arXiv subjects

William J. Schuster

Publications and source records attributed to William J. Schuster.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

Orbits of globular clusters computed with dynamical friction in the Galactic anisotropic velocity dispersion field

We present a preliminary analysis of the effect of dynamical friction on the orbits of part of the globular clusters in our Galaxy. Our study considers an anisotropic velocity dispersion field approximated using the results of studies in the literature. An axisymmetric Galactic model with mass components consisting of a disc, a bulge, and a dark halo is employed in the computations. We provide a method to compute the dynamical friction acceleration in ellipsoidal, oblate, and prolate velocity distribution functions with similar density in velocity space. Orbital properties, such as mean time-variations of perigalactic and apogalactic distances, energy, and z-component of angular momentum, are obtained for globular clusters lying in the Galactic region $R \lesssim$ 10 kpc, $|z| \lesssim$ 5 kpc, with $R,z$ cylindrical coordinates. These include clusters in prograde and retrograde orbital motion. Several clusters are strongly affected by dynamical friction, in particular Liller 1, Terzan 4, Terzan 5, NGC 6440, and NGC 6553, which lie in the Galactic inner region. We comment on the more relevant implications of our results on the dynamics of Galactic globular clusters, such as their possible misclassification between the categories 'halo', 'bulge', and 'thick disc', the resulting biasing of globular-cluster samples, the possible incorrect association of the globulars with their parent dwarf galaxies for accretion events, and the possible formation of 'nuclear star clusters'.

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arXiv2021

Effect of orbital trapping by bar resonances in the local U-V velocity field

The effects in the local U-V velocity field due to orbital trapping by bar resonances have been studied computing fifteen resonant families in a non-axisymmetric Galactic potential, considering the bar's angular velocity between 35 and 57.5 ${\rm\,km\,s^{-1}{kpc}^{-1}}$. Only cases in the low, 37.5, 40 ${\rm\,km\,s^{-1}{kpc}^{-1}}$, and high, 55, 57.5 ${\rm\,km\,s^{-1}{kpc}^{-1}}$, velocity ranges give trapping structures that have some similarity with observed features in the velocity distribution. The resulting structures in the local U-V plane form resonant bands appearing at various levels in velocity V. Cases with angular velocity 40 and 55 ${\rm\,km\,s^{-1}{kpc}^{-1}}$ show the greatest similarity with observed branches. Our best approximation to the local velocity field by orbital trapping is obtained with a bar angular velocity of 40 ${\rm\,km\,s^{-1}{kpc}^{-1}}$ and a bar angle of 40${^\circ}$. With this solution, three main observed features can be approximated: i) the Hercules branch at V=$-50$ ${\rm\,km\,s^{-1}}$ produced by the resonance 8/1 outside corotation, and the close features produced by resonances 5/1 and 6/1, ii) the newly detected low-density arch at V $\simeq$ 40 ${\rm\,km\,s^{-1}}$ produced approximately by the resonance 4/3, iii) the inclined structure below the Hercules branch, also observed in the $\textit{Gaia}$ DR2 data, produced by tube orbits around Lagrange point $L_5$ at corotation. Some predicted contributions due to orbital trapping in regions of the U-V plane corresponding to the Galactic halo are given, which could help to further restrict the value of the angular velocity of the Galactic bar. No support by orbital trapping is found for the Arcturus stream at V $\approx$ $-100$ ${\rm\,km\,s^{-1}}$.

