High-resolution spectroscopy of the high-velocity hot post-AGB star IRAS 18379–1707 (LS 5112)

ABSTRACT The high-resolution ($R\sim 48\, 000$) optical spectrum of the B-type supergiant LS 5112, identified as the optical counterpart of the post-AGB candidate IRAS 18379–1707 is analysed. We report the detailed identifications of the observed absorption and emission features in the wavelength range 3700–9200 Å for the first time. The absorption line spectrum has been analysed using non-LTE model atmosphere techniques to determine stellar atmospheric parameters and chemical composition. We estimate Teff = 18 000 ± 1000 K, log g = 2.25 ± 0.08, ξt = 10 ± 4 km s−1, and vsin i = 37 ± 6 km s−1, and the derived abundances indicate a metal-deficient ([M/H] ≈ −0.6) post-AGB star. Chemical abundances of eight different elements were obtained. The estimates of the CNO abundances in IRAS 18379–1707 indicate that these elements are overabundant with [(C + N + O)/S] = + 0.5 ± 0.2 suggesting that the products of helium burning have been brought to the surface as a result of third dredge-up on the AGB. From the absorption lines, we derived heliocentric radial velocity of Vr = −124.0 ± 0.4 km s−1. We have identified permitted emission lines of O i, N i, Na i, S ii, Si ii, C ii, Mg ii, and Fe iii. The nebula forbidden lines of [N i], [O i], [Fe ii], [N ii], [S ii], [Ni ii], and [Cr ii] have also been identified. The Balmer lines H α, H β, and H γ show P-Cygni behaviour clearly indicating post-AGB mass-loss process in the object with the wind velocity up to 170 km s−1.

Oxygen abundance and the N/C versus N/O relation for AFG supergiants and bright giants

ABSTRACT Non-LTE analysis (where LTE is local thermodynamic equilibrium) of the oxygen abundances for 51 Galactic A-, F- and G-type supergiants and bright giants is performed. In contrast with carbon and nitrogen, oxygen does not show any significant systematic anomalies in its abundances log ε(O). There is no marked difference from the initial oxygen abundance, within the errors, for the log ε(O) determination across the Teff interval from 4500–8500 K and the $\log \, g$ interval from 1.2–2.9 dex. This result agrees well with theoretical predictions for stellar models with rotation. With our new data for oxygen and our earlier non-LTE determinations of the N and C abundances for stars from the same sample, we constructed the [N/C] versus [N/O] relation for 17 stars. This relation is known to be a sensitive indicator of stellar evolution. A pronounced correlation between [N/C] versus [N/O] is found; the observed [N/C] increase from 0 to 1.6 dex is accompanied by a [N/O] increase from 0 to 0.9 dex. When comparing the observed [N/C] versus [N/O] relation with the theoretical one, we show that this relation reflects a strong dependence of the evolutionary changes in CNO abundances on the initial rotation velocities of stars. Given that the initial rotational velocities of these stars are expected to satisfy V0 < 150 km s−1, it is found that they are mostly post-first-dredge-up (post-FDU) objects. It is important that such initial velocities V0 are typical for about 80 per cent of the stars in question (i.e. stars with masses 4–19 M$\odot$). A constancy of the total C+N+O abundance during stellar evolution is confirmed. The mean value of log ε(C+N + O) = 8.97 ± 0.08 found for AFG supergiants and bright giants seems to be very close to the initial values of 8.92 (the Sun) or 8.94 (unevolved B-type main-sequence stars).

