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S. M. Hanasoge

Publications and source records attributed to S. M. Hanasoge.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Seismic constraints on the spin evolution of slowly rotating young intermediate-mass stars

$δ$ Scuti stars are hot, rapid rotators and are a poorly understood class of pulsators. Asteroseismology provides the only means with which to probe their interior dynamics. However, their complex and unexplained oscillation patterns restrict analyses to only a small fraction with interpretable pulsations. Here, we identify 5381 $δ$ Scuti stars from 63 sectors of TESS observations, of which 300 had interpretable oscillations, with 24 showing rotational splittings. We inferred compositions and ages ($τ$) for the 300 stars finding them in near-ZAMS states (Bedding et al. 2020), and measured the mean envelope rotation rates ($< f_{rot} >$) for 24 of them. Analyzing their age-dependent rotation, we found these stars essentially exhibit weak-to-no spindown, while evolving past the ZAMS across a narrow time-span during which they show regular pulsations. A quantitative fit to their spin-evolution results in a trend $f_{rot} (d^{-1}) \propto (τ/{Gyr})^{-0.048 \pm 0.016}$, much slower than the spindown of cooler late-type stars due to magnetic braking (Skumanich's law: $f_{rot} (d^{-1}) \propto (τ/{Gyr})^{-0.5}$). Based on stellar evolution calculations, we show this weak spindown is consistent with the gradual increase in their moment-of-inertia.

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Detection of Rossby modes with even azimuthal orders using helioseismic normal-mode coupling

Retrograde Rossby waves, measured to have significant amplitudes in the Sun, likely have notable implications for various solar phenomena. Rossby waves create small-amplitude, very-low frequency motions (on the order of the rotation rate and lower), which in turn shift the resonant frequencies and eigenfunctions of the acoustic modes of the Sun. The detection of even azimuthal orders Rossby modes using mode coupling presents additional challenges and prior work therefore only focused on odd orders. Here, we successfully extend the methodology to measure even azimuthal orders as well. We analyze 4 and 8 years of Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) data and consider coupling between different-degree acoustic modes (of separations 1 and 3 in harmonic degree). The technique uses couplings between different frequency bins to capture the temporal variability of the Rossby modes. We observe significant power close to the theoretical dispersion relation for sectoral Rossby modes (where the azimuthal order is same as harmonic degree, s = |t|). Our results are consistent with prior measurements of Rossby modes with azimuthal orders over the range t = 4 to 16 with maximum power occurring at mode t = 8. The amplitudes of these modes vary from 1 to 2 m/s. We place an upper bound of 0.2 m/s on the sectoral t = 2 mode, which we do not detect in our measurements. This effort adds credence to the mode-coupling methodology in helioseismology

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Helioseismic inversion to infer depth profile of solar meridional flow using spherical Born kernels

Accurate inference of solar meridional flow is of crucial importance for the understanding of solar dynamo process. Wave travel times, as measured on the surface, will change if the waves encounter perturbations e.g. in the sound speed or flows, as they propagate through the solar interior. Using functions called sensitivity kernels, we may image the underlying anomalies that cause measured shifts in travel times. The inference of large-scale structures e.g meridional circulation requires computing sensitivity kernels in spherical geometry. Mandal et al. (2017) have computed such spherical kernels in the limit of the first-Born approximation. In this work, we perform an inversion for meridional circulation using travel-time measurements obtained from 6 years of SDO/HMI data and those sensitivity kernels. We enforce mass conservation by inverting for a stream function. The number of free parameters is reduced by projecting the solution on to cubic B-splines in radius and derivatives of the Legendre-polynomial basis in latitude, thereby improving the condition number of the inverse problem. We validate our approach for synthetic observations before performing the actual inversion. The inversion suggests a single-cell profile with the return-flow occurring at depths below 0.78 $R_\odot$.

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Additional Evidence Supporting a Model of Shallow, High-Speed Supergranulation

Recently, Duvall and Hanasoge ({\it Solar Phys.} {\bf 287}, 71-83, 2013) found that large distance $[Δ]$ separation travel-time differences from a center to an annulus $[δt_{\rm{oi}}]$ implied a model of the average supergranular cell that has a peak upflow of $240\rm{ms^{-1}}$ at a depth of $2.3\rm{Mm}$ and a corresponding peak outward horizontal flow of $700\rm{ms^{-1}}$ at a depth of $1.6\rm{Mm}$. In the present work, this effect is further studied by measuring and modeling center-to-quadrant travel-time differences $[δt_{\rm{qu}}]$, which roughly agree with this model. Simulations are analyzed that show that such a model flow would lead to the expected travel-time differences. As a check for possible systematic errors, the center-to-annulus travel-time differences $[δt_{\rm{oi}}]$ are found not to vary with heliocentric angle. A consistency check finds an increase of $δt_{\rm{oi}}$ with the temporal frequency $[ν]$ by a factor of two, which is not predicted by the ray theory.

