Orsola De Marco

SIMULATING THE COMMON ENVELOPE PHASE OF A RED GIANT USING SMOOTHED-PARTICLE HYDRODYNAMICS AND UNIFORM-GRID CODES

We use three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations to study the rapid infall phase of the common envelope (CE) interaction of a red giant branch star of mass equal to 0.88 M{sub Sun} and a companion star of mass ranging from 0.9 down to 0.1 M{sub Sun }. We first compare the results obtained using two different numerical techniques with different resolutions, and find very good agreement overall. We then compare the outcomes of those simulations with observed systems thought to have gone through a CE. The simulations fail to reproduce those systems in the sense that most of the envelope of the donor remains bound at the end of the simulations and the final orbital separations between the donors remnant and the companion, ranging from 26.8 down to 5.9 R{sub Sun }, are larger than the ones observed. We suggest that this discrepancy vouches for recombination playing an essential role in the ejection of the envelope and/or significant shrinkage of the orbit happening in the subsequent phase.

A Survey for Very Faint Planetary Nebulae in the SMC. I. Identification, Confirmation, and Preliminary Analysis

Using the ESO 2.2 m telescope with the 8K × 8K mosaic CCD, we have surveyed 2.8 deg2 (~16 × 17) of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) to search for faint planetary nebulae (PNs); 34 PNs were previously known in this central region. We identified 25 new PNs, all faint and spectroscopically confirmed. Most of these are spatially extended with typical diameters of ~1 pc, but a few are as large as ~3 pc. Based on the total number of PNs previously known (~80), we can now estimate that there should be ~139 PNs in the SMC to the limits of a survey such as this one, which is complete to 6 mag down the planetary nebulae luminosity function (PNLF). For a complete survey (8 mag down the PNLF), there should be about 216 PNs. Because no new bright PNs were found in this survey, the bright end of the PNLF remains unchanged from that reported by Jacoby, Walker, & Ciardullo. Consequently, the distance modulus to the SMC, derived using the PNLF technique, is still ~19.1. However, a strong new feature is now evident in the PN brightness distribution that may be attributed to central stars evolving from a relatively young population. This feature may serve as an indicator of the ages of the PN progenitors. The survey spectra that were used to confirm the candidates as PNs also provide a clue to the nature of the very faint PNs. Statistically, the fainter PNs of our survey exhibit a high incidence (~28%) of strong [N II] emission [where I([N II])/I(Hα) > 1] relative to the bright Sanduleak et al. sample (~6%) reported by Meatheringham & Dopita, and comparable to the intermediate-brightness Jacoby sample (~26%) reported by Boroson & Liebert. This incidence of strong [N II] is higher than in the Kingsburgh & Barlow sample (~17%) of Galactic PNs, despite the ~3 times higher abundance of nitrogen in the Galaxy. We propose that the very faint SMC PNs are selectively biased toward the chemically enriched Type I objects derived from younger, more massive progenitors and are partially obscured by their own dust. This brightness-dependent population change is also seen in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

Constraints on common envelope magnetic fields from observations of jets in planetary nebulae

The common envelope (CE) interaction describes the swallowing of a nearby companion by a growing, evolving star. CEs that take place during the asymptotic giant branch phase of the primary and may lead to the formation of a planetary nebula (PN) with a post-CE close binary in the middle. We have used published observations of masses and kinematics of jets in four post-CE PN to infer physical characteristics of the C E interaction. In three of the four systems studied, Abell 63, ETHOS 1 and the Necklace PN, the kinematics indicate that the jets were launched a few thousand years before the CE and we favour a scenario where this happened before Roche lobe overflow, although better models of wind accretion and wind Roche lobe overflow are needed. The magnetic fields inferred t o launch pre-CE jets are of the order of a few Gauss. In the fourth case, NGC 6778, the kinematics indicate that the jets were launched about 3000 years after the CE interaction. Magnetic fields of the order of a few hundreds to a few thousands Gauss are inferred in this case, approximately in line with predictions of post-CE magnetic fields. However, we remark t hat in the case of this system, it is impossible to find a reasonable scenario for the formati on of the two jet pairs observed: the small orbital separation would preclude the formation o f even one accretion disk able to supply the necessary accretion rate to cause the observed je ts.

