Effect of uncertainties in stellar model parameters on estimated masses and radii of single stars

TL;DR

This study investigates how uncertainties in stellar model parameters affect the accuracy of estimated masses, radii, and densities of solar-type stars, emphasizing the importance of precise measurements and seismic data.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of how various uncertainties impact stellar property estimates and highlights the critical role of seismic data and precise parameter measurements.

Findings

Masses are more accurately determined than radii or densities without seismic data.

Seismic data improves density estimates, making them the most precise property.

Uncertainties in convection parameters significantly affect property estimates.

Abstract

Accurate and precise values of radii and masses of stars are needed to correctly estimate properties of extrasolar planets. We examine the effect of uncertainties in stellar model parameters on estimates of the masses, radii and average densities of solar-type stars. We find that in the absence of seismic data on solar-like oscillations, stellar masses can be determined to a greater accuracy than either stellar radii or densities; but to get reasonably accurate results the effective temperature, log g and metallicity must be measured to high precision. When seismic data are available, stellar density is the most well determined property, followed by radius, with mass the least well determined property. Uncertainties in stellar convection, quantified in terms of uncertainties in the value of the mixing length parameter, cause the most significant errors in the estimates of stellar properties.