arXiv subjects

Miljenko Čemeljić

Publications and source records attributed to Miljenko Čemeljić.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Star Planet Interactions

Star-planet interactions (SPIs) describe the continuous exchange of energy, momentum, and mass between exoplanets and their host stars through radiative, tidal, magnetic, and particle-driven processes. Together, these interactions shape the structure, evolution, and observable properties of exoplanetary systems. In this review, we bring together current theoretical and observational understanding of SPIs, highlighting how stellar radiation, winds, and magnetic activity influence planetary atmospheres, interiors, and orbital evolution, while using the Solar System as a valuable reference for interpreting these processes. High-energy stellar radiation, particularly in the far- and extreme-ultraviolet and X-ray bands, drives atmospheric heating, photochemistry, ionisation, and escape. These effects are further influenced by stellar winds and magnetic interactions, which can either protect planetary atmospheres or accelerate their loss over time. Tidal interactions redistribute energy and angular momentum, producing internal heating and driving orbital migration and circularisation. Magnetic star-planet coupling provides additional pathways for energy transfer through reconnection and current systems, potentially enhancing atmospheric escape, heating planetary ionospheres and interiors, and generating observable signatures such as radio emission and enhanced stellar activity. We discuss how these processes work together, emphasising that their long-term impact depends on stellar evolution, planetary properties, atmospheric structure, and magnetic field strength. By presenting radiative, tidal, and magnetic interactions within a unified framework, this review highlights the physical mechanisms that shape planetary environments and identifies the key observational signatures that will complement future studies of exoplanet evolution and habitability.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Strange quark star I: the maximum gravitational mass and deformation of magnetized spinning model

We investigate the structural parameters of strange quark stars (SQS) under the influence of strong magnetic fields and varying rotational frequencies. The equation of state is computed using the MIT bag model with a density-dependent bag constant and considering the Landau quantization effect regarding the strong magnetic fields up to $5\times10^{17}\,$G in the interior of SQS. Employing the LORENE library, we calculate the structural parameters under different magnetic field strengths and rotational frequencies. Our models are compared in terms of maximum gravitational mass, deformation parameter, binding energy, and compactness. Our equation of state model demonstrates that the gravitational masses are higher than those computed using a MIT bag model with a fixed bag constant. We find the gravitational masses beyond $2.3 \,M_\odot$, which are compatible with the masses of observed compact objects, such as the ``black widow'' pulsar \emph{PSR J0952-0607}, and the \emph{GW190814} event detected by the LIGO/Virgo collaboration. The deformation parameter and maximum gravitational mass of SQS are characterized by fitted functions accounting for variations in both magnetic field strength and rotational frequency. We find the maximum deformation parameter of 1.55 and the maximum gravitational mass of $2.8\, M_\odot$ in the fast-rotating strongly magnetized model.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Strange quark star II: the minimal and maximal gravitational mass and the Keplerian configuration

We employ the MIT bag model with density-dependent bag constant for the equation of state (EOS) to estimate the gravitational mass and Keplerian frequency of rapidly rotating strange quark stars (SQS). In a companion paper we discuss the structural parameters of such rotating stars under the influence of strong magnetic fields. We use the LORENE library to compute the structural parameters at different rotational frequencies in the range of 1100-1300~Hz for a non-magnetized SQS. While there is no minimum limit for the mass of slowly rotating self-bound stars, by computing the maximum rotational frequency, known as the mass-shedding limit, we show that SQS must have a minimum mass to sustain high rotational frequencies. The mass-shedding frequency in our EOS model is lower than that estimated from the MIT bag model EOS with a fixed bag constant. The Keplerian frequency in our model depends linearly on the gravitational mass at the mass-shedding limit (and similarly on the minimum mass) with the slope of 0.08~${\rm kHz}/M_\odot$. We obtain mass limits aligned with the observational data for both the heaviest and the lightest observed pulsars.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Binary black holes in magnetized AGN disks

