In the era of precision cosmology, it is essential to determine the Hubble constant empirically with an accuracy of one per cent or better
. At present, the uncertainty on this constant is dominated ...by the uncertainty in the calibration of the Cepheid period-luminosity relationship
(also known as the Leavitt law). The Large Magellanic Cloud has traditionally served as the best galaxy with which to calibrate Cepheid period-luminosity relations, and as a result has become the best anchor point for the cosmic distance scale
. Eclipsing binary systems composed of late-type stars offer the most precise and accurate way to measure the distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud. Currently the limit of the precision attainable with this technique is about two per cent, and is set by the precision of the existing calibrations of the surface brightness-colour relation
. Here we report a calibration of the surface brightness-colour relation with a precision of 0.8 per cent. We use this calibration to determine a geometrical distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud that is precise to 1 per cent based on 20 eclipsing binary systems. The final distance is 49.59 ± 0.09 (statistical) ± 0.54 (systematic) kiloparsecs.
The photospheric radius is one of the fundamental parameters governing the radiative equilibrium of a star. We report new observations of the nearest solar-type stars alpha Centauri A (G2V) and B ...(K1V) with the VLTI/PIONIER optical interferometer. The combination of four configurations of the VLTI enable us to measure simultaneously the limb darkened angular diameter theta sub(LD) and the limb darkening parameters of the two solar-type stars in the near-infrared H band (lambda= 1.65 mu m). We obtain photospheric angular diameters of theta sub(LD)(A) = 8.502 + or - 0.038mas (0.43%) and theta sub(LD)(B) = 5.999 + or - 0.025mas (0.42%), through the adjustment of a power law limb darkening model. We find H band power law exponents of alpha (A) = 0.1404 + or - 0.0050 (3.6%) and alpha (B) = 0.1545 + or - 0.0044 (2.8%), which closely bracket the observed solar value ( alpha sub(middot in circle)= 0.15027). Combined with the parallax pi= 747.17 + or - 0.61mas previously determined, we derive linear radii of R sub(A)= 1.2234 + or - 0.0053 R sub(middot in circle)(0.43%) and R sub(B)= 0.8632 + or - 0.0037 R sub(middot in circle)(0.43%). The power law exponents that we derive for the two stars indicate a significantly weaker limb darkening than predicted by both 1D and 3D stellar atmosphere models. As this discrepancy is also observed on the near-infrared limb darkening profile of the Sun, an improvement of the calibration of stellar atmosphere models is clearly needed. The reported PIONIER visibility measurements of alpha Cen A and B provide a robust basis to validate the future evolutions of these models.
Context. Clouds are ubiquitous in exoplanet atmospheres and they represent a challenge for the model interpretation of their spectra. When generating a large number of model spectra, complex cloud ...models often prove too costly numerically, whereas more efficient models may be overly simplified. Aims. We aim to constrain the atmospheric properties of the directly imaged planet HR 8799e with a free retrieval approach. Methods. We used our radiative transfer code petitRADTRANS for generating the spectra, which we coupled to the PyMultiNest tool. We added the effect of multiple scattering which is important for treating clouds. Two cloud model parameterizations are tested: the first incorporates the mixing and settling of condensates, the second simply parameterizes the functional form of the opacity. Results. In mock retrievals, using an inadequate cloud model may result in atmospheres that are more isothermal and less cloudy than the input. Applying our framework on observations of HR 8799e made with the GPI, SPHERE, and GRAVITY, we find a cloudy atmosphere governed by disequilibrium chemistry, confirming previous analyses. We retrieve that C/O = 0.60 −0.08 +0.07 . Other models have not yet produced a well constrained C/O value for this planet. The retrieved C/O values of both cloud models are consistent, while leading to different atmospheric structures: either cloudy or more isothermal and less cloudy. Fitting the observations with the self-consistent Exo-REM model leads to comparable results, without constraining C/O. Conclusions. With data from the most sensitive instruments, retrieval analyses of directly imaged planets are possible. The inferred C/O ratio of HR 8799e is independent of the cloud model and thus appears to be a robust. This C/O is consistent with stellar, which could indicate that the HR 8799e formed outside the CO 2 or CO iceline. As it is the innermost planet of the system, this constraint could apply to all HR 8799 planets.
