Bibcode
Ramírez, I.; Allende Prieto, C.; Koesterke, L.; Lambert, D. L.; Asplund, M.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 501, Issue 3, 2009, pp.1087-1101
Advertised on:
7
2009
Journal
Citations
38
Refereed citations
30
Description
Aims: To explore the impact of surface inhomogeneities on stellar
spectra, granulation models need to be computed. Ideally, the most
fundamental characteristics of these models should be carefully tested
before applying them to the study of more practical matters, such as the
derivation of photospheric abundances. Our goal is to analyze the
particular case of a K-dwarf. Methods: We construct a
three-dimensional radiative-hydrodynamic model atmosphere of parameters
T_eff=4820 K, log g=4.5, and solar chemical composition. Using this
model and 3D spectrum synthesis, we computed a number of Fe i and Fe ii
line profiles. The observations presented in the first paper of this
series were used to test the model predictions. The effects of stellar
rotation and instrumental imperfections are carefully taken into account
in the synthesis of spectral lines. Results: The theoretical line
profiles show the typical signatures of granulation: the lines are
asymmetric, with their bisectors having a characteristic C-shape and
their core wavelengths shifted with respect to their laboratory values.
The line bisectors span from about 10 to 250 m s-1, depending
on line strength, with the stronger features showing larger span. The
corresponding core wavelength shifts range from about -200 m
s-1 for the weak Fe i lines to almost +100 m s-1
in the strong Fe i features. Based on observational results for the Sun,
we argue that there should be no core wavelength shift for Fe i lines of
EW≳100 mÅ. The cores of the strongest lines show
contributions from the uncertain top layers of the model, where non-LTE
effects and the presence of the chromosphere, which are important in
real stars, are not accounted for. The Fe ii lines suffer from stronger
granulation effects due to their deeper formation depth which makes them
experience stronger temperature and velocity contrasts. For example, the
core wavelength shifts of the weakest Fe ii lines are about -600 m
s-1. The comparison of model predictions to observed Fe i
line bisectors and core wavelength shifts for our reference star, HIP 86
400, shows excellent agreement, with the exception of the core
wavelength shifts of the strongest features, for which we suspect
inaccurate theoretical values. Since this limitation does not affect the
predicted line equivalent widths significantly, we consider our 3D model
validated for photospheric abundance work.