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arXiv2019

UBVRI-KC Photometry of NGC~2323 and NGC~2539 Open Clusters

The open clusters NGC 2323 and NGC 2539 have been analysed using CCD UBV(RI)KC photometric data, observed at the San Pedro Martir Observatory. Cluster memberships have been determined with the proper motion and parallax measures from the GaiaDR2 astrometric data release. Photometric metal and heavy element abundances have been obtained as (M/H, Z) = (-0.10, 0.012) (NGC 2323) and (-0.31, 0.007) (NGC 2539), from the delta(U-B) technique in the two colour diagrams, which are used to select the appropriate PARSEC isochrones. The estimated reddening of NGC 2323 is E(B-V) = 0.23+-0.04 using 11 early type stars. For NGC 2539, we find E(B-V)= 0.02+-0.06. For (B-V) colour, distance moduli and distances for NGC 2323 and NGC 2539 are derived as (V0-MV, d (pc)) = (10.00+-0.10, 1000+-50) and (V0-MV, d (pc)) = (10.00+-0.04,1000+-20), respectively.The median GaiaDR2 distance d=1000+-140 pc (plx=0.998+-0.136 mas) for the likely members of NGC 2323 is in concordance with its four colour photometric distances 910-1000 pc. For NGC 2539, its GaiaDR2 distance d=1330+-250 pc (plx=0.751+-0.139 mas) is close to its four colour photometric distances, 1000 pc. Fitting the PARSEC isochrones to the colour magnitude diagrams (CMDs) gives an old age, 890+-110 Myr, for NGC 2539. Whereas NGC 2323 has an intermediate age, 200+-50 Myr. One Red Clump Red Giant candidate (BD 12 2380) in the CMDs of NGC 2539 has been confirmed as a member in terms of the distances dI = 950+-50 pc and dV =910+-90 pc of VI filters within the uncertainties, as compared to the distance, 1000+-20 pc of NGC 2539. This giant's GaiaDR2 distance (d=1200+-70 pc) is not close to these photometric distances.

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arXiv2019

The metal-rich halo component extended in z: a characterization with Gaia DR2 and APOGEE

We report an analysis of the metal-rich tail ([Fe/H] $> -0.75$) of halo stars located at distances from the Galactic plane $z$ up to $|z| \sim 10$ kpc, observed by the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE). We examine the chemistry, kinematics, and dynamics of this metal-rich halo sample using chemical abundances and radial velocities provided by the fourteenth APOGEE data release (DR14) and proper motions from the second Gaia data release (DR2). The analysis reveals three chemically different stellar populations in the [Mg/Fe] vs. [Fe/H] space -- the two distinct halo populations already reported in the literature, and a third group with intermediate [Mg/Fe] $\sim$+0.1. We derive the $U$, $V$ and $W$ velocity components with respect to the Local Standard of Rest, as well as orbits for the three stellar groups, and find that they differ also in their kinematical and dynamical properties. The high-[Mg/Fe] population exhibits a mean prograde rotation, as well as orbits that are more bound and closer to the plane, whereas the low-[Mg/Fe] population has $ $ closer to 0, and stars that move in less-bound orbits reaching larger distances from the centre and the Galactic plane. The intermediate-Mg stars exhibit different orbital characteristics, moving with a strong prograde rotation and low excentricity, but in less-bound orbits. This stellar population resembles the two stellar overdensities lying about $|z| \sim 5$ kpc recently reported in the literature, for which a disc origin has been claimed.

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arXiv2019

The assembly history of the Galactic inner halo inferred from alpha-patterns

We explore the origin of the observed decline in [O/Fe] (and [Mg/Fe]) with Galactocentric distance for high-metallicity stars ([Fe/H] > -1.1), based on a sample of halo stars selected within the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) fourteenth data release (DR14). We also analyse the characteristics of the [$α$/Fe] distributions in the inner-halo regions inferred from two zoom-in Milky Way mass-sized galaxies that are taken as case studies. One of them qualitatively reproduces the observed trend to have higher fraction of $α$-rich star for decreasing galactocentric distance; the other exhibits the opposite trend. We find that stars with [Fe/H] > -1.1 located in the range [15 - 30] kpc are consistent with formation in two starbursts, with maxima separated by about ~ 1 Gyr. We explore the contributions of stellar populations with different origin to the [$α$/Fe] gradients detected in stars with [Fe/H] > -1.1. Our analysis reveals that the simulated halo that best matches the observed chemical trends is characterised by an accretion history involving low to intermediate-mass satellite galaxies with a short and intense burst of star formation, and contributions from a more massive satellite with dynamical masses about ~ 10$^{10}$M$_{\odot}$, distributing low-[$α$/Fe] stars at intermediate radius.

