@article{ShenarRichardsonSablowskietal.2017, author = {Shenar, Tomer and Richardson, N. D. and Sablowski, Daniel P. and Hainich, Rainer and Sana, H. and Moffat, A. F. J. and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Oskinova, Lida and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Tramper, Frank and Langer, Norbert and Bonanos, Alceste Z. and de Mink, Selma E. and Gr{\"a}fener, G. and Crowther, Paul and Vink, J. S. and Almeida, Leonardo A. and de Koter, A. and Barb{\´a}, Rodolfo and Herrero, A. and Ulaczyk, Krzysztof}, title = {The tarantula massive binary monitoring}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {598}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201629621}, pages = {16}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We present the first SB2 orbital solution and disentanglement of the massive Wolf-Rayet binary R145 (P = 159 d) located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The primary was claimed to have a stellar mass greater than 300 M-circle dot, making it a candidate for being the most massive star known to date. While the primary is a known late-type, H-rich Wolf-Rayet star (WN6h), the secondary has so far not been unambiguously detected. Using moderate-resolution spectra, we are able to derive accurate radial velocities for both components. By performing simultaneous orbital and polarimetric analyses, we derive the complete set of orbital parameters, including the inclination. The spectra are disentangled and spectroscopically analyzed, and an analysis of the wind-wind collision zone is conducted. The disentangled spectra and our models are consistent with a WN6h type for the primary and suggest that the secondary is an O3.5 If*/WN7 type star. We derive a high eccentricity of e = 0 : 78 and minimum masses of M-1 sin(3) i approximate to M-2 sin(3) i = 13 +/- 2 M-circle dot, with q = M-2/M-1 = 1.01 +/- 0.07. An analysis of emission excess stemming from a wind-wind collision yields an inclination similar to that obtained from polarimetry (i = 39 +/- 6 degrees). Our analysis thus implies M-1 = 53(-20)(+40) and M2 = 54(-20)(+40) M-circle dot, excluding M-1 > 300 M-circle dot. A detailed comparison with evolution tracks calculated for single and binary stars together with the high eccentricity suggests that the components of the system underwent quasi-homogeneous evolution and avoided mass-transfer. This scenario would suggest current masses of approximate to 80 M-circle dot and initial masses of M-i,M-1 approximate to 10(5) and M-i,M-2 approximate to 90 M-circle dot, consistent with the upper limits of our derived orbital masses, and would imply an age of approximate to 2.2 Myr.}, language = {en} } @article{AldorettaStLouisRichardsonetal.2016, author = {Aldoretta, E. J. and St-Louis, N. and Richardson, N. D. and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Eversberg, T. and Hill, G. M. and Shenar, Tomer and Artigau, E. and Gauza, B. and Knapen, J. H. and Kubat, Jiř{\´i} and Kubatova, Brankica and Maltais-Tariant, R. and Munoz, M. and Pablo, H. and Ramiaramanantsoa, T. and Richard-Laferriere, A. and Sablowski, D. P. and Simon-Diaz, S. and St-Jean, L. and Bolduan, F. and Dias, F. M. and Dubreuil, P. and Fuchs, D. and Garrel, T. and Grutzeck, G. and Hunger, T. and Kuesters, D. and Langenbrink, M. and Leadbeater, R. and Li, D. and Lopez, A. and Mauclaire, B. and Moldenhawer, T. and Potter, M. and dos Santos, E. M. and Schanne, L. and Schmidt, J. and Sieske, H. and Strachan, J. and Stinner, E. and Stinner, P. and Stober, B. and Strandbaek, K. and Syder, T. and Verilhac, D. and Waldschlaeger, U. and Weiss, D. and Wendt, A.}, title = {An extensive spectroscopic time series of three Wolf-Rayet stars - I. The lifetime of large-scale structures in the wind of WR 134}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {460}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stw1188}, pages = {3407 -- 3417}, year = {2016}, abstract = {During the summer of 2013, a 4-month spectroscopic campaign took place to observe the variabilities in three Wolf-Rayet stars. The spectroscopic data have been analysed for WR 134 (WN6b), to better understand its behaviour and long-term periodicity, which we interpret as arising from corotating interaction regions (CIRs) in the wind. By analysing the variability of the He ii lambda 5411 emission line, the previously identified period was refined to P = 2.255 +/- 0.008 (s.d.) d. The coherency time of the variability, which we associate with the lifetime of the CIRs in the wind, was deduced to be 40 +/- 6 d, or similar to 18 cycles, by cross-correlating the variability patterns as a function of time. When comparing the phased observational grey-scale difference images with theoretical grey-scales previously calculated from models including CIRs in an optically thin stellar wind, we find that two CIRs were likely present. A separation in longitude of Delta I center dot a parts per thousand integral 90A degrees was determined between the two CIRs and we suggest that the different maximum velocities that they reach indicate that they emerge from different latitudes. We have also been able to detect observational signatures of the CIRs in other spectral lines (C iv lambda lambda 5802,5812 and He i lambda 5876). Furthermore, a DAC was found to be present simultaneously with the CIR signatures detected in the He i lambda 5876 emission line which is consistent with the proposed geometry of the large-scale structures in the wind. Small-scale structures also show a presence in the wind, simultaneously with the larger scale structures, showing that they do in fact co-exist.