Context. Theory surrounding the origin of the dust-laden winds from evolved stars remains mired in controversy. Characterizing the formation loci and the dust distribution within approximately the ...first stellar radius above the surface is crucial for understanding the physics that underlie the mass-loss phenomenon. Aims. By exploiting interferometric polarimetry, we derive the fundamental parameters that govern the dust structure at the wind base of a red supergiant. Methods. We present near-infrared aperture-masking observations of Betelgeuse in polarimetric mode obtained with the NACO/SAMPol instrument. We used both parametric models and radiative transfer simulations to predict polarimetric differential visibility data and compared them to SPHERE/ZIMPOL measurements. Results. Using a thin dust shell model, we report the discovery of a dust halo that is located at only 0.5 R⋆ above the photosphere (i.e. an inner radius of the dust halo of 1.5 R⋆). By fitting the data under the assumption of Mie scattering, we estimate the grain size and density for various dust species. By extrapolating to the visible wavelengths using radiative transfer simulations, we compare our model with SPHERE/ZIMPOL data and find that models based on dust mixtures that are dominated by forsterite are most favored. Such a close dusty atmosphere has profound implications for the dust formation mechanisms around red supergiants.
Red supergiants are the most common final evolutionary stage of stars that have initial masses between 8 and 35 times that of the Sun
. During this stage, which lasts roughly 100,000 years
, red ...supergiants experience substantial mass loss. However, the mechanism for this mass loss is unknown
. Mass loss may affect the evolutionary path, collapse and future supernova light curve
of a red supergiant, and its ultimate fate as either a neutron star or a black hole
. From November 2019 to March 2020, Betelgeuse-the second-closest red supergiant to Earth (roughly 220 parsecs, or 724 light years, away)
-experienced a historic dimming of its visible brightness. Usually having an apparent magnitude between 0.1 and 1.0, its visual brightness decreased to 1.614 ± 0.008 magnitudes around 7-13 February 2020
-an event referred to as Betelgeuse's Great Dimming. Here we report high-angular-resolution observations showing that the southern hemisphere of Betelgeuse was ten times darker than usual in the visible spectrum during its Great Dimming. Observations and modelling support a scenario in which a dust clump formed recently in the vicinity of the star, owing to a local temperature decrease in a cool patch that appeared on the photosphere. The directly imaged brightness variations of Betelgeuse evolved on a timescale of weeks. Our findings suggest that a component of mass loss from red supergiants
is inhomogeneous, linked to a very contrasted and rapidly changing photosphere.
Abstract
Emission lines from Rydberg transitions are detected for the first time from a region close to the surface of Betelgeuse. The H30
α
line is observed at 231.905 GHz, with an FWHM ∼42 km s
−1
...and extended wings. A second line at 232.025 GHz (FWHM ∼21 km s
−1
), is modeled as a combination of Rydberg transitions of abundant low first ionization potential metals. Both H30
α
and the Rydberg combined line X30
α
are fitted by Voigt profiles, and collisional broadening with electrons may be partly responsible for the Lorentzian contribution, indicating electron densities of a few 10
8
cm
−3
. X30
α
is located in a relatively smooth ring at a projected radius of 0.9× the optical photospheric radius
R
⋆
, whereas H30
α
is more clumpy, reaching a peak at ∼1.4
R
⋆
. We use a semiempirical thermodynamic atmospheric model of Betelgeuse to compute the 232 GHz (1.29 mm) continuum and line profiles making simple assumptions. Photoionized abundant metals dominate the electron density, and the predicted surface of continuum optical depth unity at 232 GHz occurs at ∼1.3
R
⋆
, in good agreement with observations. Assuming a Saha–Boltzmann distribution for the level populations of Mg, Si, and Fe, the model predicts that the X30
α
emission arises in a region of radially increasing temperature and turbulence. Inclusion of ionized C and non-LTE effects could modify the integrated fluxes and location of emission. These simulations confirm the identity of the Rydberg transition lines observed toward Betelgeuse and reveal that such diagnostics can improve future atmospheric models.
