@article{SidoliSgueraEspositoetal.2022, author = {Sidoli, Lara and Sguera, Vito and Esposito, Paolo and Oskinova, Lida and Polletta, Maria del Carmen}, title = {XMM-Newton discovery of very high obscuration in the candidate Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient AX J1714.1-3912}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {512}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stac691}, pages = {2929 -- 2935}, year = {2022}, abstract = {We have analysed an archival XMM-Newton EPIC observation that serendipitously covered the sky position of a variable X-ray source AX J1714.1-3912, previously suggested to be a Supergiant Fast X-ray Transient (SFXT). During the XMM-Newton observation the source is variable on a timescale of hundred seconds and shows two luminosity states, with a flaring activity followed by unflared emission, with a variability amplitude of a factor of about 50. We have discovered an intense iron emission line with a centroid energy of 6.4 keV in the power law-like spectrum, modified by a large absorption (N-H similar to 10(24) cm(-2)), never observed before from this source. This X-ray spectrum is unusual for an SFXT, but resembles the so-called 'highly obscured sources', high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) hosting an evolved B[e] supergiant companion (sgB[e]). This might suggest that AX J1714.1-3912 is a new member of this rare type of HMXBs, which includes IGR J16318-4848 and CI Camelopardalis. Increasing this small population of sources would be remarkable, as they represent an interesting short transition evolutionary stage in the evolution of massive binaries. Nevertheless, AX J1714.1-3912 appears to share X-ray properties of both kinds of HMXBs (SFXT versus sgB[e] HMXB). Therefore, further investigations of the companion star are needed to disentangle the two hypothesis.}, language = {en} } @article{SteinkeOskinovaHamannetal.2016, author = {Steinke, Martin and Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Liermann, A. and Todt, Helge Tobias}, title = {Analysis of the WN star WR102c, its WR nebula, and the associated cluster of massive stars in the Sickle Nebula}, series = {Tectonophysics : international journal of geotectonics and the geology and physics of the interior of the earth}, volume = {588}, journal = {Tectonophysics : international journal of geotectonics and the geology and physics of the interior of the earth}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201527692}, pages = {10}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Context. The massive Wolf-Rayet type star WR102c is located near the Quintuplet Cluster, one of the three massive star clusters in the Galactic centre region. Previous studies indicated that WR102c may have a dusty circumstellar nebula and is among the main ionising sources of the Sickle Nebula associated with the Quintuplet Cluster. Aims. The goals of our study are to derive the stellar parameters of WR102c from the analysis of its spectrum and to investigate its stellar and nebular environment. Methods. We obtained observations with the ESO VLT integral field spectrograph SINFONI in the K-band, extracted the stellar spectra, and analysed them by means of stellar atmosphere models. Results. Our new analysis supersedes the results previously reported for WR102c. We significantly decrease its bolometric luminosity and hydrogen content. We detect four early OB type stars close to WR102c. These stars have radial velocities similar to that of WR102c. We suggest that together with WR102c these stars belong to a distinct star cluster with a total mass of similar to 1000 M-circle dot. We identify a new WR nebula around WR102c in the SINFONI map of the di ff use Br gamma emission and in the HST Pa ff images. The Br gamma line at di ff erent locations is not significantly broadened and similar to the width of nebular emission elsewhere in the H i i region around WR102c. Conclusions. The massive star WR102c located in the Galactic centre region resides in a star cluster containing additional early-type stars. The stellar parameters of WR102c are typical for hydrogen-free WN6 stars. We identify a nebula surrounding WR102c that has a morphology similar to other nebulae around hydrogen-free WR stars, and propose that the formation of this nebula is linked to interaction of the fast stellar wind with the matter ejected at a previous evolutionary stage of WR102c.}, language = {en} } @article{SturmHaberlOskinovaetal.2013, author = {Sturm, R. and Haberl, F. and Oskinova, Lida and Schurch, M. P. E. and Henault-Brunet, V. and Gallagher, J. S. and Udalski, A.}, title = {Long-term evolution of the neutron-star spin period of SXP1062}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {556}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, number = {4}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201321755}, pages = {8}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Context. The Be/X-ray binary SXP 1062 is of especial interest owing to the large spin period of the neutron star, its large spin-down rate, and the association with a supernova remnant constraining its age. This makes the source an important probe for accretion physics. Aims. To investigate the long-term evolution of the spin period and associated spectral variations, we performed an XMM-Newton target-of-opportunity observation of SXP 1062 during X-ray outburst. Methods. Spectral and timing analysis of the XMM-Newton data was compared with previous studies, as well as complementary Swift/XRT monitoring and optical spectroscopy with the SALT telescope were obtained. Results. The spin period was measured to be P-s = (1071.01 +/- 0.16) s on 2012 Oct. 14. The X-ray spectrum is similar to that of previous observations. No convincing cyclotron absorption features, which could be indicative for a high magnetic field strength, are found. The high-resolution RGS spectra indicate the presence of emission lines, which may not completely be accounted for by the SNR emission. The comparison of multi-epoch optical spectra suggest an increasing size or density of the decretion disc around the Be star. Conclusions. SXP 1062 showed a net spin-down with an average of P-s = ( 2.27 +/- 0.44) s yr(-1) over a baseline of 915 days.