Showing papers by "F. Thévenin published in 2019"

Gaia Data Release 2. Properties and validation of the radial velocities

Abstract: Context. For Gaia DR2, 280 million spectra collected by the Radial Velocity Spectrometer instrument on board Gaia were processed, and median radial velocities were derived for 9.8 million sources brighter than G RVS = 12 mag.Aims. This paper describes the validation and properties of the median radial velocities published in Gaia DR2.Methods. Quality tests and filters were applied to select those of the 9.8 million radial velocities that have the quality to be published in Gaia DR2. The accuracy of the selected sample was assessed with respect to ground-based catalogues. Its precision was estimated using both ground-based catalogues and the distribution of the Gaia radial velocity uncertainties. Results. Gaia DR2 contains median radial velocities for 7 224 631 stars, with T eff in the range [3550, 6900] K, which successfully passed the quality tests. The published median radial velocities provide a full-sky coverage and are complete with respect to the astrometric data to within 77.2% (for G ≤ 12.5 mag). The median radial velocity residuals with respect to the ground-based surveys vary from one catalogue to another, but do not exceed a few 100 m s−1 . In addition, the Gaia radial velocities show a positive trend as a function of magnitude, which starts around G RVS ~ 9 mag and reaches about + 500 m s−1 at G RVS = 11.75 mag. The origin of the trend is under investigation, with the aim to correct for it in Gaia DR3. The overall precision, estimated from the median of the Gaia radial velocity uncertainties, is 1.05 km s−1 . The radial velocity precision is a function of many parameters, in particular, the magnitude and effective temperature. For bright stars, G RVS ∈ [4, 8] mag, the precision, estimated using the full dataset, is in the range 220–350 m s−1 , which is about three to five times more precise than the pre-launch specification of 1 km s−1 . At the faint end, G RVS = 11.75 mag, the precisions for T eff = 5000 and 6500 K are 1.4 and 3.7 km s−1 , respectively.

Chemical Compositions of Field and Globular Cluster RR~Lyrae Stars: II. omega Centauri

Abstract: We present a detailed spectroscopic analysis of RR Lyrae (RRL) variables in the globular cluster NGC 5139 (omega Cen). We collected optical (4580-5330 A), high resolution (R = 34,000), high signal-to-noise ratio (200) spectra for 113 RRLs with the multi-fiber spectrograph M2FS at the Magellan/Clay Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. We also analysed high resolution (R = 26,000) spectra for 122 RRLs collected with FLAMES/GIRAFFE at the VLT, available in the ESO archive. The current sample doubles the literature abundances of cluster and field RRLs in the Milky Way based on high resolution spectra. Equivalent width measurements were used to estimate atmospheric parameters, iron, and abundance ratios for alpha (Mg, Ca, Ti), iron peak (Sc, Cr, Ni, Zn), and s-process (Y) elements. We confirm that omega Cen is a complex cluster, characterised by a large spread in the iron content: -2.58 0.4). This peculiar bimodal enrichment only shows up in the s-process element, and it is not observed among lighter elements, whose [X/Fe] ratios are typical for Galactic globular clusters.

First detection of oscillations in the Halo giant HD 122563: Validation of seismic scaling relations and new parameters

Abstract: Aims . The nearby metal-poor giant HD 122563 is an important astrophysical laboratory in which to test stellar atmospheric and interior physics. It is also a benchmark star for which to calibrate methods to apply to large scale surveys. Recently it has been remeasured using various methodologies given the new high precision instruments at our disposal. However, inconsistencies in the observations and models have been found.Methods . In order to better characterise this star using complementary techniques we have been measuring its radial velocities since 2016 using the Hertzsprung telescope (SONG network node) in order to detect oscillations.Results . In this work we report the first detections of sun-like oscillations in this star, and to our knowledge, a detection in the most metal-poor giant to date. We applied the classical seismic scaling relation to derive a new surface gravity for HD 122563 of log g ν = 1.39 ± 0.01. Reasonable constraints on the mass imposed by its PopII giant classification then yields a radius of 30.8 ± 1.0 ℛ⊙ . By coupling this new radius with recent interferometric measurements we infer a distance to the star of 306 ± 9 pc. This result places it further away than was previously thought and is inconsistent with the HIPPARCOS parallax. Independent data from the Gaia mission corroborate the distance hypothesis (d GDR2 = 290 ± 5 pc), and thus the updated fundamental parameters.Conclusions . We confirm the validity of the classical seismic scaling relation for surface gravity in metal-poor and evolved star regimes. The remaining discrepancy of 0.04 dex between log g GDR2 (= 1.43 ± 0.03) reduces to 0.02 dex by applying corrections to the scaling relations based on the mean molecular weight and adiabatic exponent. The new constraints on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram (L ⋆ν = 381 ± 26 ℒ⊙ ) significantly reduce the disagreement between the stellar parameters and evolution models, however, a discrepancy of the order of 150 K still exists. Fine-tuned stellar evolution calculations show that this discrepancy can be reconciled by changing the mixing-length parameter by an amount (−0.35) that is in agreement with predictions from recent 3D simulations and empirical results. Asteroseismic measurements are continuing, and analysis of the full frequency data complemented by a distance estimate promises to bring important constraints on our understanding of this star and of the accurate calibration of the seismic scaling relations in this regime.

The puzzling high velocity G5 supergiant star HD 179821 : new insight from Gaia DR2 data

Abstract: HD 179821 is classified as G5 Ia star. From the IRAS colors and spectral energy distributions it was classified as a post-AGB star. But some studies classify it as a massive (30 to 19 Msun ) post-red supergiant evolving to become a Type II supernova. Its mass and evolutionary status remained a hotly debated question even after several detailed spectroscopic studies as the distance was not known. We use the parallax of HD 179821 from the second Gaia data release, and deduce its distance 2959 +/- 409 pc and its absolute magnitude MV = -5.7 +/- 0.3. Using the absolute magnitude determined in this paper, we show that HD 179821 fits very well with post-AGB tracks in the H-R diagram. Our results clearly confirm that HD 179821 is a post-AGB star of mass in the range of 0.8 Msun. It is not a 30 Msun red supergiant. The progenitor mass of this post-AGB star may be in the range of 4 Msun but may be a bit more.