arXiv subjects

T. Lebzelter

Publications and source records attributed to T. Lebzelter.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2005

Long period variables in 47 Tuc: direct evidence for lost mass

We have identified 22 new variable red giants in 47 Tuc and determined periods for another 8 previously known variables. All red giants redder than V-I_c=1.8 are variable at the limits of our detection threshold, which corresponds to delta V ~ 0.1 mag. This colour limit corresponds to a luminosity log L/L_sun=3.15 and it is considerably below the tip of the RGB at log L/L_sun=3.35. Linear non-adiabatic models without mass loss on the giant branch can not reproduce the observed PL laws for the low amplitude pulsators. Models that have undergone mass loss do reproduce the observed PL relations and they show that mass loss of the order of 0.3 M_sun occurs along the RGB and AGB. The linear pulsation periods do not agree well with the observed periods of the large amplitude Mira variables, which pulsate in the fundamental mode. The solution to this problem appears to be that the nonlinear pulsation periods in these low mass stars are considerably shorter than the linear pulsation periods due to a rearrangement of stellar structure caused by the pulsation. Both observations and theory show that stars evolve up the RGB and first part of the AGB pulsating in low order overtone modes, then switch to fundamental mode at high luminosities.

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arXiv2005

Atmospheric dynamics in carbon-rich Miras. II. Models meet observations

Originating in different depths of the very extended atmospheres of AGB stars, various molecular spectral lines observable in the near-infrared show diverse behaviours and can be used to probe atmospheric dynamics throughout the outer layers of these pulsating red giants. In Nowotny et al. (2005, Paper I) time series of synthetic high-resolution spectra were presented, computed from a dynamic model atmosphere for a typical carbon-rich Mira. In this work, line profile shapes, their variations during the lightcycle and radial velocities derived from wavelength shifts are analyzed and compared with results from observed FTS spectra of the C-rich Mira S Cep and other Miras. It is found that the global velocity structure of the model is in qualitative agreement with observations. Radial velocities of molecular lines sampling different layers behave comparably, although some differences are apparant concerning absolute values. A correction factor of p=1.36 between measured RVs and actual gas velocities is derived for CO dv=3 lines. It is shown that dynamic model atmospheres are capable of reproducing Mira spectra without introducing an additional ''static layer'' proposed by several authors.

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arXiv2005

Long period variables in the globular cluster 47 Tuc: radial velocity variations

We present near infrared velocity curves for 12 long period variables (LPVs) in the globular cluster 47 Tuc (NGC 104). New light curves are also presented for these variables. Results are compared with the period-luminosity sequences occupied by the LPVs in the LMC. Sequence C variables (fundamental mode pulsators) have larger velocity amplitudes than sequence B variables (first overtone pulsators). We show that, at similar luminosities, higher mass loss rates are associated with larger pulsation amplitudes. One variable (V18) does not fit the normal period luminosity sequences and it has an unusually large amount of circumstellar dust, suggesting that it has recently undergone a thermal pulse on the AGB. Finally, we report the discovery of three new long period variable stars in the cluster core, all previously found to have a large infrared excess.

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arXiv2004

A study of bright Southern Long Period Variables

In this paper we present radial velocity curves of AGB variables that exhibit various kinds of anomalies: Semiregular variables (SRVs) with typical mira periods, SRVs exceeding the mira 2.5 mag amplitude limit, miras with secondary maxima in their light curves, and a SRV with a long secondary period. The stars with reliable Hipparcos parallaxes from this and from previous studies are plotted in a logP-$M_{K}$-diagram. Our objects nicely follow the logP-$M_{K}$-relations determined for the LMC. This allows the pulsation mode to be identified. While all miras fall on the fundamental mode sequence, the SRVs fall on both the first overtone and fundamental mode sequences. The SRVs on the fundamental mode sequence occur at both high and low luminosities, some of them being more luminous than larger amplitude miras. This demonstrates observationally that some parameter other than luminosity affects the stability of long period variables, probably mass. First overtone pulsators all show velocity amplitudes around 4 km/s. For the fundamental mode pulsators, the velocity amplitude shows a correlation with light amplitude. The two miras R Cen and R Nor, known for their double-peaked light curves, have velocity curves that are quite different. The R Nor velocity curve shows no evidence of the double peaks, meaning that the true pulsation period is the time between alternate minima or maxima. There is slight evidence for a double bump in the R Cen velocity curve. It is suggested that these stars are relatively massive (3-5 Msun).