}, language = {en} } @article{SurlanHamannKubatetal.2012, author = {Surlan, B. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Kubat, Jirij and Oskinova, Lida and Feldmeier, Achim}, title = {Three-dimensional radiative transfer in clumped hot star winds I influence of clumping on the resonance line formation}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {541}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201118590}, pages = {11}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Context. The true mass-loss rates from massive stars are important for many branches of astrophysics. For the correct modeling of the resonance lines, which are among the key diagnostics of stellar mass-loss, the stellar wind clumping has been found to be very important. To incorporate clumping into a radiative transfer calculation, three-dimensional (3D) models are required. Various properties of the clumps may have a strong impact on the resonance line formation and, therefore, on the determination of empirical mass-loss rates. Aims. We incorporate the 3D nature of the stellar wind clumping into radiative transfer calculations and investigate how different model parameters influence the resonance line formation. Methods. We develop a full 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for inhomogeneous expanding stellar winds. The number density of clumps follows the mass conservation. For the first time, we use realistic 3D models that describe the dense as well as the tenuous wind components to model the formation of resonance lines in a clumped stellar wind. At the same time, we account for non-monotonic velocity fields. Results. The 3D density and velocity wind inhomogeneities show that there is a very strong impact on the resonance line formation. The different parameters describing the clumping and the velocity field results in different line strengths and profiles. We present a set of representative models for various sets of model parameters and investigate how the resonance lines are affected. Our 3D models show that the line opacity is lower for a larger clump separation and shallower velocity gradients within the clumps. Conclusions. Our model demonstrates that to obtain empirically correct mass-loss rates from the UV resonance lines, the wind clumping and its 3D nature must be taken into account.}, language = {en} } @article{ToalaGuerreroTodtetal.2015, author = {Toala, Jes{\´u}s Alberto and Guerrero, Mart{\´i}n A. and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Chu, Y.-H. and Gruendl, R. A. and Sch{\"o}nberner, Detlef and Oskinova, Lida and Marquez-Lugo, R. A. and Fang, X. and Ramos-Larios, Gerardo}, title = {The born-again Planetary nebula A78: an X-RAY twin of A30}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {799}, 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/799/1/67}, pages = {10}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We present the XMM-Newton discovery of X-ray emission from the planetary nebula (PN) A78, the second born-again PN detected in X-rays apart from A30. These two PNe share similar spectral and morphological characteristics: they harbor diffuse soft X-ray emission associated with the interaction between the H-poor ejecta and the current fast stellar wind and a point-like source at the position of the central star (CSPN). We present the spectral analysis of the CSPN, using for the first time an NLTE code for expanding atmospheres that takes line blanketing into account for the UV and optical spectra. The wind abundances are used for the X-ray spectral analysis of the CSPN and the diffuse emission. The X-ray emission from the CSPN in A78 can be modeled by a single C VI emission line, while the X-ray emission from its diffuse component is better described by an optically thin plasma emission model with a temperature of kT = 0.088 keV (T approximate to 1.0 x 10(6) K). We estimate X-ray luminosities in the 0.2-2.0 keV energy band of L-X,L-CSPN =(1.2 +/- 0.3) x 10(31) erg s(-1) and L-X,L-DIFF =(9.2 +/- 2.3) x 10(30) erg s(-1) for the CSPN and diffuse components, respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{ToalaOskinovaGonzalezGalanetal.2016, author = {Toala, Jes{\´u}s Alberto and Oskinova, Lida and Gonzalez-Galan, Ana and Guerrero, Mart{\´i}n A. and Ignace, R. and Pohl, Martin}, title = {X-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF BOW SHOCKS AROUND RUNAWAY O STARS. THE CASE OF zeta OPH AND BD+43 degrees 3654}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {821}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0004-637X}, doi = {10.3847/0004-637X/821/2/79}, pages = {9}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Non-thermal radiation has been predicted within bow shocks around runaway stars by recent theoretical works. We present X-ray observations toward the runaway stars zeta Oph by Chandra and Suzaku and of BD+43 degrees 3654 by XMM-Newton to search for the presence of non-thermal X-ray emission. We found no evidence of non-thermal emission spatially coincident with the bow shocks; nonetheless, diffuse emission was detected in the vicinity of zeta Oph. After a careful analysis of its spectral characteristics, we conclude that this emission has a thermal nature with a plasma temperature of T approximate to 2 x 10(6) K. The cometary shape of this emission seems to be in line with recent predictions of radiation-hydrodynamic models of runaway stars. The case of BD+43 degrees 3654 is puzzling, as non-thermal emission has been reported in a previous work for this source.