars), the fraction for all three spectral types together being 0.22 (23 out of 105 stars). Uncertainties corresponding to a 95% confidence level are given in the text for all these numbers. The medians of the upper limits of L_dust/L_* for each spectral type are 7.8E-7 (F), 1.4E-6 (G) and 2.2E-6 (K); the lowest values being around 4.0E-7. The incidence of debris discs is similar for active (young) and inactive (old) stars. The fractional luminosity tends to drop with increasing age, as expected from collisional erosion of the debris belts.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

The far-infrared behaviour of Herbig Ae/Be discs: Herschel PACS photometry

Herbig Ae/Be objects are pre-main sequence stars surrounded by gas- and dust-rich circumstellar discs. These objects are in the throes of star and planet formation, and their characterisation informs us of the processes and outcomes of planet formation processes around intermediate mass stars. Here we analyse the spectral energy distributions of disc host stars observed by the Herschel Open Time Key Programme `Gas in Protoplanetary Systems'. We present Herschel/PACS far-infrared imaging observations of 22 Herbig Ae/Bes and 5 debris discs, combined with ancillary photometry spanning ultraviolet to sub-millimetre wavelengths. From these measurements we determine the diagnostics of disc evolution, along with the total excess, in three regimes spanning near-, mid-, and far-infrared wavelengths. Using appropriate statistical tests, these diagnostics are examined for correlations. We find that the far-infrared flux, where the disc becomes optically thin, is correlated with the millimetre flux, which provides a measure of the total dust mass. The ratio of far-infrared to sub-millimetre flux is found to be greater for targets with discs that are brighter at millimetre wavelengths and that have steeper sub-millimetre slopes. Furthermore, discs with flared geometry have, on average, larger excesses than flat geometry discs. Finally, we estimate the extents of these discs (or provide upper limits) from the observations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Herschel-PACS observations of discs in the Eta Chamaeleontis association

Protoplanetary discs are the birthplace for planets. Studying protoplanetary discs is the key to constraining theories of planet formation. By observing dust and gas in associations at different ages we can study the evolution of these discs, their clearing timescales, and their physical and geometrical properties. The stellar association Eta Cha is peculiar; some members still retain detectable amounts of gas in their discs at the late age of 7 Myr, making it one of the most interesting young stellar associations in the solar neighbourhood. We characterise the properties of dust and gas in protoplanetary and transitional discs in the Eta Cha young cluster, with special emphasis on explaining the peculiarities that lead to the observed high disc detection fraction and prominent IR excesses at an age of 7 Myr. We observed 17 members of the Eta Cha association with Herschel-PACS in photometric mode and line spectroscopic mode. A subset of members were also observed in range spectroscopic mode. The observations trace [OI] and $H2O emissions at 63.18 and 63.32 microns, respectively, as well as CO, OH, CH+ and [CII] at different wavelengths for those systems observed in range mode. The photometric observations were used to build complete spectral energy distributions (SEDs) from the optical to the far-IR. High-resolution multi-epoch optical spectra with high signal-to-noise ratios were also analysed to study the multiplicity of the sources and look for further gas (accreting) and outflow indicators.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Searching for signatures of planet formation in stars with circumstellar debris discs

(Abridged) Tentative correlations between the presence of dusty debris discs and low-mass planets have been presented. In parallel, detailed chemical abundance studies have reported different trends between samples of planet and non-planet hosts. We determine in a homogeneous way the metallicity, and abundances of a sample of 251 stars including stars with known debris discs, with debris discs and planets, and only with planets. Stars with debris discs and planets have the same [Fe/H] behaviour as stars hosting planets, and they also show a similar <[X/Fe]>-Tc trend. Different behaviour in the <[X/Fe]>-Tc trend is found between the samples of stars without planets and the samples of planet hosts. In particular, when considering only refractory elements, negative slopes are shown in cool giant planet hosts, whilst positive ones are shown in stars hosting low-mass planets. Stars hosting exclusively close-in giant planets show higher metallicities and positive <[X/Fe]>-Tc slope. A search for correlations between the <[X/Fe]>-Tc slopes and the stellar properties reveals a moderate but significant correlation with the stellar radius and as well as a weak correlation with the stellar age. The fact that stars with debris discs and stars with low-mass planets do not show neither metal enhancement nor a different <[X/Fe]>-Tc trend might indicate a correlation between the presence of debris discs and the presence of low-mass planets. We extend results from previous works which reported differences in the <[X/Fe]>-Tc trends between planet hosts and non hosts. However, these differences tend to be present only when the star hosts a cool distant planet and not in stars hosting exclusively low-mass planets.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Does the presence of planets affect the frequency and properties of extrasolar Kuiper Belts? Results from the Herschel DEBRIS and DUNES surveys

