Richard Scuflaire

CLÉS, Code Liégeois d'Évolution Stellaire

Abstract CLÉS is an evolution code recently developed to produce stellar models meeting the specific requirements of studies in asteroseismology. It offers the users a lot of choices in the input physics they want in their models and its versatility allows them to tailor the code to their needs and implement easily new features. We describe the features implemented in the current version of the code and the techniques used to solve the equations of stellar structure and evolution. A brief account is given of the use of the program and of a solar calibration realized with it.

The Liège Oscillation code

Abstract The Liège Oscillation code can be used as a stand-alone program or as a library of subroutines that the user calls from a Fortran main program of his own to compute radial and nonradial adiabatic oscillations of stellar models. We describe the variables and the equations used by the program and the methods used to solve them. A brief account is given of the use and the output of the program.

An asteroseismic study of the β Cephei star θ Ophiuchi: constraints on global stellar parameters and core overshooting

We present a seismic study of the β Cephei star θ Ophiuchi. Our analysis is based on the observation of one radial mode, one rotationally split � = 1 triplet and three components of a rotationally split � = 2 quintuplet for which the m values were well identified by spectroscopy. We identify the radial mode as fundamental, the triplet as p1 and the quintuplet as g1. Our non-local thermodynamic equilibrium abundance analysis results in a metallicity and CNO abundances in full agreement with the most recent updated solar values. With X ∈ [0.71, 0.7211] and Z ∈ [0.009, 0.015], and using the Asplund et al. mixture but with a Ne abundance about 0.3 dex larger, the matching of the three independent modes enables us to deduce constrained ranges for the mass (M = 8.2 ± 0.3 M� ) and central hydrogen abundance (Xc = 0.38 ± 0.02) of θ Oph and to prove the occurrence of core overshooting (αov = 0.44 ± 0.07). We also derive an equatorial rotation velocity of 29 ± 7k m s −1 . Moreover, we show that the observed non-equidistance of the � = 1 triplet can be reproduced by the second-order effects of rotation. Finally, we show that the observed rotational splitting of two modes cannot rule out a rigid rotation model.

Testing Convective-core Overshooting Using Period Spacings of Dipole Modes in Red Giants

Uncertainties on central mixing in main-sequence (MS) and core He-burning (He-B) phases affect key predictions of stellar evolution such as late evolutionary phases, chemical enrichment, ages, etc. We propose a test of the extension of extra-mixing in two relevant evolutionary phases based on period spacing (ΔP) of solar-like oscillating giants. From stellar models and their corresponding adiabatic frequencies (respectively, computed with ATON and LOSC codes), we provide the first predictions of the observable ΔP for stars in the red giant branch and in the red clump (RC). We find (1) a clear correlation between ΔP and the mass of the helium core (M He); the latter in intermediate-mass stars depends on the MS overshooting, and hence it can be used to set constraints on extra-mixing during MS when coupled with chemical composition; and (2) a linear dependence of the average value of the asymptotic period spacing (ΔP a ) on the size of the convective core during the He-B phase. A first comparison with the inferred asymptotic period spacing for Kepler RC stars also suggests the need for extra-mixing during this phase, as evinced from other observational facts.

Evidence for a sharp structure variation inside a red-giant star

Context. The availability of precisely determined frequencies of radial and non-radial oscillation modes in red giants is finally paving the way for detailed studies of the internal structure of these stars. Aims. We look for the seismic signature of regions of sharp structure variation in the internal structure of the CoRoT target HR 7349. Methods. We analyse the frequency dependence of the large frequency separation and second frequency differences, as well as the behaviour of the large frequency separation obtained with the envelope auto-correlation function. Results. We find evidence for a periodic component in the oscillation frequencies, i.e. the seismic signature of a sharp structure variation in HR 7349. In a comparison with stellar models we interpret this feature as caused by a local depression of the sound speed that occurs in the helium second-ionization region. Using solely seismic constraints this allows us to estimate the mass (M = 1.2 +0.6 −0.4 M� ) and radius (R = 12.2 +2.1 −1.8 R� ) of HR 7349, which agrees with the location of the star in an HR diagram.

SEISMIC DIAGNOSTICS OF RED GIANTS: FIRST COMPARISON WITH STELLAR MODELS

The clear detection with CoRoT and KEPLER of radial and non-radial solar-like oscillations in many red giants paves the way for seismic inferences on the structure of such stars. We present an overview of the properties of the adiabatic frequencies and frequency separations of radial and non-radial oscillation modes for an extended grid of models. We highlight how their detection allows a deeper insight into the internal structure and evolutionary state of red giants. In particular, we find that the properties of dipole modes constitute a promising seismic diagnostic tool of the evolutionary state of red giant stars. We compare our theoretical predictions with the first 34 days of KEPLER data and predict the frequency diagram expected for red giants in the CoRoT exofield in the galactic center direction.

