arXiv subjects

F. Lignières

Publications and source records attributed to F. Lignières.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Weak magnetic fields of intermediate-mass stars

We present the result of a highly sensitive spectropolarimetric study dedicated to intermediate mass stars. We report the detection of sub-gauss surface magnetic fields on the normal, rapidly-rotating A-type star Vega and on the moderately-rotating Am star Sirius A. These magnetic detections constitute the first evidence that tepid stars that do not belong to the class of Ap/Bp stars can also host magnetized photospheres, suggesting that a significant fraction of stars in this mass regime are magnetic. We present here the observational clues gathered so far to progress towards understanding the physical processes at the origin of this newly identified Vega-like magnetism.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Long-term magnetic field stability of Vega

We present new spectropolarimetric observations of the normal A-type star Vega, obtained during the summer of 2010 with NARVAL at Télescope Bernard Lyot (Pic du Midi Observatory). This new time-series is constituted of 615 spectra collected over 6 different nights. We use the Least-Square-Deconvolution technique to compute, from each spectrum, a mean line profile with a signal-to-noise ratio close to 20,000. After averaging all 615 polarized observations, we detect a circularly polarized Zeeman signature consistent in shape and amplitude with the signatures previously reported from our observations of 2008 and 2009. The surface magnetic geometry of the star, reconstructed using the technique of Zeeman-Doppler Imaging, agrees with the maps obtained in 2008 and 2009, showing that most recognizable features of the photospheric field of Vega are only weakly distorted by large-scale surface flows (differential rotation or meridional circulation).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Detection of a weak surface magnetic field on Sirius A: are all tepid stars magnetic ?

We aim at a highly sensitive search for weak magnetic fields in main sequence stars of intermediate mass, by scanning classes of stars with no previously reported magnetic members. After detecting a weak magnetic field on the normal, rapidly rotating A-type star Vega, we concentrate here on the bright star Sirius A, taken as a prototypical, chemically peculiar, moderately rotating Am star. We employed the NARVAL and ESPaDOnS high-resolution spectropolarimeters to collect 442 circularly polarized spectra, complemented by 60 linearly polarized spectra. Using a list of about 1,100 photospheric spectral lines, we computed a cross correlation line profile from every spectrum, leading to a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 30,000 in the polarized profile. We report the repeated detection of circularly polarized, highly asymmetric signatures in the line profiles, interpreted as Zeeman signatures of a large-scale photospheric magnetic field, with a line-of-sight component equal to $0.2 \pm 0.1$ G. This is the first polarimetric detection of a surface magnetic field on an Am star. Using rough estimates of the physical properties of the upper layers of Sirius A, we suggest that a dynamo operating in the shallow convective envelope cannot account for the field strength reported here. Together with the magnetic field of Vega, this result confirms that a new class of magnetic objects exists among non Ap/Bp intermediate-mass stars, and it may indicate that a significant fraction of tepid stars are magnetic.

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arXiv2010

The rapid rotation and complex magnetic field geometry of Vega

The recent discovery of a weak surface magnetic field on the normal intermediate-mass star Vega raises the question of the origin of this magnetism in a class of stars that was not known to host magnetic fields. We aim to confirm the field detection and provide additional observational constraints about the field characteristics, by modelling the magnetic geometry of the star and by investigating the seasonal variability of the reconstructed field. We analyse a total of 799 circularly-polarized spectra collected with the NARVAL and ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeters during 2008 and 2009. We employ a cross-correlation procedure to compute, from each spectrum, a mean polarized line profile with a signal-to-noise ratio of about 20,000. The technique of Zeeman-Doppler Imaging is then used to determine the rotation period of the star and reconstruct the large-scale magnetic geometry of Vega at two different epochs. We confirm the detection of circularly polarized signatures in the mean line profiles. The amplitude of the signatures is larger when spectral lines of higher magnetic sensitivity are selected for the analysis, as expected for a signal of magnetic origin. The short-term evolution of polarized signatures is consistent with a rotational period of 0.732 \pm 0.008 d. The reconstructed magnetic topology unveils a magnetic region of radial field orientation, closely concentrated around the rotation pole. This polar feature is accompanied by a small number of magnetic patches at lower latitudes. No significant variability in the field structure is observed over a time span of one year. The repeated observation of a weak photospheric magnetic field on Vega suggests that a previously unknown type of magnetic stars exists in the intermediate-mass domain. Vega may well be the first confirmed member of a much larger, as yet unexplored, class of weakly-magnetic stars.