}, language = {en} } @article{RichardsonShenarRoyLoubieretal.2016, author = {Richardson, Noel D. and Shenar, Tomer and Roy-Loubier, Olivier and Schaefer, Gail and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and St-Louis, Nicole and Gies, Douglas R. and Farrington, Chris and Hill, Grant M. and Williams, Peredur M. and Gordon, Kathryn and Pablo, Herbert and Ramiaramanantsoa, Tahina}, title = {The CHARA Array resolves the long-period Wolf-Rayet binaries WR 137 and WR 138}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {461}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stw1585}, pages = {4115 -- 4124}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We report on interferometric observations with the CHARAArray of two classical Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars in suspected binary systems, namely WR 137 and WR 138. In both cases, we resolve the component stars to be separated by a few milliarcseconds. The data were collected in the H band, and provide a measure of the fractional flux for both stars in each system. We find that the WR star is the dominant H-band light source in both systems (fWR, 137 = 0.59 +/- 0.04; fWR, 138 = 0.67 +/- 0.01), which is confirmed through both comparisons with estimated fundamental parameters for WR stars and O dwarfs, as well as through spectral modelling of each system. Our spectral modelling also provides fundamental parameters for the stars and winds in these systems. The results on WR 138 provide evidence that it is a binary system which may have gone through a previous mass-transfer episode to create the WR star. The separation and position of the stars in the WR 137 system together with previous results from the IOTA interferometer provides evidence that the binary is seen nearly edgeon. The possible edge-on orbit of WR 137 aligns well with the dust production site imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope during a previous periastron passage, showing that the dust production may be concentrated in the orbital plane.}, language = {en} } @article{SandinSteffenSchoenberneretal.2016, author = {Sandin, C. and Steffen, M. and Schoenberner, D. and R{\"u}hling, Ute}, title = {Hot bubbles of planetary nebulae with hydrogen-deficient winds I. Heat conduction in a chemically stratified plasma}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {586}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201527357}, pages = {11}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Heat conduction has been found a plausible solution to explain discrepancies between expected and measured temperatures in hot bubbles of planetary nebulae (PNe). While the heat conduction process depends on the chemical composition, to date it has been exclusively studied for pure hydrogen plasmas in PNe. A smaller population of PNe show hydrogen-deficient and helium-and carbon-enriched surfaces surrounded by bubbles of the same composition; considerable differences are expected in physical properties of these objects in comparison to the pure hydrogen case. The aim of this study is to explore how a chemistry-dependent formulation of the heat conduction affects physical properties and how it affects the X-ray emission from PN bubbles of hydrogen-deficient stars. We extend the description of heat conduction in our radiation hydrodynamics code to work with any chemical composition. We then compare the bubble-formation process with a representative PN model using both the new and the old descriptions. We also compare differences in the resulting X-ray temperature and luminosity observables of the two descriptions. The improved equations show that the heat conduction in our representative model of a hydrogen-deficient PN is nearly as efficient with the chemistry-dependent description; a lower value on the diffusion coefficient is compensated by a slightly steeper temperature gradient. The bubble becomes somewhat hotter with the improved equations, but differences are otherwise minute. The observable properties of the bubble in terms of the X-ray temperature and luminosity are seemingly unaffected.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenarHainichTodtetal.2016, author = {Shenar, Tomer and Hainich, Rainer and Todt, Helge Tobias and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Eldridge, J. J. and Pablo, H. and Oskinova, Lida and Richardson, N. D.}, title = {Wolf-Rayet stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud II. Analysis of the binaries}, series = {American mineralogist : an international journal of earth and planetary materials}, volume = {591}, journal = {American mineralogist : an international journal of earth and planetary materials}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201527916}, pages = {25}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Context. Massive Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars are evolved massive stars (M-i greater than or similar to 20 M-circle dot) characterized by strong mass-loss. Hypothetically, they can form either as single stars or as mass donors in close binaries. About 40\% of all known WR stars are confirmed binaries, raising the question as to the impact of binarity on the WR population. Studying WR binaries is crucial in this context, and furthermore enable one to reliably derive the elusive masses of their components, making them indispensable for the study of massive stars. Aims. By performing a spectral analysis of all multiple WR systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), we obtain the full set of stellar parameters for each individual component. Mass-luminosity relations are tested, and the importance of the binary evolution channel is assessed. Methods. The spectral analysis is performed with the PotsdamWolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code by superimposing model spectra that correspond to each