A. Palacios

Université de Montpellier 2, Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

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Publications (28)11.87 Total impact

  • Article: Impact of internal gravity waves on the rotation profile inside pre-main sequence low-mass stars
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    ABSTRACT: We study the impact of internal gravity waves (IGW), meridional circulation, shear turbulence, and stellar contraction on the internal rotation profile and surface velocity evolution of solar metallicity low-mass pre-main sequence stars. We compute a grid of rotating stellar evolution models with masses between 0.6 and 2.0Msun taking these processes into account for the transport of angular momentum, as soon as the radiative core appears and assuming no more disk-locking from that moment on.IGW generation along the PMS is computed taking Reynolds-stress and buoyancy into account in the bulk of the stellar convective envelope and convective core (when present). Redistribution of angular momentum within the radiative layers accounts for damping of prograde and retrograde IGW by thermal diffusivity and viscosity in corotation resonance. Over the whole mass range considered, IGW are found to be efficiently generated by the convective envelope and to slow down the stellar core early on the PMS. In stars more massive than ~ 1.6Msun, IGW produced by the convective core also contribute to angular momentum redistribution close to the ZAMS. Overall, IGW are found to significantly change the internal rotation profile of PMS low-mass stars.
    04/2013;
  • Article: Seismic diagnostics for transport of angular momentum in stars. I. Rotational splittings from the pre-main sequence to the red-giant branch
    Astronomy and Astrophysics 01/2013; 549:74. · 4.59 Impact Factor
  • Article: Seismic diagnostics for transport of angular momentum in stars 1. Rotational splittings from the PMS to the RGB
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    ABSTRACT: Rotational splittings are currently measured for several main sequence stars and a large number of red giants with the space mission Kepler. This will provide stringent constraints on rotation profiles. Our aim is to obtain seismic constraints on the internal transport and surface loss of angular momentum of oscillating solar-like stars. To this end, we study the evolution of rotational splittings from the pre-main sequence to the red-giant branch for stochastically excited oscillation modes. We modified the evolutionary code CESAM2K to take rotationally induced transport in radiative zones into account. Linear rotational splittings were computed for a sequence of $1.3 M_{\odot}$ models. Rotation profiles were derived from our evolutionary models and eigenfunctions from linear adiabatic oscillation calculations. We find that transport by meridional circulation and shear turbulence yields far too high a core rotation rate for red-giant models compared with recent seismic observations. We discuss several uncertainties in the physical description of stars that could have an impact on the rotation profiles. For instance, we find that the Goldreich-Schubert-Fricke instability does not extract enough angular momentum from the core to account for the discrepancy. In contrast, an increase of the horizontal turbulent viscosity by 2 orders of magnitude is able to significantly decrease the central rotation rate on the red-giant branch. Our results indicate that it is possible that the prescription for the horizontal turbulent viscosity largely underestimates its actual value or else a mechanism not included in current stellar models of low mass stars is needed to slow down the rotation in the radiative core of red-giant stars.
    11/2012;
  • Article: Thermohaline instability and rotation-induced mixing. III - Grid of stellar models and asymptotic asteroseismic quantities from the pre-main sequence up to the AGB for low- and intermediate-mass stars at various metallicities
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    ABSTRACT: The availability of asteroseismic constraints for a large sample of stars from the missions CoRoT and Kepler paves the way for various statistical studies of the seismic properties of stellar populations. In this paper, we evaluate the impact of rotation-induced mixing and thermohaline instability on the global asteroseismic parameters at different stages of the stellar evolution from the Zero Age Main Sequence to the Thermally Pulsating Asymptotic Giant Branch to distinguish stellar populations. We present a grid of stellar evolutionary models for four metallicities (Z = 0.0001, 0.002, 0.004, and 0.014) in the mass range between 0.85 to 6.0 Msun. The models are computed either with standard prescriptions or including both thermohaline convection and rotation-induced mixing. For the whole grid we provide the usual stellar parameters (luminosity, effective temperature, lifetimes, ...), together with the global seismic parameters, i.e. the large frequency separation and asymptotic relations, the frequency corresponding to the maximum oscillation power {\nu}_{max}, the maximal amplitude A_{max}, the asymptotic period spacing of g-modes, and different acoustic radii. We discuss the signature of rotation-induced mixing on the global asteroseismic quantities, that can be detected observationally. Thermohaline mixing whose effects can be identified by spectroscopic studies cannot be caracterized with the global seismic parameters studied here. But it is not excluded that individual mode frequencies or other well chosen asteroseismic quantities might help constraining this mixing.