Stellar-mass binary black hole (BBH) mergers occurring within the disks of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are promising sources for gravitational waves detectable by the LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA (LVK) interferometers. Some of these events have also been potentially associated with transient electromagnetic flares, indicating that BBH mergers in dense environments may be promising sources of multi-messenger signals. To investigate the prospects for electromagnetic emission from these systems, we study the dynamics of accretion flows onto BBHs embedded in AGN disks using numerical simulations. Although recent studies have explored this scenario, they often employ simplified disk models that neglect magnetic fields. In this work, we examine how strong magnetic fields influence and regulate the accretion onto such binary systems. In this context, we conduct three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamical local shearing-box simulations of a binary black hole system embedded within a magnetized disk of an AGN. We observe that the dynamically important magnetic fields can drive the formation of well-collimated outflows capable of penetrating the vertical extent of the AGN disk. However, outflow generation is not ubiquitous and strongly depends on the radial distance of the binary from the supermassive black hole (SMBH). In particular, binaries placed at a larger distance from the central SMBH show relatively more transient accretion and the formation of stronger spiral shocks. Furthermore, accretion behavior onto the binary system via individual circum-singular disks (CSDs) is also modulated by local AGN disk properties. Our simulations highlight the importance of shear velocity in the amplification of the toroidal magnetic field component, which plays a crucial role in governing the outflow strength.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Magnetic precession as a model for QPOs in PULXs: flat-top noise ULXs are different

Context. Several instances of low frequency Quasi-Periodic Oscillations (QPOs) have been reported in ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs), including three in pulsating ones (PULXs) to date. The nature of many ULXs is still unclear, as are the detailed properties of accretion in PULXs. Aims. We seek an answer to questions such as: Is there a QPO model that fits the data? Can mHz QPOs be used to constrain the magnetic field and accretion rate of the neutron stars in PULXs? Are all the low frequency QPOs in ULXs a manifestation of the same phenomenon? Methods. We apply Dong Lai's precession model to the PULX data, with the magnetic threading of the accretion disk constrained by recent simulations. Results. Based on the magnetic precession model, and on recent progress in understanding the inner structure of accretion disks, we predict an inverse scaling of QPO frequency with the neutron star period in PULXs. The theoretical curve is largely independent of the stellar magnetic field or mass accretion rate and agrees with the data for the known QPOs in PULXs. The flat-top QPOs detected in ULXs have observational properties that seem to be very different from the QPOs detected in PULXs, indicating they might have a different origin.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Launching of asymmetric outflows from the star-disk magnetosphere

In resistive and viscous magnetohydrodynamical simulations, we obtain axial outflows launched from the innermost magnetosphere of a star-disk system. The launched outflows are found to be asymmetric. We find the part of the parameter space corresponding to quasi-stationary axial outflows and compute the mass load and angular momentum flux in such outflows. We display the obtained geometry of the solutions and measure the speed of propagation and rotation of the obtained axial outflows.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

ULX collimation by outflows in moderately magnetized neutron stars

We perform radiative magnetohydrodynamics simulations in general relativity (GRRMHD) of super-Eddington disk accretion onto neutron stars endowed with a magnetic dipole corresponding to surface strengths not exceeding 100 GigaGauss. Accretion is found to power strong outflows which collimate the emergent radiation of the accretion columns, leading to apparent radiative luminosities of $\sim 100$ Eddington, when the true luminosity is a few Eddington units. Surprisingly, the collimation cone/angle widens with increasing magnetic field. Thus, in our simulations the apparent luminosity of the neutron star is substantially larger for the weaker magnetic fields ($10^{10}\,$G) than for the stronger ones ($10^{11}\,$G). We conclude that a super-Eddington accreting neutron star with the dipole magnetic field $10^{10}\,$G is the most likely source of ultraluminous X-rays.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Modulation of X-ray flux by obscuration of neutron star boundary layer

The quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in the X-ray variability of both black hole (BH) and neutron star (NS) systems provide a tool for probing strong gravity and dense matter equations of state. Nevertheless, the mechanism of QPO modulation in NS systems, where the amplitudes of QPOs with frequencies approaching kHz range are very high in comparison to BH high-frequency QPOs, remains an unsolved puzzle. Relativistic ray tracing of photons emitted from the immediate vicinity of compact objects has, to date, been used to investigate various mechanisms that explain the observed weak BH QPOs. However, it has not been applied to model the NS QPO signal, which requires incorporating the NS surface and a bright boundary layer (BL) on it. Here, we explore the QPO modulation mechanisms based on the BL obscuration. Using simplified models of axisymmetric oscillations of thick accretion discs (tori), we demonstrate that the disc oscillations drive the high NS QPO amplitudes through BL obscuration, which is relevant especially for vertical oscillations. We also demonstrate that obscuration effects enable the observability of the Keplerian frequency in the case of discs that decay due to instabilities.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Pseudo-Newtonian simulation of a thin accretion disk around a Reissner-Nordström naked singularity