component. Evolutionary channels are constrained using the Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis (BPASS) evolution tool. Results. Significant hydrogen mass fractions (0.1 < X-H < 0.4) are detected in all WN components. A comparison with mass-luminosity relations and evolutionary tracks implies that the majority of the WR stars in our sample are not chemically homogeneous. The WR component in the binary AB6 is found to be very luminous (log L approximate to 6.3 [L-circle dot]) given its orbital mass (approximate to 10 M-circle dot), presumably because of observational contamination by a third component. Evolutionary paths derived for our objects suggest that Roche lobe overflow had occurred in most systems, affecting their evolution. However, the implied initial masses (greater than or similar to 60 M-circle dot) are large enough for the primaries to have entered the WR phase, regardless of binary interaction. Conclusions. Together with the results for the putatively single SMC WR stars, our study suggests that the binary evolution channel does not dominate the formation of WR stars at SMC metallicity.}, language = {en} } @article{HubrigScholzHamannetal.2016, author = {Hubrig, Swetlana and Scholz, Kathleen and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Schoeller, M. and Ignace, R. and Ilyin, Ilya and Gayley, K. G. and Oskinova, Lida}, title = {Searching for a magnetic field in Wolf-Rayet stars using FORS 2 spectropolarimetry}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {458}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stw558}, pages = {3381 -- 3393}, year = {2016}, abstract = {To investigate if magnetic fields are present in Wolf-Rayet stars, we selected a few stars in the Galaxy and one in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We acquired low-resolution spectropolarimetric observations with the European Southern Observatory FORS 2 (FOcal Reducer low dispersion Spectrograph) instrument during two different observing runs. During the first run in visitor mode, we observed the LMC Wolf-Rayet star BAT99 7 and the stars WR 6, WR 7, WR 18, and WR 23 in our Galaxy. The second run in service mode was focused on monitoring the star WR 6. Linear polarization was recorded immediately after the observations of circular polarization. During our visitor observing run, the magnetic field for the cyclically variable star WR 6 was measured at a significance level of 3.3 sigma (< B-z > = 258 +/- 78 G). Among the other targets, the highest value for the longitudinal magnetic field, < B-z > = 327 +/- 141 G, was measured in the LMC star BAT99 7. Spectropolarimetric monitoring of the star WR 6 revealed a sinusoidal nature of the < B-z > variations with the known rotation period of 3.77 d, significantly adding to the confidence in the detection. The presence of the rotation-modulated magnetic variability is also indicated in our frequency periodogram. The reported field magnitude suffers from significant systematic uncertainties at the factor of 2 level, in addition to the quoted statistical uncertainties, owing to the theoretical approach used to characterize it. Linear polarization measurements showed no line effect in the stars, apart from WR 6. BAT99 7, WR 7, and WR 23 do not show variability of the linear polarization over two nights.}, language = {en} } @article{HainichPasemannTodtetal.2015, author = {Hainich, Rainer and Pasemann, Diana and Todt, Helge Tobias and Shenar, Tomer and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {Wolf-Rayet stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud I. Analysis of the single WN stars}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {581}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201526241}, pages = {30}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Context. Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars have a severe impact on their environments owing to their strong ionizing radiation fields and powerful stellar winds. Since these winds are considered to be driven by radiation pressure, it is theoretically expected that the degree of the wind mass-loss depends on the initial metallicity of WR stars. Aims. Following our comprehensive studies of WR stars in the Milky Way, M31, and the LMC, we derive stellar parameters and mass-loss rates for all seven putatively single WN stars known in the SMC. Based on these data, we discuss the impact of a low-metallicity environment on the mass loss and evolution of WR stars. Methods. The quantitative analysis of the WN stars is performed with the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code. The physical properties of our program stars are obtained from fitting synthetic spectra to multi-band observations. Results. In all SMC WN stars, a considerable surface hydrogen abundance is detectable. The majority of these objects have stellar temperatures exceeding 75 kK, while their luminosities range from 10(5.5) to 10(6.1) L-circle dot. The WN stars in the SMC exhibit on average lower mass-loss rates and weaker winds than their counterparts in the Milky Way, M31, and the LMC. Conclusions. By comparing the mass-loss rates derived for WN stars in different Local Group galaxies, we conclude that a clear dependence of the wind mass-loss on the initial metallicity is evident, supporting the current paradigm that WR winds are driven by radiation. A metallicity effect on the evolution of massive stars is obvious from the HRD positions of the SMC WN stars at high temperatures and high luminosities. Standard evolution tracks are not able to reproduce these parameters and the observed surface hydrogen abundances. Homogeneous evolution might provide a better explanation for their evolutionary past.