In this work, we study the chemical compositions and kinematic properties of six metal-poor stars with [Fe/H] < −2.5 in the Galactic halo. From high-resolution (R ∼ 110,000) spectroscopic observations obtained with the Lick/APF, we determined individual abundances for up to 23 elements, to quantitatively evaluate our sample. We identify two carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars (J1630+0953 and J2216+0246) without enhancement in neutron-capture elements (CEMP-no stars), while the rest of our sample stars are carbon-intermediate. By comparing the light-element abundances of the CEMP stars with predicted yields from non-rotating zero-metallicity massive-star models, we find that possible the progenitors of J1630+0953 and J2216+0246 could be in the 13-25 M ⊙ mass range, with explosion energies 0.3-1.8×10 51 erg. In addition, the detectable abundance ratios of light and heavy elements suggest that our sample stars are likely formed from a well-mixed gas cloud, which is consistent with previous studies. We also present a kinematic analysis, which suggests that most of our program stars likely belong to the inner-halo population, with orbits passing as close as ∼ 2.9 kpc from the Galactic center. We discuss the implications of these results on the critical constraints on the origin and evolution of CEMP stars, as well as the nature of the Population III progenitors of the lowest metallicity stars in our Galaxy.

We report on the discovery of five carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in the metallicity range of −3.3 < [Fe/H] < −2.4. These stars were selected from the LAMOST DR3 low-resolution (R∼ 2,000) spectroscopic database as metal-poor candidates and followed-up with high-resolution spectroscopy (R∼110,000) with the LICK/APF. Stellar parameters and individual abundances for 25 chemical elements (from Li to Eu) are presented for the first time. These stars exhibit chemical abundance patterns that are similar to those reported in other literature studies of very and extremely metal-poor stars. One of our targets, J2114−0616, shows high enhancement in carbon ([C/Fe]=1.37), nitrogen ([N/Fe]= 1.88), barium ([Ba/Fe]=1.00), and europium ([Eu/Fe]=0.84). Such chemical abundance pattern suggests that J2114−0616 can be classified as CEMP-r/s star. In addition, the star J1054+0528 can be classified as a CEMP-rI star, with [Eu/Fe]=0.44 and [Ba/Fe]=−0.52. The other stars in our sample show no enhancements in neutron-capture elements and can be classified as CEMP-no stars. We also performed a kinematic and dynamical analysis of the sample stars based on Gaia DR2 data. The kinematic parameters, orbits, and binding energy of these stars, show that J2114−0616 is member of the outer halo population, while the remaining stars belong to the inner halo population but with an accreted origin. Collectively, these results add important constraints on the origin and evolution of CEMP stars as well as on their possible formation scenarios.

Aims. The quiescent periodic photometric modulations of two low-inclination cataclysmic variables observed in Kepler K2 Campaigns 0 and 1, KZ Gem and TW Vir, are investigated. Methods. A phase-correcting method was successfully used to detect the orbital modulations of KZ Gem and TW Vir and improve their orbital periods. The light curve morphologies of both CVs were further analyzed by defining flux ratios and creating colormaps. Results. KZ Gem shows ellipsoidal modulations with an orbital period of 0.22242(1) day, twice the period listed in the updated RK catalogue (Edition 7.24). With this newly determined period, KZ Gem is no longer a CV in the period gap, but a long-period CV. A part of the quiescent light curve of TW Vir that had the highest stability was used to deduce its improved orbital period of 0.182682(3) day. The flat patterns shown in the colormaps of the flux ratios for KZ Gem demonstrate the stability of their orbital modulations, while TW Vir show variable orbital modulations during the K2 datasets. In TW Vir, the single versus double-peaked nature of the quiescent orbital variations before and after superoutburst may be related to the effect of the superoutburst on the accretion disk.

We have considered the existence of neutron star magnetic field given by the cyclotron lines. We collected the data of 9 sources of high-mass X-ray binaries with supergiant companions as a case of testing our model, to demonstrate their distribution and evolution. The wind velocity, spin period and magnetic field strength are studied under different mass loss rate. In our model, correlations between mass-loss rate and wind velocity are found and can be tested in further observations. We examined the parameter space where wind accretion is allowed, avoiding barrier of rotating magnetic fields, with robust data of magnetic field of neutron stars. Our model shows that most of sources (6 of 9 systems) can be fed by the wind with relatively slow velocity, and this result is consistent with previous predictions. In a few sources, our model cannot fit under the standard wind accretion scenario. In these peculiar cases, other scenarios (disk formation, partial Roche lobe overflow) should be considered. This would provide information about the evolutionary tracks of various types of binaries, and thus show a clear dichotomy behavior in wind-fed X-ray binary systems.

