MHD Simulation of Inner 0.5 AU of FU Ori, Zhu Et Al

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

MHD Simulation of Inner 0.5 AU of FU Ori, Zhu Et Al Star Formation and the Origins of Planetary Systems Lecture 6: Pre-main sequence stars MHD simulation of inner 0.5 AU of FU Ori, Zhu et al. (2020) Background reading: (Crete II) Hartmann (2008) book, Chapters: 4.1-4.2, 8.4-8.8, all of 9, all of 11 !1 Summary Lecture 5 ▪Census of high-mass YSOs in Milky Way now possible due to new observational facilities ▪Spitzer, Herschel, masers, radio ▪Earliest pre-stellar core phase still elusive ▪Two theories for massive star formation ▪Scaled-up version low-mass: turbulent core accretion ▪Competitive accretion ▪Scenario (under debate) ▪IRDC → HMPO→ hot core→UC HII ▪Long lifetime and range of morphologies UC HII regions due to combination of effects ▪No optically visible pre-main sequence phase !2 Summary Image Credit: Cormac Purcell •Hyper-compact HII regions (eg Observed as cold, dense cores Kurtz et al. 2005) •Infrared-dark clouds •Ultra-compact HII regions - well •“mm-only” cores studied (see Churchwell and co.) Q: What is wrong with this picture? A: It has all of these stages separately, whereas in reality one finds observationally a hot core next to an ultra compact H II region. SPF course progress: where are we now? Date Who Lecture 18 Feb. EvD Motivation, history, & observational facilities (Star formation) 20 Feb. EvD Pre-stellar cores, cloud collapse 25 Feb. EvD SEDs, embedded protostars Has links to core courses: 27 Feb. EvD Outflows & jets • ISM • Stellar structure & evolution 3 Mar. EvD High mass star formation 10 Mar. MM Pre-main sequence star types, stellar birthline 12 Mar. MM Circumstellar disks 17 Mar. MM Disk evolution & planet formation (Planet formation) 24 Mar. MM Planet formation: Jovian vs terrestrial planets Has links to specialist courses: 26 Mar. MM Icy bodies in outer solar system, debris disk evolution • Astrochemistry 31 Mar. EvD Condensation processes, meteorites, missions • Aromatic Universe 2 Apr. EvD Chondrules, planetary atmospheres • Exo-planet Interiors & Atmospheres 7 Apr. MM Extrasolar planets 14 Apr. MM Astrobiology (Life formation) !4 Low-mass star system formation sequence: Hogerheijde (1998) , after Shu (1987) Stellar phase definitions: "pre-stellar" "proto-stellar" "pre-main sequence" "zero-age (cloud core collapse) (object at center of (object is optically visible; main sequence: ZAMS" collapsing cloud; no H-burning) (begin H-burning) not optically visible) Starting point for Stellar Structure & Evolution course !5 Lecture structure "pre-stellar" "proto-stellar" "pre-main sequence" "zero-age main sequence: ZAMS" 1. Timescales/definitions 2. Early collapse & protostar formation What happens TO the forming star. 3. Accretion from protostars to PMS 4. Internal stellar structure & PMS evolution in HR diagram What happens IN the forming star. !6 6.1 Characteristic timescales (1/2) Free-fall, tff Accretion, tacc Thermal, tKH (KH=Kelvin-Helmholtz) Period a star would shine with current Time required for a uniform- Time required for a uniform- luminosity, if only power source were density core to collapse under density core to accrete (not fall!) conversion of gravitational energy to gravity to its center, if it suddenly onto a central point source, heat. lost all pressure support. assuming a fixed dM/dt. Hartmann, p. 60-61 Time it takes a heat wave to propagate through optically thick stellar core. 2 3π Rcore Mcore |W| GM* tff = ∼ tacc = · tKH = ∼ 32Gρ cs Macc L R*L* For M* ~1 Msun, then tff ≪ tKH and tff < tacc. !7 Characteristic timescales (2/2) Protostellar phase Pre-main sequence phase tacc < tKH tKH < tacc Rapid accretion onto star; accreted material cannot adjust Inefficient accretion, accreted material now has time to thermally, so dissipates kinetic energy into heat at accretion thermally adjust. Protostellar core evolves towards MS