Search

Aims. We aim to investigate the theoretical possibility of accurately determining the helium-to-metal enrichment ratio ΔY/ΔZ from precise observations of double-lined eclipsing binary systems. Methods. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we drew synthetic binary systems with masses between 0.85 and 1.00 M⊙ from a grid of stellar models. Both stars were sampled from a grid with ΔY/ΔZ = 2.0, with a primary star at 80% of its main-sequence evolution. Subsequently, a broader grid with ΔY/ΔZ from 1.0 to 3.0 was used in the fitting process. To account for observational uncertainties, two scenarios were explored: S1, with realistic uncertainties of 100 K in temperature and 0.1 dex in [Fe/H]; and S2, with halved uncertainties. We repeated the simulation at two baseline metallicities: [Fe/H] = 0.0 and −0.3. Results. The posterior distributions of ΔY/ΔZ revealed significant biases. The distributions were severely biased towards the edge of the allowable range in the S1 error scenario. The situation only marginally improved when considering the S2 scenario. The effect is due to the impact of changing ΔY/ΔZ in the stellar effective temperature and its interplay with [Fe/H] observational error, and it is therefore not restricted to the specific fitting method. Despite the presence of these systematic discrepancies, the age of the systems were recovered unbiased with 10% precision. Conclusions. Our findings indicate that the observational uncertainty in effective temperature and metallicity significantly hinders the accurate determination of the ΔY/ΔZ parameter from main-sequence binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Blue supergiants (BSGs) are key objects for understanding the evolution of massive stars, which play a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies. However, discrepancies between theoretical predictions and empirical observations have opened up important questions yet to be answered. Studying statistically significant and unbiased samples of these objects can help to improve the situation. Aims. We perform a homogeneous and comprehensive quantitative spectroscopic analysis of a large sample of Galactic luminous blue stars (a majority of which are BSGs) from the IACOB spectroscopic database, providing crucial parameters to refine and improve theoretical evolutionary models. Methods. We derived the projected rotational velocity (υ sin i) and macroturbulent broadening (υmac) using IACOB-BROAD, which combines Fourier transform and line-profile fitting techniques. We compared high-quality optical spectra with state-of-the-art simulations of massive star atmospheres computed with the FASTWIND code. This comparison allowed us to derive effective temperatures (Teff), surface gravities (log 푔), microturbulences (ξ), surface abundances of silicon and helium, and to assess the relevance of stellar winds through a wind-strength parameter (log Q). Results. We provide estimates and associated uncertainties of the above-mentioned quantities for the largest sample of Galactic luminous O9 to B5 stars spectroscopically analyzed to date, comprising 527 targets. We find a clear drop in the relative number of stars at Teff ≈ 21 kK, coinciding with a scarcity of fast rotating stars below that temperature. We speculate that this feature (roughly corresponding to B2 spectral type) might be roughly delineating the location of the empirical terminal-age main sequence in the mass range between 15 and 85 M⊙. By investigating the main characteristics of the υ sin i distribution of O stars and BSGs as a function of Teff, we propose that an efficient mechanism transporting angular momentum from the stellar core to the surface might be operating along the main sequence in the high-mass domain. We find correlations between ξ,υmac and the spectroscopic luminosity 퓛 (defined as Teff4 / g). We also find that no more than 20% of the stars in our sample have atmospheres clearly enriched in helium, and suggest that the origin of this specific subsample might be in binary evolution. We do not find clear empirical evidence of an increase in the wind strength over the wind bi-stability region toward lower Teff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Modeling the convection process is a long-standing problem in stellar physics. To date, all ad hoc models have relied on a free parameter, α, (among others) that has no real physical justification and is therefore poorly constrained. However, a link exists between this free parameter and the entropy of the stellar adiabat. There are existing prescriptions, derived from 3D stellar atmospheric models, that treat entropy as a function of stellar atmospheric parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, and chemical composition). This can offer sufficient constraints on α through the development of entropy-calibrated models. However, several questions have arisen as these models are increasingly used with respect to which prescription should be used and whether it ought to be used in its original form, along with the impacts of uncertainties on entropy-calibrated models. Aims. We aim to study the three existing prescriptions in detail and determine which of them demonstrate the most optimal performance and how it should be applied. Methods. We implemented the entropy-calibration method into the stellar evolution code (Cesam2k20) and performed comparisons with the Sun and the α Cen system. In addition, we used data from the CIFIST grid of 3D atmosphere models to evaluate the accuracy of the prescriptions. Results. Of the three entropy prescriptions currently available, we determined the one that has the best functional form for reproducing the entropies of the 3D models. However, the coefficients involved in this formulation must not be taken from the original paper because they were calibrated against a flawed set of entropies. We also demonstrate that the entropy obtained from this prescription should be corrected for the evolving chemical composition and for an entropy offset different between various EoS tables. This must be done following a precise procedure to ensure that the classical parameters obtained from the models are not strongly biased. Finally, we provide a data table with entropy of the adiabat of the CIFIST grid, along with the fits for these entropies. Conclusions. Thanks to a precise examination of entropy-calibrated modeling, we are able to offer our recommendations with respect to which adiabatic entropy prescription to use, how to correct it, and how to implement the method into a stellar evolution code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a quantitative spectral analysis of the extreme nitrogen-enhanced supergiant HD 93840 (BN1 Ib) at an intermediate galactic latitude. Based on an optical high-resolution spectrum and complementary ultraviolet and infrared (spectro-)photometry, in addition to Gaia data, we carried out a full characterisation of the star's properties. We used both hydrostatic and unified (photosphere+wind) model atmospheres that account for deviations from local thermodynamic equilibrium. A highly unusual surface CNO-mixing signature and a marked stellar overluminosity compared to the mass imply a binary channel for the star's past evolution. The kinematics shows that it has reached its current position above the Galactic plane as a runaway star, likely ejected by the supernova explosion of its former companion star. Its current bulk composition, with a notably increased mean molecular weight due to core He- and progressed shell H-burning, suggests an advanced evolutionary stage. It is poised to yield a rare core-collapse supernova of a blue supergiant about ten OB star population scale heights above the Galactic disk relatively soon, contributing to the metal enrichment of the circumgalactic medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The binary star NY Hya is a bright, detached, double-lined eclipsing system with an orbital period of just under five days with two components each nearly identical to the Sun and located in the solar neighbourhood. Aims. The objective of this study is to test and confront various stellar evolution models for solar-type stars based on accurate measurements of stellar mass and radius. Methods. We present new ground-based spectroscopic and photometric as well as high-precision space-based photometric and astrometric data from which we derive orbital as well as physical properties of the components via the method of least-squares minimisation based on a standard binary model valid for two detached components. Classic statistical techniques were invoked to test the significance of model parameters. Additional empirical evidence was compiled from the public domain; the derived system properties were compared with archival broad-band photometry data enabling a measurement of the system's spectral energy distribution that allowed an independent estimate of stellar properties. We also utilised semi-empirical calibration methods to derive atmospheric properties from Strömgren photometry and related colour indices. Results. We measured (percentages are fractional uncertainties) masses, radii, and effective temperatures of the two stars in NY Hya and found them to be MA = 1.1605 ± 0.0090 M⊙ (0.78%), RA = 1.407 ± 0.015 R⊙ (1.1%), Teff, A = 5595 ± 61 K (1.09%), MB = 1.1678 ± 0.0096 M⊙ (0.82%), RB = 1.406 ± 0.017 R⊙ (1.2%), and Teff, B = 5607 ± 61 K (1.09%). The atmospheric properties from Strömgren photometry agree well with spectroscopic results. No evidence was found for nearby companions from high-resolution imaging. A detailed analysis of space-based data revealed a small but significant eccentricity (e cos ω) of the orbit. The spectroscopic and frequency analysis on photometric time series data reveal evidence of clear photospheric activity on both components likely in the form of star spots caused by magnetic activity. Conclusions. We confronted the observed physical properties with classic and magnetic stellar evolution models. Classic models yielded both young pre-main-sequence and old main-sequence turn-off solutions with the two components at super-solar metallicities, in disagreement with