The YNEV stellar evolution and oscillation code

We have developed a new stellar evolution and oscillation code YNEV, which calculates the structures and evolutions of stars, taking into account hydrogen and helium burning. A nonlocal turbulent convection theory and an updated over- shoot mixing model are optional in this code. The YNEV code can evolve low- and intermediate-mass stars from the pre-main sequence to a thermally pulsing asymptotic branch giant or white dwarf. The YNEV oscillation code calculates the eigenfrequen- cies and eigenfunctions of the adiabatic oscillations for a given stellar structure. The input physics and numerical scheme adopted in the code are introduced. Examples of solar models, stellar evolutionary tracks of low- and intermediate-mass stars with different convection theories （i.e. mixing-length theory and nonlocal turbulent con- vection theory）, and stellar oscillations are shown.

The competition of neutrino energy loss due to the pair, photo-, plasma process at the late stages of stellar evolution

Based on the Weinberg-Salam theory, the competition of the Neutrino Energy Loss （NEL） rates due to the pair, photo-and plasma process are canvassed. The ratio factor C1, C2 and C3 which correspond the different contributions of the pair, photo-and plasma neutrino process to those of the total NEL rates are accurately taken into account. The ratio factors are very sensitive to the temperature and density. The ratio factor C2 always is lower than the ratio factor C1 and C3. The pair NEL process is the dominant contribution before the crossed point 0（C1 = C3 = 0.45） and the plasma NEL process will be the main dominant contribution after the crossed point O. With increasing temperature, the crossed point O will move to the direction of higher density.

Pair neutrino energy loss for nuclei ^(56)Fe at the late stages of stellar evolution

t Based on the Weinberg-Salam theory, the pair neutrino energy loss rates for nuclei 56^Fe are canvassed for the wide range of density and temperature. The results of ours （QLJ） are compared with those ofBeaudet G, Petrosian V and Salpeter E. E＇s （QBPs）, and it shows that the pair neutrino energy loss rates of QBPS are always larger than QLJ .The QBPS is 12.57%, 12.86%, 14.99%, 19.80% times higher than QLJ corresponding to the temperature T9=0.385, 1.0, 5.0, 10, respectively.

Plasma neutrino energy loss due to the axial-vector current at the late stages of stellar evolution

Based on the Weinberg-Salam theory, the plasma neutrino energy loss rates of vector and axialvector contributions are studied. A ratable factor of the rates from the axial-vector current relative to those of the total neutrino energy loss rates is accurately calculated. The results show that the ratable factor will reach a maximum of 0.95 or even more at relatively higher temperature and lower density （such as p/μe 〈 10^7 g/cm^3）. Thus the rates of the axial-vector contribution cannot be neglected. On the other hand, the rates of the axialvector contribution are on the order of ~0.01% of the total vector contribution, which is in good agreement with Itoh＇s at relatively high density （such as p/μe 〉 10^7 g/cm^3） and a temperature of T ≤ 10^11 K.

Determination of the stellar reaction rate for ^(12)C(α, γ)^(16)O: using a new expression with the reaction mechanism

The astrophysical reaction rate of 12C（α,γ）16O plays a key role in massive star evolution. However, this reaction rate and its uncertainties have not been well determined yet, especially at T9=0.2. The existing results even disagree with each other to a certain extent. In this paper, the El, E2 and total （E1＋E2） 12C（α,γ）16O reaction rates are calculated in the temperature range from T9=0.3 to 2 according to all the available cross section data. A new analytic expression of the 12C（α,γ）16O reaction rate is brought forward based on the reaction mechanism. In this expression, each part embodies the underlying physics of the reaction. Unlike previous works, some physical parameters are chosen from experimental results directly, instead of all the parameters obtained from fitting. These parameters in the new expression, with their 3σ fit errors, are obtained from fit to our calculated reaction rate from T9=0.3 to 2. Using the fit results, the analytic expression of 12C（α,γ）16Oreaction rate is extrapolated down to T9=0.05 based on the underlying physics. The 12C（α,γ）16O reaction rate at T9=0.2 is （8.78 ± 1.52） × 10^15 cm3s^-1mol^-1. Some comparisons and discussions about our new 12C（α,γ）16Oreaction rate are presented, and the contributions of the reaction rate correspond to the different part of reaction mechanism are given. The agreements of the reaction rate below T9=2 between our results and previous works indicate that our results are reliable, and they could be included in the astrophysical reaction rate network. Furthermore, we believe our method to investigate the 12C（α,γ）16O reaction rate is reasonable, and this method can also be employed to study the reaction rate of other astrophysical reactions. Finally, a new constraint of the supernovae production factor of some isotopes are illustrated according to our 12C（α,γ）16O reaction rates.

