arXiv subjects

Hans Zinnecker

Publications and source records attributed to Hans Zinnecker.

71 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

A search for close companions in Sco OB2

Using adaptive optics we study the binary population in the nearby OB association Scorpius OB2. We present the first results of our near-infrared adaptive optics survey among 199 (mainly) A- and B-type stars in Sco OB2. In total 151 components other than the target stars are found, out of which 77 are probably background stars. Our findings are compared with data collected from literature. Out of the remaining 74 candidate physical companions 42 are new, demonstrating that many stars A/B stars have faint, close companions.

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arXiv2003

Microlensing by free-floating brown dwarfs

We propose a near-infrared microlensing survey of the central 2 degree field of the Galactic Center, in an attempt to estimate the surface density and mass distribution of distant free-floating brown dwarfs in the bulge and in the disk, acting as lenses of bright stars towards the Galactic Center. We estimate the probability (optical depth) of microlensing events to be 10^{-7} and the typical timescale (full-width) of the amplification lightcurve to be about 1 week. The necessary wide-field NIR survey technology should soon be available on UKIRT, CFHT, and with VISTA at ESO/Paranal.

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arXiv2003

Formation of massive binaries

The formation of massive stars is one of the major unsolved problems in stellar astrophysics. However, only few if any of these are found as single stars, on average massive stars have more than one companion. Many of them are born in dense stellar clusters and several clusters have an excess of massive short-period spectroscopic binaries, with severe implication for binary-related stellar evolution including mergers, and also for the origin of massive runaway stars. The multiplicity of massive stars seems to increase with increasing primary mass and with increasing density of young star clusters. These observations suggest that massive binary and multiple systems originate mainly from dynamical gravitational interactions and accretion-induced protostellar collisions in dense clusters. If true, the binary properties of massive stars in less dense OB associations should be less extreme. This prediction should be tested by future observations.The paper reviews both the latest observations and theoretical ideas related to the origin of massive binaries. It concludes with a speculation on how the binary properties might change with metallicity (e.g. LMC/SMC).

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arXiv2003

Chances for earth-like planets and life around metal-poor stars

We discuss the difficulties of forming earth-like planets in metal-poor environments, such as those prevailing in the Galactic halo (Pop II), the Magellanic Clouds, and the early universe. We suggest that, with less heavy elements available, terrestrial planets will be smaller size and lower mass than in our solar system (solar metallicity). Such planets may not be able to sustain life as we know it. Therefore, the chances of very old lifeforms in the universe are slim, and a threshold metallicty (1/2 solar?) may exist for life to originate on large enough earth-like planets.

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arXiv2001

A free-floating planet population in the Galaxy?

Most young low-mass stars are born as binary systems, and circumstellar disks have recently been observed around the individual components of proto-binary systems (e.g. L1551-IRS5). Thus planets and planetary systems are likely to form around the individual stellar components in sufficiently wide binary systems. However, a good fraction of planets born in binary systems will in the long run be subject to ejection due to gravitational perturbations. Therefore, we expect that there should exist a free-floating population of Jupiter-like or even Earth-like planets in interstellar space. There is hope to detect the free-floating Jupiters through gravitational microlensing observations towards the Galactic Bulge, especially with large-format detectors in the near-infrared (e.g. with VISTA or NGST), on timescales of a few days.

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arXiv2001

The Evolution of Circumstellar Disks: Lessons from the VLT and ISO

There is strong evidence that the planets in the solar system evolved from a disk-shaped solar nebula ~4.56 Gyr ago. By studying young stars in various evolutionary stages, one aims at tracing back the early history of the solar system, in particular the timescales for disk dissipation and for the formation of planetary systems. We used the VLT & ISAAC, and ESA's Infrared Space Observatory & ISOCAM to study the circumstellar environment of young low-mass stars.

