arXiv subjects

H. -G. Ludwig

Publications and source records attributed to H. -G. Ludwig.

160 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2005

3D Simulation of Convection and Spectral Line Formation in A-type Stars

We present first realistic numerical simulations of 3D radiative convection in the surface layers of main sequence A-type stars with Teff = 8000 K and 8500 K, log g = 4.4 and 4.0, recently performed with the CO5BOLD radiation hydrodynamics code. The resulting models are used to investigate the structure of the H+HeI and the HeII convection zones in comparison with the predictions of local and non-local convection theories, and to determine the amount of "overshoot" into the stable layers below the HeII convection zone. The simulations also predict how the topology of the photospheric granulation pattern changes from solar to A-type star convection. The influence of the photospheric temperature fluctuations and velocity fields on the shape of spectral lines is demonstrated by computing synthetic line profiles and line bisectors for some representative examples, allowing us to confront the 3D model results with observations.

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arXiv2005

On the Limb Darkening, Spectral Energy Distribution, and Temperature Structure of Procyon

We have fit synthetic visibilities from 3-D (CO5BOLD + PHOENIX) and 1-D (PHOENIX, ATLAS 12) model stellar atmospheres of Procyon (F5 IV) to high-precision interferometric data from the VLTI Interferometer (K-band) and from the Mark III interferometer (500 nm and 800 nm). These data sets provide a test of theoretical wavelength dependent limb-darkening predictions. The work of Allende Prieto et al. has shown that the temperature structure from a spatially and temporally averaged 3-D hydrodynamical model produces significantly less limb darkening at 500 nm relative to the temperature structure of a 1-D MARCS model atmosphere with a standard mixing-length approximation for convection. Our direct fits to the interferometric data confirm this prediction. A 1-D ATLAS 12 model with ``approximate overshooting'' provides the required temperature gradient. We show, however, that 1-D models cannot reproduce the ultraviolet spectrophotometry below 160 nm with effective temperatures in the range constrained by the measured bolometric flux and angular diameter. We find that a good match to the full spectral energy distribution can be obtained with a composite model consisting of a weighted average of twelve 1-D model atmospheres based on the surface intensity distribution of a 3-D granulation simulation. We emphasize that 1-D models with overshooting may realistically represent the mean temperature structure of F-type stars like Procyon, but the same models will predict redder colors than observed because they lack the multicomponent temperature distribution expected for the surfaces of these stars.

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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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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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arXiv2004

Hydrodynamical simulations of convection-related stellar micro-variability

We used a series of COBOLD hydrodynamical model atmospheres covering stellar objects from white dwarfs to red giants to derive theoretical estimates of the photometric and photocentric stellar variability in wavelength-integrated light across the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. We validated our models against solar measurements from the SOHO/VIRGO instrument. Within our set of models we find a systematic increase of the photometric as well as photocentric variability - which turn out to be closely connected - with decreasing surface gravity. The estimated absolute levels of the photocentric variability do not affect astrometric observations on a precision level expected to be achieved by the GAIA mission - with the exception of close-by giants. The case of supergiants remains to be investigated. In view of the ongoing debate about the photometric non-detection of p-modes in Procyon by the Canadian MOST satellite we remark that we obtain a factor of ca. 3 in amplitude between the granular background noise in the Sun and Procyon. This statement refers to a particular representation of temporal power spectra as discussed in Sect. 5.

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arXiv2004

Wavelength Shifts in Solar-Type Spectra

Spectral-line displacements away from the wavelengths naively expected from the Doppler shift caused by stellar radial motion may originate as convective shifts (correlated velocity and brightness patterns in the photosphere), as gravitational redshifts, or perhaps be induced by wave motions. Absolute lineshifts, in the past studied only for the Sun, are now accessible also for other stars thanks to astrometric determination of stellar radial motion, and spectrometers with accurate wavelength calibration. Comparisons between spectroscopic apparent radial velocities and astrometrically determined radial motions reveal greater spectral blueshifts in F-type stars than in the Sun (as theoretically expected from their more vigorous convection), further increasing in A-type stars (possibly due to atmospheric shockwaves). An important near-future development to enable a further analysis of stellar surface structure will be the study of wavelength variations across spatially resolved stellar disks, e.g., the center-to-limb wavelength changes along a stellar diameter, and their spatially resolved time variability.

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arXiv2004

Dynamo action in M-dwarfs

Magnetic activity in M-dwarfs present enigmatic questions: On the one hand they have higher field strengths and larger filling factors than the magnetic field on the Sun, on the other hand, they are fully convective and their atmospheres are more neutral, hence they do not have an undershoot layer for magnetic flux storage and as we show here, cannot have small-scale dynamo action in their photospheres either. We present a discussion of these facts and propose a new numerical model to investigate M-dwarf magnetism.

