No Arabic abstract
We present 1D numerical simulations aimed at studying the hot-flasher scenario for the formation of He-rich subdwarf stars. Sequences were calculated for a wide range of metallicities and with the He core flash at different points of the post-RGB evolution (i.e. different remnant masses). We followed the complete evolution from the ZAMS, through the hot-flasher event, and to the subdwarf stage for all kinds of hot-flashers. This allows us to present a homogeneous set of abundances for different metallicities and all flavors of hot-flashers. We extend the scope of our work by analyzing the effects in the predicted surface abundances of some standard assumptions in convective mixing and the effects of element diffusion. We find that the hot-flasher scenario is a viable explanation for the formation of He-sdO stars. Our results also show that element diffusion may produce the transformation of (post hot-flasher) He-rich atmospheres into He-deficient ones. If this is so, then the hot-flasher scenario is able to reproduce both the observed properties and distribution of He-sdO stars.
We present 1D numerical simulations aimed at studying the hot-flasher scenario for the formation of He-rich subdwarf stars. Sequences were calculated for a wide range of metallicities and physical assumptions, such as the stellar mass at the moment of the helium core flash. This allows us to study the two previously proposed flavors of the hot-flasher scenario (deep and shallow mixing cases) and to identify a third transition type. Our sequences are calculated by solving simultaneously the mixing and burning equations within a diffusive convection picture, and in the context of standard mixing length theory. We are able to follow chemical evolution during deep-mixing events in which hydrogen is burned violently, and therefore able to present a homogeneous set of abundances for different metallicities and varieties of hot-flashers. We extend the scope of our work by analyzing the effects of non-standard assumptions, such as the effect of chemical gradients, extra-mixing at convective boundaries, possible reduction in convective velocities, or the interplay between difussion and mass loss. Particular emphasis is placed on the predicted surface properties of the models. We find that the hot-flasher scenario is a viable explanation for the formation and surface properties of He-sdO stars. Our results also show that, during the early He-core burning stage, element diffusion may produce the transformation of (post hot-flasher) He-rich atmospheres into He-deficient ones. If this is so, then we find that He-sdO stars should be the progenitors of some of the hottest sdB stars.
A medium- and high-resolution spectroscopic survey of helium-rich hot subdwarfs is being carried out using the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). Objectives include the discovery of exotic hot subdwarfs and of sequences connecting chemically-peculiar subdwarfs of different types. The first phase consists of medium-resolution spectroscopy of over 100 stars selected from low-resolution surveys. This paper describes the selection criteria, and the observing, classification and analysis methods. It presents 107 spectral classifications on the MK-like Drilling system and 106 coarse analyses ($T_{rm eff}, log g, log y$) based on a hybrid grid of zero-metal non-LTE and line-blanketed LTE model atmospheres. For 75 stars, atmospheric parameters have been derived for the first time. The sample may be divided into 6 distinct groups including the classical `helium-rich sdO stars with spectral types (Sp) sdO6.5 - sdB1 (74) comprising carbon-rich (35) and carbon-weak (39) stars, very hot He-sdOs with Sp $lesssim$ sdO6 (13), extreme helium stars with luminosity class $lesssim 5$ (5), intermediate helium-rich subdwarfs with helium class 25 -- 35 (8), and intermediate helium-rich subdwarfs with helium class $10 - 25$ (6). The last covers a narrow spectral range (sdB0 -- sdB1) including two known and four candidate heavy-metal subdwarfs. Within other groups are several stars of individual interest, including an extremely metal-poor helium star, candidate double-helium subdwarf binaries, and a candidate low-gravity He-sdO star.
In the last decade or so, there have been numerous searches for hot subdwarfs in close binaries. There has been little to no attention paid to wide binaries however. The advantages of understanding these systems can be many. The stars can be assumed to be coeval, which means they have common properties. The distance and metallicity, for example, are both unknown for the subdwarf component, but may be determinable for the secondary, allowing other properties of the subdwarf to be estimated. With this in mind, we have started a search for common proper motion pairs containing a hot subdwarf component. We have uncovered several promising candidate systems, which are presented here.
Thanks to the high sensitivity of the instruments on board the XMM-Newton and Chandra satellites, it has become possible to explore the properties of the X-ray emission from hot subdwarfs. The small but growing sample of hot subdwarfs detected in X-rays includes binary systems, in which the X-rays result from wind accretion onto a compact companion (white dwarf or neutron star), as well as isolated sdO stars in which X-rays are probably due to shock instabilities in the wind. X-ray observations of these low mass stars provide information which can be useful also for our understanding of the winds of more luminous and massive early-type stars and can lead to the discovery of particularly interesting binary systems.
We give preliminary results from a spectroscopic study of composite spectrum hot subdwarfs (sd+late-type). We obtained spectra of a sample of hot subdwarfs selected from the Catalogue of Spectroscopically Identified Hot Subdwarfs on the basis of near-infrared photometry from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS). The sample consists of 20 photometric and spectroscopic single and 54 composite hot subdwarfs, 6 resolved (or barely resolved) visual doubles, and 5 objects with emission lines or broad absorption lines with emission cores. Spectra of 84 standard (single late-type) stars with Hipparcos parallaxes were also obtained for calibration. These observations cover 4600-8900 Ang with 3 Ang resolution. We measured equivalent width-like indices around Mg I b, Na I D, the Ca II infrared triplet, H-alpha, and H-beta. Using the single late-type star observations combined with model energy distributions, we explore how the measured indices of a composite spectrum vary as the temperature and luminosity of the late-type companion are varied and as the temperature and radius of the hot subdwarf are varied. We use the measured indices of the composite systems to estimate the temperature and gravity of the late-type star, taking into account the dilution of its spectral features by light from the hot subdwarf.