    04/2012;
  • Article: The dynamics of the radiative zone of the Sun
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    ABSTRACT: Helioseismology puts strong constraints on the internal sound speed and on the rotation profile in the radiative zone. Young stars of solar type are more active and faster rotators than the Sun. So we begin to build models which include different rotation histories and compare the results with all the solar observations. The profiles of the rotation we get have interesting consequence for the introduction of magnetic field in the radiative zone. We discuss also the impact of mass loss deduced from measured flux of young stars. We deduce from these comparisons some quantitative effect of the dynamical processes (rotation, magnetic field and mass loss) of these early stages on the present sound speed and density. We show finally how we can improve our present knowledge of the radiative zone with PICARD and GOLFNG.
    01/2011;
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    Article: CNO enrichment by rotating AGB stars in globular clusters
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    ABSTRACT: AGB stars have long been held responsible for the important star-to-star variations in light elements observed in Galactic globular clusters. We analyse the main impacts of a first generation of rotating intermediate-mass stars on the chemical properties of second-generation globular cluster stars. The rotating models were computed without magnetic fields and without the effects of internal gravity waves. They account for the transports by meridional currents and turbulence. We computed the evolution of both standard and rotating stellar models with initial masses between 2.5 and 8 Msun within the metallicity range covered by Galactic globular clusters. During central He-burning, rotational mixing transports fresh CO-rich material from the core towards the hydrogen-burning shell, leading to the production of primary 14N. In stars more massive than M > 4 Msun, the convective envelope reaches this reservoir during the second dredge-up episode, resulting in a large increase in the total C+N+O content at the stellar surface and in the stellar wind. The corresponding pollution depends on the initial metallicity. At low- and intermediate-metallicity, it is at odds with the constancy of C+N+O observed among globular cluster low-mass stars. With the given input physics, our models suggest that massive rotating AGB stars have not shaped the abundance patterns observed in low- and intermediate-metallicity globular clusters. Our non-rotating models, on the other hands, do not predict surface C+N+O enhancements, hence are in a better position as sources of the chemical anomalies in globular clusters showing the constancy of the C+N+O. However at the moment, there is no reason to think that intermediate mass stars were not rotating. Comment: Accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 7 pages, 3 figures
    Astronomy and Astrophysics 07/2009; 505:727. · 4.59 Impact Factor
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    Article: Diagnoses to unravel secular hydrodynamical processes in rotating main sequence stars
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    ABSTRACT: (Abridged) We present a detailed analysis of the main physical processes responsible for the transport of angular momentum and chemical species in the radiative regions of rotating stars. We focus on cases where meridional circulation and shear-induced turbulence only are included in the simulations. Our analysis is based on a 2-D representation of the secular hydrodynamics, which is treated using expansions in spherical harmonics. We present a full reconstruction of the meridional circulation and of the associated fluctuations of temperature and mean molecular weight along with diagnosis for the transport of angular momentum, heat and chemicals. In the present paper these tools are used to validate the analysis of two main sequence stellar models of 1.5 and 20 Msun for which the hydrodynamics has been previously extensively studied in the literature. We obtain a clear visualization and a precise estimation of the different terms entering the angular momentum and heat transport equations in radiative zones. This enables us to corroborate the main results obtained over the past decade by Zahn, Maeder, and collaborators concerning the secular hydrodynamics of such objects. We focus on the meridional circulation driven by angular momentum losses and structural readjustements. We confirm quantitatively for the first time through detailed computations and separation of the various components that the advection of entropy by this circulation is very well balanced by the barotropic effects and the thermal relaxation during most of the main sequence evolution. This enables us to derive simplifications for the thermal relaxation on this phase. The meridional currents in turn advect heat and generate temperature fluctuations that induce differential rotation through thermal wind thus closing the transport loop. Comment: 16 pages, 18 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A
    12/2008;
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    Article: Meridional circulation in the radiation zones of rotating stars: Origins, behaviors and consequences on stellar evolution
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    ABSTRACT: Stellar radiation zones are the seat of meridional currents. This circulation has a strong impact on the transport of angular momentum and the mixing of chemicals that modify the evolution of stars. First, we recall in details the dynamical processes that are taking place in differentially rotating stellar radiation zones and the assumptions which are adopted for their modelling in stellar evolution. Then, we present our new results of numerical simulations which allow us to follow in 2D the secular hydrodynamics of rotating stars, assuming that anisotropic turbulence enforces a shellular rotation law and taking into account the transport of angular momentum by internal gravity waves. The different behaviors of the meridional circulation in function of the type of stars which is studied are discussed with their physical origin and their consequences on the transport of angular momentum and of chemicals. Finally, we show how this work is leading to a dynamical vision of the evolution of rotating stars from their birth to their death. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
    Astronomische Nachrichten 11/2007; 328(10):1062 - 1065. · 1.01 Impact Factor
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    Article: Advances in secular magnetohydrodynamics of stellar interiors dedicated to asteroseismic spatial missions