The study of the planet-debris disk connection can shed light on the formation and evolution of planetary systems, and may help predict the presence of planets around stars with certain disk characteristics. In preliminary analyses of the Herschel DEBRIS and DUNES surveys, Wyatt et al. (2012) and Marshall et al. (2014) identified a tentative correlation between debris and low-mass planets. Here we use the cleanest possible sample out these surveys to assess the presence of such a correlation, discarding stars without known ages, with ages < 1 Gyr and with binary companions <100 AU, to rule out possible correlations due to effects other than planet presence. In our sample of 204 FGK stars, we do not find evidence that debris disks are more common or more dusty around stars harboring high-mass or low-mass planets compared to a control sample without identified planets, nor that debris disks are more or less common (or more or less dusty) around stars harboring multiple planets compared to single-planet systems. Diverse dynamical histories may account for the lack of correlations. The data show the correlation between the presence of high-mass planets and stellar metallicity, but no correlation between the presence of low-mass planets or debris and stellar metallicity. Comparing the observed cumulative distribution of fractional luminosity to those expected from a Gaussian distribution, we find that a distribution centered on the Solar system's value fits well the data, while one centered at 10 times this value can be rejected. This is of interest in the context of future terrestrial planet characterization because it indicates that there are good prospects for finding a large number of debris disk systems (i.e. with evidence of harboring the building blocks of planets) with exozodiacal emission low enough to be appropriate targets for an ATLAST-type mission to search for biosignatures.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2015

Spectral analysis of BD+30$^{\circ}$623, the peculiar binary central star of the planetary nebula NGC 1514

NGC 1514 is a complex planetary nebula with a peculiar binary central star (BD+30$^{\circ}$623) consisting of a cool star and a hot companion. To date, the parameters of the two stars have not been firmly stablished. We present a detailed spectral analysis of BD+30$^{\circ}$623 based on intermediate-resolution CAFOS optical spectra and IUE ultraviolet spectra with the goal of deriving the parameters of the two stars. For this purpose, we used an extensive composite grid of Kurucz and Tübingen NLTE Model-Atmosphere spectra. From the fitting procedure, in terms of the minimum $χ^{2}$ method, the best models obtained correspond to an Horizontal-Branch A0 star with $T_{\rm eff}$ = 9850$\pm$150 K, log g = 3.50$\pm$0.25, and a hot companion with $T_{\rm eff}$ between 80000 K and 95000K and a log g $\simeq$ 5.5. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the parameters of both stars have been determined accurately through a detailed spectroscopic analysis.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Probing stellar accretion with mid-infrared hydrogen lines

In this paper we investigate the origin of the mid-infrared (IR) hydrogen recombination lines for a sample of 114 disks in different evolutionary stages (full, transitional and debris disks) collected from the {\it Spitzer} archive. We focus on the two brighter {H~{\sc i}} lines observed in the {\it Spitzer} spectra, the {H~{\sc i}}(7-6) at 12.37$μ$m and the {H~{\sc i}}(9-7) at 11.32$μ$m. We detect the {H~{\sc i}}(7-6) line in 46 objects, and the {H~{\sc i}}(9-7) in 11. We compare these lines with the other most common gas line detected in {\it Spitzer} spectra, the {[Ne~{\sc iii}]} at 12.81$μ$m. We argue that it is unlikely that the {H~{\sc i}} emission originates from the photoevaporating upper surface layers of the disk, as has been found for the {[Ne~{\sc iii}]} lines toward low-accreting stars. Using the {H~{\sc i}}(9-7)/{H~{\sc i}}(7-6) line ratios we find these gas lines are likely probing gas with hydrogen column densities of 10$^{10}$-10$^{11}$~cm$^{-3}$. The subsample of objects surrounded by full and transitional disks show a positive correlation between the accretion luminosity and the {H~{\sc i}} line luminosity. These two results suggest that the observed mid-IR {H~{\sc i}} lines trace gas accreting onto the star in the same way as other hydrogen recombination lines at shorter wavelengths. A pure chromospheric origin of these lines can be excluded for the vast majority of full and transitional disks.We report for the first time the detection of the {H~{\sc i}}(7-6) line in eight young (< 20~Myr) debris disks. A pure chromospheric origin cannot be ruled out in these objects. If the {H~{\sc i}}(7-6) line traces accretion in these older systems, as in the case of full and transitional disks, the strength of the emission implies accretion rates lower than 10$^{-10}$M$_{\odot}$/yr. We discuss some advantages of extending accretion indicators to longer wavelengths.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

ALMA observations of alpha Centauri: First detection of main-sequence stars at 3mm wavelength

The precise mechanisms that provide the non-radiative energy for heating the chromosphere and the corona of the Sun and those of other stars constitute an active field of research. By studying stellar chromospheres one aims at identifying the relevant physical processes. Defining the permittable extent of the parameter space can also serve as a template for the Sun-as-a-star. Earlier observations with Herschel and APEX have revealed the temperature minimum of alpha Cen, but these were unable to spatially resolve the binary into individual components. With the data reported here, we aim at remedying this shortcoming. Furthermore, these earlier data were limited to the wavelength region between 100 and 870mu. In the present context, we intend to extend the spectral mapping to longer wavelengths, where the contrast between stellar photospheric and chromospheric emission becomes increasingly evident. ALMA is particularly suited to point sources, such as unresolved stars. ALMA provides the means to achieve our objectives with both its high sensitivity of the collecting area for the detection of weak signals and the high spatial resolving power of its adaptable interferometer for imaging close multiple stars. This is the first detection of main-sequence stars at a wavelength of 3mm. Furthermore, the individual components of the binary alpha CenAB are clearly detected and spatially well resolved at all ALMA wavelengths. The high S/N of these data permit accurate determination of their relative flux ratios. The previously obtained flux ratio of 0.44, which was based on measurements in the optical and at 70mu, is consistent with the present ALMA results, albeit with a large error bar. Given the distinct difference in their cyclic activity, the similarity of their submm SEDs appears surprising.

astro-ph.SR↗