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S. Hubrig

Publications and source records attributed to S. Hubrig.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
arXiv2009

The determination of the rotation period and magnetic field geometry of the strongly magnetic roAp star HD154708

We obtained thirteen spectropolarimetric observations of the strongly magnetic rapidly oscillating Ap star HD154708 over three months with the multi-mode instrument FORS1, installed at the 8-m Kueyen telescope of the VLT. These observations have been used for the determination of the rotation period of P=5.3666+-0.0007d. Using stellar fundamental parameters and the longitudinal magnetic field phase curve, we briefly discuss the magnetic field geometry. The star is observed nearly pole-on and the magnetic field geometry can be described by a centred dipole with a surface polar magnetic field strength B_d between 26.1 and 28.8kG and an inclination of the magnetic axis to the rotation axis in the range 22.5deg to 35.5deg.

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arXiv2009

Stratification and Isotope Separation in CP Stars

We investigate the elemental and isotopic stratification in the atmospheres of selected chemically peculiar (CP) stars of the upper main sequence. Reconfiguration of the UVES spectrograph in 2004 has made it possible to examine all three lines of the Ca II infrared triplet. Much of the material analyzed was obtained in 2008. We support the claim of Ryabchikova, Kochukhov & Bagnulo (RKB) that the calcium isotopes have distinct stratification profiles for the stars 10 Aql, HR 1217, and HD 122970, with the heavy isotope concentrated toward the higher layers. Better observations are needed to learn the extent to which Ca-40 dominates in the deepest layers of all or most CP stars that show the presence of Ca-48. There is little evidence for Ca-40 in the spectra of some HgMn stars, and the infrared triplet in the magnetic star HD 101065 is well fit by pure Ca-48. In HR 5623 (HD 133792) and HD 217522 it is likely that the heavy isotope dominates, though models are possible where this is not the case. While elemental stratification is surely needed in many cases, we point out the importance of including adjustments in the assumed Teff and log(g) values, in attempts to model stratification. We recommend emphasis on profiles of the strongest lines, where the influence of stratification is most evident. Isotopic mixtures, involving the 4 stable calcium nuclides with masses between 40 and 48 are plausible, but are not emphasized.

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arXiv2009

New magnetic field measurements of beta Cephei stars and Slowly Pulsating B stars

We present the results of the continuation of our magnetic survey with FORS1 at the VLT of a sample of B-type stars consisting of confirmed or candidate beta Cephei stars and Slowly Pulsating B (hereafter SPB) stars, along with a small number of normal B-type stars. A weak mean longitudinal magnetic field of the order of a few hundred Gauss was detected in three beta Cephei stars and two stars suspected to be beta Cephei stars, in five SPB stars and eight stars suspected to be SPB stars. Additionally, a longitudinal magnetic field at a level larger than 3sigma has been diagnosed in two normal B-type stars, the nitrogen-rich early B-type star HD52089 and in the B5 IV star HD153716. Roughly one third of beta Cephei stars have detected magnetic fields: Out of 13 beta Cephei stars studied to date with FORS1, four stars possess weak magnetic fields, and out of the sample of six suspected beta Cephei stars two show a weak magnetic field. The fraction of magnetic SPBs and candidate SPBs is found to be higher: roughly half of the 34 SPB stars have been found to be magnetic and among the 16 candidate SPBs eight stars possess magnetic fields. In an attempt to understand why only a fraction of pulsating stars exhibit magnetic fields, we studied the position of magnetic and non-magnetic pulsating stars in the H-R diagram. We find that their domains in the H-R diagram largely overlap, and no clear picture emerges as to the possible evolution of the magnetic field across the main sequence. It is possible that stronger fields tend to be found in stars with lower pulsating frequencies and smaller pulsating amplitudes. A somewhat similar trend is found if we consider a correlation between the field strength and the v sin i-values, i.e. stronger magnetic fields tend to be found in more slowly rotating stars.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2009

New magnetic field measurements of beta Cephei stars and Slowly Pulsating B stars

We present the results of the continuation of our magnetic survey with FORS1 at the VLT of a sample of B-type stars consisting of confirmed or candidate beta Cephei stars and Slowly Pulsating B stars. Roughly one third of the studied beta Cephei stars have detected magnetic fields. The fraction of magnetic Slowly Pulsating B and candidate Slowly Pulsating B stars is found to be higher, up to 50%. We find that the domains of magnetic and non-magnetic pulsating stars in the H-R diagram largely overlap, and no clear picture emerges as to the possible evolution of the magnetic field across the main sequence.