We present the first numerical simulations of a thin accretion disk around a Reissner-Nordström (RN) naked singularity (a charged point mass). The gravity of the RN naked singularity is modeled with a pseudo-Newtonian potential that reproduces exactly the radial dependence of the RN Keplerian orbital frequency; in particular, orbital angular velocity vanishes at the zero gravity radius and has a maximum at 4/3 of that radius. Angular momentum is transported outwards by viscous stresses only outside the location of this maximum. Nonetheless, even at that radius, accretion proceeds at higher latitudes, the disk having thickened there owing to excess pressure. The accretion stops at a certain distance away from the singularity, with the material accumulating in a toroidal structure close to the zero-gravity sphere. The shape of the structure obtained in our simulations is reminiscent of fluid figures of equilibrium analytically derived in full general relativity for the RN singularity. The presence of a rotating ring, such as the one found in our simulations, could be an observational signature of a naked singularity. For charge to mass ratios close to but larger than unity, the inner edge of the quasi-toroidal inner accretion structure would be located well within the Schwarzschild marginally stable orbit (ISCO), and the maximum orbital frequency in thin accretion disks would be much higher than the Schwarzschild ISCO frequency.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Inner dusty regions of protoplanetary discs -- III. The role of non-radial radiation pressure in dust dynamics

We explore dynamical behaviour of dust particles that populate the surface of inner optically thick protoplanetary discs. This is a disc region with the hottest dust and of a great importance for planet formation and dust evolution, but we still struggle to understand all the forces that shape this environment. In our approach we combine results from two separate numerical studies - one is the wind velocity and density distributions obtained from magnetohydrodynamical simulations of accretion discs, and the other is a high-resolution multigrain dust radiation transfer. In our previous paper in the series, we described the methodology for utilising these results as an environmental input for the integration of dust trajectories driven by gravity, gas drag, and radiation pressure. Now we have two improvements - we incorporate time changes in the wind density and velocity, and we implement the non-radial radiation pressure force. We applied our analysis on Herbig Ae and T Tau stars. We confirm that the radiation pressure force can lead to dust outflow, especially in the case of more luminous stars. Additionally, it opposes dust accretion at the inner disc edge and reduces dust settling. These effects are enhanced by the disc wind, especially in the zone where the stellar and the disc magnetic fields meet. Our results suggest that dust grains can stay in the hottest disc region for an extended period and then can end up ejected into the outer disc regions.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

General Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Accreting Tori: Resolution Study

We present two-dimensional general relativistic radiative magnetohydrodynamical simulations of accretion disks around non-rotating stellar-mass black hole. We study the evolution of an equilibrium accreting torus in different grid resolutions to determine an adequate resolution to produce a stable turbulent disk driven by magneto-rotational instability. We evaluate the quality parameter, $Q_θ$, from the ratio of MRI wavelength to the grid zone size and examine the effect of resolution in various quantitative values such as the accretion rate, magnetisation, fluxes of physical quantities and disk scale-height. We also analyse how the resolution affects the formation of plasmoids produced in the magnetic reconnection events.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Auroras on planets around pulsars

The first extrasolar planets were discovered serendipitously, by finding the slight variation in otherwise highly regular timing of the pulses, caused by the planets orbiting a millisecond pulsar. In analogy with the Solar system planets, we predict the existence of aurora on planets around millisecond pulsars. We perform the first magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of magnetospheric pulsar-planet interaction and estimate the radio emission from such systems. We find that the radio emission from aurora on pulsar planets could be observable with the current instruments. We provide parameters for such a detection, which would be the first radio detection of an extrasolar planet. In addition to probing the atmosphere of planets in such extreme conditions, of great interest is also the prospect of the first direct probe into the pulsar wind.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2023

Magnetically threaded accretion disks in resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations and asymptotic expansion

