Antonio Frasca

A PRECISE ASTEROSEISMIC AGE AND RADIUS FOR THE EVOLVED SUN-LIKE STAR KIC 11026764

The primary science goal of the Kepler Mission is to provide a census of exoplanets in the solar neighborhood, including the identification and characterization of habitable Earth-like planets. The asteroseismic capabilities of the mission are being used to determine precise radii and ages for the target stars from their solar-like oscillations. Chaplin et al. published observations of three bright G-type stars, which were monitored during the first 33.5 days of science operations. One of these stars, the subgiant KIC 11026764, exhibits a characteristic pattern of oscillation frequencies suggesting that it has evolved significantly. We have derived asteroseismic estimates of the properties of KIC 11026764 from Kepler photometry combined with ground-based spectroscopic data. We present the results of detailed modeling for this star, employing a variety of independent codes and analyses that attempt to match the asteroseismic and spectroscopic constraints simultaneously. We determine both the radius and the age of KIC 11026764 with a precision near 1%, and an accuracy near 2% for the radius and 15% for the age. Continued observations of this star promise to reveal additional oscillation frequencies that will further improve the determination of its fundamental properties.

The Spitzer c2d Survey of Large, Nearby, Interstellar Clouds. X. The Chamaeleon II Pre-Main-Sequence Population as Observed with IRAC and MIPS

We discuss the results from the combined IRAC and MIPS c2d Spitzer Legacy survey observations and complementary optical and NIR data of the Chamaeleon II (Cha II) dark cloud. We perform a census of the young population in an area of similar to 1.75 deg^(2) and study the spatial distribution and properties of the cloud members and candidate pre-main-sequence (PMS) objects and their circumstellar matter. Our census is complete down to the substellar regime (M approximate to 0.03 M☉). From the analysis of the volume density of the PMS objects and candidates we find two groups of objects with volume densities higher than 25 M☉ pc^(-3) and 5-10 members each. A multiplicity fraction of about 13% +/- 3% is observed for objects with separations 0.8 < θ < 6.0 (142-1065 AU). No evidence for variability between the two epochs of the c2d IRAC data set, Δt ~ 6 hr, is detected. We estimate a star formation efficiency of 1%-4%, consistent with the estimates for Taurus and Lupus, but lower than for Cha I. This might mean that different star formation activities in the Chamaeleon clouds reflect a different history of star formation. We also find that Cha II is turning some 6-7 M☉ into stars every Myr, which is low in comparison with the star formation rate in other c2d clouds. The disk fraction of 70%-80% that we estimate in Cha II is much higher than in other star-forming regions and indicates that the population in this cloud is dominated by objects with active accretion. Finally, the Cha II outflows are discussed; a new Herbig-Haro outflow, HH 939, driven by the classical T Tauri star Sz 50, has been discovered.

The young population of the Chamaeleon II dark cloud

We discuss the results of the optical spectroscopic follow-up of pre-main-sequence (PMS) objects and candidates selected in the Chamaeleon II dark cloud based on data from the Spitzer Legacy survey From Molecular Cores to Planet Forming Disks (c2d) and from previous surveys. Our sample includes both objects with infrared excess selected according to c2d criteria and referred to as young stellar objects and other cloud members and candidates selected from complementary optical and near-infrared data. We characterize the sample of objects by deriving their physical parameters. The vast majority of objects have masses M ≤ 1 M_☉ and ages <6 Myr. Several of the PMS objects and candidates lie very close to or below the hydrogen-burning limit. A first estimate of the slope of the initial mass function in Cha II is consistent with that of other T associations. The star formation efficiency in the cloud (1%-4%) is consistent with our own estimates for Taurus and Lupus, but significantly lower than for Cha I. This might mean that different star formation activities in the Chamaeleon clouds may reflect a different history of star formation. We also find that the Cha II cloud is turning some 8 M_☉ into stars every megayear, which is less than the star formation rate in the other c2d clouds. However, the star formation rate is not steady and evidence is found that the star formation in Cha II might have occurred very rapidly. The Hα emission of the Cha II PMS objects, as well as possible correlations between their stellar and disk properties, is also investigated.