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arXiv2009

Magnetic fields in O-type stars measured with FORS1 at the VLT

The presence of magnetic fields in O-type stars has been suspected for a long time. The discovery of such fields would explain a wide range of well documented enigmatic phenomena in massive stars, in particular cyclical wind variability, Halpha emission variations, chemical peculiarity, narrow X-ray emission lines and non-thermal radio/X-ray emission. Here we present the results of our studies of magnetic fields in O-type stars, carried out over the last years.

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arXiv2009

Magnetic fields in classical Be stars

We report the results of our study of magnetic fields in a sample of Be stars using spectropolarimetric data obtained at the European Southern Observatory with the multi-mode instrument FORS1 installed at the 8m Kueyen telescope. The detected magnetic fields are rather weak, not stronger than ~150G. A few classical Be stars display cyclic variability of the magnetic field with periods of tens of minutes.

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arXiv2008

First measurement of the magnetic field on FK Com and its relation to the contemporaneous starspot locations

In this study we present simultaneous low-resolution longitudinal magnetic field measurements and high-resolution spectroscopic observations of the cool single giant FK Com. The variation of the magnetic field over the rotational period of 2.4 days is compared with the starspot location obtained using Doppler imaging techniques, V-band photometry and V-I colours. The chromospheric activity is studied simultaneously with the photospheric activity using high resolution observations of the Halpha, Hbeta and Hgamma line profiles. Both the maximum (272 +/- 24 G) and minimum (60 +/- 17 G) in the mean longitudinal magnetic field, , are detected close to the phases where cool spots appear on the stellar surface. A possible explanation for such a behaviour is that the active regions at the two longitudes separated by 0.2 in phase have opposite polarities.

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arXiv2008

Chemically peculiar stars and their temperature calibration

The determination of effective temperature for chemically peculiar (CP) stars by means of photometry is a sophisticated task due to their abnormal colours. Standard calibrations for normal stars lead to erroneous results and, in most cases corrections are necessary. In order to specify appropriate corrections, direct temperature determinations for 176 objects of the different subgroups were collected from the literature. This much larger sample than in previous studies therefore allows a more accurate investigation, mostly based on average temperatures. For the three main photometric systems (UBV, Geneva, Stromgren uvbybeta), methods to determine effective temperature are presented together with a comparison with former results. Based on the compiled data we provide evidence that He (CP4) objects also need a considerable correction, not noticed in former investigations due to their small number. Additionally, a new relation for the bolometric correction and the capability of standard calibrations to deduce interstellar reddening for magnetic CP stars are shown.

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arXiv2008

A search for rapid pulsations in the magnetic cool chemically peculiar star HD3980

The Ap star HD3980 appears to be a promising roAp candidate based on its fundamental parameters, leading us to search for rapid pulsations with the VLT UV-Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES). A precise Hipparcos parallax and estimated temperature of 8100K place HD3980 in the middle of the theoretical instability strip for rapidly oscillating Ap stars, about halfway through its main sequence evolution stage. The star has a strong, variable magnetic field, as is typical of the cool magnetic Ap stars. Dipole model parameters were determined from VLT observations using FORS1. From Doppler shift measurements for individual spectral lines of rare earth elements and the H-alpha line core, we find no pulsations above 20-30 m/s. This result is corroborated by inspection of lines of several other chemical elements, as well as with crosscorrelation for long spectral regions with the average spectrum as a template. Abundances of chemical elements were determined and show larger than solar abundances of rare earth elements. Further, ionisation disequilibria for the first two ionised states of Nd and Pr are detected. We also find that the star has a strong overabundance of manganese, which is typical for much hotter HgMn and other Bp stars. Line profile variability with the rotation period was detected for the majority of chemical species.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2008