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arXiv2003

Technetium and the third dredge up in AGB stars. I. Field stars

We searched for Tc in a sample of long period variables selected by stellar luminosity derived from Hipparcos parallaxes. Tc, as an unstable s-process element, is a good indicator for the evolutionary status of stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). In this paper we study the occurrence of Tc as a function of luminosity to provide constraints on the minimum luminosity for the third dredge up as estimated from recent stellar evolution models. A large number of AGB stars above the estimated theoretical limit for the third dredge up are found not to show Tc. We confirm previous findings that only a small fraction of the semiregular variables show Tc lines in their spectra. Contrary to earlier results by Little et al. (1987) we find also a significant number of Miras without Tc. The presence and absence of Tc is discussed in relation to the mass distribution of AGB stars. We find that a large fraction of the stars of our sample must have current masses of less than 1.5 M_{\sun}. Combining our findings with stellar evolution scenarios we conclude that the fraction of time a star is observed as a SRV or a Mira is dependent on its mass.

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arXiv2002

Hipparcos red stars in the HpV_{T2} and VI_C systems

For Hipparcos M, S, and C spectral type stars, we provide calibrated instantaneous (epoch) Cousins $V-I$ color indices using newly derived $HpV_{T2}$ photometry. Three new sets of ground-based Cousins $VI$ data have been obtained for more than 170 carbon and red M giants. These datasets in combination with the published sources of $VI$ photometry served to obtain the calibration curves linking Hipparcos/Tycho $Hp-V_{T2}$ with the Cousins $V-I$ index. In total, 321 carbon stars and 4464 M- and S-type stars have new $V-I$ indices. The standard error of the mean $V-I$ is about 0.1 mag or better down to $Hp\approx9$ although it deteriorates rapidly at fainter magnitudes. These $V-I$ indices can be used to verify the published Hipparcos $V-I$ color indices. Thus, we have identified a handful of new cases where, instead of the real target, a random field star has been observed. A considerable fraction of the DMSA/C and DMSA/V solutions for red stars appear not to be warranted. Most likely such spurious solutions may originate from usage of a heavily biased color in the astrometric processing.

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arXiv2002

AGAPEROS: Searching for variable stars in the LMC Bar II. Temporal and near-IR analysis of Long-Period Variables

We analysed the light curves of a large sample of long period variables in the LMC from the AGAPEROS catalogue. The (non)regularity of the light change is discussed in detail showing that the majority of the light curves cannot be described properly by a single period. We show that semiregular and small amplitude variability do not necessarily correlate as has been assumed in several previous studies. Using near-infrared data from the DENIS survey we correlate the light change with colours and luminosities of the objects. These results are used to compare long period variables in the LMC with LPVs in the Galactic Bulge and in the solar neighborhood.

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arXiv2002

Periodic and nonperiodic phenomena in AGB stars

We discuss velocity variations in different layers of an AGB star's atmosphere. Periodic and nonperiodic changes are observed. From a large sample of data we derive mean velocity curves for miras and semiregular variables.

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arXiv2001

4mu spectra of AGB stars I: Observations

We present times series of high resolution spectra of AGB variables at 4mu. Line profiles from the major contributors to the spectra of oxygen rich stars at 4mu, OH, H$_2$O, HCl and SiO, are examined. The velocity as well as shape variations of these profiles with time are discussed. The line profiles investigated frequently have emission and multiple absorption components. The changes with time of the 4mu region lines do not always follow the cyclic variability seen in NIR spectra and in the photometric light curve. We interpret and discuss the results qualitatively considering comparing the spectral variability with that of the well behaved 1.6mu region and of dynamical model atmospheres. Miras and semiregular variables are compared. The origins of non-periodic behavior are discussed, including the role of spatial inhomogeneities in the stellar atmosphere.

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arXiv2000

A comparison of light and velocity variations in Semiregular variables

NIR velocity variations are compared with simultaneous visual light curves for a sample of late-type semiregular variables (SRV). Precise radial velocity measurements are also presented for the SRV V450 Aql. Our aim is to investigate the nature of the irregular light changes found in these variables. Light and velocity variations are correlated in all stars of our sample. Based on these results we discuss several possibilities to explain the observed behavior. We find that pulsation is responsible for large amplitude variations. In a recent paper Lebzelter (1999) invoked large convective cells to understand observed velocity variations. This possibility is discussed with respect to the observed correlation between light and velocity changes. In the light of these results we investigate the origin of the semiregular variations.

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