}, language = {en} } @article{TodtSanderHainichetal.2015, author = {Todt, Helge Tobias and Sander, Angelika and Hainich, Rainer and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Quade, Markus and Shenar, Tomer}, title = {Potsdam Wolf-Rayet model atmosphere grids for WN stars}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {579}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201526253}, pages = {6}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We present new grids of Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmospheres for Wolf-Rayet stars of the nitrogen sequence (WN stars). The models have been calculated with the latest version of the PoWR stellar atmosphere code for spherical stellar winds. The WN model atmospheres include the non-LTE solutions of the statistical equations for complex model atoms, as well as the radiative transfer equation in the co-moving frame. Iron-line blanketing is treated with the help of the superlevel approach, while wind inhomogeneities are taken into account via optically thin clumps. Three of our model grids are appropriate for Galactic metallicity. The hydrogen mass fraction of these grids is 50\%, 20\%, and 0\%, thus also covering the hydrogen-rich late-type WR stars that have been discovered in recent years. Three grids are adequate for LMC WN stars and have hydrogen fractions of 40\%, 20\%, and 0\%. Recently, additional grids with SMC metallicity and with 60\%, 40\%, 20\%, and 0\% hydrogen have been added. We provide contour plots of the equivalent widths of spectral lines that are usually used for classification and diagnostics.}, language = {en} } @article{HuenemoerderGayleyHamannetal.2015, author = {Huenemoerder, David P. and Gayley, K. G. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Ignace, R. and Nichols, J. S. and Oskinova, Lida and Pollock, A. M. T. and Schulz, Norbert S. and Shenar, Tomer}, title = {Probing Wolf-Rayet winds: Chandra/HETG X-ray spectra of WR 6}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {815}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0004-637X}, doi = {10.1088/0004-637X/815/1/29}, pages = {16}, year = {2015}, abstract = {With a deep Chandra/HETGS exposure of WR 6, we have resolved emission lines whose profiles show that the X-rays originate from a uniformly expanding spherical wind of high X-ray-continuum optical depth. The presence of strong helium-like forbidden lines places the source of X-ray emission at tens to hundreds of stellar radii from the photosphere. Variability was present in X-rays and simultaneous optical photometry, but neither were correlated with the known period of the system or with each other. An enhanced abundance of sodium revealed nuclear-processed material, a quantity related to the evolutionary state of the star. The characterization of the extent and nature of the hot plasma in WR 6 will help to pave the way to a more fundamental theoretical understanding of the winds and evolution of massive stars.}, language = {en} } @article{GvaramadzeCheneKniazevetal.2014, author = {Gvaramadze, V. V. and Chene, A.-N. and Kniazev, A. Y. and Schnurr, O. and Shenar, Tomer and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Hainich, Rainer and Langer, N. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Chu, Y.-H. and Gruendl, R. A.}, title = {Discovery of a new Wolf-Rayet star and a candidate star cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud with Spitzer}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {442}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stu909}, pages = {929 -- 945}, year = {2014}, abstract = {We report the first-ever discovery of a Wolf-Rayet (WR) star in the Large Magellanic Cloud via detection of a circular shell with the Spitzer Space Telescope. Follow-up observations with Gemini-South resolved the central star of the shell into two components separated from each other by a parts per thousand 2 arcsec (or a parts per thousand 0.5 pc in projection). One of these components turns out to be a WN3 star with H and He lines both in emission and absorption (we named it BAT99 3a using the numbering system based on extending the Breysacher et al. catalogue). Spectroscopy of the second component showed that it is a B0 V star. Subsequent spectroscopic observations of BAT99 3a with the du Pont 2.5-m telescope and the Southern African Large Telescope revealed that it is a close, eccentric binary system, and that the absorption lines are associated with an O companion star. We analysed the spectrum of the binary system using the non-LTE Potsdam WR (powr) code, confirming that the WR component is a very hot (a parts per thousand 90 kK) WN star. For this star, we derived a luminosity of log L/ L-aS (TM) = 5.45 and a mass-loss rate of 10(- 5.8) M-aS (TM) yr(- 1), and found that the stellar wind composition is dominated by helium with 20 per cent of hydrogen. Spectroscopy of the shell revealed an He iii region centred on BAT99 3a and having the same angular radius (a parts per thousand 15 arcsec) as the shell. We thereby add a new example to a rare class of high-excitation nebulae photoionized by WR stars. Analysis of the nebular spectrum showed that the shell is composed of unprocessed material, implying that the shell was swept-up from the local interstellar medium. We discuss the physical relationship between the newly identified massive stars and their possible membership of a previously unrecognized star cluster.