shock interface. on thermal timescale (tKH). Luminosity generated by accretion shock. Luminosity generated through slow, radial contraction. !8 Categories of pre-main sequence stars, by mass. Brown dwarfs Classical Intermediate-mass Herbig AeBe Stars T Tauri Stars T Tauri Stars 1.5-15 Msun, M< 0.08 Msun, M< 1Msun, 1<M< 1.5Msun, F6-B0 SpT SpT L, T - M5 SpT M5-K0 SpT G9-F7 (end state) !9 Lecture progress "pre-stellar" "proto-stellar" "pre-main sequence" "zero-age main sequence: ZAMS" 1. Timescale definitions 2. Early collapse & protostar formation 3. Accretion from protostars to PMS 4. Internal stellar structure & PMS evolution in HR diagram !10 6.2 Collapse of cloud core to initial protostar • Numerical protostellar collapse models (∆� ~20 orders of magnitude, ∆r ~7 orders). Seminal work by Larson (1969). • Consider gas (H2, H, H+, He, He+, He++) & dust with information on turbulent viscosity & opacity (κνabs, κνsca) • Solve structure equations: set of 10 partial differential equations for mass conservation, energy balance and momentum conservation, plus Poisson equation for gravity + radiation energy balance. Four distinct collapse phases from cloud core to protostar. Understood mostly through hydro- dynamical simulations, as observationally difficult. Derivations given in Larson (1969); Shu (1977); Hartmann (2008) book, sections 4.1, 4.2. !11 Phase 1. Free-fall collapse (� < 10 -13 g cm-3) Derivations in lecture #3: Singular isothermal sphere (SIS) model Shu (1977) · 3 Macc = 0.975 cs G sound speed ("a" in SPF#3) -6 -1 ~ 1.6x10 Msun yr @10 K Collapse is isothermal, on free-fall timescale, with an accretion rate dependent on T. Compressional heat is radiated away by thermal dust and molecular emission. !12 Phase 2a. First core (� > 10 -13 g cm-3) Fig. 3, Machida & Matsumoto (2011) Inner layers become optically thick to IR radiation: T rises, then thermal pressure halts collapse: HSEQ. Formation of first hydrostatic core, ~3 AU in radius, M~0.004 Msun. Collapse continues adiabatically. !13 Problem! How long can 1st core maintain thermal pressure support? Opacity gap • Hydrostatic EQ maintained by high ] temperatures. -1 g 2 • High temperatures maintained by [cm R κ optical depth (opacity source) • But as T increases, grains sublimate & molecules dissociate...opacity gap! Opacity: log - Ices Rocks H2 H H, He (<150 K) (<1400 K) (<3000 K) ion. So what happens next? Fig. from Henning & Stognienko (1996) https://www2.mpia-hd.mpg.de/home/henning/Dust_opacities/Opacities/opacities.html !14 st Phase 2b. Second collapse (Tc > 2000 K, inside 1 core) Fig. 3, Machida & Matsumoto (2011) H2 dissociates into atomic H; 1st adiabatic exponent Γ= (dlog P/dlog ρ)S drops below critical value of 4/3 → Dynamical instability produces second collapse. !15 Phase 3: Opacity phase & second core Fig. 3, Machida & Matsumoto (2011) Eventually stellar densities (ρ ≈ 10-2 g cm-3) are reached. Atomic H ionizes, producing opacity such that Γ > 4/3; formation of second stellar core + first circumstellar disk. Series of additional collapse 2 phases corresponding to ionization of He and other atoms. Core grows to ~0.01 Msun in <10 yr. !16 Density vs radius during collapse & core stages. Larson (1969) !17 Exercise: Identify (& motivate) critical steps in diagram of T vs � during collapse. 1st core, 2nd core, H2 dissociative collapse, isothermal collapse, optically thick transition RJ MJ T Tohline (1982), Bate (1998) !18 Exercise: Identify (& motivate) critical steps in diagram of T vs � during collapse. RJ MJ Isothermal collapse T Tohline (1982), Bate (1998) !19 Exercise: Identify (& motivate) critical steps in diagram of T vs � during collapse. Optically thick transition RJ 1st core T Isothermal collapse MJ Tohline (1982), Bate (1998) !20 Exercise: Identify (& motivate) critical steps in diagram of T vs � during collapse. Optically thick transition RJ H2 dissoc. 