observations. Based on chromospheric activity and X-ray observations, we invoke magnetic models. While magnetic fields are likely to play an important role, we still encounter problems in explaining adequately the observed properties. To reconcile the observed tensions we also considered the effects of star spots known to mimic magnetic inhibition of convection. Encouraging results were obtained, although unrealistically large spots were required on each component. Overall we conclude that NY Hya proves to be complex in nature, and requires additional follow-up work aiming at a more accurate determination of stellar effective temperature and metallicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the hunt for Earth-like exoplanets, it is crucial to have reliable host star parameters, as they have a direct impact on the accuracy and precision of the inferred parameters for any discovered exoplanet. For stars with masses between 0.35 and 0.5 M⊙, an unexplained radius inflation is observed relative to typical stellar models. However, for fully convective objects with a mass below 0.35 M⊙, it is not known whether this radius inflation is present, as there are fewer objects with accurate measurements in this regime. Low-mass eclipsing binaries present a unique opportunity to determine empirical masses and radii for these low-mass stars. Here, we report on such a star, EBLM J2114−39 B. We have used HARPS and FEROS radial velocities and TESS photometry to perform a joint fit of the data and produce one of the most precise estimates of a very low mass star's parameters. Using a precise and accurate radius for the primary star using Gaia DR3 data, we determine J2114−39 to be a M 1 = 0.998 ± 0.052 M⊙ primary star hosting a fully convective secondary with mass |$M_2~=~0.0993~\pm 0.0033~\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }}$|⁠ , which lies in a poorly populated region of parameter space. With a radius |$R_2 =~0.1250~\pm 0.0016~\, \mathrm{R_{\odot }}$|⁠ , similar to TRAPPIST-1, we see no significant evidence of radius inflation in this system when compared to stellar evolution models. We speculate that stellar models in the regime where radius inflation is observed might be affected by how convective overshooting is treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-contrast eclipsing binaries with low mass M-dwarf secondaries are precise benchmark stars to build empirical mass–radius relationships for fully convective low-mass (⁠|$\rm M_{\star } \lt 0.35\, M_{\odot }$|⁠) dwarf stars. The contributed light of the M-dwarf in such binaries is usually much less than one per cent at optical wavelengths. This enables the detection of circumbinary planets from precise radial velocity measurements. High-resolution cross-correlation techniques are typically used to detect exoplanet atmospheres. One key aspect of these techniques is the post-processing, which includes the removal of telluric and spectral lines of the host star. We introduce the application of such techniques to optical high-resolution spectra of the circumbinary planet-host TOI-1338/BEBOP-1, turning it effectively into a double-lined eclipsing binary. By using simulations, we further explore the impact of post-processing techniques for high-contrast systems. We detect the M-dwarf secondary with a significance of 11σ and measure absolute dynamical masses for both components. Compared to previous model-dependent mass measurements, we obtain a four times better precision. We further find that the post-processing results in negligible systematic impact on the radial velocity precision for TOI-1338/BEBOP-1 with more than |$96.6\,$|  per cent (1σ) of the M-dwarf's signal being conserved. We show that these methods can be used to robustly measure dynamical masses of high-contrast single-lined binaries providing important benchmark stars for stellar evolution particularly near the bottom of the main sequence. We also demonstrate how to retrieve the phase curve of an exoplanet with high-resolution spectroscopy using our data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating precise metallicity of M dwarfs is a well-known difficult problem due to their complex spectra. In this work, we empirically calibrate the metallicity using wide binaries with a F, G, or K dwarf and a M dwarf companion. With 1308 FGK+M wide binaries well observed by LAMOST, we calibrated M dwarf's [Fe/H] by using the Stellar LAbel Machine (SLAM) model, a data-driven method based on support vector regression. The [Fe/H] labels of the training data are from FGK companions in range of [−1,0.5] dex. The T effs are based on APOGEE, spanning [3100, 4400] K. The uncertainties in SLAM estimates of [Fe/H] and T eff are ∼0.15 dex and ∼40 K, respectively, at snri >100, where snri is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at i band of M dwarf spectra. We applied the trained SLAM model to determine the [Fe/H] and T eff for ∼630 000 M dwarfs with low-resolution spectra in LAMOST DR9. Compared to other literature also using FGK+M wide binaries for calibration, our [Fe/H] estimates show no bias but a scatter of ∼0.14–0.18 dex. However, the [Fe/H] compared to APOGEE shows a systematic difference of ∼0.10–0.15 dex with a scatter of ∼0.15–0.20 dex. While the T eff compared to APOGEE has a bias of 3 K with a scatter of 62 K, it is systematically higher by 180 K compared to other calibrations based on the bolometric temperature. Finally, we calculated the ζ index for 1308 M dwarf secondaries and presents a moderate correlation between ζ and [Fe/H]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary interactions play a significant role in stellar evolution. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of 17 single-lined spectroscopic binary stars and identify two more as 'yellow stragglers', in the context of 15 young open clusters with ages younger than 1.0 Gyr. High-resolution spectroscopy (⁠|$R\, \approx \, 48000$|⁠) was employed to determine atmospheric parameters and chemical abundances of various elements including Li, C (C2), N (12CN), O, Na, Mg, Al, Ca, Si, Ti, Ni, Cr, Y, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, and Eu, and compared them with the abundances of stars reported in the literature. The projected rotational velocities (⁠|$v\, \sin \, \mathrm{ i}$|⁠) of 17 stars were determined via the spectral synthesis method. For two stars, we analyse the phenomenon of yellow stragglers based on their spectra and colour–magnitude diagram. Our |$v\, \sin \, \mathrm{ i}$| results exhibit excellent agreement with previous studies in the literature for four stars previously analysed. Furthermore, we found a similar set of chemical abundances between thin disc stars and the studied spectroscopic binaries, except for s-process elements, such as La, Ce, and Nd. Also, we confirm that yellow straggler stars are members of binary systems, specifically giant G/K-type stars paired with dwarf A-type stars. Finally, we investigated the relationships between chemical abundances, orbital parameters (obtained from the literature), and |$v\, \sin \, \mathrm{ i}$|⁠ , which can provide insights into the observed anomalies in 7Li abundance in two stars such as NGC 6694-14 and NGC 6709-303. Our findings suggest that the anomalous rotation and lithium enrichment observed in these stars are likely results of interactions within binary companions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Classical Cepheids (DCEPs) are important astrophysical objects not only as standard candles for the determination of the cosmic distance ladder but also as a test-bed for stellar evolution theory thanks to the connection between their pulsation (periods, amplitudes) and stellar (luminosity, mass, effective temperature, metallicity) parameters. Aims. We aim to elucidate the nature of the Galactic DCEP OGLE-GD-CEP-0516 and other DCEPs showing an enhanced abundance of lithium in their atmospheres. Methods. We collected high-resolution spectra for OGLE-GD-CEP-0516 with UVES at VLT. Accurate stellar parameters, such as effective temperature, gravity, micro- and macro-turbulence, radial velocity, and metal abundances, were measured for this star using spectral synthesis techniques based on the LTE plane-parallel atmospheric model. Results. We find a chemical pattern, with most elements being under-abundant compared with the Sun; that is [Fe/H] = −0.54 ± 0.16 dex, [C/H] = −0.45 ± 0.05 dex, or [Mg/H] = −0.40 ± 0.16 dex, among others. In particular, we measured a lithium abundance of A(Li) = 3.06 ± 0.10 dex for OGLE-GD-CEP-0516, which makes this object the sixth Li-rich object to be identified among the Milky Way DCEPs. Conclusions. Our results favour the scenario in which the six Galactic Li-rich DCEPs are crossing the instability strip for the first time having had slowly rotating progenitors during their main sequence phase. This study explores the link between lithium abundance and the pulsation period in classical Cepheids. We find that brighter Cepheids, indicative of higher mass, show enhanced lithium abundance, contrary to predictions from evolutionary models considering rotation. Additionally, our analysis of lithium abundance versus [Fe/H] reveals a lack of significant correlation, contradicting expectations from galactic chemical evolution (GCE) models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Anomalous Cepheids (ACEPs) are intermediate-mass metal-poor pulsators that are mostly discovered in dwarf galaxies of the Local Group. However, recent Galactic surveys, including the Gaia Data Release 3, found a few hundred ACEPs in the Milky Way. Their origin is only poorly understood. Aims. We aim to investigate the origin and evolution of Galactic ACEPs by studying the chemical composition of their atmospheres for the first time. Methods. We used UVES at the Very Large Telescope to obtain high-resolution spectra for a sample of nine ACEPs belonging to the Galactic halo. We derived the abundances of 12 elements, C, Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Y, and Ba. We complemented these data with literature abundances from high-resolution spectroscopy for an additional three ACEPs that were previously incorrectly classified as