Magnetic field measurements of O stars with FORS1 at the VLT

The presence of magnetic fields in O-type stars has been suspected for a long time. The discovery of such fields would explain a wide range of well documented enigmatic phenomena in massive stars, in particular cyclical wind variability, H alpha emission variations, chemical peculiarity, narrow X-ray emission lines and non-thermal radio/X-ray emission. To investigate the incidence of magnetic fields in O stars, we acquired 38 new spectropolarimetric observations with FORS1 (FOcal Reducer low dispersion Spectrograph) mounted on the 8-m Kueyen telescope of the VLT. Spectropolarimetric observations have been obtained at different phases for a sample of 13 O stars. 10 stars were observed in the spectral range 348-589nm, HD36879 and HD148937 were observed in the spectral region 325-621nm, and HD155806 was observed in both settings. To prove the feasibility of the FORS1 spectropolarimetric mode for the measurements of magnetic fields in hot stars, we present in addition 12 FORS1 observations of the mean longitudinal magnetic field in theta^1 Ori C and compare them with measurements obtained with the MuSiCoS, ESPaDOnS and Narval spectropolarimeters. Most stars in our sample which have been observed on different nights show a change of the magnetic field polarity, but a field at a significance level of 3sigma has been detected only in four stars, HD36879, HD148937, HD152408, and HD164794. The largest longitudinal magnetic field, = -276+-88G, was detected in the Of?p star HD148937. We conclude that large-scale organised magnetic fields with polar field strengths larger than 1kG are not widespread among O-type stars.

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arXiv2008

New insights into the nature of the peculiar star theta Carinae

We acquired high resolution spectroscopic and low resolution spectropolarimetric observations to achieve the following goals: a) to improve the orbital parameters to allow a more in-depth discussion on the possibility of mass transfer in the binary system, b) to carry out a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) abundance analysis, and c) to search for the presence of a magnetic field. The study of the radial velocities using CORALIE spectra allowed us to significantly improve the orbital parameters. A comparative NLTE abundance analysis was undertaken for theta Car and two other early B-type stars with recently detected magnetic fields, tau Sco and xi^1 CMa. The analysis revealed significantly different abundance patterns: a one-order-of-magnitude nitrogen overabundance and carbon depletion was found in theta Car, while the oxygen abundance is roughly solar. For the stars xi^1 CMa and tau Sco the carbon abundance is solar and, while an N excess is also detected, it is of much smaller amplitude (0.4-0.6dex). Such an N overabundance is typical of the values already found for other slowly-rotating (magnetic) B-type dwarfs. For theta Car, we attribute instead the chemical peculiarities to a past episode of mass transfer between the two binary components. The results of the search for a magnetic field using FORS1 at the VLT consisting of 26 measurements over a time span of ~1.2h are rather inconclusive: only few measurements have a significance level of 3sigma. Although we detect a periodicity of the order of ~8.8min in the dataset involving the measurements on all hydrogen Balmer lines with the exception of the Halpha and Hbeta lines, these results have to be confirmed by additional time-resolved magnetic field observations.

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arXiv2008

Re II and Other Exotic Spectra in HD 65949

Powerful astronomical spectra reveal an urgent need for additional work on atomic lines, levels, and oscillator strengths. The star HD 65949 provides some excellent examples of species rarely identified in stellar spectra. For example, the Re II spectrum is well developed, with 17 lines between 3731 and 4904 [A], attributed wholly or partially to Re II. Classifications and oscillator strengths are lacking for a number of these lines. The spectrum of Os II is well identified. Of 14 lines attributed wholly or partially to Os II, only one has an entry in the VALD database. We find strong evidence that Te II is present. There are NO Te II lines in the VALD database. Ru II is clearly present, but oscillator strengths for lines in the visual are lacking. There is excellent to marginal evidence for a number of less commonly identified species, including Kr II, Nb II, Sb II, Xe II, Pr III, Ho III, Au II, and Pt II (probably Pt-198), to be present in the spectrum of HD 65949. The line Hg II at 3984 [A] is of outstanding strength, and all three lines of Multiplet 1 of Hg I are present, even though the surface temperature of HD 65949 is relatively high. Finally, we present the case of an unidentified, 24 [mA], line at 3859.63 [A], which could be the same feature seen in magnetic CP stars. It is typically blended with a putative U II line used in cosmochronology.

