The light curve model fitting of LMC Cepheids: MESA-RSP versus Stellingwerf's code predictions

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Main Authors: Deka, M., Marconi, M., Molinaro, R., De Somma, G., Bhardwaj, A., Trentin, E., Deb, S., Sicignano, T., Musella, I., Ripepi, V., Luongo, E., Kanbur, Shashi M.
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Published: 2025
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author Deka, M.
Marconi, M.
Molinaro, R.
De Somma, G.
Bhardwaj, A.
Trentin, E.
Deb, S.
Sicignano, T.
Musella, I.
Ripepi, V.
Luongo, E.
Kanbur, Shashi M.
author_facet Deka, M.
Marconi, M.
Molinaro, R.
De Somma, G.
Bhardwaj, A.
Trentin, E.
Deb, S.
Sicignano, T.
Musella, I.
Ripepi, V.
Luongo, E.
Kanbur, Shashi M.
contents A major challenge in modeling classical Cepheids is the treatment of convection, particularly its complex interplay with pulsation. This inherently three-dimensional process is typically approximated in one-dimensional hydrocodes using dimensionless turbulent convection (TC) free parameters. Calibrating these parameters is essential for reproducing key observational features such as light-curve amplitudes, secondary bumps, and the red edge of the instability strip. In this work, we calibrate TC parameters adopted in the publicly available MESA-RSP code through comparison with both observational data of classical Cepheids and stellar parameter constraints from the Stellingwerf code. We compute multi-band (V, I, and Ks) MESA-RSP light curves for 18 observed Large Magellanic Cloud Cepheids, using stellar parameters determined from the Stellingwerf code. By fine-tuning the mixing-length and eddy viscosity parameters, we calibrate the TC treatment in MESA-RSP. We then compare the resulting period-luminosity (PL), period-radius (PR), and period-mass-radius (PMR) relations with predictions from the Stellingwerf models. We successfully reproduce multi-band light curves and obtain PL, PR, and PMR relations consistent with Ragosta et al. (2019). While in broad agreement with previous work, we explicitly identify distinct mass-luminosity (ML) relations for fundamental-mode and first-overtone Cepheids for the first time. This suggests that the macroscopic processes affecting the ML relation depend on stellar mass and/or effective temperature range. Although our study focuses on the calibration of TC parameters, we do not find a single set of parameter values that reproduces all light curves. No statistically significant correlation is found between stellar properties and convection parameters, although subtle trends with period and effective temperature may be present.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_26385
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The light curve model fitting of LMC Cepheids: MESA-RSP versus Stellingwerf's code predictions
Deka, M.
Marconi, M.
Molinaro, R.
De Somma, G.
Bhardwaj, A.
Trentin, E.
Deb, S.
Sicignano, T.
Musella, I.
Ripepi, V.
Luongo, E.
Kanbur, Shashi M.
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
A major challenge in modeling classical Cepheids is the treatment of convection, particularly its complex interplay with pulsation. This inherently three-dimensional process is typically approximated in one-dimensional hydrocodes using dimensionless turbulent convection (TC) free parameters. Calibrating these parameters is essential for reproducing key observational features such as light-curve amplitudes, secondary bumps, and the red edge of the instability strip. In this work, we calibrate TC parameters adopted in the publicly available MESA-RSP code through comparison with both observational data of classical Cepheids and stellar parameter constraints from the Stellingwerf code. We compute multi-band (V, I, and Ks) MESA-RSP light curves for 18 observed Large Magellanic Cloud Cepheids, using stellar parameters determined from the Stellingwerf code. By fine-tuning the mixing-length and eddy viscosity parameters, we calibrate the TC treatment in MESA-RSP. We then compare the resulting period-luminosity (PL), period-radius (PR), and period-mass-radius (PMR) relations with predictions from the Stellingwerf models. We successfully reproduce multi-band light curves and obtain PL, PR, and PMR relations consistent with Ragosta et al. (2019). While in broad agreement with previous work, we explicitly identify distinct mass-luminosity (ML) relations for fundamental-mode and first-overtone Cepheids for the first time. This suggests that the macroscopic processes affecting the ML relation depend on stellar mass and/or effective temperature range. Although our study focuses on the calibration of TC parameters, we do not find a single set of parameter values that reproduces all light curves. No statistically significant correlation is found between stellar properties and convection parameters, although subtle trends with period and effective temperature may be present.
title The light curve model fitting of LMC Cepheids: MESA-RSP versus Stellingwerf's code predictions
topic Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.26385