type II Cepheids. This increased the sample to a total of 12 stars. Results. All the investigated ACEPs have an iron abundance [Fe/H] < −1.5 dex, as expected from theoretical predictions for these pulsators. The abundance ratios of the different elements to iron show that the chemical composition of ACEPs is generally consistent with that of the Galactic halo field stars, with the exception of sodium, which is found to be overabundant in 9 out of the 11 ACEPs where it was measured. This is very similar to the situation for second-generation stars in Galactic globular clusters. The same comparison with dwarf and ultra-faint satellites of the Milky Way reveals more differences than similarities. It is therefore unlikely that the bulk of Galactic ACEPs originated in a galaxy like this that subsequently dissolved into the Galactic halo. The principal finding of this work is the unexpected overabundance of sodium in ACEPs. We explored several hypotheses to explain this feature, finding that the most promising scenario is the evolution of low-mass stars in a binary system with either mass transfer or merging. Detailed modelling is needed to confirm this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Large spectroscopic surveys devoted to the study of the Milky Way, including Gaia, use automated pipelines to determine the atmospheric parameters of millions of stars. The Gaia FGK benchmark stars are reference stars with Teff and log 푔 derived through fundamental relations, independently of spectroscopy, to be used as anchors for the parameter scale. The first and second versions of the sample have been extensively used for that purpose, and more generally to help constrain stellar models. Aims. We provide the third version of the Gaia FGK benchmark stars, an extended set intended to improve the calibration of spectroscopic surveys, and their interconnection. Methods. We have compiled about 200 candidates that have precise measurements of angular diameters and parallaxes. We determined their bolometric fluxes by fitting their spectral energy distribution. Masses were determined using two sets of stellar evolution models. In a companion paper, we describe the determination of metallicities and detailed abundances. Results. We provide a new set of 192 Gaia FGK benchmark stars with their fundamental Teff and log 푔, and with uncertainties lower than 2% for most stars. Compared to the previous versions, the homogeneity and accuracy of the fundamental parameters are significantly improved thanks to the high quality of the Gaia photometric and astrometric data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapidly increasing number of delta Scuti stars with regular patterns among their pulsation frequencies necessitates modelling tools to better understand the observations. Further, with a dozen identified modes per star, there is potential to make meaningful inferences on stellar structure using these young δ Sct stars. We compute and describe a grid of >200 000 stellar models from the early pre-main sequence (pre-MS) to roughly one-third of the MS lifetime, and calculate their pulsation frequencies. From these, we also calculate asteroseismic parameters and explore how those parameters change with mass, age, and metal mass fraction. We show that the large frequency separation, Δ ν , is insensitive to mass at the zero-age main sequence. In the frequency regime observed, the Δ ν we measure (from modes with n ∼ 5–9) differs from the solar scaling relation by ∼13 per cent. We find that the lowest radial order is often poorly modelled, perhaps indicating that the lower order pressure modes contain further untapped potential for revealing the physics of the stellar interior. We also show that different nuclear reaction networks available in mesa can affect the pulsation frequencies of young δ Sct stars by as much as 5 per cent. We apply the grid to five newly modelled stars, including two pre-MS stars each with 15+ modes identified, and we make the grid available as a community resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of massive stars is not completely understood. Several phenomena affect their birth, life, and death, multiplicity being one of them. In this context, the OWN and MONOS projects are systematically observing O- and WN-type stars whose multiplicity status is unknown. Their major goal considers the necessity of determining absolute parameters of massive stars. We have collected spectra of HD 93249 A and ALS 12502 A aiming at characterizing their binary nature. For both stars, we analysed high-resolution spectra and combined them with Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) observations to be compared with binary models constructed by means of the phoebe code. We discovered that the radial velocity of HD 93249 A varies with a period of 2.97968 ± 0.00001 d and that the system presents ellipsoidal light variations. We disentangled the composite spectra and classified its components as O9 III and B1.5 III, respectively. Confirmed as a spectroscopic binary, HD 93249 A can no longer be used as spectral classification standard. ALS 12502 A turned out to be a detached eclipsing binary in the TESS and Gaia data. These results enable us to determine absolute parameters for each component in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The evolutionary status of the blue supergiant Sher 25 and its membership to the massive cluster NGC 3603 are investigated. Methods. A hybrid non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) spectrum synthesis approach is employed to analyse a high-resolution optical spectrum of Sher 25 and five similar early B-type comparison stars in order to derive atmospheric parameters and elemental abundances. Fundamental stellar parameters are determined by considering stellar evolution tracks, Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) data, and complementary distance information. Interstellar reddening and the reddening law along the sight line towards Sher 25 are constrained employing UV photometry for the first time in addition to optical and infrared data. The distance to NGC 3603 is reevaluated based on Gaia DR3 data of the innermost cluster O-stars. Results. The spectroscopic distance derived from the quantitative analysis implies that Sher 25 lies in the foreground of NGC 3603, which is found to have a distance of dNGC3603 = 6250 ± 150 pc. A cluster membership is also excluded as the hourglass nebula is unaffected by the vigorous stellar winds of the cluster stars and from the different excitation signatures of the hourglass nebula and the nebula around NGC 3603. Sher 25 turns out to have a luminosity of log L/L⊙ = 5.48 ± 0.14, equivalent to that of a ~27 M⊙ supergiant in a single-star scenario, which is about half of the mass assumed so far, bringing it much closer in its characteristics to Sk−69º202, the progenitor of SN 1987A. Sher 25 is significantly older than NGC 3603. Further arguments for a binary (merger) evolutionary scenario of Sher 25 are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binarity and pulsations are two notable properties that frequently appear together in massive stars. To place constraints on how binarity affects stellar evolution, the exact parameters of massive stars in binary systems must be known. Their exact and accurate masses and radii, which were calculated from binary dynamics, present model-independent restrictions and challenge existing theories of stellar evolution. In this investigation, our goal is to determine the atmospheric characteristics of nine double-lined spectroscopic binaries that are located in the Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud. Nine newly discovered double-lined eclipsing binaries with B-type massive components have been studied; these binaries were found using the OGLE variable star catalogues. The absolute physical parameters of each component have been measured with an accuracy of less than or equal to 3 per cent. By analysing through Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite data of the systems, we were able to identify five candidates for slowly pulsating B stars in massive binary systems with masses ranging from 2 to 25 M⊙. According to the results of the preliminary research, the orbital periods of these binary systems span anywhere from 1.8 to 6.3 d, whereas the pulsating periods range anywhere from 0.3 to 1.5 d. The achievement in identifying a significant number of pulsating eclipsing systems opens the door to the initial sensible approach of constraining the internal physics of a group of massive stars via asteroseismology of eclipsing binaries including such stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise measurements of stellar parameters are required in order to develop our theoretical understanding of stellar structure. These measurements enable errors and uncertainties to be quantified in theoretical models and constrain the physical interpretation of observed phenomena, such as the inflated radii of low-mass stars. We use newly-available TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Satellite Survey) light curves combined with published radial velocity measurements to improve the characterization of 12 low mass eclipsing binaries composed of an M dwarf accompanied by a brighter F/G star. We present and analyse ground-based simultaneous four-colour photometry for two targets. Our results include the first measurements of the fundamental properties of two of the systems. Light curve and radial velocity information were converted into the physical parameters of each component of the systems using an isochrone fitting method. We also derive the effective temperatures of the M dwarfs, almost tripling the number of such measurements. The results are discussed in the context of radius inflation. We find that exquisite precision in the age estimation of young objects is required to determine their inflation status. However, all but three of the objects are securely located among the main sequence, demonstrating radius inflation and the necessity to develop our understanding of the complex physical processes governing the evolution of low-mass stars. We investigated the