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arXiv2017

Disentangling the Galactic Halo with APOGEE: II. Chemical and Star Formation Histories for the Two Distinct Populations

The formation processes that led to the current Galactic stellar halo are still under debate. Previous studies have provided evidence for different stellar populations in terms of elemental abundances and kinematics, pointing to different chemical and star-formation histories. In the present work we explore, over a broader range in metallicity (-2.2 < [Fe/H] < -0.5), the two stellar populations detected in the first paper of this series from metal-poor stars in DR13 of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE). We aim to infer signatures of the initial mass function (IMF) and the most APOGEE-reliable alpha-elements (O, Mg, Si and Ca). Using simple chemical-evolution models, for each population. Compared with the low-alpha population, we obtain a more intense and longer-lived SFH, and a top-heavier IMF for the high-alpha population.

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arXiv2017

Disentangling the Galactic Halo with APOGEE: I. Chemical and Kinematical Investigation of Distinct Metal-Poor Populations

We find two chemically distinct populations separated relatively cleanly in the [Fe/H] - [Mg/Fe] plane, but also distinguished in other chemical planes, among metal-poor stars (primarily with metallicities [Fe/H] $< -0.9$) observed by the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) and analyzed for Data Release 13 (DR13) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. These two stellar populations show the most significant differences in their [X/Fe] ratios for the $α$-elements, C+N, Al, and Ni. In addition to these populations having differing chemistry, the low metallicity high-Mg population (which we denote the HMg population) exhibits a significant net Galactic rotation, whereas the low-Mg population (or LMg population) has halo-like kinematics with little to no net rotation. Based on its properties, the origin of the LMg population is likely as an accreted population of stars. The HMg population shows chemistry (and to an extent kinematics) similar to the thick disk, and is likely associated with $\it in$ $\it situ$ formation. The distinction between the LMg and HMg populations mimics the differences between the populations of low- and high-$α$ halo stars found in previous studies, suggesting that these are samples of the same two populations.

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arXiv2014

CCD $UBV(RI)_{C}$ Photometry of Twenty Open Clusters

Fundamental astrophysical parameters have been derived for 20 open clusters (O\!Cs) using CCD~$U\!BV\!(RI)_C$ photometric data observed with the 84~cm telescope at the San Pedro Mártir National Astronomical Observatory, México. The interstellar reddenings, metallicities, distances, and ages have been compared to the literature values. Significant differences are usually due to the usage of diverse empirical calibrations and differing assumptions, such as concerning cluster metallicity, as well as distinct isochrones which correspond to differing element-abundance ratios, internal stellar physics, and photometric systems. Different interstellar reddenings, as well as varying reduction and cluster-membership techniques, are also responsible for these kinds of systematic differences and errors. The morphological ages, which are derived from the morphological indices ($δV$ and $δ1$) in the CM diagrams, are in good agreement with the isochrone ages of 12 O\!Cs, those with good red clump (RC) and red giant (RG) star candidates. No metal abundance gradient is detected for the range $6.82 \leq R_{GC} \leq 15.37$ kpc, nor any correlation between the cluster ages and metal abundances for these 20 O\!Cs. Young, metal-poor O\!Cs, observed here in the third Galactic quadrant, may be associated with stellar over-densities, such as that in Canis Major (Martin et al.) and the Monoceros Ring (Newberg et al.), or signatures of past accretion events, as discussed by Yong et al. and Carraro et al.

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arXiv2013

The evolution of C and O abundances in stellar populations

Carbon and oxygen abundances in F and G main-sequence stars ranging in metallicity from [Fe/H] = -1.6 to +0.5 are determined from a non-LTE analysis of CI and OI atomic lines in high-resolution spectra. Both C and O are good tracers of stellar populations; distinct trends of [C/Fe] and [O/Fe] as a function of [Fe/H] are found for high- and low-alpha halo stars and for thick- and thin-disk stars. These trends and that of [C/O] provide new information on the nucleosynthesis sites of carbon and the time-scale for the chemical enrichment of the various Galactic components.