Solar-stellar astrophysics and dark matter

In this review, we recall how stars contribute to the search for dark matter and the specific role of the Sun. We describe a more complete picture of the solar interior that emerges from neutrino detections, gravity and acoustic mode measurements of the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory （SOHO） satellite, becoming a reference for the most common stars in the Universe. The Sun is a unique star in that we can observe directly the effect of dark matter. The absence of a signature related to Weakly Interacting Massive Particles （WIMPs） in its core disfavors a WIMP mass range below 12 GeV. We give arguments to continue this search on the Sun and other promising cases. We also examine another dark matter candidate, the sterile neutrino, and infer the limitations of the classical structural equations. Open questions on the young Sun, when planets formed, and on its present internal dynamics are finally dis- cussed. Future directions are proposed for the next decade： a better description of the solar core, a generalization to stars coming from seismic missions and a better under- standing of the dynamics of our galaxy which are all crucial keys for understanding dark matter.

The Effect of Method of Constructing the Mass Distribution on Single Stellar Populations

We use two methods of constructing the initial mass distribution, the traditional way and Monte Carlo simulation, to obtain integrated U - B, B - V,V-R and V-I colours and absorption-line indices defined by the Lick Observatory image dissector scanner （referred to as Lick/IDS）, for instantaneous burst solarmetallicity single stellar populations with ages in the range 1-15Gyr. We find that the evolutionary curves of all colours obtained by the traditional method are smoother than those by Monte Carlo simulation, that the U- B and B- V colours obtained by the two methods agree with one another, while the V - R and V - I colours by the traditional method are bluer than those by Monte Carlo simulation.A comparison of the Lick/IDS absorption-line indices shows that the variations in all the indices by the traditional method are smoother than that for the Monte Carlo simulation, and that all the indices except for TiO1 and TiO2 are consistent with those for the Monte Carlo simulation.

The Origin of Cosmic Structures Part 1—Stars to Superclusters

Our original intent was to explain the origin of large HI structures. In order to understand HI structures, however, it is first necessary to understand the origin of both galaxies and galaxy clusters. Explaining their origin is the purpose of Part 1 of this work. In our new model of cosmology, the creation of protons during nucleosynthesis was regulated by an imprint embedded in the vacuum in a manner that eventually resulted in the cosmic structures we now observe. Immediately after nucleosynthesis and for a considerable period afterward, the evolution was dominated by the expansion of the universe. Gradually, gravitational influences became important until eventually, the two became equal. At that point, the structures ceased to increase in size, and thereafter, their evolution was dominated by the gravitational interaction of the particles. The zero-velocity point for galaxies and galaxy clusters occurred at the usually accepted time of the beginning of galaxy formation. The initial population of stars also started their compaction at that same time but, in this case, partially for reasons having to do with the temperature of the proton gas. Many details of the evolution of the structure are discussed. We discuss the equilibrium of galaxy clusters and present a model that can potentially account for the present-day energy of the intracluster gas. Another outcome is that, at the time when the galaxies reached their zero-velocity point, they were several times larger than their present-day size, a fact that is critical for understanding the origin of the larger HI rings. In Part 2 of this work, we show that the HI structures can readily be understood in terms of the model developed here.

