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On the Nature of the Core of α Centauri A: The Impact of the Metallicity Mixture

B. Nsamba, T. L. Campante, M. J. P. F. G. Monteiro, M. S. Cunha, S. G. Sousa

Abstract

Forward asteroseismic modelling plays an important role towards a complete understanding of the physics taking place in deep stellar interiors. With a dynamical mass in the range over which models develop convective cores while in the main sequence, the solar-like oscillator α Centauri A presents itself as an interesting case study. We address the impact of varying the metallicity mixture on the determination of the energy transport process at work in the core of α Centauri A. We find that ≳ 70% of models reproducing the revised dynamical mass of α Centauri A have convective cores, regardless of the metallicity mixture adopted. This is consistent with the findings of Nsamba et al., where nuclear reaction rates were varied instead. Given these results, we propose that α Centauri A be adopted in the calibration of stellar model parameters when modelling solar-like stars with convective cores.

Keywords
HD 128620, asteroseismology, stellar modeling, fundamental parameters, convection, radiation

Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
Volume 6
2019 April

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Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia COMPETE 2020 PORTUGAL 2020 União Europeia