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    ABSTRACT: With the first light of COROT, the preparation of KEPLER and the future helioseismology spatial projects such as GOLF-NG, a coherent picture of the evolution of rotating stars from their birth to their death is needed. We describe here the modelling of the macroscopic transport of angular momentum and matter in stellar interiors that we have undertaken to reach this goal. First, we recall in detail the dynamical processes that are driving these mechanisms in rotating stars and the theoretical advances we have achieved. Then, we present our new results of numerical simulations which allow us to follow in 2D the secular hydrodynamics of rotating stars, assuming that anisotropic turbulence enforces a shellular rotation law. Finally, we show how this work is leading to a dynamical vision of the Hertzsprung-Russel diagram with the support of asteroseismology and helioseismology, seismic observables giving constraints on the modelling of the internal transport and mixing processes. In conclusion, we present the different processes that should be studied in the next future to improve our description of stellar radiation zones. Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures, Proceeding of the Joint HELAS and CoRoT/ESTA Workshop (20-23 November 2006, CAUP, Porto - Portugal)
    03/2007;
  • Article: Why Bothering to Measure Stellar Rotation with CoRoT?
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    ABSTRACT: One important goal of the CoRoT experiment is to obtain information about the internal rotation of stars, in particular the ratio of central to surface rotation rates. This will provide constraints on the modelling of transport mechanisms of angular momentum acting in radiative (rotationally induced turbulent) and convective zones (plumes, extension beyond convectively instable regions). Relations between the surface rotation period and age, magnetic activity, mass loss and other stellar characteristics can also be studied with a statistically significant set of data as will be provided by Corot. We present various theoretical efforts performed over the past years in order to develope the theoretical tools which will enable us to study rotation with Corot.
    10/2006; 1306:51.
  • Article: Dynamical processes in the solar radiative interior
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    ABSTRACT: Recent seismic observations coming from acoustic and gravity modes clearly show that the solar standard model has reached its limits and can no longer be used to interpret satisfactorily seismic observations. In this paper, we present a review of the non-standard processes that may be added to the solar models in order to improve our understanding of the helioseismic data. We also present some results obtained when applying ``non-standard'' stellar evolution to the modelling of the Sun.
    10/2006;
  • Article: Dynamical processes in stellar radiation zones: secular magnetohydrodynamics of rotating stars
    09/2006; 624:36.
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    Article: Rotational mixing in low-mass stars II. Self-consistent models of Pop II RGB stars
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    ABSTRACT: In this paper we study the effects of rotation in low-mass, low-metallicity RGB stars. We present the first evolutionary models taking into account self-consistently the latest prescriptions for the transport of angular momentum by meridional circulation and shear turbulence in stellar interiors as well as the associated mixing processes for chemicals computed from the ZAMS to the upper RGB. We discuss in details the uncertainties associated with the physical description of the rotational mixing and study carefully their effects on the rotation profile, diffusion coefficients, structural evolution, lifetimes and chemical signatures at the stellar surface. We focus in particular on the various assumptions concerning the rotation law in the convective envelope, the initial rotation velocity distribution, the presence of mean molecular weight gradients and the treatment of the horizontal and vertical turbulence. This exploration leads to two main conclusions : (1) After the completion of the first dredge-up, the degree of differential rotation (and hence mixing) is maximised in the case of a differentially rotating convective envelope (i.e., j_CE(r) = cst), as anticipated in previous studies. (2) Even with this assumption, and contrary to some previous claims, the present treatment for the evolution of the rotation profile and associated meridional circulation and shear turbulence does not lead to enough mixing of chemicals to explain the abundance anomalies in low-metallicity field and globular cluster RGB stars observed around the bump luminosity. This study raises questions that need to be addressed in a near future. These include for example the interaction between rotation and convection and the trigger of additional hydrodynamical instabilities. Comment: 21 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics
    02/2006;
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    Article: The thermonuclear production of F19 by Wolf-Rayet stars revisited
    A. Palacios, M. Arnould, G. Meynet
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    ABSTRACT: New models of rotating and non-rotating stars are computed for initial masses between 25 and 120 Msun and for metallicities Z = 0.004, 0.008, 0.020 and 0.040 with the aim of reexamining the wind contribution of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars to the F19 enrichment of the interstellar medium. Models with an initial rotation velocity vini = 300 km/s are found to globally eject less F19 than the non-rotating models. We compare our new predictions with those of Meynet & Arnould (2000), and demonstrate that the F19 yields are very sensitive to the still uncertain F19(alpha,p)Ne22 rate and to the adopted mass loss rates. Using the recommended mass loss rate values that take into account the clumping of the WR wind and the NACRE reaction rates when available, we obtain WR F19 yields that are significantly lower than predicted by Meynet & Arnould (2000), and that would make WR stars non-important contributors to the galactic F19 budget. In view, however, of the large nuclear and mass loss rate uncertainties, we consider that the question of the WR contribution to the galactic F19 remains quite largely open. Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics
    08/2005;
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    Article: Rotation-induced mixing in red giant stars
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    ABSTRACT: Red giant stars, both in the field and in globular clusters, present abundance anomalies that can not be explained by standard stellar evolution models. Some of these peculiarities clearly point towards the existence of extra-mixing processes at play inside the stars, the nature of which remains unclear. We present new results of the evolution of a typical globular cluster red giant including a fully consistent treatment of rotation-induced mixing from the ZAMS up to the RGB tip. The uncertainties pertaining to the prescriptions of angular momentum and chemicals transport inside the star are discussed.
