TY - JOUR A1 - Burgemeister, S. A1 - Gvaramadze, Visily V. A1 - Stringfellow, G. S. A1 - Kniazev, Alexei Y. A1 - Todt, Helge Tobias A1 - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer T1 - WR 120bb and WR 120bc: a pair of WN9h stars with possibly interacting circumstellar shells JF - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society N2 - 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. KW - line: identification KW - circumstellar matter KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - stars: massive KW - stars: Wolf-Rayet Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sts588 SN - 0035-8711 SN - 1365-2966 VL - 429 IS - 4 SP - 3305 EP - 3315 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Evans, C. J. A1 - Hainich, Rainer A1 - Oskinova, Lida A1 - Gallagher, J. S. A1 - Chu, Y.-H. A1 - Gruendl, R. A. A1 - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer A1 - Henault-Brunet, V. A1 - Todt, Helge Tobias T1 - A rare early-type star revealed in the wing of the small megellanic cloud JF - The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics N2 - Sk 183 is the visually brightest star in the N90 nebula, a young star-forming region in the Wing of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We present new optical spectroscopy from the Very Large Telescope which reveals Sk 183 to be one of the most massive O-type stars in the SMC. Classified as an O3-type dwarf on the basis of its nitrogen spectrum, the star also displays broadened He I absorption, which suggests a later type. We propose that Sk 183 has a composite spectrum and that it is similar to another star in the SMC, MPG 324. This brings the number of rare O2- and O3-type stars known in the whole of the SMC to a mere four. We estimate physical parameters for Sk 183 from analysis of its spectrum. For a single-star model, we estimate an effective temperature of 46 +/- 2 kK, a low mass-loss rate of similar to 10(-7) M-circle dot yr(-1), and a spectroscopic mass of 46(-8)(+ 9) M-circle dot (for an adopted distance modulus of 18.7 mag to the young population in the SMC Wing). An illustrative binary model requires a slightly hotter temperature (similar to 47.5 kK) for the primary component. In either scenario, Sk 183 is the earliest-type star known in N90 and will therefore be the dominant source of hydrogen-ionizing photons. This suggests Sk 183 is the primary influence on the star formation along the inner edge of the nebula. KW - open clusters and associations: individual (NGC 602) KW - stars: early-type KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - stars: individual (Sanduleak 183) Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/753/2/173 SN - 0004-637X VL - 753 IS - 2 PB - IOP Publ. Ltd. CY - Bristol ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Evans, Chris J. A1 - van Loon, Jacco Th. A1 - Hainich, Rainer A1 - Bailey, M. T1 - 2dF-AAOmega spectroscopy of massive stars in the Magellanic Clouds The north-eastern region of the Large Magellanic Cloud JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - We present spectral classifications from optical spectroscopy of 263 massive stars in the north-eastern region of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The observed two-degree field includes the massive 30 Doradus star-forming region, the environs of SN1987A, and a number of star-forming complexes to the south of 30 Dor. These are the first classifications for the majority (203) of the stars and include eleven double-lined spectroscopic binaries. The sample also includes the first examples of early OC-type spectra (AA Omega 30 Dor 248 and 280), distinguished by the weakness of their nitrogen spectra and by C IV lambda 4658 emission. We propose that these stars have relatively unprocessed CNO abundances compared to morphologically normal O-type stars, indicative of an earlier evolutionary phase. From analysis of observations obtained on two consecutive nights, we present radial-velocity estimates for 233 stars, finding one apparent single-lined binary and nine (>3 sigma) outliers compared to the systemic velocity; the latter objects could be runaway stars or large-amplitude binary systems and further spectroscopy is required to investigate their nature. KW - Magellanic Clouds KW - stars: early-type KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - open clusters and associations: general Y1 - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201525882 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 584 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gruner, David A1 - Hainich, Rainer A1 - Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph A1 - Shenar, Tomer A1 - Todt, Helge Tobias A1 - Oskinova, Lida A1 - Ramachandran, Varsha A1 - Ayres, T. A1 - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer T1 - The extreme O-type spectroscopic binary HD 93129A A quantitative, multiwavelength analysis JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - Context. HD 93129A was classified as the earliest O-type star in the Galaxy (O2 If*) and is considered as the prototype of its spectral class. However, interferometry shows that this object is a binary system, while recent observations even suggest a triple configuration. None of the previous spectral analyses of this object accounted for its multiplicity. With new high-resolution UV and optical spectra, we have the possibility to reanalyze this key object, taking its binary nature into account for the first time. Aims. We aim to derive the fundamental parameters and the evolutionary status of HD 93129A, identifying the contributions of both components to the composite spectrum Results. Despite the similar spectral types of the