Influence of non-adiabatic temperature variations on line profile variations of slowly rotating beta Cep stars and SPBs - I. Non-adiabatic eigenfunctions in the atmosphere of a pulsating star

In this study, we compute theoretical line proles of a non-radially pulsating star, taking the non- adiabatic eects into account. These non-adiabatic eects are especially important in the atmosphere, where the spectral lines are formed, and must be accounted for. In this rst paper of the series, we present a new treatment of the perturbed thermal and dynamical equations in the atmosphere of a pulsating star. We apply our formalism to the computation of non-adiabatic eigenfunctions in a typical Cephei star with low order p-modes and in a typical slowly pulsating B star with high-order g-modes.

He and Si surface inhomogeneities of four Bp variable stars

We present ground-based multi-colour Geneva photometry and high-resolution spectra of four variable B-type stars: HD 105382, HD 131120, HD 138769 and HD55522. All sets of data reveal monoperiodic stars. A comparison of moment variations of two spectral lines, one silicon line and one helium line, allows us to exclude the pulsation model as being the cause of the observed variability of the four stars. We therefore delete the four stars from the list of candidate slowly pulsating B stars. We attribute the line-profile variations to non-homogeneous distributions of elements on the stellar surface and we derive abundance maps for both elements on the stellar surface by means of the Doppler Imaging technique. We confirm HD 131120 to be a He-weak star and we classify HD 105382, HD 138769 as new He-weak stars. HD 55522 has the solar helium abundance but the mean abundance value of He varies by 0.8 dex during the stellar rotation. For HD 131120 and HD 105382, helium is enhanced in regions of the stellar surface where silicon is depleted and depleted in regions where silicon is enhanced.

Solar-Like Oscillations in a Massive Star

Star Gazing Seismology of stars provides a unique insight into physical mechanisms taking place in their interior. Like the Sun, some stars have low-amplitude pulsations that are excited by turbulent convection in their outer layers. Belkacem et al. (p. 1540), using data gathered by the CoRoT satellite, report on low-amplitude, solar-like oscillations in a massive star that undergoes radial pulsations as a result of expanding and contracting layers in its interior. The finding opens the possibility of probing the interiors of this type of massive star, which can be the progenitors of supernovae. A huge star has been discovered that shows a variety of regular patterns of pulsation. Seismology of stars provides insight into the physical mechanisms taking place in their interior, with modes of oscillation probing different layers. Low-amplitude acoustic oscillations excited by turbulent convection were detected four decades ago in the Sun and more recently in low-mass main-sequence stars. Using data gathered by the Convection Rotation and Planetary Transits mission, we report here on the detection of solar-like oscillations in a massive star, V1449 Aql, which is a known large-amplitude (β Cephei) pulsator.

Long term photometric monitoring with the Mercator telescope - Frequencies and mode identification of variable O-B stars

Aims. We selected a large sample of O-B stars that were considered as (candidate) slowly pulsating B, beta Cep, and Maia stars after the analysis of their hipparcos data. We analysed our new seven passband geneva data collected for these stars during the first three years of scientific operations of the mercator telescope. We performed a frequency analysis for 28 targets with more than 50 high-quality measurements to improve their variability classification. For the pulsating stars, we tried both to identify the modes and to search for rotationally split modes. Methods: We searched for frequencies in all the geneva passbands and colours by using two independent frequency analysis methods and we applied a 3.6 S/N-level criterion to locate the significant peaks in the periodograms. The modes were identified by applying the method of photometric amplitudes for which we calculated a large, homogeneous grid of equilibrium models to perform a pulsational stability analysis. When both the radius and the projected rotational velocity of an object are known, we determined a lower limit for the rotation frequency to estimate the expected frequency spacings in rotationally split pulsation modes. Results: We detected 61 frequencies, among which 33 are new. We classified 21 objects as pulsating variables (7 new confirmed pulsating stars, including 2 hybrid beta Cep/SPB stars), 6 as non-pulsating variables (binaries or spotted stars), and 1 as photometrically constant. All the Maia candidates were reclassified into other variability classes. We performed mode identification for the pulsating variables for the first time. The most probable l value is 0, 1, 2, and 4 for 1, 31, 9, and 5 modes, respectively, including only 4 unambiguous identifications. For 7 stars we cannot rule out that some of the observed frequencies belong to the same rotationally split mode. For 4 targets we may begin to resolve close frequency multiplets. Based on observations collected with the p7 photometer attached to the Flemish 1.2-m mercator telescope situated at the Roque de los Muchachos observatory on La Palma (Spain). Section [see full text], including Figs. is only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org, and Tables 2 and 3 are only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/463/243