Evidence of radius inflation in stars approaching the slow-rotator sequence
Journal
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Average stellar radii in open clusters can be estimated from rotation periods
and projected rotational velocities under the assumption of random orientation
of the spin axis. Such estimates are independent of distance, interstellar
absorption, and models, but their validity can be limited by missing data
(truncation) or data that only represent upper/lower limits (censoring). We
present a new statistical analysis method to estimate average stellar radii in
the presence of censoring and truncation. We use theoretical distribution
functions of the projected stellar radius $R \sin i$ to define a likelihood
function in the presence of censoring and truncation. Average stellar radii in
magnitude bins are then obtained by a maximum likelihood parametric estimation
procedure. This method is capable of recovering the average stellar radius
within a few percent with as few as $\approx$ 10 measurements. Here it is
applied for the first time to the dataset available for the Pleiades. We find
an agreement better than $\approx$ 10 percent between the observed $R$ vs $M_K$
relationship and current standard stellar models for 1.2 $\ge M/M_{\odot} \ge$
0.85 with no evident bias. Evidence of a systematic deviation at $2\sigma$
level are found for stars with 0.8 $\ge M/M_{\odot} \ge$ 0.6 approaching the
slow-rotator sequence. Fast-rotators ($P$ < 2 d) agree with standard models
within 15 percent with no systematic deviations in the whole 1.2 $\ge
M/M_{\odot} \ge$ 0.5 range. The evidence found of a possible radius inflation
just below the lower mass limit of the slow-rotator sequence indicates a
possible connection with the transition from the fast to the slow-rotator
sequence.
Volume
597
Start page
A63
Issn Identifier
0004-6361
Rights
open.access
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