arXiv subjects

D. Baade

Publications and source records attributed to D. Baade.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

BRITEning up the Be Phenomenon

Observations of 25 Ori much expand the picture derived of other early-type Be stars with BRITE and SMEI. Two instead of one difference frequencies rule the variability: (a) The lower one, 0.0129 c/d, is the frequency of events with full amplitudes of 100-200 mmag which may signal mass loss possibly driven by the higher one, 0.1777 c/d. (b) Much of the entire power spectrum is a tightly woven network of combination frequencies: (i) Below 0.25\,c/d, numerous frequencies are difference frequencies. (ii) Many frequencies above 2.5 c/d can be represented as sum frequencies and in a few cases as harmonics. (iii) Many frequencies between 1.1 and 1.75\,c/d can be portrayed as parents of combination frequencies. The number and fraction of combination frequencies increases steeply with decreasing amplitude and and accuracy of the frequency matching.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

Short-term variability and mass loss in Be stars III. BRITE and SMEI satellite photometry of 28 Cygni

The BRITE Constellation of nanosatellites obtained mmag photometry of 28 Cygni for 11 months in 2014-2016. Observations with the Solar Mass Ejection Imager in 2003-2010 and 118 H$α$ line profiles were added. For decades, 28 Cyg has exhibited four large-amplitude frequencies: two closely spaced frequencies of spectroscopically confirmed $g$ modes near 1.5 c/d, one slightly lower exophotospheric (Stefl) frequency, and at 0.05 c/d the difference frequency between the two g modes. This top-level framework is indistinguishable from eta Cen (Paper I), which is also very similar in spectral type, rotation rate, and viewing angle. The Stefl frequency is the only one that does not seem to be affected by the difference frequency. The amplitude of the latter undergoes large variations; around maximum the amount of near-circumstellar matter is increased, and the amplitude of the Stefl frequency grows by some factor. During such brightenings dozens of transient spikes appear in the frequency spectrum, concentrated in three groups. Only eleven frequencies were common to all years of BRITE observations. Be stars seem to be controlled by several coupled clocks, most of which are not very regular on timescales of weeks to months but function for decades. The combination of g modes to the low difference frequency and/or the atmospheric response to it appears significantly nonlinear. Like in eta Cen, the difference-frequency variability seems the main responsible for the modulation of the star-to-disc mass transfer in 28 Cyg. A hierarchical set of difference frequencies may reach the longest timescales known of the Be phenomenon.

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arXiv2017

The evolution of the 3D shape of the broad-lined type Ic SN 2014ad

We present optical spectropolarimetry and spectroscopy of the broad-lined Type Ic (Ic-bl) SN 2014ad. Our spectropolarimetric observations cover 7 epochs, from -2 days to 66 days after V-band maximum, and the spectroscopic data were acquired from -2 days to +107 days. The photospheric velocity estimates showed ejecta speeds similar to those of SN 1998bw and other SNe associated with GRBs. The spectropolarimetric data revealed aspherical outer ejecta and a nearly spherical interior. The polarisation associated with O I λ7774 and the Ca II infrared triplet suggests a clumpy and highly asymmetrical distribution of these two species within the ejecta. Furthermore it was shown that the two line forming regions must have been spatially distinct and oxygen was found to have higher velocities than calcium. Another oxygen line-forming region was also identified much closer to the core of the explosion and distributed in a spherical shell. It is difficult to reconcile the geometry of the deeper ejecta with a jet driven explosion, but the high ejecta velocities of SN 2014ad are typical of those observed in SNe Ic-bl with GRBs, and the behaviour of the oxygen and calcium line-forming regions is consistent with fully jet-driven models. The metallicity of the host galaxy of SN 2014ad was also calculated and compared to that of the hosts of other SNe Ic-bl with and without GRBs, but due to the overlap in the two populations no conclusion could be drawn.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Continuum Foreground Polarization and Na~I Absorption in Type Ia SNe

We present a study of the continuum polarization over the 400--600 nm range of 19 Type Ia SNe obtained with FORS at the VLT. We separate them in those that show Na I D lines at the velocity of their hosts and those that do not. Continuum polarization of the sodium sample near maximum light displays a broad range of values, from extremely polarized cases like SN 2006X to almost unpolarized ones like SN 2011ae. The non--sodium sample shows, typically, smaller polarization values. The continuum polarization of the sodium sample in the 400--600 nm range is linear with wavelength and can be characterized by the mean polarization (P$_{\rm{mean}}$). Its values span a wide range and show a linear correlation with color, color excess, and extinction in the visual band. Larger dispersion correlations were found with the equivalent width of the Na I D and Ca II H & K lines, and also a noisy relation between P$_{\rm{mean}}$ and $R_{V}$, the ratio of total to selective extinction. Redder SNe show stronger continuum polarization, with larger color excesses and extinctions. We also confirm that high continuum polarization is associated with small values of $R_{V}$. The correlation between extinction and polarization -- and polarization angles -- suggest that the dominant fraction of dust polarization is imprinted in interstellar regions of the host galaxies. We show that Na I D lines from foreground matter in the SN host are usually associated with non-galactic ISM, challenging the typical assumptions in foreground interstellar polarization models.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