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arXiv2012

Empirical Calibration of the Physical Parameters of Solar-like stars using uvby-Strömgren Photometry

We present an empirical calibration of the physical parameters of A, F and early G-type stars of luminosity class V. We have used a statistical approach based on a sample of about 15 000 stars having both uvby-Strömgren photomerty (Hauck & Mermilliod 1998) and spectral types taken from SIMBAD. Stars closer than 70 pc have been considered reddening-free. In this paper we present the results for 1900 stars within 70 pc. Mean unreddened measurements have been used as input to CHORIZOS (Maíz-Apellániz 2004). By assuming "solar metallicity" ([Fe/H]=0), we have been able to determine effective temperatures (Teff) and surface gravities (log g) for each spectral type. We have found a tight correlations among the observations and the derived physical parameters; for example, Teff can be expressed as a cubic polynomial in (b-y)o. From the distribution of colors and indices for 128 stars and their associated physical parameters we have proposed an alternative definition for solar-analogs: stars whose classification is G2 V with (b-y)o=0.3927+/-0.0190, (m1)o = 0.1901+/-0.0143, and (c1)o=0.3302+/-0.0388, Teff=5930+/-145, and log g =4.70+/-0.33. These values are consistent with previous empirical results; however, (m1)o differs from a recent model-based value for this index derived by Meléndez et al. (2010). This discrepancy points out the actual solar metallicity problem. We suggest that our sample of solar analogs could be useful for searches of solar twins and exoplanets.

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arXiv2011

Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. III. Evidence from stellar ages and orbital parameters

In Papers I and II of this series, the existence of two distinct halo populations of stars have been found in the solar neighborhood. Precise relative ages and orbital parameters are determined for 67 halo and 16 thick-disk stars having metallicities in the range -1.4 < [Fe/H] < -0.4 to better understand the context of the two halo populations in the formation and evolution of the Galaxy. Ages are derived by comparing the positions of stars in the logT_{eff}-log(g) diagram with isochrones from the Y^2 models interpolated to the exact [Fe/H] and [alpha/Fe] values of each star. Possible systematic errors in T_{eff} and log(g) are considered and corrected. With space velocities from Paper I as initial conditions, orbital integrations have been carried out using a detailed, observationally constrained Milky Way model including a bar and spiral arms. The `high-alpha' halo stars have ages 2-3 Gyr larger than the `low-alpha' ones. The orbital parameters show very distinct differences between the `high-alpha' and `low-alpha' halo stars. The `low-alpha' ones have r_{max}'s to 30-40 kpc, z_{max}'s to approx. 18 kpc, and e_{max}'s clumped at values greater than 0.85, while the `high-alpha' ones, r_{max}'s to about 16 kpc, z_{max}'s to 6-8 kpc, and e_{max} more or less uniformly distributed over 0.4-1.0. A dual in situ-plus-accretion formation scenario best explains the existence and characteristics of these two halo populations, but one remaining defect is that this model is not consistent regarding the r_{max}'s obtained for the in situ `high-alpha' component; the predicted values are too small. It appears that omega Cen may have contributed in a significant way to the existence of the `low-alpha' component; recent models, including dynamical friction and tidal stripping, have produced orbital parameters as great as those of the `low-alpha' component.

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arXiv2011

Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. II. Evidence from stellar abundances of Mn, Cu, Zn, Y, and Ba

A previous study (Nissen & Schuster 2010) of 94 dwarf stars with -1.6 < [Fe/H] < -0.4 has revealed the existence of two distinct halo populations with a systematic difference in [alpha/Fe] at a given metallicity. In continuation of that work, abundances of Mn, Cu, Zn, Y, and Ba are determined for the same sample of stars. Equivalent widths of atomic lines are measured from high resolution VLT/UVES and NOT/FIES spectra and used to derive precise abundance ratios from an LTE analysis based on MARCS model atmospheres. Systematic differences between the `high-alpha' and `low-alpha' halo populations are found for [Cu/Fe], [Zn/Fe], and [Ba/Y], whereas there is no significant difference in the case of [Mn/Fe]. At a given metallicity, [Cu/Fe] shows a large scatter that is closely correlated with a corresponding scatter in [Na/Fe] and [Ni/Fe]. The metallicity trends of [Cu/Fe], [Zn/Fe], and [Ba/Y] can be explained from existing nucleosynthesis calculations if the high-alpha stars formed in regions with such a high star formation rate that only massive stars and Type II supernovae contributed to the chemical enrichment. The low-alpha stars, on the other hand, most likely originate from systems with a slower chemical evolution, characterized by additional enrichment from Type Ia supernovae and low-mass AGB stars.