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arXiv2001

The Flattened, Rotating Molecular Gas Core of Protostellar Jet HH 212

The recently discovered protostellar jet known as HH212 is beautifully symmetric, with a series of paired shock knots and bow shocks on either side of the exciting source region, IRAS 05413-0104 (Zinnecker et al. 1998). We present VLA ammonia maps of the IRAS 05413-0104 molecular gas envelope in which the protostellar jet source is embedded. We find that the envelope, with mass of 0.2 M(sun) detected by the interferometer, is flattened perpendicular to the jet axis with a FWHM diameter of 12000 AU and an axis ratio of 2:1, as seen in NH3 (1,1) emission. There is a velocity gradient of about 4-5 km sec^-1 pc^-1 across the flattened disk-like core, suggestive of rotation around an axis aligned with the jet. Flux-weighted mean velocities increase smoothly with radius with a roughly constant velocity gradient. In young (Class 0) systems such as HH212, a significant amount of material is still distributed in a large surrounding envelope, and thus the observable kinematics of the system may reflect the less centrally condensed, youthful state of the source and obscuration of central dynamics. The angular momentum of this envelope material may be released from infalling gas through rotation in the HH212 jet, as recent observations suggest (Davis et al. 2000). A blue-shifted wisp or bowl of emitting gas appears to be swept up along the blue side of the outflow, possibly lining the cavity of a wider angle wind around the more collimated shock jet axis. Our ammonia (2,2)/(1,1) ratio map indicates that this very cold core is heated to 14 Kelvin degrees in a centrally condensed area surrounding the jet source. This edge-on core and jet system appears to be young and deeply embedded. This environment, however, is apparently not disrupting the pristine symmetry and collimation of the jet.

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arXiv2000

Triggered Star Formation in the Scorpius-Centaurus OB Association (Sco OB2)

We explore the star formation history of the Upper Scorpius OB association, the youngest part of Sco OB2. A wide field (160 square-degree) survey for low-mass pre-main sequence (PMS) stars enabled us to increase the number of known low-mass members of Upper Scorpius to nearly 100 stars. In a detailed analysis of the locations of these stars in the HR diagram, taking proper account of the uncertainties and the effects of unresolved binaries, we find a mean stellar age of about 5 Myr and no evidence for a significant age dispersion among these stars. This implies that the star formation history of the Upper Scorpius association was dominated by a short star-burst, which started about 5 Myr ago and ended probably not more than one or two Myr later. Interestingly, the structure and kinematics of the HI shells surrounding the Sco OB2 association show that the shock wave of a supernova explosion in the nearby Upper Centaurus-Lupus association, the oldest part of Sco OB2, crossed Upper Scorpius just about 5 Myr ago. This strongly suggests that this supernova shock wave triggered the star-burst in Upper Scorpius.

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arXiv2000

Multiplicity of massive stars

We discuss the observed multiplicity of massive stars and implications on theories of massive star formation. After a short summary of the literature on massive star multiplicity, we focus on the O- and B-type stars in the Orion Nebula Cluster, which constitute a homogenous sample of very young massive stars. 13 of these stars have recently been the targets of a bispectrum speckle interferometry survey for companions. Considering the visual and also the known spectroscopic companions of these stars, the total number of companions is at least 14. Extrapolation with correction for the unresolved systems suggests that there are at least 1.5 and perhaps as much as 4 companions per primary star on average. This number is clearly higher than the mean number of about 0.5 companions per primary star found for the low-mass stars in the general field population and also in the Orion Nebula cluster. This suggests that a different mechanism is at work in the formation of high-mass multiple systems in the dense Orion Nebula cluster than for low-mass stars.

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arXiv2000

Giant protostellar outflows revealed by infrared imaging

We present new infrared data from a survey for embedded protostellar jets in the Orion A cloud. This survey makes use of the S(1) v = 1-0 line of molecular hydrogen at lambda = 2.12 mum to search for infrared jets deep inside the cloud and thus hidden from view at optical wavelengths. We present data on the three flows associated with the Herbig-Haro objects HH 43/38 & HH 64, HH 65, and the L1641-N giant flow. HH 43, HH 38 and HH 64 are part of one H_2 flow extending over at least 1.4 pc. We identify a deeply embedded 1.3 mm and IRAS source (HH 43 MMS1 = IRAS 05355-0709C) as the likely driving source, while the infrared source previously assumed to drive HH 43/38 (HH 43-IRS1 = IRAS 05357-0710) is seen to drive a smaller jet. The morphology of HH 43-IRS1 suggests that it is a star+disk system seen close to edge-on. We identify another large H_2 flow apparently comprising the L1641-S3 CO outflow and the redshifted lobe of the L1641-S CO outflow containing HH 65. This flow extends over at least 2.6 pc and appears strongly curved. It is driven by L1641-S3 IRS, a deeply embedded 1.3 mm and IRAS source (L1641-S3 MMS1 = IRAS 05375-0731). Finally, we have found some additional large H_2 features to the east of V 380 Ori and the HH 1/2 system, which probably outline another part of the L1641-N outflow. The molecular flow MB 20/21, which extends to the south from V 380 Ori, also appears to be a part of the L1641-N outflow.