}, language = {en} } @article{SanderTodtHainichetal.2014, author = {Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hainich, Rainer and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {The Wolf-Rayet stars in M31 I. Analysis of the late-type WN stars}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {563}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201323240}, pages = {22}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Context. Comprehensive studies of Wolf-Rayet stars were performed in the past for the Galactic and the LMC population. The results revealed significant differences, but also unexpected similarities between the WR populations of these different galaxies. Analyzing the WR stars in M 31 will extend our understanding of these objects in different galactic environments. Aims. The present study aims at the late-type WN stars in M 31. The stellar and wind parameters will tell about the formation of WR stars in other galaxies with different metallicity and star formation histories. The obtained parameters will provide constraints to the evolution of massive stars in the environment of M 31. Methods. We used the latest version of the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet model atmosphere code to analyze the stars via fitting optical spectra and photometric data. To account for the relatively low temperatures of the late WN I 0 and WN I I subtypes, our WN models have been extended into this temperature regime. Results. Stellar and atmospheric parameters are derived for all known late-type WN stars in M 31 with available spectra. All of these stars still have hydrogen in their outer envelopes, some of them up to 50\% by mass. The stars are located on the cool side of the zero age main sequence in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, while their luminosities range from 105 to 1064). It is remarkable that no star exceeds 106 L. Conclusions. If formed via single-star evolution, the late-type WN stars in M 31 stem from an initial mass range between 20 and 60 M-circle dot. From the very late-type WN9-11 stars, only one star is located in the S Doradus instability strip. We do not find any late-type WN stars with the high luminosities known in the Milky Way.}, language = {en} } @article{DanehkarTodtErcolanoetal.2014, author = {Danehkar, A. and Todt, Helge Tobias and Ercolano, B. and Kniazev, A. Y.}, title = {Observations and three-dimensional photoionization modelling of the Wolf-Rayet planetary nebula Abell 48(star)}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {439}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {4}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stu203}, pages = {3605 -- 3615}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Recent observations reveal that the central star of the planetary nebula Abell 48 exhibits spectral features similar to massive nitrogen-sequence Wolf-Rayet stars. This raises a pertinent question, whether it is still a planetary nebula or rather a ring nebula of a massive star. In this study, we have constructed a three-dimensional photoionization model of Abell 48, constrained by our new optical integral field spectroscopy. An analysis of the spatially resolved velocity distributions allowed us to constrain the geometry of Abell 48. We used the collisionally excited lines to obtain the nebular physical conditions and ionic abundances of nitrogen, oxygen, neon, sulphur and argon, relative to hydrogen. We also determined helium temperatures and ionic abundances of helium and carbon from the optical recombination lines. We obtained a good fit to the observations for most of the emission-line fluxes in our photoionization model. The ionic abundances deduced from our model are in decent agreement with those derived by the empirical analysis. However, we notice obvious discrepancies between helium temperatures derived from the model and the empirical analysis, as overestimated by our model. This could be due to the presence of a small fraction of cold metal-rich structures, which were not included in our model. It is found that the observed nebular line fluxes were best reproduced by using a hydrogen-deficient expanding model atmosphere as the ionizing source with an effective temperature of T-eff = 70 kK and a stellar luminosity of L-star = 5500 L-circle dot, which corresponds to a relatively low-mass progenitor star (similar to 3 M-circle dot) rather than a massive Pop I star.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenarHamannTodt2014, author = {Shenar, Tomer and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Todt, Helge Tobias}, title = {The impact of rotation on the line profiles of Wolf-Rayet stars}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {562}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201322496}, pages = {13}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Context. Massive Wolf-Rayet stars are recognized today to be in a very common, but short, evolutionary phase of massive stars. While our understanding of Wolf-Rayet stars has increased dramatically over the past decades, it remains unclear whether rapid rotators are among them. There are various indications that rapidly rotating Wolf-Rayet stars should exist. Unfortunately, due to their expanding atmospheres, rotational velocities of Wolf-Rayet stars are very difficult to measure. However, recently observed spectra of several Wolf-Rayet stars reveal peculiarly broad and round emission lines. Could these spectra imply rapid rotation? Aims. In this work, we model the effects of rotation on the atmospheres of Wolf-Rayet stars. We further investigate whether the peculiar spectra of five Wolf-Rayet stars may be explained with the help of stellar rotation, infer appropriate rotation parameters, and discuss the implications of our results. Methods. We make use of the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) non-LTE model atmosphere code. Since the observed spectra of WolfRayet stars are mainly formed in their expanding atmospheres, rotation must be accounted for with a 3D integration scheme of the formal integral. For this purpose, we assume a rotational velocity field consisting of an inner co-rotating domain and an outer domain, where the angular momentum is conserved. Results. We find that rotation can reproduce the unique spectra analyzed here. However, the inferred rotational velocities at the stellar surface are large (similar to 200 km s(-1)), and the inferred co-rotation radii (similar to 10R.) suggest the existence of very strong photospheric magnetic fields (similar to 20 kG).