1st core collapse T Isothermal collapse MJ Tohline (1982), Bate (1998) !21 Exercise: Identify (& motivate) critical steps in diagram of T vs � during collapse. Optically thick transition 2nd core H2 dissoc. 1st core T collapse Isothermal MJ collapse Tohline (1982), Bate (1998) !22 Summary of protostar formation. 17 & 24 March Planet Formation by S. I. Planet Formation by C. A. Fig. 2, Inutsuka et al. (2010) !23 Lecture progress "pre-stellar" "proto-stellar" "pre-main sequence" "zero-age main sequence: ZAMS" 1. Timescale definitions 2. Early collapse & protostar formation 3. Accretion from protostars to PMS 4. Internal stellar structure & PMS evolution in HR diagram !24 6.3 Accretion (Phase 4: Accretion as a protostar) Final protostellar core is optically thick. Material still accreted from high angle. Luminosity produced by accretion shock: structure where kinetic energy of infalling material is thermalized and transformed into UV radiation, which is converted into IR radiation by surrounding material. Cooler gas settles down layer by layer to form protostar. Star rapidly becomes more massive than disk. Fig. 2, Machida & Matsumoto (2011) !25 Scale of accretion! So how long does this phase last? Fig. 2, Machida & Matsumoto (2011) !26 Estimate length of accretion-heavy phase · −6 −1 (constant dM/dt from SIS collapse models; SPF#3) M ∼ 1.6 × 10 Msun yr M 1M t = core = sun ∼ 0.6 Myr acc · −6 −1 M 1.6 × 10 Msun yr From population statistics (Dunham et al. 2015): tClass 0/I = 0.6 Myr SPF #3: But how does this dM/dt compare with rates for observed protostars...? !27 The "luminosity problem" L~1 Lsun M ~ 0.1 Msun Dunham+2013 R ~ 1 Rsun LClass 0/I = L* + Lacc · GM M ∼ * R* · −7 −1 M ∼ 10 Msun yr tClass 0/I = 10 Myr Too small! Too long! Kenyon et al. (1990), Kenyon & Hartmann (1995), Dunham et al. (2010, 2013, 2015) !28 A solution: episodic accretion Protostar PMS star Infalling FU Ori outbursts • ~10x difference in envelope-to-disk infall rate -4 Envelope vs disk-to-star mass accretion rate ] -1 • A mass pileup in the disk eventually triggers an yr ☉ EXor outburst accretion burst with rates spiking to ~104 M☉ yr-1 [M -6 ) Ṁ • Base accretion rate decays with time -8 -1 log ( to ~10 M☉ yr by PMS phase Disk accretion Way the star gets most of its mass.
Recommended publications
  • Exors and the Stellar Birthline Mackenzie S
    A&A 600, A133 (2017) Astronomy DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201630196 & c ESO 2017 Astrophysics EXors and the stellar birthline Mackenzie S. L. Moody1 and Steven W. Stahler2 1 Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA e-mail: [email protected] 2 Astronomy Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA e-mail: [email protected] Received 6 December 2016 / Accepted 23 February 2017 ABSTRACT We assess the evolutionary status of EXors. These low-mass, pre-main-sequence stars repeatedly undergo sharp luminosity increases, each a year or so in duration. We place into the HR diagram all EXors that have documented quiescent luminosities and effective temperatures, and thus determine their masses and ages. Two alternate sets of pre-main-sequence tracks are used, and yield similar results. Roughly half of EXors are embedded objects, i.e., they appear observationally as Class I or flat-spectrum infrared sources. We find that these are relatively young and are located close to the stellar birthline in the HR diagram. Optically visible EXors, on the other hand, are situated well below the birthline. They have ages of several Myr, typical of classical T Tauri stars. Judging from the limited data at hand, we find no evidence that binarity companions trigger EXor eruptions; this issue merits further investigation. We draw several general conclusions. First, repetitive luminosity outbursts do not occur in all pre-main-sequence stars, and are not in themselves a sign of extreme youth. They persist, along with other signs of activity, in a relatively small subset of these objects.
