Non-LTE atmosphere models of very luminous sources and their applicability to Little Red Dots, quasi-stars, and similar objects
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2026
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| author | Martins, Fabrice Schaerer, Daniel Marques-Chaves, Rui |
| author_facet | Martins, Fabrice Schaerer, Daniel Marques-Chaves, Rui |
| contents | We investigate whether atmosphere models traditionally used for massive stars with strong winds can produce synthetic spectra morphologically similar to those of Little Red Dots (LRDs). We compute atmosphere models and synthetic spectra with the code CMFGEN. The models assume a thermalized radiation field at the inner boundary, parameterized by a temperature varying between 5000 and 12000~K. We adopt a typical luminosity of 1e10 Lsun. The models are spherical, assume an expanding atmosphere, and are computed under non-LTE conditions and for several metallicities. The spectral energy distribution (SED) is different from a blackbody, with a blue optical spectrum. Broad hydrogen emission lines are produced, their wings being formed by electron scattering. The SED near the Balmer and Paschen limit is rather continuous. A Balmer break is predicted for the coolest temperature models provided the wind density is reduced. The SED and Balmer decrement of most LRDs is reproduced by the models, provided they are dust-attenuated with Av~1.9-2.7. Assuming the absorbed luminosity is re-radiated in the infrared, the energy output at these wavelengths is consistent with observational constraints. The models predict FeII, oxygen and calcium lines. OI lines at 8446 A and 1.129 um are produced mostly by Lybeta fluorescence. The strength of emission lines from metals depends on input temperature, metallicity, and details of the radiative transfer models. CMFGEN atmosphere models predict a large number of spectral properties observed in many LRDs. They struggle to simultaneously produce a genuine Balmer break and strong emission lines. Whether they are more relevant or not to explain LRDs' spectra compared to alternative models is unclear, leaving open the question of the physical conditions in LRDs. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_12141 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Non-LTE atmosphere models of very luminous sources and their applicability to Little Red Dots, quasi-stars, and similar objects Martins, Fabrice Schaerer, Daniel Marques-Chaves, Rui Astrophysics of Galaxies We investigate whether atmosphere models traditionally used for massive stars with strong winds can produce synthetic spectra morphologically similar to those of Little Red Dots (LRDs). We compute atmosphere models and synthetic spectra with the code CMFGEN. The models assume a thermalized radiation field at the inner boundary, parameterized by a temperature varying between 5000 and 12000~K. We adopt a typical luminosity of 1e10 Lsun. The models are spherical, assume an expanding atmosphere, and are computed under non-LTE conditions and for several metallicities. The spectral energy distribution (SED) is different from a blackbody, with a blue optical spectrum. Broad hydrogen emission lines are produced, their wings being formed by electron scattering. The SED near the Balmer and Paschen limit is rather continuous. A Balmer break is predicted for the coolest temperature models provided the wind density is reduced. The SED and Balmer decrement of most LRDs is reproduced by the models, provided they are dust-attenuated with Av~1.9-2.7. Assuming the absorbed luminosity is re-radiated in the infrared, the energy output at these wavelengths is consistent with observational constraints. The models predict FeII, oxygen and calcium lines. OI lines at 8446 A and 1.129 um are produced mostly by Lybeta fluorescence. The strength of emission lines from metals depends on input temperature, metallicity, and details of the radiative transfer models. CMFGEN atmosphere models predict a large number of spectral properties observed in many LRDs. They struggle to simultaneously produce a genuine Balmer break and strong emission lines. Whether they are more relevant or not to explain LRDs' spectra compared to alternative models is unclear, leaving open the question of the physical conditions in LRDs. |
| title | Non-LTE atmosphere models of very luminous sources and their applicability to Little Red Dots, quasi-stars, and similar objects |
| topic | Astrophysics of Galaxies |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.12141 |