Showing papers by "Lee Hartmann published in 1979"

Radiative amplification of sound waves in the winds of O and B stars

Abstract: The velocity perturbation associated with an outwardly propagating sound wave in a radiation-driven stellar wind gives rise to a periodic Doppler shifting of absorption lines formed in the flow. A linearized theory applicable to optically thin waves is used to show that the resulting fluctuation in the absorption-line force can cause the wave amplitude to grow. Detailed calculations of the acceleration due to a large number of lines indicate that significant amplification can occur throughout the high-velocity portion of winds in which the dominant force-producing lines have appreciable optical depths. In the particular case of the wind of Zeta Pup (O4f), it is found that the e-folding distance for wave growth is considerably shorter than the scale lengths over which the physical properties of the flow vary. A qualitative estimate of the rate at which mechanical energy due to nonlinear waves can be dissipated suggests that this mechanism may be important in heating the supersonic portion of winds of early-type stars.

Ultraviolet observations of AM Herculis with IUE

Abstract: Ultraviolet observations of the binary X-ray source AM Herculis from the IUE satellite show strong emission lines of ions from O I to N V, probably originating in photoionized gas, and a continuum which is partially eclipsed in phase with the X-ray eclipse. The emission lines have broad (about 600 km/s) and sharp (about 80 km/s) components at different velocities, as has been seen in optical lines. The continuum is interpreted as two components, a blackbody (blackbody kT of 25-30 eV) which accounts for the X-ray emission below 0.5 keV and the eclipsed part of the UV continuum, and a component which is never eclipsed, whose spectrum is roughly proportional to the inverse of frequency. Strong ultraviolet emission due to optically thick cyclotron emission, which has been predicted theoretically, is not observed. This presents a severe difficulty for the theory of accretion onto the magnetic pole of a white dwarf.

Stellar luminosity stability - Luminosity variations and light curve period changes in BY Draconis stars

Abstract: The implications for convection in late type stars arising from the observations of BY Draconis type variability are examined. The possibility that the total luminosity of such a star is not constant is emphasized, and further observational tests to better define the variability are suggested. An alternative to standard spot models is explored in which the 'missing' flux from 'dark' spots is temporally redistributed; this model makes definite predictions about the correlation of mean light and color, and about the quiescent (i.e., unspotted) magnitudes of BY Draconis stars. The time scales of the long-period variability of these stars appear to require secular changes in convective energy transport. Consideration is given to the evidence for period changes in the optical light curves, and it is concluded that the reality of such changes is far less certain than previously claimed.

High-pressure transition regions in stellar model chromospheres

Abstract: The implications of recent ultraviolet observations of stellar transition-region lines for calculations of the Ca II and Mg II resonance lines are investigated. It is found that the adoption of high transition-region pressures for stars with active chromospheres, such as Lambda And and Alpha Aur, can be consistent with observed Ca II fluxes, contrary to the results obtained by Kelch et al. (1978) for Alpha Aur. Furthermore, the adoption of the high-pressure models removes a long-standing difficulty in the line profile calculations, since the deep central absorption present in earlier calculations is less pronounced or absent, in closer agreement with observations. The apparent contradiction between these models and the recent density diagnostic of Doschek et al. (1978) is also discussed.

Ultraviolet spectroscopic measurements of globular clusters

Abstract: Ultraviolet spectra of six globular clusters (M15, M92, NGC 1851, NGC 6624, 47 Tuc, and NGC 6752) have been taken with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite in order to investigate the surface brightness distributions in the central regions. The ultraviolet emission indicates composite stellar spectra. Short-wavelength emission (1200-1900 A) arises from blue horizontal-branch stars; long-wavelength emission (2100-3000 A) is characteristic of late-type horizontal-branch and giant stars. The surface brightness distribution is more compact at short wavelengths than at long wavelengths, suggesting a segregation of horizontal-branch stars. A dense core appears to be present in X-ray-emitting clusters and absent in those clusters without X-ray sources. The X-ray source in NGC 6624 may have been detected at short wavelengths (1300-1900 A).

Chromospheres and coronae of late-type stars

Abstract: IUE short wavelength (1150-2000 A) spectra of late-type dwarfs, giant, and supergiant stars show a variety of emission features varying in excitation from about 10,000 K to about 3 x 10 to the 5th K. High excitation species are found most strongly in main sequence stars. Dwarf stars with active chromospheres (e.g., Xi Boo) and flare stars (EQ Peg) show enhancement of surface flux as compared to the quiet sun; binary systems of W UMa and RS CVn types show even larger surface fluxes. The enhancement increases with temperature of formation much like a solar active region. The presence of high excitation species in the giant and supergiant stars suggests that parameters other than effective temperature and luminosity are important in establishing a transition region and corona.