hypothesis that luminosity is unaffected by the inflation problem but the findings were not conclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compact hierarchical triples (CHTs) are systems with the tertiary star orbiting the inner binary in an orbit shorter than 1000 d. CHT with an eclipsing binary as its inner binary can help us extract a multitude of information about all three stars in the system. In this study, we use independent observational techniques to estimate the orbital, stellar, and atmospheric parameters of two triple-lined CHT: BD+44 2258 and KIC 06525196. We find that the masses of stars in BD+44 2258 are |$1.011\pm 0.029$|⁠ , |$0.941\pm 0.033$|⁠ , and |$0.907\pm 0.065 \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$| while in KIC 06525196 the estimated masses are |$1.0351\pm 0.0055$|⁠ , |$0.9712\pm 0.0039 $|⁠ , and |$0.777\pm 0.012 \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$|⁠. Using spectral disentangling, we obtained individual spectra of all the stars and combined it with light-curve modelling to obtain radii, metallicities, and temperatures. Using stellar evolution models from mesa , we constrain the log(age) of BD+44 2258 to be 9.89 and 9.49 for KIC 06525196. Two stars in BD+44 2258 are found to be sub-giants while all three stars in KIC 06525196 are main-sequence stars. We constrain the mutual inclinations to certain angles for BD+44 2258 and KIC 06525196 using numerical integration. Integrating with tidal interaction schemes and stellar evolution models, we find that KIC 06525196 is a stable system. But the inner binary of BD+44 2258 merges within 550 Myr. The time of this merger is affected by the orientation of the tertiary, even rushing the collapse by ∼100 Myr when the mutual inclination is close to 90○. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust age estimates of red giant stars are now possible thanks to the precise inference of their mass based on asteroseismic constraints. However, there are cases where such age estimates can be highly precise yet very inaccurate. An example is giants that have undergone mass loss or mass transfer events that have significantly altered their mass. In this context, stars with 'apparent' ages significantly higher than the age of the Universe are candidates for stripped stars, or stars that have lost more mass than expected, most likely via interactions with a companion star or because of the poorly understood mass-loss mechanism along the red-giant branch. In this work we identify examples of such objects among red giants observed by Kepler, both at low ([Fe/H] ≲ −0.5) and solar metallicity. By modelling their structure and pulsation spectra, we find a consistent picture that confirms that they are indeed low-mass objects consisting of a He core of ≈0.5 M⊙ and an envelope of ≈0.1 − 0.2 M⊙. Moreover, we find that these stars are characterised by a rather extreme coupling (q ≳ 0.4) between the pressure-mode and gravity-mode cavities, one that is much higher than the typical value for red clump stars, thus providing a direct seismic signature of their peculiar structure. The complex pulsation spectra of these objects, if observed with sufficient frequency resolution, hold detailed information about the structural properties of likely products of mass stripping and can hence potentially shed light on their formation mechanism. On the other hand, our tests highlight the difficulties associated with reliably measuring the large frequency separation, especially in shorter datasets, which impacts the reliability of the inferred masses and ages of low-mass red clump stars with, for example, K2 or TESS data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The surface chemical compositions of stars are affected by physical processes that bring the products of thermonuclear burning to the surface. Despite their potential in helping us understand the structure and evolution of stars, elemental abundances are available for only a few high-mass binary stars. We aim to enlarge this sample by determining the physical properties and photospheric abundances for four eclipsing binary systems that contain high-mass stars: V1034 Sco, GL Car, V573 Car, and V346 Cen. The components have masses of 8–17 M⊙, have effective temperatures from 22 500 to 32 200 K, and are all on the main sequence. Methods. We present new high-resolution and high signal-to-noise spectroscopy from the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS), which we analysed using spectral disentangling and non-local thermodynamic equilibrium spectral synthesis. We modelled existing light curves and new photometry from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Results. We measure the stellar masses to a 0.6–2.0% precision, radii to a 0.8–1.7% precision, effective temperatures to a 1.1–1.6% precision, and abundances of C, N, O, Mg, and Si. The abundances are similar to those found in our previous studies of high-mass eclipsing binaries; our sample now comprises 25 high-mass stars in 13 binary systems. We also find tidally excited pulsations in V346 Cen. Conclusions. These results reinforce our previous conclusions: interior chemical element transport is not as efficient in binary star components as in their single-star counterparts in the same mass regime and evolutionary stage, possibly due to the effects of tidal forces. Our ultimate goal is to provide a larger sample of OB-type stars in binaries to enable a thorough comparison to stellar evolutionary models, as well as to single high-mass stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Late O-type stars at luminosities log L/L⊙ ≲ 5.2 show weak winds with mass-loss rates lower than 10−8M⊙ yr−1. This implies that, unlike their more massive and more luminous siblings, their photospheric layers are not strongly affected by the stellar wind. Aims. A hybrid non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) approach – line-blanketed hydrostatic model atmospheres computed under the assumption of LTE in combination with non-LTE line-formation calculations – is tested for analyses of late O-type stars with masses up to ~25 M⊙. A sample of 20 mostly sharp-lined Galactic O stars of spectral types O8 to O9.7 and luminosity classes V and IV, previously studied in the literature using full non-LTE model atmospheres, is investigated. Methods. Hydrostatic and plane-parallel atmospheric structures and synthetic spectra computed with Kurucz's ATLAS12 code together with the non-LTE line-formation codes DETAIL and SURFACE, which account for the effects of turbulent pressure on the atmosphere, were employed. High-resolution spectra were analysed for atmospheric parameters using hydrogen lines, multiple ionisation equilibria, and elemental abundances. Fundamental stellar parameters were derived by considering stellar evolution tracks and Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) parallaxes. Interstellar reddening was characterised by fitting spectral energy distributions from the UV to the mid-IR. Results. A high precision and accuracy is achieved for all derived parameters for 16 sample stars (4 objects show composite spectra). Turbulent pressure effects turn out to be significant for the quantitative analysis. Effective temperatures are determined to 1–3% uncertainty levels, surface gravities to 0.05 to 0.10 dex, masses to better than 8%, radii to better than 10%, and luminosities to better than 20% uncertainty typically. Abundances for C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Al, and Si are derived with uncertainties of 0.05–0.10 dex and for helium within 0.03–0.05 dex (1σ standard deviations) in general. Overall, results from previous studies using unified photosphere plus wind (full) non-LTE model atmospheres are reproduced, and with higher precision. The improvements are most pronounced for elemental abundances, and smaller microturbulent velocities are found. An overall good agreement is found between our spectroscopic distances and those from Gaia. Gaia EDR3-based distances to the Lac OB1b association and to the open clusters NGC 2244, IC 1805, NGC 457, and IC 1396 are determined as a byproduct. The derived N/C versus N/O abundance ratios tightly follow the predictions from stellar evolution models. Two ON stars show a very high degree of mixing of CNO-processed material and appear to stem from binary evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The veracity of stellar evolution models and theoretical internal structure constants may be subjected to stringent tests by using physical parameters obtained from spectroscopic and photometric observations of eclipsing binary systems that exhibit apsidal motion. Two eclipsing binary stars from the southern hemisphere with no prior published spectroscopic analyses were selected for this study: GV Nor and V881 Sco. Spectroscopic observations of these two eccentric binary systems were made at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in 2018 and 2019, and their mid-resolution spectra were obtained. The radial velocities were measured using the cross-correlation method as well as by disentangling the spectra. The rotational broadening of the disentangled spectra of the components was also determined. The absolute parameters of these two systems were obtained by analyzing the SAAO-based spectroscopic data in conjunction with photometric data from Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. Apsidal motion parameters for these two eccentric binary systems were calculated by analysing eclipse timing variations. Granada and Padova evolution models indicated ages of 340 ± 35 Myr for GV Nor and 760 ± 15 Myr for V881 Sco, in agreement with the observational results. The theoretical internal structure constants estimated from the Granada models were compatible with the observational values within the error limits. However, for both systems, it was found that their circularization and synchronization timescales were shorter than their respective evolutionary ages. Therefore, the fact that the components rotate faster than their synchronized values and still have rather large eccentric orbits (e ∼ 0.11) challenges present theories of circularization and spin–orbit