Recent X-ray observations have revealed the complexity and diversity of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs). This diversity challenges a classical understanding of the accretion process onto the compact objects. In this study, we reinforce the conventional concept of the nature of wind-fed accretion onto a neutron star considering the geometrical effect of radiatively accelerated wind, and re-evaluate the transported angular momentum by using a simple wind model. Our results suggest that even in an OB-type HMXB fed by stellar wind, a large amount of angular momentum could be transported to form an accretion disk due to the wind-inhomogeneity, if the binary separation is tight enough and/or stellar wind is slow. We apply our model into actual systems such as LMC X-4 and OAO 1657-415, and discuss the possibility of disk formations in these systems.

In this paper we investigate the space and velocity distributions of old neutron stars (aged 10 9 to 10 10 yr) in our Galaxy. Galactic old Neutron Stars (NSs) population fills a torus-like area extending to a few tens kiloparsecs above the galactic plane. The initial velocity distribution of NSs is not well known, in this work we adopt a three component initial distribution, as given by the contribution of kick velocities, circular velocities and Maxwellian velocities. For the spatial initial distribution we use a Γ function. We then use Monte Carlo simulations to follow the evolution of the NSs under the influence of the Paczyński Galactic gravitational potential. Our calculations show that NS orbits have a very large Galactic radial expansion and that their radial distribution peak is quite close to their progenitors' one. We also study the NS vertical distribution and find that it can well be described by a double exponential low. Finally, we investigate the correlation of the vertical and radial distribution and study the radial dependence of scale-heights.

This study presents a comprehensive chemodynamical analysis of LAMOST J1109+0754, a bright (V=12.8), extremely metal-poor ([Fe/H]=−3.17) star, with a strong r-process enhancement ([Eu/Fe]=+0.94 ± 0.12). Our results are based on the 7D measurements supplied by Gaia and the chemical composition derived from a high-resolution (R∼110,000), high signal-to-noise ratio ( ) S N 60 optical spectrum obtained by the 2.4 m Automated Planet Finder Telescope at Lick Observatory. We obtain chemical abundances of 31 elements (from lithium to thorium). The abundance ratios ([X/Fe]) of the light elements (Z30) suggest a massive Population III progenitor in the 13.4-29.5 M e mass range. The heavy-element (30<Z90) abundance pattern of J1109+075 agrees extremely well with the scaled-solar r-process signature. We have developed a novel approach to trace the kinematic history and orbital evolution of J1109+0754 with a cOsmologically deRIved timE-varyiNg Galactic poTential (the ORIENT) constructed from snapshots of a simulated Milky Way analog taken from the Illustris-TNG simulation. The orbital evolution within this Milky Way-like galaxy, along with the chemical abundance pattern, implies that J1109+0754 likely originated in a low-mass dwarf galaxy located ∼60 kpc from the center of the Galaxy, which was accreted ∼6-7 Gyr ago, and that the star now belongs to the outer-halo population. Unified AstronomyThesaurus concepts: Chemically peculiar stars (226); Population III stars (1285); R-process (1324); Stellar kinematics (1608); Chemical abundances (224); Stellar dynamics (1596); Orbits (1184); Galaxy dynamics (591)

Atmospheric modeling is used to build synthetic spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for the individual components of the speckle interferometric binary system HD375. These synthetic SEDs are combined together for the entire system and compared with its observational SED in an iterated procedure to achieve the best fit. Kurucz blanketed models with the measurements of magnitude differences were used to build these SED's. The input physical elements for building these best fitted synthetic SEDs represent adequately enough the elements of the system. These elements are: T a eff = 6100±50 K, T b eff = 5940±50 K, log ga = 4.01±0.10, log g b = 3.98±0.10, Ra = 1.93±0.20R⊙ ,.50, La = 4.63±0.80L⊙ and L b = 3.74±0.70L⊙ depending on new estimated parallax π = 12.02 ± 0.60 mas. A modified orbit of the system is built and compared with earlier orbits and the masses of the two components are calculated as Ma = 1.35M⊙ and M b = 1.25M⊙. Depending on the estimated physical and geometrical elements of the system, which are assured by synthetic photometry, we suggest that the two components are evolved subgiant (F8.5 IV & G0 IV) stars with age of 3.5 Gy formed by fragmentation.