Hydrodynamic Simulations of the Interaction between Giant Stars and Planets

We present the results of hydrodynamic simulations of the interaction between a 10 Jupiter mass planet and a red or asymptotic giant branch stars, both with a zeroage main sequence mass of 3.5 M⊙. Dynamic in-spiral timescales are of the order of few years and a few decades for the red and asymptotic giant branch stars, respectively. The planets will eventually be destroyed at a separation from the core of the giants smaller than the resolution of our simulations, either through evaporation or tidal disruption. As the planets in-spiral, the giant stars’ envelopes are somewhat puffed up. Based on relatively long timescales and even considering the fact that further inspiral should take place before the planets are destroyed, we predict that the merger would be difficult to observe, with only a relatively small, slow brightening. Very little mass is unbound in the process. These conclusions may change if the planet’s orbit enhances the star’s main pulsation modes. Based on the angular momentum transfer, we also suspect that this star-planet interaction may be unable to lead to large scale outflows via the rotation-mediated dynamo effect of Nordhaus and Blackman. Detectable pollution from the destroyed planets would only result for the lightest, lowest metallicity stars. We furthermore find that in both simulations the planets move through the outer stellar envelopes at Mach-3 to Mach-5, reaching Mach-1 towards the end of the simulations. The gravitational drag force decreases and the in-spiral slows down at the sonic transition, as predicted analytically.

An ancient nova shell around the dwarf nova Z Camelopardalis

Cataclysmic variables (classical novae and dwarf novae) are binary star systems in which a red dwarf transfers hydrogen-rich matter, by way of an accretion disk, to its white dwarf companion. In dwarf novae, an instability is believed to episodically dump much of the accretion disk onto the white dwarf. The liberation of gravitational potential energy then brightens these systems by up to 100-fold every few weeks or months. Thermonuclear-powered eruptions thousands of times more luminous occur in classical novae, accompanied by significant mass ejection and formation of clearly visible shells from the ejected material. Theory predicts that the white dwarfs in all dwarf novae must eventually accrete enough mass to undergo classical nova eruptions. Here we report a shell, an order of magnitude more extended than those detected around many classical novae, surrounding the prototypical dwarf nova Z Camelopardalis. The derived shell mass matches that of classical novae, and is inconsistent with the mass expected from a dwarf nova wind or a planetary nebula. The shell observationally links the prototypical dwarf nova Z Camelopardalis with an ancient nova eruption and the classical nova process.

BINARY CENTRAL STARS OF PLANETARY NEBULAE DISCOVERED THROUGH PHOTOMETRIC VARIABILITY. II. MODELING THE CENTRAL STARS OF NGC 6026 AND NGC 6337

Close-binary central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) provide an opportunity to explore the evolution of PNe, their shaping, and the evolution of binary systems undergoing a common-envelope phase. Here, we present the results of time-resolved photometry of the binary central stars (CSs) of the PNe NGCxa06026 and NGCxa06337 as well as time-resolved spectroscopy of the CS of NGCxa06026. The results of a period analysis give an orbital period of 0.528086(4) days for NGCxa06026 and a photometric period of 0.1734742(5) days for NGCxa06337. In the case of NGCxa06337, it appears that the photometric period reflects the orbital period and that the variability is the result of the irradiated hemisphere of a cool companion. The inclination of the thin PN ring is nearly face-on. Our modeled inclination range for the close central binary includes nearly face-on alignments and provides evidence for a direct binary-nebular shaping connection. For NGCxa06026, however, the radial-velocity curve shows that the orbital period is twice the photometric period. In this case, the photometric variability is due to an ellipsoidal effect in which the CS nearly fills its Roche lobe and the companion is most likely a hot white dwarf. NGCxa06026 then is the third PN with a confirmed central binary where the companion is compact. Based on the data and modeling using a Wilson-Devinney code, we discuss the physical parameters of the two systems and how they relate to the known sample of close-binary CSs, which comprise 15%-20% of all PNe.