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Testing Helioseismic-Holography Inversions for Supergranular Flows Using Synthetic Data

Supergranulation is one of the most visible length scales of solar convection and has been studied extensively by local helioseismology. We use synthetic data computed with the Seismic Propagation through Active Regions and Convection (SPARC) code to test regularized-least squares (RLS) inversions of helioseismic holography measurements for a supergranulation-like flow. The code simulates the acoustic wavefield by solving the linearized three-dimensional Euler equations in Cartesian geometry. We model a single supergranulation cell with a simple, axisymmetric, mass-conserving flow. The use of simulated data provides an opportunity for direct evaluation of the accuracy of measurement and inversion techniques. The RLS technique applied to helioseismic-holography measurements is generally successful in reproducing the structure of the horizontal flow field of the model supergranule cell. The errors are significant in horizontal-flow inversions near the top and bottom of the computational domain as well as in vertical-flow inversions throughout the domain. We show that the errors in the vertical velocity are due largely to cross talk from the horizontal velocity.

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Multi-Channel Three-Dimensional SOLA Inversion for Local Helioseismology

Inversions for local helioseismology are an important and necessary step for obtaining three-dimensional maps of various physical quantities in the solar interior. Frequently, the full inverse problems that one would like to solve prove intractable because of computational constraints. Due to the enormous seismic data sets that already exist and those forthcoming, this is a problem that needs to be addressed. To this end, we present a very efficient linear inversion algorithm for local helioseismology. It is based on a subtractive optimally localized averaging (SOLA) scheme in the Fourier domain, utilizing the horizontal-translation invariance of the sensitivity kernels. In Fourier space the problem decouples into many small problems, one for each horizontal wave vector. This multi-channel SOLA method is demonstrated for an example problem in time-distance helioseismology that is small enough to be solved both in real and Fourier space. We find that both approaches are successful in solving the inverse problem. However, the multi-channel SOLA algorithm is much faster and can easily be parallelized.

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Validated helioseismic inversions for 3-D vector flows

According to time-distance helioseismology, information about internal fluid motions is encoded in the travel times of solar waves. The inverse problem consists of inferring 3-D vector flows from a set of travel-time measurements. Here we investigate the potential of time-distance helioseismology to infer 3-D convective velocities in the near-surface layers of the Sun. We developed a new Subtractive Optimally Localised Averaging (SOLA) code suitable for pipeline pseudo-automatic processing. Compared to its predecessor, the code was improved by accounting for additional constraints in order to get the right answer within a given noise level. The main aim of this study is to validate results obtained by our inversion code. We simulate travel-time maps using a snapshot from a numerical simulation of solar convective flows, realistic Born travel-time sensitivity kernels, and a realistic model of travel-time noise. These synthetic travel times are inverted for flows and the results compared with the known input flow field. Additional constraints are implemented in the inversion: cross-talk minimization between flow components and spatial localization of inversion coefficients. Using modes f, p1 through p4, we show that horizontal convective flow velocities can be inferred without bias, at a signal-to-noise ratio greater than one in the top 3.5 Mm, provided that observations span at least four days. The vertical component of velocity (v_z), if it were to be weak, is more difficult to infer and is seriously affected by cross-talk from horizontal velocity components. We emphasise that this cross-talk must be explicitly minimised in order to retrieve v_z in the top 1 Mm. We also show that statistical averaging over many different areas of the Sun allows for reliably measuring of average properties of all three flow components in the top 5.5 Mm of the convection zone.

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Deep-Focus Diagnostics of Sunspot Structure

In sequel to Moradi et al. [2009, ApJ, 690, L72], we employ two established numerical forward models (a 3D ideal MHD solver and MHD ray theory) in conjunction with time-distance helioseismology to probe the lateral extent of wave-speed perturbations produced in regions of strong, near-surface magnetic fields. We continue our comparisons of forward modeling approaches by extending our previous surface-focused travel-time measurements with a common midpoint deep-focusing scheme that avoids the use of oscillation signals within the sunspot region. The idea is to also test MHD ray theory for possible application in future inverse methods.

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An absorbing boundary formulation for the stratified, linearized, ideal MHD equations based on an unsplit, convolutional perfectly matched layer

Perfectly matched layers are a very efficient and accurate way to absorb waves in media. We present a stable convolutional unsplit perfectly matched formulation designed for the linearized stratified Euler equations. However, the technique as applied to the Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) equations requires the use of a sponge, which, despite placing the perfectly matched status in question, is still highly efficient at absorbing outgoing waves. We study solutions of the equations in the backdrop of models of linearized wave propagation in the Sun. We test the numerical stability of the schemes by integrating the equations over a large number of wave periods.

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Helioseismology of Sunspots: A Case Study of NOAA Region 9787

Various methods of helioseismology are used to study the subsurface properties of the sunspot in NOAA Active Region 9787. This sunspot was chosen because it is axisymmetric, shows little evolution during 20-28 January 2002, and was observed continuously by the MDI/SOHO instrument. (...) Wave travel times and mode frequencies are affected by the sunspot. In most cases, wave packets that propagate through the sunspot have reduced travel times. At short travel distances, however, the sign of the travel-time shifts appears to depend sensitively on how the data are processed and, in particular, on filtering in frequency-wavenumber space. We carry out two linear inversions for wave speed: one using travel-times and phase-speed filters and the other one using mode frequencies from ring analysis. These two inversions give subsurface wave-speed profiles with opposite signs and different amplitudes. (...) From this study of AR9787, we conclude that we are currently unable to provide a unified description of the subsurface structure and dynamics of the sunspot.