A high fraction of Be stars in young massive clusters: evidence for a large population of near-critically rotating stars

Recent photometric analysis of the colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) of young massive clusters (YMCs) have found evidence for splitting in the main sequence and extended main sequence turn-offs, both of which have been suggested to be caused by stellar rotation. Comparison of the observed main sequence splitting with models has led various authors to suggest a rather extreme stellar rotation distribution, with a minority ($10-30$\%) of stars with low rotational velocities and the remainder ($70-90$\%) of stars rotating near the critical rotation (i.e., near break-up). We test this hypothesis by searching for Be stars within two YMCs in the LMC (NGC 1850 and NGC 1856), which are thought to be critically rotating stars with decretion disks that are (partially) ionised by their host stars. In both clusters we detect large populations of Be stars at the main sequence turn-off ($\sim30-60$\% of stars), which supports previous suggestions of large populations of rapidly rotating stars within massive clusters.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

The BRITE-Constellation Nanosatellite Space Mission And Its First Scientific Results

The BRIght Target Explorer (BRITE) Constellation is the first nanosatellite mission applied to astrophysical research. Five satellites in low-Earth orbits perform precise optical two-colour photometry of the brightest stars in the night sky. BRITE is naturally well suited for variability studies of hot stars. This contribution describes the basic outline of the mission and some initial problems that needed to be overcome. Some information on BRITE data products, how to access them, and how to join their scientific exploration is provided. Finally, a brief summary of the first scientific results obtained by BRITE is given.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Pulsations and outbursts in Be stars: Small differences - big impacts

New high-cadence observations with BRITE covering many months confirm that coupled pairs of nonradial pulsation modes are widespread among early-type Be stars. With the difference frequency between the parental variations they may form a roughly sinusoidal variability or the amplitude may cyclicly vary. A first - amplified - beat pattern is also found. In all three cases the amplitudes of difference frequencies can exceed the amplitude sum of the base frequencies, and modulations of the star-to-circumstellar-disk mass-transfer rate may be associated with these slow variations. This suggests more strongly than any earlier observations that significant dissipation of pulsational energy in the atmosphere may be a cause of mass ejections from Be stars. A unifying interpretative concept is presented.

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arXiv2016

Difference frequencies of nonradial pulsation modes and repetitive outbursts in classical Be stars

Space photometry has revealed rich pulsation spectra in classical Be stars. Often frequency pairs can be found that differ by nearly the frequency of a third genuine stellar variability. The lowest currently known of these so-called difference (or $Δ$) frequencies reach 0.03 c/d, which is the upper limit of outburst frequencies. The potential of such slow variations for pulsation-assisted mass loss is discussed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Dissecting a SN impostor's circumstellar medium: MUSEing about the SHAPE of eta Car's outer ejecta

Aims. The structural inhomogeneities and kinematics of massive star nebulae are tracers of their mass-loss history. We conduct a three-dimensional morpho-kinematic analysis of the ejecta of eta Car outside its famous Homunculus nebula. Methods. We carried out the first large-scale integral field unit observations of eta Car in the optical, covering a field of view of 1'x1' centered on the star. Observations with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) reveal the detailed three-dimensional structure of eta Car's outer ejecta. Morpho-kinematic modeling of these ejecta is conducted with the code SHAPE. Results. The largest coherent structure in eta Car's outer ejecta can be described as a bent cylinder with roughly the same symmetry axis as the Homunculus nebula. This large outer shell is interacting with the surrounding medium, creating soft X-ray emission. We establish the shape and extent of the ghost shell in front of the southern Homunculus lobe and confirm that the NN condensation can best be modeled as a bowshock in the orbital/equatorial plane. Conclusions. The SHAPE modeling of the MUSE observations indicates that the kinematics of the outer ejecta measured with MUSE can be described by a spatially coherent structure, and this structure also correlates with the extended soft X-ray emission associated with the outer debris field. The ghost shell just outside the southern Homunculus lobe hints at a sequence of eruptions within the time frame of the Great Eruption from 1837-1858 or possibly a later shock/reverse shock velocity separation. Our 3D morpho-kinematic modeling and the MUSE observations constitute an invaluable dataset to be confronted with future radiation-hydrodynamics simulations. Such a comparison may shed light on the yet elusive physical mechanism responsible for eta Car-like eruptions.