X-RAY EMISSION FROM THE BINARY CENTRAL STARS OF THE PLANETARY NEBULAE HFG 1, DS 1, AND LOTR 5

Close binary systems undergoing mass transfer or common envelope interactions can account for the morphological properties of some planetary nebulae. The search for close binary companions in planetary nebulae is hindered by the difficulty of detecting cool, late-type, main-sequence companions in binary systems with hot pre-white-dwarf primaries. However, models of binary planetary nebula progenitor systems predict that mass accretion or tidal interactions can induce rapid rotation in the companion, leading to X-ray-emitting coronae. To test such models, we have searched for, and detected, X-ray emission from three binary central stars within planetary nebulae: the post-common envelope close binaries in HFG 1 and DS 1 consisting of O-type subdwarfs with late-type, main-sequence companions and the binary system in LoTr 5 consisting of O-type subdwarf and rapidly rotating, late-type giant companion. The X-ray emission in each case is best characterized by spectral models consisting of two optically thin thermal plasma components with characteristic temperatures of {approx}10 MK and 15-40 MK and total X-ray luminosities {approx}10{sup 30} erg s{sup -1}. We consider the possible origin of the X-ray emission from these binary systems and conclude that the most likely origin is, in each case, a corona around the late-type companion, as predicted bymorexa0» models of interacting binaries.«xa0less

The effect of a wider initial separation on common envelope binary interaction simulations

We present hydrodynamic simulations of the common envelope binary interaction between a giant star and a compact companion with an adaptive mesh refinement and a smooth particle hydrodynamics codes. These simulations mimic the parameters of one of the simulations by Passy et al., but start with a wider orbital separation to assess the influence of a larger initial orbital separation on the common envelope simulation outcome. We conclude that the post-common envelope separation is somewhat larger and the amount of unbound mass slightly greater when the initial separation is wide enough that the giant does not yet overflow or just overflows its Roche lobe. By setting our simulations in the context of those carried out in the past that contain at least one giant star, we conclude the following: the reason for the larger final orbital separation in simulations starting with a wider orbital separation has more to do with the expanded giant at the time of in-spiral and less to do with a larger amount of angular momentum. We also suggest that the large range in unbound mass for different simulations is difficult to explain and may have something to do with simulations that are not fully converged.

OBSERVATIONAL CONFIRMATION OF A LINK BETWEEN COMMON ENVELOPE BINARY INTERACTION AND PLANETARY NEBULA SHAPING

A current issue in the study of planetary nebulae with close binary central stars is the extent to which the binaries affect the shaping of the nebulae. Recent studies have begun to show a high coincidence rate between nebulae with large-scale axial or point symmetries and close binary stars. In addition, combined binary-star and spatio-kinematic modeling of the nebulae have demonstrated that all of the systems studied to date appear to have their central binary axis aligned with the primary axis of the nebula. Here we add two more systems to the list, the central stars and nebulae of NGC 6337 and Sp 1. We show both systems to be low inclination, with their binary axis nearly aligned with our line-of-sight. Their inclinations match published values for the inclinations of their surrounding nebulae. Including these two systems with the existing sample statistically demonstrates a direct link between the central binary and the nebular morphology. In addition to the systems inclinations we give ranges for other orbital parameters from binary modeling, including updated orbital periods for the binary central stars of NGC 6337 and Sp 1.

Identifying close binary central stars of PN with Kepler

Six planetary nebulae (PN) are known in the Kepler space telescope field of view, three newly identified. Of the 5 central stars of PN with useful Kepler data, one, J193110888+4324577, is a short-period, post common envelope binary exhibiting relativistic beaming effects. A second, the central star of the newly identified PN Pa5, has a rare O(He) spectral type and a periodic variability consistent with an evolved companion, where the orbital axis is almost aligned with the line of sight. The third PN, NGC~6826 has a fast rotating central star, something that can only be achieved in a merger. Fourth, the central star of the newly identified PN Kn61, has a PG1159 spectral type and a mysterious semi-periodic light variability which we conjecture to be related to the interplay of binarity with a stellar wind. Finally, the central star of the circular PN A61 does not appear to have a photometric variability above 2 mmag. With the possible exception of the variability of Kn61, all other variability behaviour, whether due to binarity or not, would not easily have been detected from the ground. We conclude, based on very low numbers, that there may be many more close binary or close binary products to be discovered with ultra-high precision photometry. With a larger number of high precision photometric observations we will be able to determine how much higher than the currently known 15 per cent, the short period binary fraction for central stars of PN is likely to be.