O. G. Benvenuto

The Type IIb Supernova 2011dh from a Supergiant Progenitor

A set of hydrodynamical models based on stellar evolutionary progenitors is used to study the nature of SN 2011dh. Our modeling suggests that a large progenitor star-with R {approx} 200 R{sub Sun }-is needed to reproduce the early light curve (LC) of SN 2011dh. This is consistent with the suggestion that the yellow super-giant star detected at the location of the supernova (SN) in deep pre-explosion images is the progenitor star. From the main peak of the bolometric LC and expansion velocities, we constrain the mass of the ejecta to be Almost-Equal-To 2 M{sub Sun }, the explosion energy to be E = (6-10) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 50} erg, and the {sup 56}Ni mass to be approximately 0.06 M{sub Sun }. The progenitor star was composed of a helium core of 3-4 M{sub Sun} and a thin hydrogen-rich envelope of Almost-Equal-To 0.1M{sub Sun} with a main-sequence mass estimated to be in the range of 12-15 M{sub Sun }. Our models rule out progenitors with helium-core masses larger than 8 M{sub Sun }, which correspond to M{sub ZAMS} {approx}> 25M{sub Sun }. This suggests that a single star evolutionary scenario for SN 2011dh is unlikely.

Grids of white dwarf evolutionary models with masses from M = 0.1 to 1.2 m⊙

We present detailed evolutionary calculations for carbon--oxygen- and helium-core white dwarf models with masses ranging from M= 0.1 to 1.2 M⊙ and for metallicities Z = 0.001 and 0. The sequences cover a wide range of hydrogen envelopes as well. We have taken finite-temperature effects fully into account by means of a detailed white dwarf evolutionary code, in which updated radiative opacities and equations of state for hydrogen and helium plasmas are considered. The energy transport by convection is treated within the formalism of the full-spectrum turbulence theory, as given by the self-consistent model of Canuto, Goldman & Mazzitelli. Convective mixing, crystallization, hydrogen burning and neutrino energy losses are taken into account as well. The set of models presented here is very detailed and should be valuable, particularly for the interpretation of observational data on low-mass white dwarfs recently discovered in numerous binary configurations, and also for the general problem of determining the theoretical luminosity function for white dwarfs. In this context, we compare our cooling sequences with the observed white dwarf luminosity function recently improved by Leggett, Ruiz & Bergeron and we obtain an age for the Galactic disc of ≈ 8 Gyr. Finally, we apply the results of this paper to derive stellar masses of a sample of low-mass white dwarfs.

Evolution of Helium White Dwarfs of Low and Intermediate Masses

We present detailed calculations of the evolution of low-mass, helium white dwarf models with masses from M = 0.1 to M = 0.5 M? at intervals of 0.05 M? and with a metallicity of Z = 10-3. For this purpose, we have taken fully into account finite-temperature effects by means of a detailed and updated stellar evolutionary code, in which the convective energy transport is described according to the new model for turbulent convection developed by Canuto & Mazzitelli. Furthermore, our code considers the most recent opacity data computed by the Livermore Group (OPAL data), and also the new equation of state for helium plasmas developed by Saumon, Chabrier, & Van Horn. Neutrino emission is fully taken into account as well. For models with M ? 0.3 M? we started our calculations from fully convective models located at the helium-Hayashi line for each configuration, far away from the white dwarf regime. By contrast, the evolutionary sequences corresponding to 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, and 0.5 M? were started from initial models resembling white dwarf structures. This was necessary in order to avoid the onset of helium burning. A consequence of this constraint is the existence of a forbidden region in the HR diagram above log (L/L?) = -0.25 and hotter than log Teff = 4.45, where helium white dwarfs can exist only for brief intervals. All the models were evolved to log (L/L?) = -5. The evolutionary tracks in the HR diagram have been carefully analyzed, and we found that the convective efficiency affects the tracks noticeably only in the high-luminosity (pre-white dwarf) regime. We also examined the evolution of central conditions, neutrino luminosity, radii, surface gravity, and ages. Central densities, radii, and surface gravities asymptotically approach the zero temperature Hamada-Salpeter results, as expected. Neutrino losses are important for the more massive helium white dwarf configurations and should be taken into account in detailed evolutionary studies of these objects. Finally, the structure of the outer convective zone was analyzed in both the framework of the mixing length theory (for different convective efficiencies) and the Canuto & Mazzitelli theory. We found that the profile of the outer convective zone given by the Canuto & Mazzitelli model is very different from that given by any version of the mixing length theory. This behavior is critical for pulsational instability; however, stellar parameters such as radius and surface gravity are not significantly affected in the white dwarf domain. These models should be especially suitable for the interpretation of the data about the recently discovered low-mass white dwarfs in systems containing another white dwarf or a millisecond pulsar.