    [Show full text]
  • The Formation of Brown Dwarfs 459
    Whitworth et al.: The Formation of Brown Dwarfs 459 The Formation of Brown Dwarfs: Theory Anthony Whitworth Cardiff University Matthew R. Bate University of Exeter Åke Nordlund University of Copenhagen Bo Reipurth University of Hawaii Hans Zinnecker Astrophysikalisches Institut, Potsdam We review five mechanisms for forming brown dwarfs: (1) turbulent fragmentation of molec- ular clouds, producing very-low-mass prestellar cores by shock compression; (2) collapse and fragmentation of more massive prestellar cores; (3) disk fragmentation; (4) premature ejection of protostellar embryos from their natal cores; and (5) photoerosion of pre-existing cores over- run by HII regions. These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive. Their relative importance probably depends on environment, and should be judged by their ability to reproduce the brown dwarf IMF, the distribution and kinematics of newly formed brown dwarfs, the binary statis- tics of brown dwarfs, the ability of brown dwarfs to retain disks, and hence their ability to sustain accretion and outflows. This will require more sophisticated numerical modeling than is presently possible, in particular more realistic initial conditions and more realistic treatments of radiation transport, angular momentum transport, and magnetic fields. We discuss the mini- mum mass for brown dwarfs, and how brown dwarfs should be distinguished from planets. 1. INTRODUCTION form a smooth continuum with those of low-mass H-burn- ing stars. Understanding how brown dwarfs form is there- The existence of brown dwarfs was first proposed on the- fore the key to understanding what determines the minimum oretical grounds by Kumar (1963) and Hayashi and Nakano mass for star formation. In section 3 we review the basic (1963).
    [Show full text]
  • Stellar Rotation in Young Clusters: the First 4 Million Years L
    The Astronomical Journal, 127:1029–1051, 2004 February A # 2004. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. STELLAR ROTATION IN YOUNG CLUSTERS: THE FIRST 4 MILLION YEARS L. M. Rebull,1,2 S. C. Wolff,3 and S. E. Strom3 Received 2003 June 3; accepted 2003 October 16 ABSTRACT To investigate what happens to angular momentum during the earliest observable phases of stellar evolution, we searched the literature for periods (P), projected rotational velocities (v sin i), and supporting data on K5–M2 stars (corresponding to masses 0.25–1 M ) from the Orion Nebula Cluster and environs, Ophiuchi, TW Hydra, Taurus-Auriga, NGC 2264, Chamaeleon, Lupus, and Chamaeleonis. We combine these measures of rotation with the stellar R (as determined from Lbol and Teff) to compare the data with two extreme cases: conservation of stellar angular velocity and conservation of stellar angular momentum. Analysis of the P data set suggests that the frequency distribution of periods among the youngest and oldest stars in the sample is indistinguishable, while the v sin i data set reveals a decrease in mean v sin i as a function of age. Both results suggest that a significant fraction of all pre–main-sequence (PMS) stars must evolve at nearly constant angular velocity during the first 3–5 Myr after they begin their evolution down the convective tracks. Hence, the angular momenta of a significant fraction of pre–main-sequence (PMS) stars must be tightly regulated during the first few million years after they first become observable. This result seems surprising at first glance, because observations of young main-sequence stars reveal a population (30%–40%) of rapidly rotating stars that must begin to spin up at ages tT5 Myr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Formation and Early Evolution of Very Low-Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs Held at ESO Headquarters, Garching, Germany, 11–14 October 2011
    Astronomical News and spectroscopic surveys identifying the at the ELTs, together with encouraging emphasised the power of emerging coun- first galaxies, rare quasars, supernovae some explicitly high-risk projects. It was tries and public outreach for investments and gamma-ray bursts. noted that is very important to retain a in astronomical research and that diver- broad range of facilities, including sity in facilities and astronomical capabili- A lively discussion arose on data policy 4-metre- and 8-metre-class telescopes, ties should be retained together with and data mining for surveys and ELTs. to be used as survey facilities, to pro- large-scale projects. Ellis reminded us Most participants agreed that proprietary mote small projects, and to train young that we cannot plan the future in detail time should be at the minimum level but astronomers. All the long-term flagship and so optimism, versatility and creativity sufficient to guarantee intellectual owner- projects should try to involve more stu- remain the key attributes for success. ship and a satisfactory progress of the dents and young researchers, allowing surveys and the ELTs. Others proposed them to attend science working com- All the presentations and the conference to have the data public from the begin- mittees, and communicating the outcome picture are available at the conference ning. In order to facilitate data mining, it of the major high-level decisional meet- website: http://www.eso.org/sci/meetings/ was proposed that all data provided by ings to them. Furthermore, it was pro- 2011/feedgiant. the surveys and the ELTs should be Vir- posed that at least one young astrono- tual Observatory compliant from the out- mer should be included in each of the set.