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arXiv2008

Nitrogen enrichment, boron depletion and magnetic fields in slowly-rotating B-type dwarfs

Evolutionary models for massive stars, accounting for rotational mixing effects, do not predict any core-processed material at the surface of B dwarfs with low rotational velocities. Contrary to theoretical expectations, we present a detailed and fully-homogeneous, NLTE abundance analysis of 20 early B-type dwarfs and (sub)giants that reveals the existence of a population of nitrogen-rich and boron-depleted, yet intrinsically slowly-rotating objects. The low-rotation rate of several of these stars is firmly established, either from the occurrence of phase-locked UV wind line-profile variations, which can be ascribed to rotational modulation, or from theoretical modelling in the pulsating variables. The observational data presently available suggest a higher incidence of chemical peculiarities in stars with a (weak) detected magnetic field. This opens the possibility that magnetic phenomena are important in altering the photospheric abundances of early B dwarfs, even for surface field strengths at the one hundred Gauss level. However, further spectropolarimetric observations are needed to assess the validity of this hypothesis.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2007

HR 710 (HD 15144): An ultra-Sr-rich, magnetic Ap star with a close companion

The magnetic, chemically peculiar A-star HR 710 (HD 15144, ADS 1849A, AB Cet) has a close companion in a nearly circular orbit. Its 3-day period is unusually short for such stars. The system emits moderately hard x-rays, which likely come from a white dwarf secondary (ADS 1849Ab). The Sr II spectrum is very strong, and the resonance lines show similar core-nib structure to the stronger Ca K line. We place only loose constraints on a model. There are indications of a lower electron/gas pressure than expected from the star's parallax and brightness. Strong-line profiles and anomalous excitation/ionization indicate significant deviations from traditional models, fixed by Teff, log{g}, and abundances. Weak spectral-line profiles and wavelength shifts probably indicate abundance patches rather than the presence of a secondary (ADS 1849Ab) spectrum. Our UVES spectra are from only one epoch. Additional low-noise, high-resolution spectra are needed. We discuss the spectrum within the context of abundance stratification.

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arXiv2007

Magnetic fields in X-ray emitting A-type stars

A common explanation for the observed X-ray emission of A-type stars is the presence of a hidden late-type companion. While this hypothesis can be shown to be correct in some cases, there is also evidence suggesting that low-mass companions cannot be the proper cause for the observed X-ray activity in all cases. Babel & Montmerle (1997) presented a theoretical framework to explain the X-ray emission for magnetic Ap/Bp stars, focusing on the A0p star IQ Aur. We test if this theoretical model is capable to explain the observed X-ray emissions. We present observations of 13 A-type stars that have been associated with X-ray emission detected by ROSAT. To determine the mean longitudinal magnetic field strength we measured the circular polarization in the wings of the Balmer lines using FORS 1. Although the emission of those objects with magnetic fields fits the prediction of the Babel & Montmerle model, not all X-ray detections are related to the presence of a magnetic field. Additionally, the strengths of magnetic fields do not correlate with the X-ray luminosity and thus the magnetically confined wind shock model cannot explain the X-ray emission from all investigated stars.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2007

A search for pulsational line profile variations in the delta Scuti star HD21190 and the Ap Sr star HD218994

We present the results of our recent search for pulsational line profile variations in high time resolution UVES spectra of the most evolved Ap star known, the delta Scuti star HD21190, and of the Ap Sr star HD218994. We found that HD218994 is an roAp star with a pulsation period of 5.1 min, which makes it the 36th star known to be a roAp star. No rapid pulsations have been found in the spectra of the delta Scuti star HD21190. However, we detect moving peaks in the cores of spectral lines, which indicate the presence of non-radial pulsations in this star.

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