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arXiv1999

HH 46/47: Also a parsec scale flow

We report the discovery of a pair of large Herbig-Haro type structures roughly 10 arcminutes (1.3 pc) north-east and south-west of the source driving the well-known HH 46/47 Herbig-Haro jet in new deep emission-line images made using the Wide Field Imager on the ESO/MPG La Silla 2.2-m telescope. These new images suggest that the HH 46/47 outflow is much more extensive than previously assumed, extending over a total of 2.6 pc on the sky, or over 3 pc in space, when deprojected. HH 46/47 thus also belongs to the recently-discovered class of giant Herbig-Haro flows.

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arXiv1999

Bispectrum speckle interferometry of the Orion Trapezium stars: detection of a close (33 mas) companion of Theta1 Ori C

We present bispectrum speckle interferometry observations with the SAO 6 m telescope of the four brightest stars in the Orion Trapezium. Diffraction-limited images with an unprecedented resolution lambda/D of 57 mas and 76 mas were obtained in the H- and K-band, respectively. The The H and K images of Theta1 Ori C (the star responsible for the proplyds) show for the first time that Theta1 Ori C is a close binary with a separation of only 33 mas (H-band observation). The sub-arcsecond companions of Theta1 Ori A and Theta1 Ori B reported by Petr et al. (1998) are confirmed. We use the magnitudes and colors of the companions to derive information about their stellar properties from the HR-diagram. In addition we briefly discuss the multiplicity of the Trapezium stars. Considering both, the visual and the spectroscopic companions of the 4 Trapezium stars, there are at least 7 companions, i.e. at least 1.75 companions per primary on average. This number is clearly higher than that found for the low-mass stars in the Orion Nebula cluster as well as in the field population. This suggests that a different mechanism is at work in the formation of high-mass multiple systems in the dense Trapezium cluster than for low-mass stars.

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arXiv1998

Search for X-ray emission from bona-fide and candidate brown dwarfs

Following the recent classification of the X-ray detected object V410 x-ray 3 with a young brown dwarf candidate (Briceno et al. 1998) and the identification of an X-ray source in Chamaeleon as young bona-fide brown dwarf (Neuhaeuser & Comeron 1998), we investigate all ROSAT All-Sky Survey and archived ROSAT PSPC and HRI pointed observations with bona-fide or candidate brown dwarfs in the field of view with exposure times ranging from 0.13 to 221 ks, including dedicated 64 ks and 42 ks deep ROSAT HRI pointed observations on the low-mass star BRI0021-0214 and the brown dwarf Calar 3, respectively. Out of 26 bona-fide brown dwarfs, one is newly detected in X-rays, namely rho Oph GY 202. Also, four out of 57 brown dwarf candidates studied here are detected in X-rays, namely the young Taurus brown dwarf candidates MHO-4, MHO-5, V410 Anon 13, and V410 x-ray 3. The M9.5-type star BRI0021-0214 is not detected. In the appendix, we also present catalogued, but as yet unnoticed B- and R-band data for some of the objects studied here.

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arXiv1998

On the Formation of Massive Stars

We present a model for the formation of massive ($M > 10 M_\odot$) stars through accretion-induced collisions in the cores of embedded dense stellar clusters. This model circumvents the problem of accreting onto a star whose luminosity is sufficient to reverse the infall of gas. Instead, the central core of the cluster accretes from the surrounding gas, thereby decreasing its radius until collisions between individual components become significant. These components are, in general, intermediate-mass stars that have formed through accretion onto low-mass protostars. Once a sufficiently massive star has formed to expel the remaining gas, the cluster expands in accordance with this loss of mass, halting further collisions. This process implies a critical stellar density for the formation of massive stars, and a high rate of binaries formed by tidal capture.