    [Show full text]
  • AST301 the Lives of the Stars
    AST301 The Lives of the Stars A Tale of Two Forces: Pressure vs Gravity I. The Sun as a Star What we know about the Sun •Angular Diameter: q = 32 arcmin (from observations) •Solar Constant: f = 1.4 x 106 erg/sec/cm2 (from observations) •Distance: d = 1.5 x 108 km (1 AU). (from Kepler's Third Law and the trigonometric parallax of Venus) •Luminosity: L = 4 x 1033 erg/s. (from the inverse-square law: L = 4p d2 f) •Radius: R = 7 x 105 km. (from geometry: R = p d) •Mass: M = 2 x 1033 gm. (from Newton's version of Kepler's Third Law, M = (4p2/G) d3/P2) •Temperature: T = 5800 K. (from the black body law: L = 4pR2 σ T4) •Composition: about 74% Hydrogen, 24% Helium, and 2% everything else (by mass). (from spectroscopy) What Makes the Sun Shine? Inside the Sun Far Side Gary Larson Possible Sources of Sunlight • Chemical combustion – A Sun made of C+O: 4000 years • Gravitational Contraction – Convert gravitational potential energy – T = U/L = GM82R8/L8 ~ 107 years • Accretion – Limitless, but M8 increases 3% / 106 years • Nuclear Fusion – Good for ~1010 years How Fusion Works E=mc2 • 4 H ⇒ He4 + energy • The mass of 4 H atoms exceeds the mass of a He atom by 0.7%. • Every second, the Sun converts 6x108 tons of H into 5.96x108 tons of He. • The Sun loses 4x106 tons of mass every second. • At this rate, the Sun can maintain its present luminosity for about 1011 years. • 1010 or 1011 years ??? Nuclear Fusion Proton-Proton (PP I) reaction Releases 26.7 MeV 10 < Tcore < 14 MK How Fusion Works Source: Wikipedia Beyond PP I PP II: dominates for 14 < Tcore < 23 MK • 3He + 4He ⇒ 7Be + g 7 - 7 • Be + e ⇒ Li + ne + g • 7Li +p+ ⇒ 24He + g • 16% of L8 PP III: dominates for Tcore > 23 MK • 3He + 4He ⇒ 7Be + g • 7Be + p+ ⇒ 8B + g 8 8 + • B ⇒ Be + e + ne • 8Be ⇒ 24He • 0.02% of L8 Nuclear Timescale • 1010 years • Sun has brightened by 30% in 4.5 Gyr • Photons take 105 – 106 yrs to diffuse out – Gamma-rays thermalize to optical photons How do we know? • The p-p reaction also produces neutrinos.
    [Show full text]
  • Stellar Evolution
    Stellar Astrophysics: Stellar Evolution 1 Stellar Evolution Update date: December 14, 2010 With the understanding of the basic physical processes in stars, we now proceed to study their evolution. In particular, we will focus on discussing how such processes are related to key characteristics seen in the HRD. 1 Star Formation From the virial theorem, 2E = −Ω, we have Z M 3kT M GMr = dMr (1) µmA 0 r for the hydrostatic equilibrium of a gas sphere with a total mass M. Assuming that the density is constant, the right side of the equation is 3=5(GM 2=R). If the left side is smaller than the right side, the cloud would collapse. For the given chemical composition, ρ and T , this criterion gives the minimum mass (called Jeans mass) of the cloud to undergo a gravitational collapse: 3 1=2 5kT 3=2 M > MJ ≡ : (2) 4πρ GµmA 5 For typical temperatures and densities of large molecular clouds, MJ ∼ 10 M with −1=2 a collapse time scale of tff ≈ (Gρ) . Such mass clouds may be formed in spiral density waves and other density perturbations (e.g., caused by the expansion of a supernova remnant or superbubble). What exactly happens during the collapse depends very much on the temperature evolution of the cloud. Initially, the cooling processes (due to molecular and dust radiation) are very efficient. If the cooling time scale tcool is much shorter than tff , −1=2 the collapse is approximately isothermal. As MJ / ρ decreases, inhomogeneities with mass larger than the actual MJ will collapse by themselves with their local tff , different from the initial tff of the whole cloud.