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arXiv2002

A simulation of solar convection at supergranulation scale

We present here numerical simulations of surface solar convection which cover a box of 30$\times30\times$3.2 Mm$^3$ with a resolution of 315$\times315\times$82, which is used to investigate the dynamics of scales larger than granulation. No structure resembling supergranulation is present; possibly higher Reynolds numbers (i.e. higher numerical resolution), or magnetic fields, or greater depth are necessary. The results also show interesting aspects of granular dynamics which are briefly presented, like extensive p-mode ridges in the k-$ω$ diagram and a ringlike distribution of horizontal vorticity around granules. At large scales, the horizontal velocity is much larger than the vertical velocity and the vertical motion is dominated by p-mode oscillations.

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arXiv2002

Energy transport, overshoot, and mixing in the atmospheres of very cool stars

We constructed hydrodynamical model atmospheres for mid M-type main-, as well as pre-main-sequence objects. Despite the complex chemistry encountered in such cool atmospheres a reasonably accurate representation of the radiative transfer is possible. The detailed treatment of the interplay between radiation and convection in the hydrodynamical models allows to study processes usually not accessible within the framework conventional model atmospheres. In particular, we determined the efficiency of the convective energy transport, and the efficiency of mixing by convective overshoot. The convective transport efficiency expressed in terms of an equivalent mixing-length parameter amounts to values around ~2 in the optically thick, and ~2.8 in the optically thin regime. The thermal structure of the formally convectively stable layers is little affected by convective overshoot and wave heating, i.e. stays close to radiative equilibrium. Mixing by convective overshoot shows an exponential decline with geometrical distance from the Schwarzschild stability boundary. The scale height of the decline varies with gravitational acceleration roughly as g^(-1/2), with 0.5 pressure scale heights at log(g)=5.0.

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arXiv2002

Numerical simulations of surface convection in a late M-dwarf

Based on detailed 2D and 3D numerical radiation-hydrodynamics (RHD) simulations of time-dependent compressible convection, we have studied the dynamics and thermal structure of the convective surface layers of a prototypical late-type M-dwarf (Teff~2800K log(g)=5.0, solar chemical composition). The RHD models predict stellar granulation qualitatively similar to the familiar solar pattern. Quantitatively, the granular cells show a convective turn-over time scale of ~100s, and a horizontal scale of 80km; the relative intensity contrast of the granular pattern amounts to 1.1%, and root-mean-square vertical velocities reach 240m/s at maximum. Deviations from radiative equilibrium in the higher, formally convectively stable atmospheric layers are found to be insignificant allowing a reliable modeling of the atmosphere with 1D standard model atmospheres. A mixing-length parameter of alpha=2.1 provides the best representation of the average thermal structure of the RHD model atmosphere while alternative values are found when fitting the asymptotic entropy encountered in deeper layers of the stellar envelope alpha=1.5, or when matching the vertical velocity field alpha=3.5. The close correspondence between RHD and standard model atmospheres implies that presently existing discrepancies between observed and predicted stellar colors in the M-dwarf regime cannot be traced back to an inadequate treatment of convection in the 1D standard models. The RHD models predict a modest extension of the convectively mixed region beyond the formal Schwarzschild stability boundary which provides hints for the distribution of dust grains in cooler (brown dwarf) atmospheres.

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arXiv2002

Small-scale magnetic fields on late-type M-dwarfs

We performed kinematic studies of the evolution of small-scale magnetic fields in the surface laters of M-dwarfs. We solved the induction equation for a prescribed velocity field, magnetic Reynolds number, and boundary conditions in a Cartesian box, representing a volume comprising the optically thin stellar atmosphere and the uppermost part of the optically thick convective envelope. The velocity field is spatially and temporally variable, and stems from detailed radiation-hydrodynamics simulations of convectione flows in a proto-typical late-type M-dwarf. We find dynamo action for large magnetic Reynolds numbers. Growth time scales of the magnetic field is comparable to the convective turn-over time scale (approximately 150 seconds). The convective velocity field concentrates the magnetic field in sheets and tubular structures in the inter-granular down-flows. Scaling from solar conditions suggests that field strengths as high as 20 kG might be reached locally. Perhps surprisingly, the magnetic Reynolds number is of the order unity in the surface layers of cooler M-dwarfs, rendering the dynamo inoperative. In all studied cases we find a rather low spatial filling factor of the magnetic field.

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arXiv2001

Are granules good tracers of solar surface velocity fields?

Using a numerical simulation of compressible convection with radiative transfer mimicking the solar photosphere, we compare the velocity field derived from granule motions to the actual velocity field of the plasma. We thus test the idea that granules may be used to trace large-scale velocity fields at the sun's surface. Our results show that this is indeed the case provided the scale separation is sufficient. We thus estimate that neither velocity fields at scales less than 2500 km nor time evolution at scales shorter than 0.5 hr can be faithfully described by granules. At larger scales the granular motions correlate linearly with the underlying fluid motions with a slope of ~< 2 reaching correlation coefficients up to ~0.9.