Atmospheric parameters of 169 F-, G-, K- and M-type stars in the Kepler field

The asteroseismic and planetary studies, like all research related to stars, need precise and accurate stellar atmospheric parameters as input. We aim at deriving the effective temperature (Teff), the surface gravity (logg), the metallicity ([Fe/H]), the projected rotational velocity (v sini) and the MK type for 169 F, G, K, and M-type Kepler targets which were observed spectroscopically from the ground with five different instruments. We use two different spectroscopic methods to analyse 189 high-resolution, high-signalto-noise spectra acquired for the 169 stars. For 67 stars, the spectroscopic atmospheric parameters are derived for the first time. KIC 9693187 and 11179629 are discovered to be double-lined spectroscopic binary systems. The results obtained for those stars for which independent determinations of the atmospheric parameters are available in the literature are used for a comparative analysis. As a result, we show that for solar-type stars the accuracy of present determinations of atmospheric parameters is ± 150 K in Teff, ± 0.15 dex in [Fe/H], and ± 0.3 dex in logg. Finally, we confirm that the curveof-growth analysis and the method of spectral synthesis yield systematically different atmospheric parameters when they are applied to stars hotter than 6,000 K.

The star formation in the L1615/L1616 Cometary Cloud

The present work aims at performing a comprehensive census and characterization of the pre-main-sequence (PMS) population in the cometary cloud L1615/L1616, in order to assess the significance of the triggered star formation scenario and investigate the impact of massive stars on its star formation history and mass spectrum. Our study is based on UBVRCIC and JHKs photometry, as well as optical multiobject spectroscopy. We performed a physical parameterization of the young stellar population in L1615/L1616. We identified 25 new T Tauri stars mainly projected on the dense head of the cometary cloud, almost doubling the current number of known members. We studied the spatial distribution of the cloud members as a function of the age and H? emission. The star formation efficiency (SFE) in the cloud is ~7%-8%, as expected for molecular clouds in the vicinity of OB associations. The slope of the initial mass function (IMF), in the mass range -->0.1 M? ? M ? 5.5 M?, is consistent with that of other T and OB associations, providing further support of a universal IMF down to the hydrogen-burning limit, regardless of environmental conditions. The cometary appearance, as well as the high SFE, can be explained in terms of triggered star formation induced by the strong UV radiation from OB stars or supernova shock waves. The age spread and both the spatial and age distribution of the PMS objects provide strong evidence of sequential, multiple events and possibly still ongoing star formation activity in the cloud.

Abundant crystalline silicates in the disk of a very low mass star

We announce the discovery of SST-Lup3-1, a very low mass star close to the brown dwarf boundary in Lupus III with a circum(sub)stellar disk, discovered by the Cores to Disks Spitzer Legacy Program from mid-infrared, with very conspicuous crystalline silicate features in its spectrum. It is the first of such objects with a full 5-35 μm spectrum taken with the IRS, and it shows strong 10 and 20 μm silicate features with high feature-to-continuum ratios and clear crystalline features out to 33 μm. The dust in the disk upper layer has a crystalline silicate grain fraction between 15% and 33%, depending on the assumed dust continuum. The availability of the full Spitzer infrared spectrum allows an analysis of the dust composition as a function of temperature and position in the disk. The hot (~300 K) dust responsible for the 10 μm feature consists of a roughly equal mix of small (~0.1 μm) and large (~1.5 μm) grains, whereas the cold (~70 K) dust responsible for the longer wavelength silicate features contains primarily large grains (>1 μm). Since the cold dust emission arises from deeper layers in the inner (<3 AU) disk as well as from the surface layers of the outer (3-5 AU) disk, this provides direct evidence for combined grain growth and settling in the disk. The inferred crystalline mass fractions in the two components are comparable. Since only the inner 0.02 AU of the disk is warm enough to anneal the amorphous silicate grains, even the lowest fraction of 15% of crystalline material requires either very efficient mixing or other formation mechanisms.