    11/2004;
  • Article: Rotating Models for Evolved Low-Mass Stars (Invited Review)
    C. Charbonnel, A. Palacios
    Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union 05/2004; 215:440.
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    Article: Nucleosynthesis of 26Al in rotating Wolf-Rayet stars
    A. Palacios, G. Meynet, C. Vuissoz
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    ABSTRACT: The 26Al radionuclide can be detected through its decay emission line at 1.809 MeV, as was first observed by Mahoney et al. (1982). Since then, COMPTEL on board of the CGRO satellite, performed a sky survey in this energy range, and provided maps of the 26Al distribution in the Galaxy. These results revealed that the main contributors to the synthesis of 26Al are most likely the massive stars, which contribute through their winds (Wolf-Rayet stars) and through their supernova explosion. Comparison between these observations (in particular observations in localized regions such as the Vela region and the Cygnus region) and the models available at that moment, showed however the need for improvements from both theoretical and observational points of view, in order to improve our understanding of the 26Al galactic distribution as well as that of its synthesis. With the launch of the INTEGRAL satellite in October 2002, the observational part will hopefully be improved, and the construction of better resolution maps at 1.809 MeV is one of the main aims of the mission. From a theoretical point of view, we need the most up-to-date predictions in order to be able to interpret the forthcoming data. In this paper, we address this latter part, and present new results for 26Al production by rotating Wolf-Rayet stars and their contribution to the total amount observed in the Galaxy.
    05/2004;
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    Article: On shear-induced turbulence in rotating stars
    S. Mathis, A. Palacios, J. -P. Zahn
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    ABSTRACT: We review various prescriptions which have been proposed for the turbulent transport of matter and angular momentum in differentially rotating stellar radiation zones. A new prescription is presented for the horizontal transport associated with the anisotropic shear turbulence which is produced by the differential rotation in latitude; this `beta-viscosity' is drawn from torque measurements in the classical Couette-Taylor experiment (Richard & Zahn 1999). Its implementation in a stellar evolution code leads to enhanced mixing, as illustrated by models of a rotating main-sequence star of 1.5 solar mass. Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics
    03/2004;
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    Article: 26Al yields from rotating Wolf--Rayet star models
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    ABSTRACT: We present new $^{26}$Al stellar yields from rotating Wolf--Rayet stellar models which, at solar metallicity, well reproduce the observed properties of the Wolf-Rayet populations. These new yields are enhanced with respect to non--rotating models, even with respect to non--rotating models computed with enhanced mass loss rates. We briefly discuss some implications of the use of these new yields for estimating the global contribution of Wolf-Rayet stars to the quantity of $^{26}$Al now present in the Milky Way. Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, to appear in New Astronomy Reviews
    11/2003;
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    Article: The Lithium Flash - Thermal instabilities generated by lithium burning in RGB stars
    A. Palacios, C. Charbonnel, M. Forestini
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    ABSTRACT: We present a scenario to explain the lithium-rich phase which occurs on the red giant branch at the so-called bump in the luminosity function. The high transport coefficients required to enhance the surface lithium abundance are obtained in the framework of rotation-induced mixing thanks to the impulse of the important nuclear energy released in a lithium burning shell. Under certain conditions a lithium flash is triggered off. The enhanced mass loss rate due to the temporary increase of the stellar luminosity naturally accounts for a dust shell formation. Comment: Accepted for publications in A&A Letters
    06/2001;