    [Show full text]
  • Pre-Main-Sequence Star
    Pre-main-sequence star A pre-main-sequence star (also known as a PMS star and PMS object) is a star in the stage when it has not yet reached the main sequence. Earlier in its life, the object is a protostar that grows by acquiring mass from its surrounding envelope of interstellar dust and gas. After the protostar blows away this envelope, it is optically visible, and appears on the stellar birthline in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. At this point, the star has acquired nearly all of its mass but has not yet started hydrogen burning (i.e. nuclear fusion of hydrogen). The star then contracts, its internal temperature rising until it begins hydrogen burning on the zero age main sequence. This period of contraction is the pre-main sequence stage.[1][2][3][4] An observed PMS object can either be a T Tauri star, if it has fewer than 2 solar masses (M☉), or else a Herbig Ae/Be star, if it has 2 to 8 M☉. Yet more massive stars have no pre-main-sequence stage because they contract too quickly as protostars. By the time they become visible, the hydrogen in their centers is already fusing and they are main-sequence objects. The energy source of PMS objects is gravitational contraction, as opposed to hydrogen burning in main-sequence stars. In the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, pre-main-sequence stars with more than 0.5 M☉ first move vertically downward along Hayashi tracks, then leftward and horizontally along Henyey tracks, until they finally halt at the main sequence.
    [Show full text]
  • (NASA/Chandra X-Ray Image) Type Ia Supernova Remnant – Thermonuclear Explosion of a White Dwarf
    Stellar Evolution Card Set Description and Links 1. Tycho’s SNR (NASA/Chandra X-ray image) Type Ia supernova remnant – thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2011/tycho2/ 2. Protostar formation (NASA/JPL/Caltech/Spitzer/R. Hurt illustration) A young star/protostar forming within a cloud of gas and dust http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1852-ssc2007-14d-Planet-Forming-Disk- Around-a-Baby-Star 3. The Crab Nebula (NASA/Chandra X-ray/Hubble optical/Spitzer IR composite image) A type II supernova remnant with a millisecond pulsar stellar core http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2009/crab/ 4. Cygnus X-1 (NASA/Chandra/M Weiss illustration) A stellar mass black hole in an X-ray binary system with a main sequence companion star http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2011/cygx1/ 5. White dwarf with red giant companion star (ESO/M. Kornmesser illustration/video) A white dwarf accreting material from a red giant companion could result in a Type Ia supernova http://www.eso.org/public/videos/eso0943b/ 6. Eight Burst Nebula (NASA/Hubble optical image) A planetary nebula with a white dwarf and companion star binary system in its center http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150607.html 7. The Carina Nebula star-formation complex (NASA/Hubble optical image) A massive and active star formation region with newly forming protostars and stars http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/heic0707b/ 8. NGC 6826 (Chandra X-ray/Hubble optical composite image) A planetary nebula with a white dwarf stellar core in its center http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2012/pne/ 9.
    [Show full text]
  • Supernova Explosions and Remnants Stellar Structure
    Supernova Explosions and Remnants stellar structure For a 25 solar mass star, the duration of each stage is stellar corpses: the core When the central iron core continues to grow and approaches Mch , two processes begin: nuclear photodisintegration and neutronization. Nuclear photodisintegration: The temperature is high enough for energetic photons to be abundant and get absorbed in the endothermic reaction: with an energy consumption of 124 MeV. The Helium nuclei are further unbound: consuming 28.3 MeV(the binding energy of a He nucleus). The total energy of the star is reduced per nucleon by With about 10 57 protons in a Chandrasekhar mass, this corresponds to a total energy loss of stellar corpses: the core Neutronization: The large densities in the core lead to a large increase in the rates of processes such as This neutronization depletes the core of electrons and their supporting degeneracy pressure, as well as energy, which is carried off by neutrinos. The two processes lead, in principle, to an almost total loss of thermal pressure support and to an unrestrained collapse of the core of a star on a free-fall timescale: In practice, at these high densities, the mean free path for neutrino scattering becomes of order the core radius. This slows down the energy loss, and hence the collapse time to a few seconds. core collapse supernovae As the collapse proceeds and the density and the temperature increase, the reaction becomes common, and is infrequently offset by leading to a equilibrium ratio of densities Thus most nucleons become neutrons review article type Ia supernovae.