iPTF13bvn: THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF A BINARY PROGENITOR FOR A TYPE Ib SUPERNOVA

The recent detection in archival Hubble Space Telescope images of an object at the location of supernova (SN) iPTF13bvn may represent the first direct evidence of the progenitor of a Type Ib SN. The objects photometry was found to be compatible with a Wolf-Rayet pre-SN star mass of ≈11 M ☉. However, based on hydrodynamical models, we show that the progenitor had a pre-SN mass of ≈3.5 M ☉ and that it could not be larger than ≈8 M ☉. We propose an interacting binary system as the SN progenitor and perform evolutionary calculations that are able to self-consistently explain the light curve shape, the absence of hydrogen, and the pre-SN photometry. We further discuss the range of allowed binary systems and predict that the remaining companion is a luminous O-type star of significantly lower flux in the optical than the pre-SN object. A future detection of such a star may be possible and would provide the first robust identification of a progenitor system for a Type Ib SN.

The potential of the variable DA white dwarf G117–B15A as a tool for fundamental physics

Abstract White dwarfs are well studied objects. The relative simplicity of their physics allows one to obtain very detailed models which can be ultimately compared with their observed properties. Among white dwarfs there are specific classes of stars, known as ZZ-Ceti objects, which have a hydrogen-rich envelope and show periodic variations in their light curves. G117–B15A belongs to this particular set of stars. The luminosity variations have been successfully explained as due to g-mode pulsations. G117–B15A has recently claimed to be the most stable optical clock ever found, being the rate of change of its 215.2 s period very small: P =(2.3±1.4)×10 −15 s s −1 , with a stability comparable to that of the most stable millisecond pulsars. The rate of change of the period is closely related to its cooling timescale, which can be accurately computed. In this paper we study the pulsational properties of G117–B15A and we use the observed rate of change of the period to impose constraints on the axion emissivity and thus, to obtain a preliminary upper bound to the mass of the axion. This upper bound turns out to be 4 cos 2 β meV at the 95% confidence level. Although there are still several observational and theoretical uncertainties, we conclude that G117–B15A is a very promising stellar object to set up constraints on particle physics.

The ages and colours of cool helium-core white dwarf stars

0.406, 0.360, 0.327, 0.292, 0.242, 0.196 and 0.169 M( and follow their evolution from the end of mass-loss episodes, during their pre-white dwarf evolution, down to very low surface luminosities. We find that when the effective temperature decreases below 4000 K, the emergent spectrum of these stars becomes bluer within time-scales of astrophysical interest. In particular, we analyse the evolution of our models in the colour ‐ colour and in the colour ‐ magnitude diagrams and find that helium-core white dwarfs with masses ranging from ,0.18 to 0.3 M( can reach the turn-off in their colours and become blue again within cooling times much less than 15 Gyr and then remain brighter than MV < 16:5. In view of these results, many low-mass helium white dwarfs could have had enough time to evolve to the domain of collision-induced absorption from molecular hydrogen, showing blue colours.

Evolution and colours of helium-core white dwarf stars: the case of low-metallicity progenitors

The present work is designed to explore the evolution of helium-core white dwarf (He WD) stars for the case of metallicities much lower than the solar metallicity (Z= 0.001 and 0.0002). Evolution is followed in a self-consistent way with the predictions of detailed and new non-grey model atmospheres, time-dependent element diffusion and the history of the white dwarf progenitor. Reliable initial models for low-mass He WDs are obtained by applying mass-loss rates to a 1-M⊙ stellar model in such a way that the stellar radius remains close to the Roche lobe radius. The loss of angular momentum caused by gravitational wave emission and magnetic stellar wind braking are considered. Model atmospheres, based on a detailed treatment of the microphysics entering the WD atmosphere (such as the formalism of Hummer–Mihalas to deal with non-ideal effects) and hydrogen line and pseudo-continuum opacities, enable us to provide accurate colours and magnitudes at both early and advanced evolutionary stages. We find that most of our evolutionary sequences experience several episodes of hydrogen thermonuclear flashes. In particular, the lower the metallicity, the larger the minimum stellar mass for the occurrence of flashes induced by CNO cycle reactions. The existence of a mass threshold for the occurrence of diffusion-induced CNO flashes leads to a marked dichotomy in the age of our models. Another finding of this study is that our He WD models experience unstable hydrogen burning via PP nuclear reactions at late cooling stages as a result of hydrogen chemically diffusing inwards. Such PP flashes take place in models with very low metal content. We also find that models experiencing CNO flashes exhibit a pronounced turn-off in most of their colours at MV≈ 16. Finally, colour–magnitude diagrams for our models are presented and compared with recent observational data of He WD candidates in the globular clusters NGC 6397 and 47 Tucanae.