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Seismic Constraints on Interior Solar Convection

We constrain the velocity spectral distribution of global-scale solar convective cells at depth using techniques of local helioseismology. We calibrate the sensitivity of helioseismic waves to large-scale convective cells in the interior by analyzing simulations of waves propagating through a velocity snapshot of global solar convection via methods of time-distance helioseismology. Applying identical analysis techniques to observations of the Sun, we are able to bound from above the magnitudes of solar convective cells as a function of spatial convective scale. We find that convection at a depth of $r/R_\odot = 0.95$ with spatial extent $\ell <20$, where $\ell$ is the spherical harmonic degree, comprise weak flow systems, on the order of 15 m/s or less. Convective features deeper than $r/R_\odot = 0.95$ are more difficult to image due to the rapidly decreasing sensitivity of helioseismic waves.

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Numerical Models of Travel-Time Inhomogeneities in Sunspots

We investigate the direct contribution of strong, sunspot-like magnetic fields to helioseismic wave travel-time shifts via two numerical forward models, a 3D ideal MHD solver and MHD ray theory. The simulated data cubes are analyzed using the traditional time-distance center-to-annulus measurement technique. We also isolate and analyze the direct contribution from purely thermal perturbations to the observed travel-time shifts, confirming some existing ideas and bring forth new ones: (i) that the observed travel-time shifts in the vicinity of sunspots are largely governed by MHD physics, (ii) the travel-time shifts are sensitively dependent on frequency and phase-speed filter parameters and the background power below the $p_1$ ridge, and finally, (iii) despite its seeming limitations, ray theory succeeds in capturing the essence of the travel-time variations as derived from the MHD simulations.

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Scattering of acoustic waves by a magnetic cylinder

With the aim of studying magnetic effects in time-distance helioseismology, we use the first-order Born approximation to compute the scattering of acoustic plane waves by a magnetic cylinder embedded in a uniform medium. We show, by comparison with the exact solution, that the travel-time shifts computed in the Born approximation are everywhere valid to first order in the ratio of the magnetic to the gas pressures. We also show that, for arbitrary magnetic field strength, the Born approximation is not valid in the limit where the radius of the magnetic cylinder tends to zero.

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Impact of Locally Suppressed Wave sources on helioseismic travel times

Wave travel-time shifts in the vicinity of sunspots are typically interpreted as arising predominantly from magnetic fields, flows, and local changes in sound speed. We show here that the suppression of granulation related wave sources in a sunspot can also contribute significantly to these travel-time shifts, and in some cases, an asymmetry between in and outgoing wave travel times. The tight connection between the physical interpretation of travel times and source-distribution homogeneity is confirmed. Statistically significant travel-time shifts are recovered upon numerically simulating wave propagation in the presence of a localized decrease in source strength. We also demonstrate that these time shifts are relatively sensitive to the modal damping rates; thus we are only able to place bounds on the magnitude of this effect. We see a systematic reduction of 10-15 seconds in $p$-mode mean travel times at short distances ($\sim 6.2$ Mm) that could be misinterpreted as arising from a shallow (thickness of 1.5 Mm) increase ($\sim$ 4%) in the sound speed. At larger travel distances ($\sim 24$ Mm) a 6-13 s difference between the ingoing and outgoing wave travel times is observed; this could mistakenly be interpreted as being caused by flows.

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{\it f}-mode interactions with thin flux tubes: the scattering matrix

We calculate the scattering effects associated with the interaction of a surface gravity or {\it f} mode with a thin magnetic flux tube embedded in a realistically stratified medium. We find that the dominant scattered wave is an $f$ mode with amplitude and phase of 1.17% and around $49^\circ$ relative to the incident wave, compared to the values of 0.13% and $40^\circ$ estimated from observations. The extent of scattering into high-order acoustic $p$ modes is too weak to be accurately characterized. We recover the result that the degree of scattering is enhanced as (a) the frequency of the incident wave increases and (b) the flux tube becomes magnetically dominated.

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Global effects of local sound-speed perturbations in the Sun: A theoretical study

We study the effect of localized sound-speed perturbations on global mode frequencies by applying techniques of global helioseismology on numerical simulations of the solar acoustic wave field. Extending the method of realization noise subtraction (e.g. Hanasoge et al. 2007) to global modes and exploiting the luxury of full spherical coverage, we are able to achieve very highly resolved frequency differences that are used to study sensitivities and the signatures of the thermal asphericities. We find that (1) global modes are almost twice as sensitive to sound-speed perturbations at the bottom of the convection zone as in comparison to anomalies well in the radiative interior ($r\lesssim0.55 R_\odot$), (2) the $m$-degeneracy is lifted ever so slightly, as seen in the $a$ coefficients, and (3) modes that propagate in the vicinity of the perturbations show small amplitude shifts ($\sim 0.5%$).

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