synchronization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eclipsing binaries are important benchmark objects to test and calibrate stellar structure and evolution models. This is especially true for binaries with a fully convective M-dwarf component for which direct measurements of these stars' masses and radii are difficult using other techniques. Within the potential of M-dwarfs to be exoplanet host stars, the accuracy of theoretical predictions of their radius and effective temperature as a function of their mass is an active topic of discussion. Not only the parameters of transiting exoplanets but also the success of future atmospheric characterization relies on accurate theoretical predictions. We present the analysis of five eclipsing binaries with low-mass stellar companions out of a subsample of 23, for which we obtained ultra-high-precision light curves using the CHEOPS satellite. The observation of their primary and secondary eclipses are combined with spectroscopic measurements to precisely model the primary parameters and derive the M-dwarfs mass, radius, surface gravity, and effective temperature estimates using the PYCHEOPS data analysis software. Combining these results to the same set of parameters derived from TESS light curves, we find very good agreement (better than 1 per cent for radius and better than 0.2 per cent for surface gravity). We also analyse the importance of precise orbits from radial velocity measurements and find them to be crucial to derive M-dwarf radii in a regime below 5 per cent accuracy. These results add five valuable data points to the mass–radius diagram of fully convective M-dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal forces are an important process in the pre-main-sequence phase (as reported by Zahn and Bouchet in their now well-known paper) and throughout the main-sequence phase of stellar evolution. Nevertheless, uncertainty over tidal forces affects estimates obtained from models of the circularization and synchronization of the orbit by tidal interactions. Here, we search for evidence of tidal circularization in close binaries using a large sample of well-characterized eclipsing systems. We searched Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) photometric catalogue for the Southern hemisphere from the Southern hemisphere for eclipsing binaries in eccentric orbits. We present precise values of the eccentricity and orbital and stellar parameters of eight detached, eclipsing stars from the OGLE catalogue that were determined by jointly modelling light curves and spectral analysis. The temperatures and relative radii of their components, as well as their mass ratios, were also calculated with high accuracy. We find a clear dependence of the components' relative radii and orbital period on the eccentricity. The determination of eccentricities as a function of period potentially allows us to infer the role of tidal circularization. The (P, r 1,2) distribution of the known eccentric binaries exhibits a rough trend of increasing eccentricity with period. This suggests that the secondary components in binaries with longer orbital periods may be tidally circularized significantly more efficiently than is usually assumed. Observing this effect is challenging because it requires large and well-characterized samples that include many types of systems. Here we seek evidence of the predicted dependence of circularization on the relative radii using a sample of eclipsing binaries observed by OGLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ages of stars have historically relied on isochrone fitting of standardized grids of models. While these stellar models have provided key constraints on observational samples of massive stars, they inherit many systematic uncertainties, mainly in the internal mixing mechanisms applied throughout the grid, fundamentally undermining the isochrone method. In this work, we utilize the mass–lumiosity (M–L) plane of Higgins & Vink as a method of determining stellar age, with mixing-corrected models applying a calibrated core overshooting αov and rotation rate to fit the observational data. We provide multiple test-beds to showcase our new method, while also providing comparisons to the commonly used isochrone method, highlighting the dominant systematic errors. We reproduce the evolution of individual O stars, and analyse the wider sample of O and B supergiants from the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey, providing dedicated models with estimates for αov, Ω/Ωcrit, and ultimately stellar ages. The M–L plane highlights a large discrepancy in the spectroscopic masses of the O supergiant sample. Furthermore the M–L plane also demonstrates that the evolutionary masses of the B supergiant sample are inappropriate. Finally, we utilize detached eclipsing binaries, VFTS 642 and VFTS 500, and present their ages resulting from their precise dynamical masses, offering an opportunity to constrain their interior mixing. For the near-TAMS system, VFTS 500, we find that both components require a large amount of core overshooting (αov ≃ 0.5), implying an extended main-sequence width. We hence infer that the vast majority of B supergiants are still burning hydrogen in their cores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our knowledge of stellar evolution relies on constraints provided by measurements of the physical stellar properties such as the mass, effective temperature, and radii. The most fundamental parameter, the stellar mass, is rarely available or has a low accuracy, providing poor constraints on the stellar structure and evolution. Observing binary stars combining astrometry and spectroscopy offers the unique opportunity to measure very precise masses. In addition, double-lined spectroscopic binaries provide independent distance measurements with an extreme accuracy, allowing to test the Gaia parallaxes and the period-luminosity (P-L) relations. I will show that masses and distances with an accuracy level as high as 0.05% can be obtained by combining interferometric and spectroscopic observations for different types of binary systems, i.e. binary Cepheids, eclipsing and non-eclipsing binaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of mass lost by stars during the red-giant branch (RGB) phase is one of the main parameters needed to fully understand later stages of stellar evolution. In spite of its importance, a fully-comprehensive physical understanding of this phenomenon is still missing, and we, mostly, rely on empirical formulations. The Galactic Globular Clusters are ideal targets to derive such formulations, but, until recently, the presence of multiple populations has been a major challenge. We will discuss the insights on RGB mass loss that can be obtained from the study of the horizontal branch stars in such stellar associations. The estimates obtained via the study of the photometric data will be compared with recent and newly obtained estimates derived for few high metallicity open clusters and a large sample of field stars with asteroseismic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To look at propagating winds from evolved stars into the interstellar medium is to look at how they are sustained. To understand their origins, we must look to the circumstances that create them in the first instance. In this article, I examine the physical conditions under which pulsation-enhanced, dust-driven winds are first generated. These initial conditions can help constrain the late evolutionary stages of these stars and provide insight into the mechanisms that cause the mass loss itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the evolutionary scenarios for three eclipsing twin (q (M 2/ M 1) ∼1) binary systems using their combined spectroscopic and photometric data. Using accurate TESS photometric data, RV measurements, and spectroscopic data enabled us to calculate fundamental parameters, such as mass and radius, better than 2 per cent. The temperature of each component and metallicity of the systems have been obtained via high-resolution spectra. According to our spectral analysis, the metallicity values of AN Cam, RS Ari, and V455 Aur are [M/H] =  0.00 ± 0.12, 0.05 ± 0.08, and −0.07 ± 0.07, respectively. Using the derived metallicity for each system, initial orbital parameters, and detailed evolutionary status of these three systems are calculated with high precision by using mesa. According to our analysis, both components of AN Cam have passed the terminal-age main sequence (TAMS), the primary component of RS Ari is in the giant phase while the secondary component has passed the TAMS, finally, both components of V455 Aur are still on the main sequence. The current ages of the three systems AN Cam, RS Ari, and V455 Aur are 3.0, 3.3, and 1.4 Gyr, respectively, and they will approximately start to transfer mass between components in 400, 250, and 2700 Myr, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence from the analysis of eclipsing binary systems revealed that late-type stars are larger and cooler than predicted by models, and that this is probably caused by stellar magnetic activity. In this work, we revisit this problem taking into account the advancements in the last decade. We provide and updated a list of 32 eclipsing binary or multiple systems, including at least one star with a mass ≲ 0.7 M ⊙ and with mass and radius measured to an accuracy better than 3%. The comparison with stellar structure and evolution theoretical models reveals an overall discrepancy of about 7% and −4% for the radius and effective temperature, respectively, and that it may be larger than previously found below the full convection boundary. Furthermore, the hypothesis of stellar activity is reinforced by the comparison of different systems with similar components. Further eclipsing binaries with accurately determined masses and radii, and with estimated activity levels, as well as the implementation of magnetic activity in theoretical models will help to improve our knowledge of low-mass stars, which are prime targets for exoplanet surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The luminosity of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) is