Re-evaluation of the ^23Mg（p,γ） ^24Al reaction rate

Based on a new screening Coulomb model, this paper discusses the effect of electron screening on proton capture reaction of 23Mg. The derived result shows that, in some considerable range of stellar temperatures, the effect of electron screening on resonant reaction is prominent; on the non-resonant reaction the effect is obvious only in the low stellar temperatures. The reaction rates of ^23Mg（p,γ） ^24Al would increase 15%-25% due to the fact that the electron screening are considered in typical temperature range of massive mass white dwarfs, and the results undoubtedly affect the nucleosynthesis of some heavier nuclei in massive mass white dwarfs.

On fitting the full spectrum of luminous red galaxies by using ULySS and STARLIGHT

We select a sample of quiescent luminous red galaxies （LRGs） from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 with a high signal-to-noise ratio （S/N） to study the consistency of fitting the full spectrum by using different packages, mainly, ULySS and STARLIGHT. The spectrum of each galaxy in the sample is fitted by the full spectrum fitting packages ULySS and STARLIGHT. We find： （1） for spec- tra with higher S/Ns, the ages of stellar populations obtained from ULySS are slightly older than those from STARLIGHT, and metallicities derived from ULySS are slightly richer than those from STARLIGHT. In general, both packages can give roughly con- sistent fitting results. （2） For low S/N spectra, it is possible that the fitting by ULySS can become trapped at some local minimum in the parameter space during execution and thus may give unreliable results, but STARLIGHT can still give reliable results. Based on the fitting results of LRGs, we further analyze their star formation history and the relation between their age and velocity dispersion, and find that they agree well with conclusions from previous works.

Population synthesis of high mass X-ray binaries

By simulating the evolution of spin periods of magnetized neutron stars which interact with their environment in binary systems,we investigate the Galactic population of high mass X-ray binaries（HMXBs） .The number of HMXBs in the Galaxy is between 190 and 240,and their birthrate is from 5.9×10-5 yr-1 to 6.3× 10-5 yr-1.Comparing the Corbet diagram（the positions of the spin periods vs.the orbital periods of HMXBs） in our model with the associated observations,we find that the stellar wind structure and the process of matter transfer are very important for understanding HMXBs.

Spectral Synthesis via Mean Field approach to Independent Component Analysis

We apply a new statistical analysis technique, the Mean Field approach to Independent Component Analysis（MF-ICA） in a Bayseian framework, to galaxy spectral analysis. This algorithm can compress a stellar spectral library into a few Independent Components（ICs）, and the galaxy spectrum can be reconstructed by these ICs. Compared to other algorithms which decompose a galaxy spectrum into a combination of several simple stellar populations, the MF-ICA approach offers a large improvement in efficiency. To check the reliability of this spectral analysis method, three different methods are used：（1） parameter recovery for simulated galaxies,（2） comparison with parameters estimated by other methods, and（3） consistency test of parameters derived with galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We find that our MF-ICA method can not only fit the observed galaxy spectra efficiently, but can also accurately recover the physical parameters of galaxies. We also apply our spectral analysis method to the DEEP2 spectroscopic data, and find it can provide excellent fitting results for low signal-to-noise spectra.

The dusty and extremely red progenitor of the typeⅡsupernova 2023ixf in Messier 101

Stars with initial masses in the range of 8-25 solar masses are thought to end their lives as hydrogen-rich supernovae(SNeⅡ).Based on the pre-explosion images of Hubble space telescope(HST)and Spitzer space telescope,we place tight constraints on the progenitor candidate of type IIP SN 2023ixf in Messier 101.Fitting of the spectral energy distribution(SED)of its progenitor with dusty stellar spectral models results in an estimation of the effective temperature as 3091+422-258K.The luminosity is estimated as lg(L/L⊙)~4.83,consistent with a red supergiant(RSG)star with an initial mass of 12-1+2M⊙.The derived mass loss rate(6×10^(-6)-9×10^(-6)M⊙yr^(-1))is much lower than that inferred from the flash spectroscopy of the SN,suggesting that the progenitor experienced a sudden increase in mass loss when approaching the final explosion.In the infrared bands,significant deviation from the range of regular RSGs in the color-magnitude diagram and period-luminosity space of the progenitor star indicates enhanced mass loss and dust formation.Combined with new evidence of polarization at the early phases of SN 2023ixf,such a violent mass loss is likely a result of binary interaction.