}, language = {en} } @article{HainichRuehlingTodtetal.2014, author = {Hainich, Rainer and Ruehling, Ute and Todt, Helge Tobias and Oskinova, Lida and Liermann, A. and Graefener, G. and Foellmi, C. and Schnurr, O. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {The Wolf-Rayet stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud - A comprehensive analysis of the WN class}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {565}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201322696}, pages = {62}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Context. Massive stars, although being important building blocks of galaxies, are still not fully understood. This especially holds true for Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars with their strong mass loss, whose spectral analysis requires adequate model atmospheres. Aims. Following our comprehensive studies of the WR stars in the Milky Way, we now present spectroscopic analyses of almost all known WN stars in the LMC. Methods. For the quantitative analysis of the wind-dominated emission-line spectra, we employ the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code. By fitting synthetic spectra to the observed spectral energy distribution and the available spectra (ultraviolet and optical), we obtain the physical properties of 107 stars. Results. We present the fundamental stellar and wind parameters for an almost complete sample of WN stars in the LMC. Among those stars that are putatively single, two different groups can be clearly distinguished. While 12\% of our sample are more luminous than 10(6) L-circle dot and contain a significant amount of hydrogen, 88\% of the WN stars, with little or no hydrogen, populate the luminosity range between log (L/L-circle dot) = 5.3 ... 5.8. Conclusions. While the few extremely luminous stars (log (L/L-circle dot) > 6), if indeed single stars, descended directly from the main sequence at very high initial masses, the bulk of WN stars have gone through the red-supergiant phase. According to their luminosities in the range of log (L/L-circle dot) = 5.3 ... 5.8, these stars originate from initial masses between 20 and 40 M-circle dot. This mass range is similar to the one found in the Galaxy, i.e. the expected metallicity dependence of the evolution is not seen. Current stellar evolution tracks, even when accounting for rotationally induced mixing, still partly fail to reproduce the observed ranges of luminosities and initial masses. Moreover, stellar radii are generally larger and effective temperatures correspondingly lower than predicted from stellar evolution models, probably due to subphotospheric inflation.}, language = {en} } @article{BurgemeisterGvaramadzeStringfellowetal.2013, author = {Burgemeister, S. and Gvaramadze, Visily V. and Stringfellow, G. S. and Kniazev, Alexei Y. and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {WR 120bb and WR 120bc: a pair of WN9h stars with possibly interacting circumstellar shells}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {429}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {4}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/sts588}, pages = {3305 -- 3315}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Two optically obscured Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars have been recently discovered by means of their infrared (IR) circumstellar shells, which show signatures of interaction with each other. Following the systematics of the WR star catalogues, these stars obtain the names WR 120bb and WR 120bc. In this paper, we present and analyse new near-IR, J-, H- and K-band spectra using the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet model atmosphere code. For that purpose, the atomic data base of the code has been extended in order to include all significant lines in the near-IR bands. The spectra of both stars are classified as WN9h. As their spectra are very similar the parameters that we obtained by the spectral analyses hardly differ. Despite their late spectral subtype, we found relatively high stellar temperatures of 63 kK. The wind composition is dominated by helium, while hydrogen is depleted to 25 per cent by mass. Because of their location in the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, WR 120bb and WR 120bc appear highly reddened, A(Ks) approximate to 2 mag. We adopt a common distance of 5.8 kpc to both stars, which complies with the typical absolute K-band magnitude for the WN9h subtype of -6.5 mag, is consistent with their observed extinction based on comparison with other massive stars in the region, and allows for the possibility that their shells are interacting with each other. This leads to luminosities of log(L/L-circle dot) = 5.66 and 5.54 for WR 120bb and WR 120bc, with large uncertainties due to the adopted distance. The values of the luminosities of WR 120bb and WR 120bc imply that the immediate precursors of both stars were red supergiants (RSG). This implies in turn that the circumstellar shells associated with WR 120bb and WR 120bc were formed by interaction between the WR wind and the dense material shed during the preceding RSG phase.}, language = {en} } @article{TodtKniazevGvaramadzeetal.2013, author = {Todt, Helge Tobias and Kniazev, A. Y. and Gvaramadze, V. V. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Buckley, D. and Crause, L. and Crawford, S. M. and Gulbis, A. A. S. and Hettlage, C. and Hooper, E. and Husser, T. -O. and Kotze, P. and Loaring, N. and Nordsieck, K. H. and O'Donoghue, D. and Pickering, T. and Potter, S. and Romero-Colmenero, E. and Vaisanen, P. and Williams, T. and Wolf, M.}, title = {Abell 48-a rare WN-type central star of a planetary nebula}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {430}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {3}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stt056}, pages = {2302 -- 2312}, year = {2013}, abstract = {A considerable fraction of the central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) are hydrogen-deficient. Almost all of these H-deficient central stars (CSs) display spectra with strong carbon and helium lines. Most of them exhibit emission-line spectra resembling those of massive WC stars. Therefore these stars are classed as CSPNe of spectral type [WC]. Recently, quantitative spectral analysis of two emission-line CSs, PB 8 and IC 4663, revealed that these stars do not belong to the [WC] class. Instead PB 8 has been classified as [WN/WC] type and IC 4663 as [WN] type. In this work we report the spectroscopic identification of another rare [WN] star, the CS of Abell 48. We performed a spectral analysis of Abell 48 with the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) models for expanding atmospheres. We find that the expanding atmosphere of Abell 48 is mainly composed of helium (85 per cent by mass), hydrogen (10 per cent) and nitrogen (5 per cent). The residual hydrogen and the enhanced nitrogen abundance make this object different from the other [WN] star IC 4663. We discuss the possible origin of this atmospheric composition.}, language = {en} } @article{IgnaceGayleyHamannetal.2013, author = {Ignace, Rico and Gayley, Kenneth G. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Huenemoerder, David P. and Oskinova, Lida and Pollock, Andy M. T. and McFall, Michael}, title = {THE XMM-NEWTON/EPIC X-RAY LIGHT CURVE ANALYSIS OF WR 6}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {775}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0004-637X}, doi = {10.1088/0004-637X/775/1/29}, pages = {12}, year = {2013}, abstract = {We obtained four pointings of over 100 ks each of the well-studied Wolf-Rayet star WR 6 with the XMM-Newton satellite. With a first paper emphasizing the results of spectral analysis, this follow-up highlights the X-ray variability clearly detected in all four pointings. However, phased light curves fail to confirm obvious cyclic behavior on the well-established 3.766 day period widely found at longer wavelengths. The data are of such quality that we were able to conduct a search for event clustering in the arrival times of X-ray photons. However, we fail to detect any such clustering. One possibility is that X-rays are generated in a stationary shock structure. In this context we favor a corotating interaction region (CIR) and present a phenomenological model for X-rays from a CIR structure. We show that a CIR has the potential to account simultaneously for the X-ray variability and constraints provided by the spectral analysis. Ultimately, the viability of the CIR model will require both intermittent long-term X-ray monitoring of WR 6 and better physical models of CIR X-ray production at large radii in stellar winds.}, language = {en} } @article{SanderHamannTodt2012, author = {Sander, A. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Todt, Helge Tobias}, title = {The Galactic WC stars Stellar parameters from spectral analyses indicate a new evolutionary sequence}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {540}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201117830}, pages = {79}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Context. The life cycles of massive stars from the main sequence to their explosion as supernovae or gamma ray bursts are not yet fully clear, and the empirical results from spectral analyses are partly in conflict with current evolutionary models. The spectral analysis of Wolf-Rayet stars requires the detailed modeling of expanding stellar atmospheres in non-LTE. The Galactic WN stars have been comprehensively analyzed with such models of the latest stage of sophistication, while a similarly comprehensive study of the Galactic WC sample remains undone. Aims. We aim to establish the stellar parameters and mass-loss rates of the Galactic WC stars. These data provide the empirical basis of studies of (i) the role of WC stars in the evolution of massive stars, (ii) the wind-driving mechanisms, and (iii) the feedback of WC stars as input to models of the chemical and dynamical evolution of galaxies. Methods. We analyze the nearly complete sample of un-obscured Galactic WC stars, using optical spectra as well as ultraviolet spectra when available. The observations are fitted with theoretical spectra, using the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code. A large grid of line-blanked models has been established for the range of WC subtypes WC4 - WC8, and smaller grids for the WC9 parameter domain. Both WO stars and WN/WC transit types are also analyzed using special models. Results. Stellar and atmospheric parameters are derived for more than 50 Galactic WC and two WO stars, covering almost the whole Galactic WC population as far as the stars are single, and un-obscured in the visual. In the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, the WC stars reside between the hydrogen and the helium zero-age main sequences, having luminosities L from 10(4.9) to 10(5.6) L-circle dot. The mass-loss rates scale very tightly with L-0.8. The two WO stars in our sample turn out to be outstandingly hot (approximate to 200 kK) and do not fit into the WC scheme. Conclusions. By comparing the empirical WC positions in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram with evolutionary models, and from recent supernova statistics, we conclude that WC stars have evolved from initial masses between 20 solar masses and 45 M-circle dot. In contrast to previous assumptions, it seems that WC stars in general do not descend from the most massive stars. Only the WO stars might stem from progenitors that have been initially more massive than 45 M-circle dot.