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arXiv1996

Physical Properties of 90 AU to 250 AU Pre-Main-Sequence Binaries

We have analyzed photometric and spectroscopic data of a sample of 14 spatially resolved pre-main-sequence binaries (separations 0.6" to 1.7") in the nearby (150 pc) low-mass star-forming regions of Chamaeleon, Lupus, and rho Ophiuchi. The spectroscopic data have been obtained with the ESO New Technology Telescope (NTT) at La Silla under subarcsec seeing conditions. All binaries (originally unresolved) were identified as pre-main-sequence stars based on their strong H-alpha emission -- which classifies them as classical T Tauri stars -- and their association with dark clouds. One of the presumed binaries turned out to be a likely chance projection with the `primary' showing neither H-alpha emission nor Li absorption. Using the spectral A index (as defined by Kirkpatrick et al. 1991), which measures the strength of the CaH band at 697.5nm relative to the nearby continuum, as a luminosity class indicator, we could show that the classical T Tauri stars in our sample tend to be close to luminosity class V. Eight out of the 14 pairs could be placed on an H-R diagram. A comparison with theoretical pre-main-sequence evolutionary tracks yields that for all pairs the individual components appear to be coeval within the observational errors. This finding is similar to Hartigan et al. (1994) who detected that two third of the wider pairs with separations from 400 AU to 6000 AU are coeval. However, unlike Hartigan et al. for the wider pairs, we find no non-coeval pairs among our sample. Thus, the formation mechanism for a significant fraction of the wider pre-main-sequence binaries might be different from that of closer pre-main-sequence binaries. All of the latter appear to have formed simultaneously.

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arXiv1996

Simultaneous optical speckle masking and NIR adaptive optics imaging of the 126 mas Herbig Ae/Be binary star NX Puppis

We present simultaneous optical and near-infrared high angular resolution observations of the close Herbig Ae/Be binary star NX Pup which is associated with cometary globule~1. The reconstructed images have a diffraction--limited resolution of 62 mas in V, 75 mas in R (speckle masking reconstruction), and 115 mas in H, 156 mas in K (adaptive optics + post--processing). Compared to previous results we were able to derive better estimates on spectral type and luminosity and hence put better constraints on the evolutionary status (mass & age) of NX Pup A and B: with NX Pup A of spectral type F0-F2 we estimate the spectral type of NX Pup B in the range F7-G4, masses of 2 M$_\odot$ and 1.6--1.9 M$_\odot$, respectively, and an age of 3--5~Myr for both stars. We discuss the implication of the new age determination on the physical relation between NX Pup and the cometary globule. The dynamical lifetime of $\approx$ 10$^6$ yr for cometary globule 1 suggests that cometary globule 1 and the nearby cometary globule 2 represent transient phenomena and are left overs of a larger molecular cloud which in turn was the parental cloud of NX~Pup A and B and finally got dispersed by photoevaporation. The IR excess of NX Pup A can be modeled by a viscous accretion disk, which is cut off at $\approx$ 20 AU from the star. NX Pup B has a smaller IR excess which indicates that there is less circumstellar material present than around the primary.

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arXiv1995

Multiplicity among T Tauri stars in OB and T associations: Implications for binary star formation

We present first results of a survey for companions among X-ray selected pre-main sequence stars, most of them being weak-line T Tauri stars (WTTS). These T Tauri stars have been identified in the course of optical follow-up observations of sources from the ROSAT All Sky Survey associated with star forming regions. The areas surveyed include the T associations of Chamaeleon and Lupus as well as Upper Scorpius, the latter being part of the Scorpius Centaurus OB association (Sco OB 2). Using SUSI at the NTT under subarcsec seeing conditions we observed 195 T Tauri stars through a 1$μ$m ("Z") filter and identified companions to 31 of them (among these 12 subarcsec binaries). Based on statistical arguments we conclude that almost all of them are indeed physical (i.e. gravitationally bound) binary or multiple systems. For 10 systems located in Upper Scorpius and Lupus, we additionally obtained spatially resolved near-infrared photometry in the J, H, and K bands with the MPIA 2.2m telescope at ESO, La Silla. The near-infrared colours of the secondaries are consistent with those of dwarfs and are clearly distinct from those of late type giant stars. Based on astrometric measurements of some binaries we show that the components of these binaries are common proper motion pairs, very likely in a gravitationally bound orbit around each other. We find that the overall binary frequency among T Tauri stars in a range of separations between 120 and 1800 AU is in agreement with the binary frequency observed among main sequence stars in the solar neighbourhood. However, we note that within individual regions the spatial distribution of binaries -- within a distinct range of separation -- is non-uniform. In particular, in Upper

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