}, language = {en} } @article{ToalaOskinovaHamannetal.2018, author = {Toala, Jes{\´u}s Alberto and Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Ignace, Richard and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Shenar, Tomer and Todt, Helge Tobias and Chu, Y. -H. and Guerrero, Martin A. and Hainich, Rainer and Torrejon, Jose Miguel}, title = {On the Apparent Absence of Wolf-Rayet plus Neutron Star Systems}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, volume = {869}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {2041-8205}, doi = {10.3847/2041-8213/aaf39d}, pages = {5}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Among the different types of massive stars in advanced evolutionary stages is the enigmatic WN8h type. There are only a few Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars with this spectral type in our Galaxy. It has long been suggested that WN8h-type stars are the products of binary evolution that may harbor neutron stars (NS). One of the most intriguing WN8h stars is the runaway WR 124 surrounded by its magnificent nebula M1-67. We test the presence of an accreting NS companion in WR 124 using similar to 100 ks long observations by the Chandra X-ray observatory. The hard X-ray emission from WR 124 with a luminosity of L-X similar to 10(31) erg s(-1) is marginally detected. We use the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium stellar atmosphere code PoWR to estimate the WR wind opacity to the X-rays. The wind of a WN8-type star is effectively opaque for X-rays, hence the low X-ray luminosity of WR 124 does not rule out the presence of an embedded compact object. We suggest that, in general, high-opacity WR winds could prevent X-ray detections of embedded NS, and be an explanation for the apparent lack of WR+NS systems.}, language = {en} } @article{ToalaOskinovaIgnace2017, author = {Toala, Jes{\´u}s Alberto and Oskinova, Lida and Ignace, R.}, title = {On the Absence of Non-thermal X-Ray Emission around Runaway O Stars}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, volume = {838}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {2041-8205}, doi = {10.3847/2041-8213/aa667c}, pages = {1 -- 32}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Theoretical models predict that the compressed interstellar medium around runaway O stars can produce highenergy non-thermal diffuse emission, in particular, non-thermal X-ray and gamma-ray emission. So far, detection of nonthermal X-ray emission was claimed for only one runaway star, AE Aur. We present a search for non-thermal diffuse X-ray emission from bow shocks using archived XMM-Newton observations for a clean sample of six welldetermined runaway O stars. We find that none of these objects present diffuse X-ray emission associated with their bow shocks, similarly to previous X-ray studies toward. zeta ph and BD+ 43 degrees 3654. We carefully investigated multi-wavelength observations of AE Aur and could not confirm previous findings of non-thermal X-rays. We conclude that so far there is no clear evidence of non-thermal extended emission in bow shocks around runaway O stars.}, language = {en} } @article{ToalaBowmanVanReethetal.2022, author = {Toal{\´a}, Jes{\´u}s Alberto and Bowman, Dominic and Van Reeth, Timothy and Todt, Helge Tobias and Dsilva, Karan and Shenar, Tomer and Koenigsberger, Gloria Suzanne and Estrada-Dorado, Sandino and Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {Multiple variability time-scales of the early nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star WR 7}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {514}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stac1455}, pages = {2269 -- 2277}, year = {2022}, abstract = {We present the analysis of the optical variability of the early, nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet (WR) star WR 7. The analysis of multisector Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) light curves and high-resolution spectroscopic observations confirm multiperiodic variability that is modulated on time-scales of years. We detect a dominant period of 2.6433 +/- 0.0005 d in the TESS sectors 33 and 34 light curves in addition to the previously reported high-frequency features from sector 7. We discuss the plausible mechanisms that may be responsible for such variability in WR 7, including pulsations, binarity, co-rotating interaction regions (CIRs), and clumpy winds. Given the lack of strong evidence for the presence of a stellar or compact companion, we suggest that WR 7 may pulsate in quasi-coherent modes in addition to wind variability likely caused by CIRs on top of stochastic low-frequency variability. WR 7 is certainly a worthy target for future monitoring in both spectroscopy and photometry to sample both the short (less than or similar to 1 d) and long (greater than or similar to 1000 d) variability time-scales.