Aims. A realistic model of magnetic linkage between a central object and its accretion disk is a prerequisite for understanding the spin history of stars and stellar remnants. To this end, we aim to provide an analytic model in agreement with magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. Methods. For the first time, we wrote a full set of stationary asymptotic expansion equations of a thin magnetic accretion disk, including the induction and energy equations. We also performed a resistive MHD simulation of an accretion disk around a star endowed with a magnetic dipole, using the publicly available code PLUTO. We compared the analytical results with the numerical solutions, and discussed the results in the context of previous solutions of the induction equation describing the star-disk magnetospheric interaction. Results. We found that the magnetic field threading the disk is suppressed by orders of magnitude inside thin disks, so the presence of the stellar magnetic field does not strongly affect the velocity field, nor the density profile inside the disk. Density and velocity fields found in the MHD simulations match the radial and vertical profiles of the analytic solution. Qualitatively, the MHD simulations result in an internal magnetic field similar to the solutions previously obtained by solving the induction equation in the disk alone. However, the magnetic field configuration is quantitatively affected by magnetic field inflation outside the disk; this is reflected in the net torque. The torque on the star is an order of magnitude larger in the magnetic than in the non-magnetic case. Spin-up of the star occurs on a timescale comparable to the accretion timescale in the MHD case, and is an order of magnitude slower in the absence of a stellar magnetic field.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

The maximum mass and deformation of rotating strange quark stars with strong magnetic fields

We study the structure and total energy of a strange quark star (SQS) endowed with a strong magnetic field with different rotational frequencies. The MIT bag model is used, with the density-dependent bag constant for the equation of state (EOS). The EOS is computed considering the Landau quantization effect regarding the strong magnetic fields (up to $5\times10^{17}$ G) in the interior of the strange quark star. Using the LORENE library, we calculate the structural parameters of SQS for different setups of magnetic field strengths and rotational frequencies. In each setup, we perform calculations for $51$ stellar configurations, with specified central enthalpy values. We investigate the configurations with the maximum gravitational mass of SQS in each setup. Our models of SQSs are compared in the maximum gravitational mass, binding energy, compactness, and deformation of the star. We show that the gravitational mass might exceed $2.3 M_\odot$ in some models, which is comparable with the mass of the recently detected ``black widow'' pulsar \emph{PSR J0952-0607} and the mass of \emph{GW190814} detected by the LIGO/Virgo collaboration. The deformation and maximum gravitational mass of SQS can be characterized by simple functions that have been fitted to account for variations in both magnetic field strength and frequency. Rapidly rotating strange stars have a minimum gravitational mass given by the equatorial mass-shedding limit.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Backflow in simulated MHD accretion disks

We perform resistive MHD simulations of accretion disk with alpha-viscosity, accreting onto a rotating star endowed with a magnetic dipole. We find backflow in the presence of strong magnetic field and large resistivity, and probe for the dependence on Prandtl number. We find that in the magnetic case the distance from the star at which backflow begins, the stagnation radius, is different than in the hydrodynamic case, and the backflow shows non-stationary behavior. We compare the results with hydrodynamics simulations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

Flux ropes in SANE disks

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of a hot accretion flow around a supermassive black hole are performed using the general relativity magneto-hydrodynamic (GRMHD) code Athena++. We focus on the case of SANE, with the initial magnetic field consisting of multiple loops with oppositely directed poloidal magnetic field in the torus. Using the simulation data, we investigate the formation of flux ropes, follow the forming of flux ropes atop the disk, and their release into corona.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Inner dusty regions of protoplanetary discs -- II. Dust dynamics driven by radiation pressure and disc winds

We explore dust flow in the hottest parts of protoplanetary discs using the forces of gravity, gas drag and radiation pressure. Our main focus is on the optically thin regions of dusty disc, where the dust is exposed to the most extreme heating conditions and dynamical perturbations: the surface of optically thick disc and the inner dust sublimation zone. We utilise results from two numerically strenuous fields of research. The first is the quasi-stationary solutions on gas velocity and density distributions from mangetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations of accretion discs. This is critical for implementing a more realistic gas drag impact on dust movements. The second is the optical depth structure from a high-resolution dust radiation transfer. This step is critical for a better understanding of dust distribution within the disc. We describe a numerical method that incorporates these solutions into the dust dynamics equations. We use this to integrate dust trajectories under different disc wind models and show how grains end up trapped in flows that range from simple accretion onto the star to outflows into outer disc regions. We demonstrate how the radiation pressure force plays one of the key roles in this process and cannot be ignored. It erodes the dusty disc surface, reduces its height, resists dust accretion onto the star, and helps the disc wind in pushing grains outwards. The changes in grain size and porosity significantly affect the results, with smaller and porous grains being influenced more strongly by the disc wind and radiation pressure.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

Asymmetric Jet launching

In resistive and viscous magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations we obtain axial jets launched from the innermost magnetosphere of a star-disk system. We found that in a part of the parameter space continuous asymmetric jets, which are propagating in opposite directions, are launched. We compare the speed of propagation and rotation of obtained jets with recent observational results.

astro-ph.HE↗