Photospheric and Chromospheric Active Regions in Four Young Solar-Type Stars*

We present a photometric and spectroscopic study of four G-K dwarfs, namely HD 166, Eri, ?1 Ori, and ?1 Cet. In three cases, we find a clear spatial association between photospheric and chromospheric active regions. For ?1 Ori we do not find appreciable variations of photospheric temperature or chromospheric H? emission. We applied a spot/plage model to the observed rotational modulation of temperature and flux to derive spot/plage parameters and to reconstruct a rough three-dimensional map of the outer atmosphere of ?1 Cet, HD 166, and Eri.

A multisite photometric campaign on the pre-main-sequence delta Scuti pulsator IP Persei

We present the results of a photometric multisite campaign on the 6 Scuti Pre-Main-Sequence star IP Per. Nine telescopes have been involved in the observations, with a total of about 190 h of observations over 38 nights. Present data confirms the multiperiodic nature of this star and leads to the identification of at least nine pulsational frequencies. Comparison with the predictions of linear non-adiabatic radial pulsation models allowed us to identify only five of the nine observed frequencies, and to constrain the position of IP Per in the HR diagram. The latter is in good agreement with the empirical determination of the stellar parameters obtained by Miroshnichenko et al. (2001, A&A, 377, 854). An initial interpretation of the observed frequencies using the Aarhus non-radial pulsation code suggests that three frequencies could be associated with non-radial (l = 2) modes. Finally, we present new evolutionary and pulsation models at lower metallicity (Z = 0.008) to take into account the possibility that IP Per is metal deficient, as indicated by Miroshnichenko et al. (2001, A&A, 377, 854).

Asteroseismology of solar-type stars with Kepler: III. Ground-based data

We report on the ground-based follow-up program of spectroscopic and photometric observations of solar-like asteroseismic targets for the Kepler space mission. These stars constitute a large group of more than a thousand objects which are the subject of an intensive study by the Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortium Working Group 1 (KASC WG-1). In the current work we will discuss the methods we use to determine the fundamental stellar atmospheric parameters using high-quality stellar spectra. These provide essential constraints for the asteroseismic modelling and make it possible to verify the parameters in the Kepler Input Catalogue (KIC) (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A spectroscopic study of the Algol-type binaries S Equulei and KO Aquilae: absolute parameters and mass transfer

We present and analyse high-resolution optical spectra of two Algol binaries, namely S Equ and KO Aql, obtained with the echelle spectrograph at Catania Astrophysical Observatory. New accurate radial velocities (RVs) for the hotter primary components are obtained. Thanks to the cross-correlation procedure, we were able to measure, for the first time to our knowledge, RVs also for the cool secondary components of S Equ and KO Aql. By combining the parameters obtained from the solution of the RV curves with those obtained from the light-curve analysis, reliable absolute parameters of the systems have been derived. The rotational velocity of the hotter components of S Equ and KO Aql has been measured and it is found that the gainers of both systems rotate about 30 per cent faster than synchronously. This is likely due to mass transfer across the Lagrangian L1 point from the cooler to the hotter component. The lower luminosity of the mass-gaining components of these systems compared to normal mainsequence stars of the same mass can also be an effect of the mass transfer. The Hα profiles were analysed with the ‘synthesis and subtraction’ technique and reveal clear evidence of mass transfer and accretion structures. In both systems, especially before the primary eclipses and afterwards, we clearly observed extra absorption lines. From the integrated absorption and the RV variations of these features, we found that the mass accretion is very dense around the impact region of the hotter components. A double-peaked emission in the spectra of S Equ was seen outside the eclipses. One of these peaks is likely originated in a region between the centre of mass and the cooler component, which is occupied by the flowing matter. Furthermore, the Hα difference spectra of S Equ and KO Aql also display emission features, which should be arising from the magnetic activity of the cooler components.