}, language = {en} } @article{TorrejonReigFuerstetal.2018, author = {Torrejon, J. M. and Reig, Pablo and F{\"u}rst, F. and Martinez-Chicharro, M. and Postnov, K. and Oskinova, Lida}, title = {NuSTAR rules out a cyclotron line in the accreting magnetar candidate 4U2206+54}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {479}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {3}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/sty1628}, pages = {3366 -- 3372}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Based on our new NuSTAR X-ray telescope data, we rule out any cyclotron line up to 60 keV in the spectra of the high-mass X-ray binary 4U2206+54. In particular, we do not find any evidence of the previously claimed line around 30 keV, independently of the source flux, along the spin pulse. The spin period has increased significantly, since the last observation, up to 5750 +/- 10 s, confirming the rapid spin-down rate (nu)over dot = -1.8 x 10(-14) Hz s(-1). This behaviour might be explained by the presence of a strongly magnetized neutron star (B-s > several times 10(13) G) accreting from the slow wind of its main-sequence O9.5 companion.}, language = {en} } @article{TorrejonSchulzNowaketal.2015, author = {Torrejon, Jose M. and Schulz, Norbert S. and Nowak, Michael A. and Oskinova, Lida and Rodes-Roca, Jose J. and Shenar, Tomer and Wilms, J{\"o}rn}, title = {On the radial onset of clumping in the wind of the B0I massive star QV nor}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {810}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0004-637X}, doi = {10.1088/0004-637X/810/2/102}, pages = {11}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We present an analysis of a 78 ks Chandra high-energy transmission gratings observation of the B0I star QV Nor, the massive donor of the wind-accreting pulsar 4U1538-52. The neutron star (NS) orbits its companion in a very close orbit (r < 1.4R(*), in units of the stellar radii), thereby allowing probing of the innermost wind regions. The flux of the Fe K alpha line during eclipse reduces to only similar to 30\% of the flux measured out of eclipse. This indicates that the majority of Fe fluorescence must be produced in regions close to the NS, at distances smaller than 1R(*) from its surface. The fact that the flux of the continuum decreases to only similar to 3\% during eclipse allows for a high contrast of the Fe Ka line fluorescence during eclipse. The line is not resolved and centered at lambda = 1.9368(-0.0018)(+0.0032) angstrom. From the inferred plasma speed limit of v < c Delta lambda/lambda < 800 km s(-1) and range of ionization parameters of log xi =[-1, 2], together with the stellar density profile, we constrain the location of the cold, dense material in the stellar wind of QV Nor using simple geometrical considerations. We then use the Fe K alpha line fluorescence as a tracer of wind clumps and determine that these clumps in the stellar wind of QV Nor (B0I) must already be present at radii r < 1.25R(*), close to the photosphere of the star.}, language = {en} } @article{TownsleyBroosCorcoranetal.2011, author = {Townsley, Leisa K. and Broos, Patrick S. and Corcoran, Michael F. and Feigelson, Eric D. and Gagne, Marc and Montmerle, Thierry and Oey, M. S. and Smith, Nathan and Garmire, Gordon P. and Getman, Konstantin V. and Povich, Matthew S. and Evans, Nancy Remage and Naze, Yael and Parkin, E. R. and Preibisch, Thomas and Wang, Junfeng and Wou, Scott J. and Chu, You-Hua and Cohen, David H. and Gruendl, Robert A. and Hamaguchi, Kenji and King, Robert R. and Mac Low, Mordecai-Mark and McCaughrean, Mark J. and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Oskinova, Lida and Pittard, Julian M. and Stassun, Keivan G. and Ud-Doula, Asif and Walborn, Nolan R. and Waldron, Wayne L. and Churchwell, Ed and Nictiols, J. S. and Owocki, Stanley P. and Schulz, Norbert S.}, title = {An introduction to the chandra carina complex project}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Supplement series}, volume = {194}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Supplement series}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0067-0049}, doi = {10.1088/0067-0049/194/1/1}, pages = {28}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The Great Nebula in Carina provides an exceptional view into the violent massive star formation and feedback that typifies giant H II regions and starburst galaxies. We have mapped the Carina star-forming complex in X-rays, using archival Chandra data and a mosaic of 20 new 60 ks pointings using the Chandra X-ray Observatory's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer, as a testbed for understanding recent and ongoing star formation and to probe Carina's regions of bright diffuse X-ray emission. This study has yielded a catalog of properties of > 14,000 X-ray point sources;> 9800 of them have multiwavelength counterparts. Using Chandra's unsurpassed X-ray spatial resolution, we have separated these point sources from the extensive, spatially-complex diffuse emission that pervades the region; X-ray properties of this diffuse emission suggest that it traces feedback from Carina's massive stars. In this introductory paper, we motivate the survey design, describe the Chandra observations, and present some simple results, providing a foundation for the 15 papers that follow in this special issue and that present detailed catalogs, methods, and science results.}, language = {en} }