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arXiv2016

The BRITE Constellation nanosatellite mission: Testing, commissioning and operations

BRITE (BRIght Target Explorer) Constellation, the first nanosatellite mission applied to astrophysical research, is a collaboration among Austria, Canada and Poland. The fleet of satellites (6 launched, 5 functioning) performs precise optical photometry of the brightest stars in the night sky. A pioneering mission like BRITE - with optics and instruments restricted to small volume, mass and power in several nanosatellites, whose measurements must be coordinated in orbit - poses many unique challenges. We discuss the technical issues, including problems encountered during on-orbit commissioning (especially higher-than expected sensitivity of the CCDs to particle radiation). We describe in detail how the BRITE team has mitigated these problems, and provide a complete overview of mission operations. This paper serves as a template for how to effectively plan, build and operate future low-cost niche-driven space astronomy missions.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

Be Stars as Seen Through Telescopes in Survey Mode (II)

The first half of the review dedicated to survey works on Be stars (Baade, Martayan, and Rivinius, this vol.) put emphasis on what we can learn from surveys about Be stars as a part of an environment, such as Be stars in binaries, Be stars in different metalicities, or Be stars as part of a star forming and then co-evolving group. This second half will rather concentrate on the information that more focused surveys can give on a Be star, understood as an individual object, and in this way attempts to bridge the gap between highly detailed single star studies, and necessarily broad survey and catalog work.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

The Variable Line Width of Achernar

Spectroscopic observations of Achernar over the past decades, have shown the photospheric line width, as measured by the rotational parameter $v \sin i$, to vary in correlation with the emission activity. Here we present new observations, covering the most recent activity phase, and further archival data collected from the archives. The $v \sin i$ variation is confirmed. On the basis of the available data it cannot be decided with certainty whether the increased line width precedes the emission activity, i.e. is a signature of the ejection mechanism, or postdates is, which would make it a signature of re-accretion of some of the disk-material. However, the observed evidence leans towards the re-accretion hypothesis. Two further stars showing the effect of variable line width in correlation with emission activity, namely 66 Oph and $π$ Aqr, are presented as well.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Be Stars as Seen Through Telescopes in Survey Mode (I)

In spite of the almost all-encompassing variability of Be stars, surveys play a steadily increasing role in complementing the insights gained from single-star studies. The definition of classical Be stars as recently augmented by \cite{Rivinius2013} enables unambiguous identification of Be stars in a much increased range of observations. Results of targeted surveys are briefly reviewed for the effects of metallicity, binarity, and evolution. It still remains to be seen whether Be stars are safe benchmarks for the calibration of evolutionary models with rapid rotation.

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arXiv2016

Short-term variability and mass loss in Be stars I. BRITE satellite photometry of $η$ and $μ$ Centauri

Empirical evidence for the involvement of nonradial pulsations (NRP's) in the mass loss from Be stars ranges from (i) a singular case (\object{$μ$ Cen}) of repetitive mass ejections triggered by multi-mode beating to (ii) several photometric reports about enormous numbers of pulsation modes popping up during outbursts and on to (iii) effective single-mode pulsators. The BRITE Constellation of nanosatellites was used to obtain mmag photometry of the Be stars $η$ and \object{$μ$ Cen}. In the low-inclination star \object{$μ$ Cen}, light pollution by variable amounts of near-stellar matter prevented any new insights into the variability and other properties of the central star. In the equator-on star \object{$η$ Cen}, BRITE photometry and {\sc Heros} echelle spectroscopy from the 1990s reveal an intricate clockwork of star-disk interactions. The mass transfer is modulated with the frequency difference of two NRP modes and an amplitude three times as large as the amplitude sum of the two NRP modes. This process feeds a high-amplitude circumstellar activity running with the incoherent and slightly lower so-called Štefl frequency. The mass loss-modulation cycles are tightly coupled to variations in the value of the Štefl frequency and in its amplitude, albeit with strongly drifting phase differences. The observations are well described by the decomposition of the mass loss into a pulsation-related engine in the star and a viscosity-dominated engine in the circumstellar disk. Arguments are developed that large-scale gas-circulation flows occur at the interface. The propagation rates of these eddies manifest themselves as Štefl frequencies. Bursts in power spectra during mass-loss events can be understood as the noise inherent to these gas flows.