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arXiv2000

The effects of numerical resolution on hydrodynamical surface convection simulations and spectral line formation

The computationally demanding nature of radiative-hydrodynamical simulations of stellar surface convection warrants an investigation of the sensitivity of the convective structure and spectral synthesis to the numerical resolution and dimension of the simulations, which is presented here. With too coarse a resolution the predicted spectral lines tend to be too narrow, reflecting insufficient Doppler broadening from the convective motions, while at the currently highest affordable resolution the line shapes have converged essentially perfectly to the observed profiles. Similar conclusions are drawn from the line asymmetries and shifts. In terms of abundances, weak FeI and FeII lines show a very small dependence (~0.02 dex) while for intermediate strong lines with significant non-thermal broadening the sensitivity increases (~0.10 dex). Problems arise when using 2D convection simulations to describe an inherent 3D phenomenon, which translates to inaccurate atmospheric velocity fields and temperature and pressure structures. In 2D the theoretical line profiles tend to be too shallow and broad compared with the 3D calculations and observations, in particular for intermediate strong lines. In terms of abundances, the 2D results are systematically about 0.1 dex lower than for the 3D case for FeI lines. Furthermore, the predicted line asymmetries and shifts are much inferior in 2D. Given these shortcomings and computing time considerations it is better to use 3D simulations of even modest resolution than high-resolution 2D simulations.

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arXiv1999

A calibration of the mixing-length for solar-type stars based on hydrodynamical simulations - I. Methodical aspects and results for solar metallicity

Based on detailed 2D numerical radiation hydrodynamics (RHD) calculations of time-dependent compressible convection, we have studied the dynamics and thermal structure of the convective surface layers of solar-type stars. The RHD models provide information about the convective efficiency in the superadiabatic region at the top of convective envelopes and predict the asymptotic value of the entropy of the deep, adiabatically stratified layers. This information is translated into an effective mixing-length parameter alpha suitable to construct standard stellar structure models. We validate the approach by a detailed comparison to helioseismic data. The grid of RHD models for solar metallicity comprises 58 simulation runs with a helium abundance of Y=0.28 in the range of effective temperatures 4300K < Teff < 7100K and gravities 2.54 < logg < 4.74. We find a moderate, nevertheless significant variation of alpha between about 1.3 for F-dwarfs and 1.75 for K-subgiants with a dominant dependence on Teff. In the close neighbourhood of the Sun we find a plateau where alpha remains almost constant. The internal accuracy of the calibration of alpha is estimated to be +/- 0.05 with a possible systematic bias towards lower values. An analogous calibration of the convection theory of Canuto & Mazzitelli gives a different temperature dependence but a similar variation of the free parameter. For the first time, values for the gravity-darkening exponent beta are derived independently of mixing-length theory: beta=0.07...0.10. We show that our findings are consistent with constraints from stellar stability considerations and provide compact fitting formulae for the calibrations.

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arXiv1998

New peculiar CO data of the shell around IRC +10 216

A CO(1-0) on-source spectrum of the well-known carbon star IRC+10216 taken with the IRAM 30m telescope in June 1996 shows excess emission between -18.3 and -14.3 km/s at the red wing of the underlying profile. The excess emission is confirmed in January 1997 but is absent in April 1997 and June 1998 IRAM spectra. Such a transient feature has not been seen before in this star or any other AGB star. In April 1997 we mapped the circumstellar shell out to 110". Both the J = 1-0 and J = 2-1 spectra show ``spikes'' or components which vary in strength with position in the envelope. One of these components corresponds to the velocity interval mentioned above. An immediate conclusion is that the circumstellar shell is not spherically symmetric, contrary to what was believed based on lower spectral resolution data. We are probably seeing emission from a complex geometrical structure. Neither a disk structure nor a double-wind structure seem to be able to explain the observations. The on-source transient behaviour of the red excess emission can reasonably well be explained by a single large (about 5 x 10^{13} cm) blob, that expands due to internal motion.

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arXiv1998

Lithium depletion in the sun: a study of mixing based on hydrodynamical simulations

Based on radiation hydrodynamics modeling of stellar convection zones, a diffusion scheme has been devised describing the downward penetration of convective motions beyond the Schwarzschild boundary (overshoot) into the radiative interior. This scheme of exponential diffusive overshoot has already been successfully applied to AGB stars. Here we present an application to the Sun in order to determine the time scale and depth extent of this additional mixing, i.e. diffusive overshoot at the base of the convective envelope. We calculated the associated destruction of lithium during the evolution towards and on the main-sequence. We found that the slow-mixing processes induced by the diffusive overshoot may lead to a substantial depletion of lithium during the Sun's main-sequence evolution.

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