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arXiv2010

CCD UBVRI Photometry of the Galactic open clusters: Be~89, Ru~135, and Be~10

The fundamental parameters of reddening, metallicity, age, and distance are presented for the poorly studied open clusters Be~89, Ru~135, and Be~10, derived from their CCD UBVRI photometry. By fitting the appropriate isochrones to the observed sequences of the clusters in five different color--magnitude diagrams, the weighted averages of distance moduli and heliocentric distances ($(V_0$--$M_{V}), d$(kpc)) are $(11\fm90\pm 0\fm06, 2.4\pm 0.06$) for Be~89, $(9\fm58\pm 0\fm07, 0.81\pm 0.03$) for Ru~135, and $(11\fm16\pm 0\fm06, 1.7 \pm 0.05$) for Be~10, and the weighted averages of the ages $(\log(A), A$(Gyr)) are $(9.58\pm 0.06, 3.8\pm 0.6)$ for Be~89, $(9.58\pm 0.06, 3.8\pm 0.7)$ for Ru~135, and $(9.06\pm 0.05, 1.08\pm 0.08)$ for Be~10.

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arXiv2010

Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. Evidence from stellar abundance ratios and kinematics

Precise abundance ratios are determined for 94 dwarf stars with 5200 < Teff < 6300 K, -1.6 < [Fe/H] < -0.4, and distances D < 335 pc. Most of them have halo kinematics, but 16 thick-disk stars are included. Equivalent widths of atomic lines are measured from VLT/UVES and NOT/FIES spectra with resolutions R = 55000 and R = 40000, respectively. An LTE abundance analysis based on MARCS models is applied to derive precise differential abundance ratios of Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, and Ni with respect to Fe. The halo stars fall into two populations, clearly separated in [alpha/Fe], where alpha refers to the average abundance of Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti. Differences in [Na/Fe] and [Ni/Fe] are also present with a remarkably clear correlation between these two abundance ratios. The `high-alpha' stars may be ancient disk or bulge stars `heated' to halo kinematics by merging satellite galaxies or they could have formed as the first stars during the collapse of a proto-Galactic gas cloud. The kinematics of the `low-alpha' stars suggest that they have been accreted from dwarf galaxies, and that some of them may originate from the omega Cen progenitor galaxy.

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arXiv2009

New intrinsic-colour calibration for $uvby$--$β$ photometry

A new intrinsic-colour calibration ($(b$--$y)_{o}$--$β$) is presented for the $uvby$--$β$ photometric system, making use of re-calibrated Hipparcos parallaxes and published reddening maps. This new calibration for $(b$--$y)_{o}$--$β$, our Equation (1), has been based upon stars with $d_{Hip} < 70$ pc in the photometric catalogues of Schuster et al. (1988, 1993, 2006), provides a small dispersion, $\pm0.009$, and has a positive ``standard'' $+2.239Δβ$ coefficient, which is not too different from the coefficients of Crawford (+1.11; 1975a) and of Olsen (+1.34; 1988). For 61 stars with spectra from CASPEC, UVES/VLT, and FIES/NOT databases, without detectable Na I lines, the average reddening value $ = -0.001\pm0.002$ shows that any zero-point correction to our intrinsic-colour equation must be minuscule.

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arXiv2008

The Galactic Disk-Halo transition - Evidence from Stellar Abundances

New information on the relations between the Galactic disks, the halo, and satellite galaxies is being obtained from elemental abundances of stars having metallicities in the range -1.5 < [Fe/H] < -0.5. The first results for a sample of 26 halo stars and 13 thick-disk stars observed with the ESO VLT/UVES spectrograph are presented. The halo stars fall in two distinct groups: One group (9 stars) has [alpha/Fe]= 0.30 +-0.03 like the thick-disk stars. The other group (17 stars) shows a clearly deviating trend ranging from [alpha/Fe]= 0.20 at [Fe/H]= -1.3 to [alpha/Fe]= 0.08 at [Fe/H]= -0.8. The kinematics of the stars are discussed and the abundance ratios Na/Fe, Ni/Fe, Cu/Fe and Ba/Y are applied to see if the low-alpha stars are connected to the thin disk or to Milky Way satellite galaxies. Furthermore, we compare our data with simulations of chemical abundance distributions in hierarchically formed stellar halos in a LambdaCDM Universe.

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