}, language = {en} } @article{OskinovaGayleyHamannetal.2012, author = {Oskinova, Lida and Gayley, K. G. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Huenemoerder, D. P. and Ignace, R. and Pollock, A. M. T.}, title = {HIGH-RESOLUTION X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY REVEALS THE SPECIAL NATURE OF WOLF-RAYET STAR WINDS}, series = {ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS}, volume = {747}, journal = {ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP PUBLISHING LTD}, address = {BRISTOL}, issn = {2041-8205}, doi = {10.1088/2041-8205/747/2/L25}, pages = {6}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We present the first high-resolutionX-ray spectrum of a putatively singleWolf-Rayet (WR) star. 400 ks observations of WR 6 by the XMM-Newton telescope resulted in a superb quality high-resolution X-ray spectrum. Spectral analysis reveals that the X-rays originate far out in the stellar wind, more than 30 stellar radii from the photosphere, and thus outside the wind acceleration zone where the line-driving instability (LDI) could create shocks. The X-ray emitting plasma reaches temperatures up to 50 MK and is embedded within the unshocked, "cool" stellar wind as revealed by characteristic spectral signatures. We detect a fluorescent Fe line at approximate to 6.4 keV. The presence of fluorescence is consistent with a two-component medium, where the cool wind is permeated with the hot X-ray emitting plasma. The wind must have a very porous structure to allow the observed amount of X-rays to escape. We find that neither the LDI nor any alternative binary scenario can explain the data. We suggest a scenario where X-rays are produced when the fast wind rams into slow "sticky clumps" that resist acceleration. Our new data show that the X-rays in single WR star are generated by some special mechanism different from the one operating in the O-star winds.}, language = {en} } @article{KholtyginFabrikaRusomarovetal.2011, author = {Kholtygin, A. F. and Fabrika, S. N. and Rusomarov, N. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Kudryavtsev, D. O. and Oskinova, Lida and Chountonov, G. A.}, title = {Line profile variability and magnetic fields of Wolf-Rayet stars: WR 135 and WR 136}, series = {ASTRONOMISCHE NACHRICHTEN}, volume = {332}, journal = {ASTRONOMISCHE NACHRICHTEN}, number = {9-10}, publisher = {WILEY-BLACKWELL}, address = {MALDEN}, issn = {0004-6337}, doi = {10.1002/asna.201111595}, pages = {1008 -- 1011}, year = {2011}, abstract = {We have obtained spectropolarimetric observations of two Wolf-Rayet stars, WR 135 (WC8) and WR 136 (WN6), with the 6-m Russian telescope in July 2009 and July 2010. We have studied the He II 5412 angstrom line region, which contains also the C IV 5469 angstrom line (for WR 135 only). Our goals were to investigate the rapid line-profile variability (LPV) in WR star spectra and to search for magnetic fields. We find small amplitude emission peaks moving from the center of He II line to its wings during the night in spectra of both stars. These emission peaks are likely a signature of accelerating clumps in the stellar wind. We obtained upper limits of the magnetic field strength: approximate to 200G for WR 135 and approximate to 50G for WR 136. (C) 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH\&Co. KGaA, Weinheim}, language = {en} } @article{OskinovaHamannCassinellietal.2011, author = {Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Cassinelli, Joseph P. and Brown, John C. and Todt, Helge Tobias}, title = {X-ray emission from massive stars with magnetic fields}, series = {Astronomische Nachrichten = Astronomical notes}, volume = {332}, journal = {Astronomische Nachrichten = Astronomical notes}, number = {9-10}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Malden}, issn = {0004-6337}, doi = {10.1002/asna.201111602}, pages = {988 -- 993}, year = {2011}, abstract = {We investigate the connections between the magnetic fields and the X-ray emission from massive stars. Our study shows that the X-ray properties of known strongly magnetic stars are diverse: while some comply to the predictions of the magnetically confined wind model, others do not. We conclude that strong, hard, and variable X-ray emission may be a sufficient attribute of magnetic massive stars, but it is not a necessary one. We address the general properties of X-ray emission from "normal" massive stars, especially the long standing mystery about the correlations between the parameters of X-ray emission and fundamental stellar properties. The recent development in stellar structure modeling shows that small-scale surface magnetic fields may be common. We suggest a "hybrid" scenario which could explain the X-ray emission from massive stars by a combination of magnetic mechanisms on the surface and shocks in the stellar wind. The magnetic mechanisms and the wind shocks are triggered by convective motions in sub-photospheric layers. This scenario opens the door for a natural explanation of the well established correlation between bolometric and X-ray luminosities.}, language = {en} }