Diversity of supernovae and impostors shortly after explosion

Observational surveys are now able to detect an increasing number of transients, such as core-collapse supernovae (SN) and powerful non-terminal outbursts (SN impostors). Dedicated spectroscopic facilities can follow up these events shortly after detection. Here we investigate the properties of these explosions at early times. We use the radiative transfer code CMFGEN to build an extensive library of spectra simulating the interaction of supernovae and their progenitor’s wind or circumstellar medium (CSM). We have considered a range of progenitor mass-loss rates (Ṁ = 5 × 10−4−10−2 M⊙ yr−1), abundances (solar, CNO-processed, and He-rich), and SN luminosities (L = 1.9 × 108 − 2.5 × 1010 L⊙). The models simulate events approximately one day after explosion, and we assume a fixed location of the shock front as Rin = 8.6 × 1013 cm. We show that the large range of massive star properties at the pre-SN stage causes a diversity of early-time interacting SN and impostors. We identify three main classes of early-time spectra consisting of relatively high-ionisation (e.g. He II and O VI), medium-ionisation (e.g. C III and N III), and low-ionisation lines (e.g. He I and Fe II/III). They are regulated by L and the CSM density. Given a progenitor wind velocity υ∞, our models also place a lower limit of Ṁ ≳ 5 × 10−4 (υ∞/150 km s−1) M⊙ yr−1 for detection of CSM interaction signatures in observed spectra. Early-time SN spectra should provide clear constraints on progenitors by measuring H, He, and CNO abundances if the progenitors come from single stars. The connections are less clear considering the effects of binary evolution. Nevertheless, our models provide a clear path for linking the final stages of massive stars to their post-explosion spectra at early times, and guiding future observational follow-up of transients with facilities such as the Zwicky Transient Facility.

The role of AGB stars in Galactic and cosmic chemical enrichment

The role of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in chemical enrichment is significant for producing 12,13C, 14N, F, 25,26Mg, 17O and slow neutron-capture process (s-process) elements. The contribution from super-AGB stars is negligible in classical, one-zone chemical evolution models, but the mass ranges can be constrained through the contribution from electron-capture supernovae and possibly hybrid C+O+Ne white dwarfs, if they explode as Type Iax supernovae. In addition to the recent s-process yields of AGB stars, we include various sites for rapid neutron-capture processes (r-processes) in our chemodynamical simulations of a Milky Way type galaxy. We find that neither electron-capture supernovae or neutrino-driven winds are able to adequately produce heavy neutron-capture elements such as Eu in quantities to match observations. Both neutron-star mergers (NSMs) and magneto-rotational supernovae (MRSNe) are able to produce these elements in sufficient quantities. Using the distribution in [Eu/(Fe, α)] – [Fe/H], we predict that NSMs alone are unable to explain the observed Eu abundances, but may be able to together with MRSNe. In order to discuss the role of long-lifetime sources such as NSMs and AGB stars at the early stages of galaxy formation, it is necessary to use a model that can treat inhomogeneous chemical enrichment, such as in our chemodynamical simulations. In our cosmological, chemodynamical simulations, we succeed in reproducing the observed N/O-O/H relations both for global properties of galaxies and for local inter-stellar medium within galaxies, without rotation of stars. We also predict the evolution of CNO abundances of disk galaxies, from which it will be possible to constrain the star formation histories.

Fundamental parameters of massive stars in multiple systems: The cases of HD 17505A and HD 206267A

Context. Many massive stars are part of binary or higher multiplicity systems. The present work focusses on two higher multiplicity systems: HD 17505A and HD 206267A. Aims. Determining the fundamental parameters of the components of the inner binary of these systems is mandatory to quantify the impact of binary or triple interactions on their evolution. Methods. We analysed high-resolution optical spectra to determine new orbital solutions of the inner binary systems. After subtracting the spectrum of the tertiary component, a spectral disentangling code was applied to reconstruct the individual spectra of the primary and secondary. We then analysed these spectra with the non-LTE model atmosphere code CMFGEN to establish the stellar parameters and the CNO abundances of these stars. Results. The inner binaries of these systems have eccentric orbits with e ~ 0.13 despite their relatively short orbital periods of 8.6 and 3.7 days for HD 17505Aa and HD 206267Aa, respectively. Slight modifications of the CNO abundances are found in both components of each system. The components of HD 17505Aa are both well inside their Roche lobe, whilst the primary of HD 206267Aa nearly fills its Roche lobe around periastron passage. Whilst the rotation of the primary of HD 206267Aa is in pseudo-synchronization with the orbital motion, the secondary displays a rotation rate that is higher. Conclusions. The CNO abundances and properties of HD 17505Aa can be explained by single star evolutionary models accounting for the effects of rotation, suggesting that this system has not yet experienced binary interaction. The properties of HD 206267Aa suggest that some intermittent binary interaction might have taken place during periastron passages, but is apparently not operating anymore.