    [Show full text]
  • Stellar Evolution: Evolution Off the Main Sequence
    Evolution of a Low-Mass Star Stellar Evolution: (< 8 M , focus on 1 M case) Evolution off the Main Sequence sun sun - All H converted to He in core. - Core too cool for He burning. Contracts. Main Sequence Lifetimes Heats up. Most massive (O and B stars): millions of years - H burns in shell around core: "H-shell burning phase". Stars like the Sun (G stars): billions of years - Tremendous energy produced. Star must Low mass stars (K and M stars): a trillion years! expand. While on Main Sequence, stellar core has H -> He fusion, by p-p - Star now a "Red Giant". Diameter ~ 1 AU! chain in stars like Sun or less massive. In more massive stars, 9 Red Giant “CNO cycle” becomes more important. - Phase lasts ~ 10 years for 1 MSun star. - Example: Arcturus Red Giant Star on H-R Diagram Eventually: Core Helium Fusion - Core shrinks and heats up to 108 K, helium can now burn into carbon. "Triple-alpha process" 4He + 4He -> 8Be + energy 8Be + 4He -> 12C + energy - First occurs in a runaway process: "the helium flash". Energy from fusion goes into re-expanding and cooling the core. Takes only a few seconds! This slows fusion, so star gets dimmer again. - Then stable He -> C burning. Still have H -> He shell burning surrounding it. - Now star on "Horizontal Branch" of H-R diagram. Lasts ~108 years for 1 MSun star. More massive less massive Helium Runs out in Core Horizontal branch star structure -All He -> C. Not hot enough -for C fusion. - Core shrinks and heats up.
    [Show full text]
  • Asteroseismology
    Asteroseismology Gerald Handler Copernicus Astronomical Center, Bartycka 18, 00-716 Warsaw, Poland Email: [email protected] Abstract Asteroseismology is the determination of the interior structures of stars by using their oscillations as seismic waves. Simple explanations of the astrophysical background and some basic theoretical considerations needed in this rapidly evolving field are followed by introductions to the most important concepts and methods on the basis of example. Previous and potential applications of asteroseismology are reviewed and future trends are attempted to be foreseen. Introduction: variable and pulsating stars Nearly all the physical processes that determine the structure and evolution of stars occur in their (deep) interiors. The production of nuclear energy that powers stars takes place in their cores for most of their lifetime. The effects of the physical processes that modify the simplest models of stellar evolution, such as mixing and diffusion, also predominantly take place in the inside of stars. The light that we receive from the stars is the main information that astronomers can use to study the universe. However, the light of the stars is radiated away from their surfaces, carrying no memory of its origin in the deep interior. Therefore it would seem that there is no way that the analysis of starlight tells us about the physics going on in the unobservable stellar interiors. However, there are stars that reveal more about themselves than others. Variable stars are objects for which one can observe time-dependent light output, on a time scale shorter arXiv:1205.6407v1 [astro-ph.SR] 29 May 2012 than that of evolutionary changes.
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-Periodic Pulsations of a Stripped Red Giant Star in an Eclipsing Binary
    1 Multi-periodic pulsations of a stripped red giant star in an eclipsing binary Pierre F. L. Maxted1, Aldo M. Serenelli2, Andrea Miglio3, Thomas R. Marsh4, Ulrich Heber5, Vikram S. Dhillon6, Stuart Littlefair6, Chris Copperwheat7, Barry Smalley1, Elmé Breedt4, Veronika Schaffenroth5,8 1 Astrophysics Group, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK. 2 Instituto de Ciencias del Espacio (CSIC-IEEC), Facultad de Ciencias, Campus UAB, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain. 3 School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. 4 Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK. 5 Dr. Karl Remeis-Observatory & ECAP, Astronomical Institute, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Sternwartstr. 7, 96049, Bamberg, Germany. 6 Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S3 7RH, UK. 7Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Twelve Quays House, Egerton Wharf, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 1LD, UK. 8Institute for Astro- and Particle Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse. 25/8, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Low mass white dwarfs are the remnants of disrupted red giant stars in binary millisecond pulsars1 and other exotic binary star systems2–4. Some low mass white dwarfs cool rapidly, while others stay bright for millions of years due to stable 2 fusion in thick surface hydrogen layers5. This dichotomy is not well understood so their potential use as independent clocks to test the spin-down ages of pulsars6,7 or as probes of the extreme environments in which low mass white dwarfs form8–10 cannot be fully exploited. Here we present precise mass and radius measurements for the precursor to a low mass white dwarf.
    [Show full text]