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arXiv2010

Gravity modes in rapidly rotating stars. Limits of perturbative methods

CoRoT and Kepler missions are now providing high-quality asteroseismic data for a large number of stars. Among intermediate-mass and massive stars, fast rotators are common objects. Taking the rotation effects into account is needed to correctly understand, identify, and interpret the observed oscillation frequencies of these stars. A classical approach is to consider the rotation as a perturbation. In this paper, we focus on gravity modes, such as those occurring in gamma Doradus, slowly pulsating B (SPB), or Be stars. We aim to define the suitability of perturbative methods. With the two-dimensional oscillation program (TOP), we performed complete computations of gravity modes -including the Coriolis force, the centrifugal distortion, and compressible effects- in 2-D distorted polytropic models of stars. We started with the modes l=1, n=1-14, and l=2-3, n=1-5,16-20 of a nonrotating star, and followed these modes by increasing the rotation rate up to 70% of the break-up rotation rate. We then derived perturbative coefficients and determined the domains of validity of the perturbative methods. Second-order perturbative methods are suited to computing low-order, low-degree mode frequencies up to rotation speeds ~100 km/s for typical gamma Dor stars or ~150 km/s for B stars. The domains of validity can be extended by a few tens of km/s thanks to the third-order terms. For higher order modes, the domains of validity are noticeably reduced. Moreover, perturbative methods are inefficient for modes with frequencies lower than the Coriolis frequency 2Omega. We interpret this failure as a consequence of a modification in the shape of the resonant cavity that is not taken into account in the perturbative approach.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Gravity modes in rapidly rotating polytropic stars

Using the Two-dimensional Oscillation Program (TOP), we have explored the effects of rapid rotation on gravity modes in polytropic stars. Coriolis force, centrifugal distortion as well as compressible effects have been taken into account. Thanks to our complete calculation, we have first studied the validity domain of perturbative methods and started to explore properties of these modes. We focus on l=1 in this analysis.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

EK Eridani: the tip of the iceberg of giants which have evolved from magnetic Ap stars

We observe the slowly-rotating, active, single giant, EK Eri, to study and infer the nature of its magnetic field directly. We used the spectropolarimeter NARVAL at the Telescope Bernard Lyot, Pic du Midi Observatory, and the Least Square Deconvolution method to create high signal-to-noise ratio Stokes V profiles. We fitted the Stokes V profiles with a model of the large-scale magnetic field. We studied the classical activity indicators, the CaII H and K lines, the CaII infrared triplet, and Hαline. We detected the Stokes V signal of EK Eri securely and measured the longitudinal magnetic field Bl for seven individual dates spanning 60% of the rotational period. The measured longitudinal magnetic field of EK Eri reached about 100 G and was as strong as fields observed in RSCVn or FK Com type stars: this was found to be extraordinary when compared with the weak fields observed at the surfaces of slowly-rotating MS stars or any single red giant previously observed with NARVAL. From our modeling, we infer that the mean surface magnetic field is about 270 G, and that the large scale magnetic field is dominated by a poloidal component. This is compatible with expectations for the descendant of a strongly magnetic Ap star.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Regular patterns in the acoustic spectrum of rapidly rotating stars

Context: Rapid rotation modifies the structure of the frequency spectrum of pulsating stars, thus making mode identification difficult. Aims: We look for new forms of organisation for the frequency spectrum that can provide a basis for mode identification at high rotation rates. Methods: Acoustic modes in uniformly rotating polytropic models of stars are computed using a numerical code that fully takes the effects of rotation (centrifugal distortion and Coriolis acceleration) into account. All low-degree modes, l=0 to 3, with radial orders n=1-10 and 21-25 for N=3 polytropic models and n=1-10 for N=1.5 polytropic models are followed from a zero rotation rate up to 59 % of the break-up velocity. Results: We find an empirical formula that gives a good description of the high-frequency range of the computed acoustic spectrum for high rotation rates. Differences between this formula and complete eigenmode calculations are shown to be substantially smaller than those obtained with a third order perturbative method valid at low rotation rates.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Acoustic oscillations of rapidly rotating polytropic stars. II. Effects of the Coriolis and centrifugal accelerations

Context: With the launch of space missions devoted to asteroseismology (like COROT), the scientific community will soon have accurate measurements of pulsation frequencies in many rapidly rotating stars. Aims: The present work focuses on the effects of rotation on pulsations of rapidly rotating stars when both the Coriolis and centrifugal accelerations require a non-perturbative treatment. Method: We develop a 2-dimensional spectral numerical approach which allows us to compute acoustic modes in centrifugally distorted polytropes including the full influence of the Coriolis force. This method is validated through comparisons with previous studies, and the results are shown to be highly accurate. Results: In the frequency range considered and with COROT's accuracy, we establish a domain of validity for perturbative methods, thus showing the need for complete calculations beyond v.sin i = 50 km/s for a R = 2.3 R_\odot, M = 1.9 M_\odot polytropic star. Furthermore, it is shown that the main differences between complete and perturbative calculations come essentially from the centrifugal distortion.

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arXiv2001

Acoustic modes in spheroidal cavities

Oscillation modes of rapidly rotating stars have not yet been calculated with precision, rotational effects being generally approximated by perturbation methods. We are developing a numerical method able to account for the deformation of the star by the centrifugal force and, as a first step, we determined the acoustic modes of a uniform density spheroid and studied how the spheroid flatness affects these modes.

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