The nearest neutron star candidate in a binary revealed by optical time-domain surveys

The near-Earth(within~100 pc)supernova explosions in the past several million years can cause the global deposition of radioactive elements(e.g.,60Fe)on Earth.The remnants of such supernovae are too old to be easily identified.It is therefore of great interest to search for million-year-old near-Earth neutron stars or black holes,the products of supernovae.However,neutron stars and black holes are challenging to find even in our Solar neighbourhood if they are not radio pulsars or X-ray/γ-ray emitters.Here we report the discovery of one of the nearest(127.7±0.3 pc)neutron star candidates in a detached single-lined spectroscopic binary LAMOST J235456.73+335625.9(hereafter J2354).Utilizing the time-resolved ground-based spectroscopy and space photometry,we find that J2354 hosts an unseen compact object with M_(inv)being 1.4-1.6 M_(⊙).The follow-up Swift ultraviolet(UV)and X-ray observations suggest that the UV and X-ray emission is produced by the visible star rather than the compact object.Hence,J2354 probably harbours a neutron star rather than a hot ultramassive white dwarf.Two-hour exceptionally sensitive radio follow-up observations with Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope fail to reveal any pulsating radio signals at the 6σflux upper limit of 12.5μJy.Therefore,the neutron star candidate in J2354 can only be revealed via our time-resolved observations.Interestingly,the distance between J2354 and our Earth can be as close as~50 pc around 2.5 million years(Myrs)ago,as revealed by the Gaia kinematics.Our discovery demonstrates a promising way to unveil the hidden near-Earth neutron stars in binaries by exploring the optical time domain,thereby facilitating understanding of the metal-enrichment history in our Solar neighbourhood.

Towards an understanding of Type Ia supernovae from a synthesis of theory and observations

Motivated by the fact that calibrated light curves of Type Ia supernovae （SNe Ia） have become a major tool to determine the expansion history of the Universe, considerable attention has been given to, both, observations and models of these events over the past 15 years. Here, we summarize new observational constraints, address recent progress in modeling Type Ia supernovae by means of three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations, and discuss several of the still open questions. It will be be shown that the new models have considerable predictive power which allows us to study observable properties such as light curves and spectra without adjustable non-physical parameters. This is a necessary requisite to improve our understanding of the explosion mechanism and to settle the question of the applicability of SNe Ia as distance indicators for cosmology. We explore the capabilities of the models by comparing them be applied to study the origin of the diversity with observations and we show how such models can of SNe Ia.

Modified astrophysical S-factor of 12C+12C fusion reaction at sub-barrier energies

The 12C+12C fusion reaction plays a crucial role in stellar evolution and explosions.Its main open reaction channels includeα,p,n,and 8Be.Despite more than a half century of efforts,large differences remain among the experimental data of this reaction measured using various techniques.In this work,we analyze the existing data using a statistical model.Our calculation shows the following:1)the relative systematic uncertainties of the predicted branching ratios decrease as the predicted ratios increase;2)the total modified astrophysical S-factors(S^* factors)of the p andαchannels can be obtained by summing the S^* factors of their corresponding ground-state transitions and the characteristicγrays,while taking into account the contributions of the missing channels to the latter.After applying corrections based on branching ratios predicted by the statistical model,an agreement is achieved among the different data sets at Ecm>4 MeV,while some discrepancies remain at lower energies,suggesting the need for better measurements in the near future.We find that the S^* factor recently obtained from an indirect measurement is inconsistent with the direct measurement value at energies below 2.6 MeV.We recommend upper and lower limits for the 12C+12C S^* factor based on the existing models.A new 12C+12C reaction rate is also recommended.