Rapid rotation is a fundamental characteristic of classical Be stars and a crucial property allowing for the formation of their circumstellar disks. Past evolution in a mass and angular momentum ...transferring binary system offers a plausible solution to how Be stars attained their fast rotation. Although the subdwarf remnants of mass donors in such systems should exist in abundance, only a few have been confirmed due to tight observational constraints. An indirect method of detecting otherwise hidden companions is offered by their effect on the outer parts of Be star disks, which are expected to be disrupted or truncated. In the context of the infrared and radio continuum excess radiation originating in the disk, the disk truncation can be revealed by a turndown in the spectral energy distribution due to reduced radio flux levels. In this work, we search for signs of spectral turndown in a sample of 57 classical Be stars with radio data, which include new data for 23 stars and the longest-wavelength detections so far (λ 10 cm) for two stars. We confidently detect the turndown for all 26 stars with sufficient data coverage (20 of which are not known to have close binary companions). For the remaining 31 stars, the data are inconclusive as to whether the turndown is present or not. The analysis suggests that many if not all Be stars have close companions influencing their outer disks. If confirmed to be subdwarf companions, the mass transfer spin-up scenario might explain the existence of the vast majority of classical Be stars.
Context. The precise determinations of stellar mass at ≲1% provide important constraints on stellar evolution models. Accurate parallax measurements can also serve as independent benchmarks for the ...next Gaia data release. Aims. We measured the masses and distance of binary systems with a precision level better than 1% using a fully geometrical and empirical method. Methods. We obtained the first interferometric observations for the eclipsing systems AI Phe, AL Dor, KW Hya, NN Del, ψ Cen and V4090 Sgr with the VLTI/PIONIER combiner, which we combined with radial velocity measurements to derive their three-dimensional orbit, masses, and distance. Results. We determined very precise stellar masses for all systems, ranging in precision from 0.04% to 3.3%. We combined these measurements with the stellar effective temperature and linear radius to fit stellar isochrones models and determined the age of the systems. We also derived the distance to the systems with a precision level of 0.4%. Conclusions. The comparison of theoretical models with stellar parameters shows that stellar models are still deficient in simultaneously fitting the stellar parameters (Teff, R and M) with this level of precision on individual masses. This stresses the importance of precisely measuring the stellar parameters to better calibrate stellar evolution models. The precision of our model-independent orbital parallaxes varies from 24 μas as to 70 μas and the parallaxes provide a unique opportunity to verify whether the future Gaia measurements have systematic errors.
The availability of a number of new interferometric measurements of Main Sequence and subgiant stars makes it possible to calibrate the surface brightness relations of these stars using exclusively ...direct angular diameter measurements. These empirical laws make it possible to predict the limb darkened angular diameters theta sub(LD) of dwarfs and subgiants using their dereddened Johnson magnitudes, or their effective temperature. The smallest intrinsic dispersions of sigma less than or equal to 1% in theta sub(LD) are obtained for the relations based on the K and L magnitudes, for instance log theta sub(LD) = 0.0502 (B - L) + 0.5133 - 0.2L or log theta sub(LD) = 0.0755 (V - K) + 0.5170 - 0.2K. Our calibrations are valid between the spectral types A0 and M2 for dwarf stars (with a possible extension to later types when using the effective temperature), and between A0 and K0 for subgiants. Such relations are particularly useful for estimating the angular sizes of calibrators for long-baseline interferometry from readily available broadband photometry.
Context. Betelgeuse is an M-type supergiant that presents a circularly polarized (Stokes V) signal in its line profiles, interpreted in terms of a surface magnetic field. Aims. The weak circular ...polarization signal has been monitored over 7.5 years in order to follow its evolution on different timescales, and eventually to determine its physical origin. Linear polarization measurements have also been obtained regularly in the last few years. Methods. We used both the ESPaDOnS and Narval spectropolarimeters to obtain high signal-to-noise ratio spectra, which were processed by means of the least-squares deconvolution method. In order to ensure the reality of the very weak circular polarization, special care has been taken to limit instrumental effects. In addition, several tests were performed on the Stokes V signal to establish its stellar and Zeeman origin. Results. We confirm the magnetic nature of the circular polarization, pointing to a surface magnetic field of the order of 1 G. The Stokes V profiles present variations over different timescales, the most prominent one being close to the long secondary period (LSP; around 2000 d for Betelgeuse) often invoked in red evolved stars. This long period is also dominant for all the other Stokes parameters. The circular polarization is tentatively modeled by means of magnetic field concentrations mimicking spots, showing in particular that the velocity associated with each “spot” also follows the long timescale, and that this signal is nearly always slightly redshifted. Conclusions. From the coupled variations of both linear and circular polarization signatures in amplitude, velocity and timescale, we favour giant convection cells as the main engine at the origin of polarization signatures and variations in all the Stokes parameters. This strengthens support for the hypothesis that large convective cells are at the origin of the LSP.
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