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arXiv2015

VLT/MUSE discovers a jet from the evolved B[e] star MWC 137

Not all stars exhibiting the optical spectral characteristics of B[e] stars share the same evolutionary stage. The Galactic B[e] star MWC 137 is a prime example of an object with uncertain classification, with previous work suggesting pre- and post-main sequence classification. Our goal is to settle this debate and provide reliable evolutionary classification. Integral field spectrograph observations with VLT MUSE of the cluster SH 2-266 are used to analyze the nature of MWC 137. A collimated outflow is discovered that is geometrically centered on MWC 137. The central position of MWC 137 in the cluster SH 2-266 within the larger nebula suggests strongly that it is a member of this cluster and that it is both at the origin of the nebula and the newly discovered jet. Comparison of the color-magnitude diagram of the brightest cluster stars with stellar evolutionary models results in a distance of about 5.2$\pm$1.4 kpc. We estimate that the cluster is at least 3 Myr old. The jet extends over 66" (1.7 pc) projected on the plane of the sky, shows several knots, and projected velocities of up to $\pm$450 km s$^{-1}$. From the Balmer emission line decrement of the diffuse intracluster nebulosity we determine E(B-V)=1.4 mag for the inner 1' cluster region. The spectral energy distribution of the brightest cluster stars yield a slightly lower extinction of E(B-V)~1.2 mag. The extinction towards MWC 137 is estimated to be E(B-V)~1.8 mag (A$_V$~5.6 mag). Our analysis of the optical and near-infrared color-magnitude and color-color diagrams suggests a post-main sequence stage of MWC 137. The existence of a jet in this object implies the presence of an accretion disk.

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arXiv2015

Modeling the Complete Lightcurve of omega CMa

We have used the radiative transfer code HDUST to analyze and interpret the long-term photometric behavior of the Be star omega CMa, considering four complete cycles of disk formation and dissipation. This is the first time in which a full lightcurve of a Be star was investigated and modeled including both disk build-up and dissipation phases. Based on the quite good fit of the observed data we were able to derive the history of stellar mass decretion rates (including long- and short-term changes) during the disk formation and dissipation phases in all four cycles.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Eta Carinae's 2014.6 Spectroscopic Event: Clues to the Long-term Recovery from its Great Eruption

Aims. Every 5.5 years eta Car's light curve and spectrum change remarkably across all observed wavelength bands. We compare the recent spectroscopic event in mid-2014 to the events in 2003 and 2009 and investigate long-term trends. Methods. Eta Car was observed with HST STIS, VLT UVES, and CTIO 1.5m CHIRON for a period of more than two years in 2012-2015. Archival observations with these instruments cover three orbital cycles. Results. Important spectroscopic diagnostics show significant changes in 2014 compared to previous events. While the timing of the first HeII 4686 flash was remarkably similar to previous events, the HeII equivalent widths were slightly larger and the line flux increased compared to 2003. The second HeII peak occurred at about the same phase as in 2009, but was stronger. The HeI line flux grew in 2009-2014 compared to 1998-2003. On the other hand, Halpha and FeII lines show the smallest emission strengths ever observed. Conclusions. The basic character of the spectroscopic events has changed in the past 2-3 cycles; ionizing UV radiation dramatically weakened during each pre-2014 event but not in 2014. The strengthening of HeI emission and the weakening of the lower-excitation wind features in our direct line of sight implies a substantial change in the physical parameters of the emitting regions. The polar spectrum at FOS4 shows less changes in the broad wind emission lines, which may be explained by the latitude-dependent wind structure of eta Car. The quick and strong recovery of the HeII emission in 2014 supports a scenario, in which the wind-wind shock may not have completely collapsed as was proposed for previous events. All this may be the consequence of just one elementary change, namely a strong decrease in the primary's mass-loss rate.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Properties of extragalactic dust inferred from linear polarimetry of Type Ia Supernovae

Aims: The aim of this paper is twofold: 1) to investigate the properties of extragalactic dust and compare them to what is seen in the Galaxy; 2) to address in an independent way the problem of the anomalous extinction curves reported for reddened Type Ia Supernovae (SN) in connection to the environments in which they explode. Methods: The properties of the dust are derived from the wavelength dependence of the continuum polarization observed in four reddened Type Ia SN: 1986G, 2006X, 2008fp, and 2014J. [...] Results: All four objects are characterized by exceptionally low total-to-selective absorption ratios (R_V) and display an anomalous interstellar polarization law, characterized by very blue polarization peaks. In all cases the polarization position angle is well aligned with the local spiral structure. While SN~1986G is compatible with the most extreme cases of interstellar polarization known in the Galaxy, SN2006X, 2008fp, and 2014J show unprecedented behaviours. The observed deviations do not appear to be connected to selection effects related to the relatively large amounts of reddening characterizing the objects in the sample. Conclusions: The dust responsible for the polarization of these four SN is most likely of interstellar nature. The polarization properties can be interpreted in terms of a significantly enhanced abundance of small grains. The anomalous behaviour is apparently associated with the properties of the galactic environment in which the SN explode, rather than with the progenitor system from which they originate. For the extreme case of SN2014J, we cannot exclude the contribution of light scattered by local material; however, the observed polarization properties require an ad hoc geometrical dust distribution.

astro-ph.GA↗