instrumental for the construction of the distance ladder, and its accurate modelling is key for determining the local Hubble parameter. In this work, we present an extensive quantitative analysis of the TRGB luminosity, accounting for virtually all input physics that affect it, namely: chemical composition, opacity, diffusion, nuclear reaction rates, electron screening, neutrinos, convection efficiency, boundary conditions, and mass-loss, amongst others. Our analysis is based on a newly produced grid of ∼3 × 106 TRGB models, evolved from pre-main sequence up to the helium ignition at the TRGB, and covering a wide range of metallicity (Z = 0.0001–0.02) and initial mass (M = 0.8–1.4 M⊙). Through a Monte Carlo analysis, we study the systematic variation of the TRGB luminosity due to the combined effect of all above input physics, and show that a maximum theoretical uncertainty of about |$1.6 {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| is still present on the current generation of models, dominated by systematics of radiative opacity. Results are also provided in several photometric bands. As a by-product of our analysis, we demonstrate robust evidence for the linear response of the tip luminosity to individual changes of input physics, which can significantly simplify future analyses. A comparison of our results with other stellar evolution codes shows excellent agreement. Our full grid of models is available upon reasonable requests, while a partial grid is available online on Zenodo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present WIYN 1 /Hydra spectra of 34 red giant candidate members of NGC 188, which, together with WOCS 2 and Gaia data yield 23 single members, 6 binary members, 4 single non-members, and 1 binary non-member. We report [Fe/H] for 29 members and derive [Fe/H]NGC188  = +0.064 ± 0.018 dex (σμ) (sky spectra yield A(Fe)⊙  = 7.520 ± 0.015 dex (σμ)). We discuss effects on the derived parameters of varying Yale-Yonsei isochrones to fit the turnoff. We take advantage of the coolest, lowest gravity giants to refine the line list near Li 6707.8 Å. Using synthesis we derive detections of A(Li) 3  = 1.17, 1.65, 2.04, and 0.60 dex for stars 4346, 4705, 5027, and 6353, respectively, and 3σ upper limits for the other members. Whereas only two of the detections meet the traditional criterion for 'Li-richness' of A(Li) > 1.5 dex, we argue that since the cluster A(Li) vanish as subgiants evolve to the base of the RGB, all four stars are Li-rich in this cluster's context. An incidence of even a few Li-rich stars in a sample of 29 stars is far higher than what recent large surveys have found in the field. All four stars lie either slightly or substantially away from the cluster fiducial sequence, possibly providing clues about their Li-richness. We discuss a number of possibilities for the origin for the Li in each star, and suggest potentially discriminating future observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsations and binarity are both common features of massive stars. The study of pulsating massive stars in eclipsing binary systems holds great potential for constraining stellar structure and evolution theory. However, prior to the all-sky Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission, few such systems had been discovered or studied in detail. We have inspected the TESS light curves of a large number of eclipsing binaries known to contain high-mass stars, and compiled a list of 18 objects which show intrinsic variability. The light curves were modelled both to determine the physical properties of the systems, and to remove the effects of binarity in order to leave residual light curves suitable for asteroseismic analysis. Precise mass and radius measurements were obtained for δ Cir, CC Cas, SZ Cam V436 Per and V539 Ara. We searched the residual light curves for pulsation signatures and, within our sample of 18 objects, we find six definite and eight possible cases of β Cephei pulsation, seven cases of stochastic low-frequency (SLF) variability, and eight instances of possible slowly pulsating B (SPB) star pulsation. The large number of pulsating eclipsing systems we have identified makes asteroseismology of high-mass stars in eclipsing binaries a feasible avenue to constrain the interior physics of a large sample of massive stars for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed analysis of five bright spectroscopic binary systems (HD 18665, HD 27131, HD 171852, HD 215550, and HD 217427) that have orbital periods of P≲500 days. We determined the complete set of orbital parameters using the toolkit RadVel by analyzing the observed radial velocity curves. To study the properties of the five systems, we also analyzed the intermediate resolution spectra (R≈20,000) observed with the Telescopio Internacional de Guanajuato Robótico Espectroscópico (TIGRE) telescope and determined the stellar parameters of the primary stars using the toolkit iSpec. With Gaia Early Data Release 3 parallaxes, a correction for interstellar extinction using the 3D dust map, and bolometric corrections, we placed the stars in the Hertzsprung‐Russell diagram and compared the positions with stellar evolution tracks calculated with the Eggleton code to determine the masses and ages of the primary stars. They have all evolved to the giant phase. Finally, we were able to determine the masses of the secondary stars and to estimate the orbital inclinations i of the binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of substellar evolution predicts that there is a sharp mass boundary between lithium and non-lithium brown dwarfs, not far below the substellar-mass limit. The imprint of thermonuclear burning is carved on the surface lithium abundance of substellar-mass objects during the first few hundred million years of their evolution, leading to a sharp boundary between lithium and non-lithium brown dwarfs, so-called, the lithium test. The theoretical predictions can be tested by comparing with observations of lithium in the individual components of binaries with dynamical masses measured from orbital motions. New optical spectroscopic observations of the binaries DENIS J063001.4−184014AB and DENIS J225210.7−173013AB obtained using the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio de Canarias are reported here. They allow us to re-determine their combined optical spectral types (M9.5 and L6.5, respectively) and to search for the presence of the Li  i resonance doublet. The non-detection of the Li  i feature in the combined spectrum of DENIS J063001.4−184014AB is converted into estimates for the depletion of lithium in the individual components of this binary system. In DENIS J225210.7−173013AB, we report the detection of a weak Li  i feature which we tentatively ascribe as arising from the contribution of the T3.5-type secondary. Combining our results with data for seven other brown dwarf binaries in the literature treated in a self-consistent way, we confirm that there is indeed a sharp transition in mass for lithium depletion in brown dwarfs, as expected from theoretical calculations. We estimate such mass boundary is observationally located at 51.48 |$^{+0.22}_{-4.00}\, M_\mathrm{Jup}$|⁠ , which is lower than the theoretical determinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the discovery and characterization of an eclipsing binary identified by the Next Generation Transit Survey in the ∼115-Myr-old Blanco 1 open cluster. NGTS J0002−29 comprises three M dwarfs: a short-period binary and a companion in a wider orbit. This system is the first well-characterized, low-mass eclipsing binary in Blanco 1. With a low mass ratio, a tertiary companion, and binary components that straddle the fully convective boundary, it is an important benchmark system, and one of only two well-characterized, low-mass eclipsing binaries at this age. We simultaneously model light curves from NGTS, TESS , SPECULOOS, and SAAO, radial velocities from VLT/UVES and Keck/HIRES, and the system's spectral energy distribution. We find that the binary components travel on circular orbits around their common centre of mass in P orb = 1.098 005 24 ± 0.000 000 38 d, and have masses M pri = 0.3978 ± 0.0033 M⊙ and M sec = 0.2245 ± 0.0018 M⊙, radii R pri = 0.4037 ± 0.0048 R⊙ and R sec = 0.2759 ± 0.0055 R⊙, and effective temperatures |$T_{\rm pri}=\mbox{$3372\, ^{+44}_{-37}$}$| K and |$T_{\rm sec}=\mbox{$3231\, ^{+38}_{-31}$}$| K. We compare these properties to the predictions of seven stellar evolution models, which typically imply an inflated primary. The system joins a list of 19 well-characterized, low-mass, sub-Gyr, stellar-mass eclipsing binaries, which constitute some of the strongest observational tests of stellar evolution theory at low masses and young ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parameter space for modelling stellar systems is vast and complicated. To find best-fitting models for a star one needs a statistically robust way of exploring this space. We present a new machine-learning approach to predict the modelling parameters for detached double-lined eclipsing binary systems, including the system age, based on observable quantities. Our method allows for the estimation of the importance of several physical effects which are included in a parametrized form in stellar models, such as convective core overshoot or stellar spot coverage. The method yields probability distribution functions for the predicted parameters which take into account the statistical and, to a certain extent, the systematic errors which is very difficult to do using other methods. We employ two different approaches to investigate the two components of the system either independently or in a combined manner. Furthermore, two different grids are used as training data. We apply the method to 26 selected objects and test the predicted best solutions with an on-the-fly optimization routine which generates full hydrostatic models. While we do encounter failures of the predictions, our method can serve as a rapid estimate for stellar ages of detached eclipsing binaries taking full account of the uncertainties in the observables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform an asteroseismic investigation of giant stars in the field of NGC 6791 with previous indications of atypical evolution. The analysis uses observations from Kepler and Gaia in combination with ground-based photometry, a literature radial-velocity study, and measurements of eclipsing binaries in the cluster. We derive mass, radius, effective temperature, evolutionary stage, and apparent distance modulus of each target. Among the investigated cluster giants we find clear evidence of overmassive and undermassive members, and non-members with strong hints of potential past membership. Our results indicate that about 10 per cent of the red giants in the cluster have experienced mass transfer or a merger. High-resolution high-S/N spectroscopic follow-up could confirm potential past membership of the non-members, and reveal whether certain element abundances might expose the non-standard evolution of overmassive and undermassive stars. If so, field stars of similar type could be identified as what they are, i.e. overmassive or undermassive stars, and not mistakenly classified as younger or older than they are. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kepler space telescope has provided exquisite data with which to perform asteroseismic analysis on evolved star ensembles. Studying star clusters offers significant insight into stellar evolution and structure, due to having a large number of stars with essentially the same age, distance, and chemical composition. This study analysed eight solar-like oscillating evolved stars that are members of the open cluster NGC 6811 and modelled them for the first time. The fundamental stellar parameters are obtained from the interior model using observational asteroseismic and non-asteroseismic constraints. The stellar interior models are constructed using the mesa evolution code. The mass-loss method is included in the interior models of the stars. The stellar masses and radius ranges of the stars are 2.23–2.40 M⊙ and 8.47–12.38 R⊙, respectively. Typical uncertainties for the mass and radius are ∼0.11 M⊙ and ∼0.09 R⊙, respectively. The model masses and radii are compared with masses and radii obtained from asteroseismic and non-asteroseismic methods (scaling relations and classic methods). The stellar ages fell in the range between 0.71 and 0.82 Gyr, with a typical uncertainty of |${\sim}18$| per cent. The model ages of the stars calculated in this study are compatible with those reported in the literature for NGC 6811. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar analogues are important stars to study for understanding the properties of the Sun. Combined with seismic and spectroscopic analysis, evolutionary modelling becomes a powerful method to characterize stellar intrinsic parameters, such as mass, radius, metallicity and age. However, these characteristics, relevant for other aspects of astrophysics or exoplanetary system physics, for example, are difficult to obtain with high precision and/or accuracy. The goal of this study is to characterize the two solar analogues, HD 42618 and HD 43587, observed by CoRoT. In particular, we aim to infer their precise mass, radius and age, using evolutionary modelling constrained by spectroscopic, photometric and seismic analysis. These stars show evidence of being older than the Sun but with a relatively large lithium abundance. We present the seismic analysis of HD 42618, and the modelling of the two solar analogues, HD 42618 and HD 43587 using the cestam stellar evolution code. Models were computed to reproduce the spectroscopic (effective temperature and metallicity) and seismic (mode frequency) data, and the luminosity of the stars, based on Gaia parallaxes. We infer very similar values of mass and radius for both stars compared with the literature, within the uncertainties, and we reproduce correctly the seismic constraints. The modelling shows that HD 42618 is slightly less massive and older than the Sun, and that HD 43587 is more massive and older than the Sun, in agreement with previous results. The use of chemical clocks improves the reliability of our age estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we analysed the magnetic activity of 5349 Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) low-dispersion spectra of 3539 red giants by calculating equivalent width (EW) of magnetic activity lines (H  α , H  β , H  γ , H  δ , |$\rm{Ca~{ii} H\&K}$|⁠ , |$\rm{Ca~{ii} IRT}$|⁠). Combining LAMOST spectral parameters, asteroseismic parameters, and EWs of the magnetic activity lines, an attempt was made to estimate the age of red giants using neural networks. By using the neural networks to select the input parameters, we get the best age estimation of the red giants with the input parameters ' T eff', '[Fe/H]', 'log g ', ' ν max', and 'Δ ν ', which is in line with expectations. The average value of the relative error between the estimated age and the isochronous age is 22.4 per cent. The age estimation was not improved by adding the EWs of more magnetic activity lines. This indicates that the EWs of these spectral lines are not directly related to the age of the red giants. The reason for this might be that the dynamo operating in the outer layers of the red giants has shut off at the end of core-hydrogen-burning. The absence of emission in all the magnetic activity lines of the 5349 LAMOST spectra also confirms this conclusion. In addition, the results indicate that the EWs of the magnetic activity lines are more related to the effective temperature, which is also in line with expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explore the evolution of lithium in giant stars based on data assembled from the literature on asteroseismology and Li abundances for giants. Our final sample of 187 giants consists of 44 red giant branch (RGB), 140 core He-burning (CHeB), and three giants with an unclassified evolutionary phase. For all 187 stars, the seismic parameters |$\nu \rm _{max}$| (frequency of maximum oscillation power) and Δν (large frequency spacing) are available, while |$\Delta \Pi \rm _{1}$| (the asymptotic gravity-mode period spacing) is available for a subset of 64. For some of the CHeB giants, mass estimates from the asteroseismic scaling relations are found to be underestimated when compared with mass estimates from isochrones based on seismic data. Whilst most of the Li-rich giants in the sample have masses less than 1.5 M⊙, they are also present up to and beyond the maximum mass expected to have suffered a core He-flash, i.e. |$M\, \le$| 2.25 M⊙: this suggests contributions from other processes towards Li enrichment. To understand the evolution of giants in the |$\Delta \Pi \rm _{1}\, -\, \Delta \nu$| plane, we use the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics models that show the presence of mini-He-flashes following the initial strong core He-flash. From the distribution of A (Li) as a function of Δν, which is similar to the distribution of A (Li) as a function of luminosity, we find no indication of Li enrichment near the luminosity bump. Also, A (Li) trends to ∼−1.5 dex near the RGB tip. The data also suggest a decrease in A (Li) with an increase in |$\Delta \Pi \rm _{1}$| for CHeB giants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from the space missions Gaia, Kepler, CoRoT and TESS , make it possible to compare parallax and asteroseismic distances. From the ratio of two densities ρsca/ρπ, we obtain an empirical relation f Δν between the asteroseismic large frequency separation and mean density, which is important for more accurate stellar mass and radius. This expression for main-sequence (MS) and subgiant stars with K -band magnitude is very close to the one obtained from interior MS models by Yıldız, Çelik & Kayhan. We also discuss the effects of effective temperature and parallax offset as the source of the difference between asteroseismic and non-asteroseismic stellar parameters. We have obtained our best results for about 3500 red giants (RGs) by using 2MASS data and model values for f Δν from Sharma et al. Another unknown scaling parameter |$f_{\nu _{\rm max}}$| comes from the relationship between the frequency of maximum amplitude and gravity. Using different combinations of |$f_{\nu _{\rm max}}$| and the parallax offset, we find that the parallax offset is generally a function of distance. The situation where this slope disappears is accepted as the most reasonable solution. By a very careful comparison of asteroseismic and non-asteroseismic parameters, we obtain very precise values for the parallax offset and |$f_{\nu _{\rm max}}$| for RGs of –0.0463 ± 0.0007 mas and 1.003 ± 0.001, respectively. Our results for mass and radius are in perfect agreement with those of APOKASC-2: the mass and radius of ∼3500 RGs are in the range of about 0.8–1.8 M⊙ (96 per cent) and 3.8–38 R⊙, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar twins are key in different areas of astrophysics, however only just over a hundred were identified and well-studied in the last two decades. In this work, we take advantage of the very precise Gaia (DR2/EDR3), Tycho, and 2MASS photometric systems to create the |${{Inti}}$| survey of new solar twins in the Northern Hemisphere. The spectra of our targets were initially obtained with spectrographs of moderate resolution (ARCES and Goodman spectrographs with R  = 31 500 and 11 930, respectively) to find the best solar twin candidates and then observed at McDonald Observatory with higher resolving power (TS23, R  = 60 000) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR ∼ 300–500). The stellar parameters were estimated through the differential spectroscopic equilibrium relative to the Sun, which allow us to achieve a high internal precision (σ(T eff)  = 15 K, σ(log  g)  = 0.03 dex, σ(⁠|$\rm {[Fe/H]}$|⁠)  = 0.01 dex, and σ(vt)  = 0.03 km s−1). We propose a new class of stars with evolution similar to the Sun: solar proxy, which is useful to perform studies related to the evolution of the Sun, such as its rotational and magnetic evolution. Its definition is based on metallicity (−0.15 dex ≤ |$\rm {[Fe/H]}$| ≤  + 0.15 dex) and mass (0.95 M⊙ ≤ M ≤ 1.05 M⊙) constraints, thus assuring that the star follows a similar evolutionary path as the Sun along the main sequence. Based on this new definition, we report 70 newly identified solar proxies, 46 solar analogues, and 13 solar-type stars. In addition, we identified nine close solar twins whose stellar parameters are the most similar to those of the Sun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asteroseismology using space-based telescopes is vital to our understanding of stellar structure and evolution. CoRoT, Kepler , and TESS space telescopes have detected large numbers of solar-like oscillating evolved stars. Solar-like oscillation frequencies have an important role in the determination of fundamental stellar parameters; in the literature, the relations between the two is established by the so-called scaling relations. In this study, we analyse data obtained from the observation of 15 evolved solar-like oscillating stars using the Kepler and ground-based telescopes. The main purpose of the study is to determine very precisely the fundamental parameters of evolved stars by constructing interior models using asteroseismic parameters. We also fit the reference frequencies of models to the observational reference frequencies caused by the He  ii ionization zone. The 15 evolved stars are found to have masses and radii within ranges of 0.79–1.47 M⊙ and 1.60–3.15 R ⊙, respectively. Their model ages range from 2.19 to 12.75 Gyr. It is revealed that fitting reference frequencies typically increase the accuracy of asteroseismic radius, mass, and age. The typical uncertainties of mass and radius are ∼3–6 and ∼1–2 per cent, respectively. Accordingly, the differences between the model and literature ages are generally only a few Gyr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the effective temperatures (T eff) of red supergiants (RSGs) observationally is important in many fields of stellar physics and galactic astronomy, yet some significant difficulties remain as a result of the model uncertainty, which originates mainly in the extended atmospheres of RSGs. Here we propose a line-depth ratio (LDR) method in which we use only Fe  i lines. As opposed to the conventional LDR method, in which lines of multiple species are involved, this LDR method is insensitive to surface gravity effects and is expected to circumvent the uncertainty originating in the upper atmosphere of RSGs. Therefore, the LDR– T eff relationships that we calibrated empirically with red giants can be directly applied to RSGs, although various differences between the two groups of objects, for example caused by 3D non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) effects, need to be kept in mind. Using the near-infrared YJ -band spectra of nine well-known solar-metallicity red giants observed with the WINERED high-resolution spectrograph, we selected 12 pairs of Fe  i lines that were the least contaminated with other lines. After applying their LDR– T eff relation to 10 nearby RSGs, the resulting T eff with an internal precision of |$30\!-\!70\, \mathrm{K}$| shows good agreement with previous observational results assuming 1D LTE and with the Geneva stellar evolution model. We found no evidence of significant systematic bias caused by various differences, including those in the size of the non-LTE effects, between red giants and RSGs, except for one line pair that we rejected because the non-LTE effects may be as large as |$\sim \! 250\, \mathrm{K}$|⁠. Nevertheless, it is difficult to evaluate the systematic bias, and further study is required, for example including the 3D non-LTE calculations of all the lines involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary and multiple stellar systems are numerous in our solar neighbourhood with 80 per cent of the solar-type stars being members of systems with high order multiplicity. The Contact   Binaries   Towards   Merging (CoBiToM) Project is a programme that focuses on contact binaries and multiple stellar systems, as a key for understanding stellar nature. The goal is to investigate stellar coalescence and merging processes, as the final state of stellar evolution of low-mass contact binary systems. Obtaining observational data of approximately 100 eclipsing binaries and multiple systems and more than 400 archival systems, the programme aspires to give insights for their physical and orbital parameters and their temporal variations, e.g. the orbital period modulation, spot activity etc. Gravitational phenomena in multiple-star environments will be linked with stellar evolution. A comprehensive analysis will be conducted, in order to investigate the possibility of contact binaries to host planets, as well as the link between inflated hot Jupiters and stellar mergers. The innovation of CoBiToM Project is based on a multimethod approach and a detailed investigation, that will shed light for the first time on the origin of stellar mergers and rapidly rotating stars. In this work, we describe the scientific rationale, the observing facilities to be used and the methods that will be followed to achieve the goals of CoBiToM Project and we present the first results as an example of the current research on evolution of contact binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HD 139614 is known to be a ∼14-Myr-old, possibly pre-main-sequence star in the Sco-Cen OB association in the Upper Centaurus-Lupus subgroup, with a slightly warped circumstellar disc containing ring structures hinting at one or more planets. The star's chemical abundance pattern is metal-deficient except for volatile elements, which places it in the λ Boo class and suggests it has recently accreted gas-rich but dust-poor material. We identify seven dipole and four radial pulsation modes among its δ Sct pulsations using the TESS light curve and an échelle diagram. Precision modelling with the mesa stellar evolution and gyre stellar oscillation programs confirms it is on the pre-main sequence. Asteroseismic, grid-based modelling suggests an age of 10.75 ± 0.77 Myr, a mass of 1.52 ± 0.02 M ⊙, and a global metal abundance of Z  = 0.0100 ± 0.0010. This represents the first asteroseismic determination of the bulk metallicity of a λ Boo star. The precise age and metallicity offer a benchmark for age estimates in Upper Centaurus–Lupus, and for understanding disc retention and planet formation around intermediate-mass stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For nine bright K giants within 100 pc of the sun, the fundamental parameters and the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) abundances of three key light elements (Li, C, and O) are accurately determined. These stars are of special interest due to the planets detected around them. Their fundamental parameters are found to be typical for K giants; in particular, these stars have effective temperatures Teff =3,920-4,830 K, surface gravities log g =1.20-2.85, masses M =1.2-2.8 M, and ages t =0.4-5.4 Gyr (the pronounced anticorrelation between ages t and masses M exists). The microturbulent parameter Vt derived from Fe I lines varies between 1.2 and 1.9 kms-1; the metallicity index [Fe/H] forfive stars is close to the normal (zero) value, for other four stars it varies between -0.3 and -0.4 dex. All the giants are on the red giant branch stage and passed the first-dredge-up (FDU) phase. This conclusion is confirmed by the published low isotope ratios 12C/13C and 16O/17O. Basing on the non-LTE analysis of Li I, C I, and O I lines, we determined abundances of lithium, carbon, and oxygen, three tracers of stellar evolution. The carbon deficiency -0.3 dex is found for the giants, which is quite expectable for these post-FDU objects. The oxygen abundance is likely to be unchanged, whereas for the C/O ratio we obtained (after correction due to galactic chemical evolution) the mean value [C/O]cor =-0.22±0.10 that is in very good agreement with the theory. The lithium abundance is not detected for seven of nine program giants; this result is quite expectable for the post-FDU stars. We determined the Li abundance with the confidence only for two giants, namely, log ϵ(Li) = 0.92 for β Gem and log ϵ(Li) = 0.45 for μ Leo; this result contradicts the standard theory. Hypothetical engulfment by a star of a giant planet could solve the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photometric surveys with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) allow us to study stellar populations with high-resolution and deep coverage, with estimates of the physical parameters of the constituent stars being typically obtained by comparing the survey data with adequate stellar evolutionary models. This is a highly non-trivial task due to effects such as differential extinction, photometric errors, low filter coverage, or uncertainties in the stellar evolution calculations. These introduce degeneracies that are difficult to detect and break. To improve this situation, we introduce a novel deep learning approach, called conditional invertible neural network (cINN), to solve the inverse problem of predicting physical parameters from photometry on an individual star basis and to obtain the full posterior distributions. We build a carefully curated synthetic training data set derived from the PARSEC stellar evolution models to predict stellar age, initial/current mass, luminosity, effective temperature, and surface gravity. We perform tests on synthetic data from the MIST and Dartmouth models, and benchmark our approach on HST data of two well-studied stellar clusters, Westerlund 2 and NGC 6397. For the synthetic data, we find overall excellent performance, and note that age is the most difficult parameter to constrain. For the benchmark clusters, we retrieve reasonable results and confirm previous findings for Westerlund 2 on cluster age (⁠|$1.04_{-0.90}^{+8.48}\, \mathrm{Myr}$|⁠), mass segregation, and the stellar initial mass function. For NGC 6397, we recover plausible estimates for masses, luminosities, and temperatures, however, discrepancies between stellar evolution models and observations prevent an acceptable recovery of age for old stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]