A BLUE POINT SOURCE AT THE LOCATION OF SUPERNOVA 2011DH

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the field of the Type IIb supernova (SN) 2011dh in M51 performed at ~1161 rest-frame days after explosion using the Wide Field Camera 3 and near-UV filters F225W and F336W. A star-like object is detected in both bands and the photometry indicates it has negative (F225W - F336W) color. The observed object is compatible with the companion of the now-vanished yellow supergiant progenitor predicted in interacting binary models. We consider it unlikely that the SN is undergoing strong interaction and thus estimate that it makes a small contribution to the observed flux. The possibilities of having detected an unresolved light echo or an unrelated object are briefly discussed and judged unlikely. Adopting a possible range of extinction by dust, we constrain parameters of the proposed binary system. In particular, the efficiency of mass accretion onto the binary companion must be below 50%, if no significant extinction is produced by newly formed dust. Further multiband observations are required in order to confirm the identification of the object as the companion star. If confirmed, the companion star would already be dominant in the UV/optical regime, so it would readily provide a unique opportunity to perform a detailed study of its properties.

Oligarchic planetesimal accretion and giant planet formation

Aims. In the context of the core instability model, we present calculations of in situ giant planet formation. The oligarchic growth regime of solid protoplanets is the model adopted for the growth of the core. This growth regime for the core has not been considered before in full evolutionary calculations of this kind. Methods. The full differential equations of giant planet formation were numerically solved with an adaptation of a Henyey-type code. The planetesimals accretion rate was coupled in a self-consistent way to the envelope’s evolution. Results. We performed several simulations for the formation of a Jupiter-like object by assuming various surface densities for the protoplanetary disc and two different sizes for the accreted planetesimals. We first focus our study on the atmospheric gas drag that the incoming planetesimals suffer. We find that this effect gives rise to a major enhancement on the effective capture radius of the protoplanet, thus leading to an average timescale reduction of ∼30%–55% and ultimately to an increase by a factor of 2 of the final mass of solids accreted as compared to the situation in which drag effects are neglected. In addition, we also examine the importance of the size of accreted planetesimals on the whole formation process. With regard to this second point, we find that for a swarm of planetesimals having a radius of 10 km, the formation time is a factor 2 to 3 shorter than that of planetesimals of 100 km, the factor depending on the surface density of the nebula. Moreover, planetesimal size does not seem to have a significant impact on the final mass of the core.

The Unusual Super-Luminous Supernovae SN 2011kl and ASASSN-15lh

Two recently discovered very luminous supernovae (SNe) present stimulating cases to explore the extents of the available theoretical models. SN 2011kl represents the first detection of a supernova explosion associated with an ultra-long duration gamma ray burst. ASASSN-15lh was even claimed as the most luminous SN ever discovered, challenging the scenarios so far proposed for stellar explosions. Here we use our radiation hydrodynamics code in order to simulate magnetar powered SNe. To avoid explicitly assuming neutron star properties we adopt the magnetar luminosity and spin-down timescale as free parameters of the model. We find that the light curve (LC) of SN 2011kl is consistent with a magnetar power source, as previously proposed, but we note that some amount of 56^Ni (> 0.08 M_sun) is necessary to explain the low contrast between the LC peak and tail. For the case of ASASSN-15lh we find physically plausible magnetar parameters that reproduce the overall shape of the LC provided the progenitor mass is relatively large (a mass of the ejecta approx 6 M_sun). The ejecta hydrodynamics of this event is dominated by the magnetar input, while the effect is more moderate for SN 2011kl. We conclude that a magnetar model may be used for the interpretation of these events and that the hydrodynamic modeling is necessary to derive the properties of powerful magnetars and their progenitors.