two components, we are able to find signatures from each of the components in the combined spectrum, which allows us to estimate the parameters of both stars. We derive log(L/L-circle dot) = 6.15, T-eff = 52 kK, and log (M)over dot = -4.7[M-circle dot yr(-1)] for the primary Aa, and log(L/L-circle dot) = 5.58, T-eff = 45 kK, and log (M)over dot = -5.8 [M(circle dot)yr(-1)] for the secondary Ab. Conclusions. Even when accounting for the binary nature, the primary of HD 93129A is found to be one of the hottest and most luminous O stars in our Galaxy. Based on the theoretical decomposition of the spectra, we assign spectral types O2 If* and O3 III(f*) to components Aa and Ab, respectively. While we achieve a good fit for a wide spectral range, specific spectral features are not fully reproduced. The data are not sufficient to identify contributions from a hypothetical third component in the system. KW - stars: individual: HD 93129A KW - stars: atmospheres KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - stars: early-typeP Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201833178 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 621 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hubrig, Swetlana A1 - Fossati, Luca A1 - Carroll, Thorsten Anthony A1 - Castro, Norberto A1 - Gonzalez, J. F. A1 - Ilyin, Ilya A1 - Przybilla, Norbert A1 - Schoeller, M. A1 - Oskinova, Lida A1 - Morel, T. A1 - Langer, N. A1 - Scholz, Ralf-Dieter A1 - Kharchenko, N. V. A1 - Nieva, M. -F. T1 - B fields in OB stars (BOB): The discovery of a magnetic field in a multiple system in the Trifid nebula, one of the youngest star forming regions JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - Aims. Recent magnetic field surveys in O- and B-type stars revealed that about 10% of the core-hydrogen-burning massive stars host large-scale magnetic fields. The physical origin of these fields is highly debated. To identify and model the physical processes responsible for the generation of magnetic fields in massive stars, it is important to establish whether magnetic massive stars are found in very young star-forming regions or whether they are formed in close interacting binary systems. Methods. In the framework of our ESO Large Program, we carried out low-resolution spectropolarimetric observations with FORS 2 in 2013 April of the three most massive central stars in the Trifid nebula, HD 164492A, HD 164492C, and HD 164492D. These observations indicated a strong longitudinal magnetic field of about 500-600 G in the poorly studied component HD 164492C. To confirm this detection, we used HARPS in spectropolarimetric mode on two consecutive nights in 2013 June. Results. Our HARPS observations confirmed the longitudinal magnetic field in HD 164492C. Furthermore, the HARPS observations revealed that HD 164492C cannot be considered as a single star as it possesses one or two companions. The spectral appearance indicates that the primary is most likely of spectral type B1-B1.5 V. Since in both observing nights most spectral lines appear blended, it is currently unclear which components are magnetic. Long-term monitoring using high-resolution spectropolarimetry is necessary to separate the contribution of each component to the magnetic signal. Given the location of the system HD 164492C in one of the youngest star formation regions, this system can be considered as a Rosetta Stone for our understanding of the origin of magnetic fields in massive stars. KW - binaries: close KW - stars: early-type KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - stars: magnetic field KW - stars: variables: general KW - stars: individual: HD 164492C Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201423490 SN - 0004-6361 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 564 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hubrig, Swetlana A1 - Schoeller, Markus A1 - Fossati, Luca A1 - Morel, Thierry A1 - Castro, Neves A1 - Oskinova, Lida A1 - Przybilla, Norbert A1 - Eikenberry, Stephen S. A1 - Nieva, Maria Fernanda A1 - Langer, Norbert T1 - B fields in OB stars (BOB): FORS2 spectropolarimetric follow-up of the two rare rigidly rotating magnetosphere stars HD 23478 and HD 345439 JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - Aims. Massive B-type stars with strong magnetic fields and fast rotation are very rare and pose a mystery for theories of star formation and magnetic field evolution. Only two such stars, called sigma Ori E analogues, were known until recently. A team involved in APOGEE, one of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III programs, announced the discovery of two additional rigidly rotating magnetosphere stars, HD 23478 and HD 345439. The magnetic fields in these newly discovered sOri E analogues have not been investigated so far. Methods. In the framework of our ESO Large Programme and one normal ESO programme, we carried out low-resolution FORS 2 spectropolarimetric observations of HD 23478 and HD 345439. Results. In the measurements of hydrogen lines, we discover a rather strong longitudinal magnetic field of up to 1.5 kG in HD 23478 and up to 1.3 kG using the entire spectrum. The analysis of HD 345439 using four subsequent spectropolarimetric subexposures does not reveal a magnetic field at a significance level of 3 sigma. On the other hand, individual subexposures indicate that HD 345439 may host a strong magnetic field that rapidly varies over 88 min. The fast rotation of HD 345439 is also indicated by the behaviour of several metallic and He I lines in the low-resolution FORS 2 spectra that show profile variations already on this short time-scale. KW - stars: early-type KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - stars: variables: general KW - stars: magnetic field KW - stars: individual: HD 23478 KW - stars: individual: HD 345439 Y1 - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201526262 SN - 0004-6361 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 578 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Latour, Marilyn A1 - Randall, Suzanna K. A1 - Calamida, Annalisa A1 - Geier, Stephan A1 - Moehler, Sabine T1 - The ultimate spectroscopic census of extreme horizontal branch stars in omega Centauri JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - The presence of extreme horizontal branch (EHB) and blue hook stars in some Galactic globular clusters (GGCs) constitutes one of the remaining mysteries of stellar evolution. While several evolutionary scenarios have been proposed to explain the characteristics of this peculiar population of evolved stars, their observational verification has been limited by the availability of spectroscopic data for a statistically significant sample of such objects in any single GGC. We recently launched the SHOTGLAS project with the aim of providing a comprehensive picture of this intriguing stellar population in terms of spectroscopic properties for all readily accessible GGCs hosting an EHB. In this first paper, we focus on omega Cen, a peculiar, massive GGC that hosts multiple stellar populations. We use non-LTE model atmospheres to derive atmospheric parameters (Te ff, log g and N(He) / N(H)) and spectroscopic masses for 152 EHB stars in the cluster. This constitutes the largest spectroscopic sample of EHB stars ever analyzed in a GGC and represents similar to 20% of the EHB population of omega Cen. We also search for close binaries among these stars based on radial velocity variations. Our results show that the EHB population of omega Cen is divided into three spectroscopic groups that are very distinct in the Te ff helium abundance plane. The coolest sdB-type stars (Te ff. 30 000 K) have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, populate the theoretical EHB region in the Te ff log g plane, and form 26% of our sample. The hottest sdO-type stars (Te ff & 42 000 K) make up 10% of the sample, have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and are thought to be in a post-EHB evolutionary phase. The majority of our sample is found at intermediate temperatures and consists of sdOB stars that have roughly solar or super-solar atmospheric helium abundances. It is these objects that constitute the blue hook at V > 18 : 5 mag in the omega Cen color-magnitude diagram. Interestingly, the helium-enriched sdOBs do not have a significant counterpart population in the Galactic field, indicating that their formation is dependent on the particular environment found in omega Cen and other select GGCs. Another major di ff erence between the EHB stars in omega Cen and the field is the fraction of close binaries. From our radial velocity survey we identify two binary candidates, however no orbital solutions could be determined. We estimate an EHB close binary fraction of similar to 5% in omega Cen. This low fraction is in line with findings for other GGCs, but in sharp contrast to the situation in the field, where around 50% of the sdB stars reside in close binaries. Finally, the mass distribution derived is very similar for all three spectroscopic groups, however the average mass (0.38 M fi) is lower than that expected from stellar evolution theory. While this mass conundrum has previously been noted for EHB stars in omega Cen, it so far appears to be unique to that cluster. KW - stars: atmospheres KW - stars: horizontal-branch KW - subdwarfs KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - binaries: close KW - globular clusters: individual: NGC5139 Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201833129 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 618 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER - TY - GEN A1 - Martins, Fabrice A1 - Bergemann, Maria A1 - Bestenlehner, Joachim M. A1 - Crowther, Paul A. A1 - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer A1 - Najarro, Francisco A1 - Nieva, Maria Fernanda A1 - Przybilla, Norbert A1 - Freimanis, Juris A1 - Hou, Weizhen A1 - Kaper, Lex T1 - SpS5 - II. Stellar and wind parameters T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - The development of infrared observational facilities has revealed a number of massive stars in obscured environments throughout the Milky Way and beyond. The determination of their stellar and wind properties from infrared diagnostics is thus required to take full advantage of the wealth of observations available in the near and mid infrared. However, the task is challenging. This session addressed some of the problems encountered and showed the limitations and successes of infrared studies of massive stars. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 688 KW - infrared: stars KW - stars: early-type KW - stars: late-type KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - stars: mass loss KW - stars: abundances Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-414956 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 688 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ramachandran, Varsha A1 - Oskinova, Lida A1 - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer T1 - Discovery of O stars in the tidal Magellanic Bridge BT - Stellar parameters, abundances, and feedback of the nearest metal-poor massive stars and their implication for the Magellanic System ecology JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal / European Southern Observatory (ESO). Section: Galactic structure, stellar clusters and populations N2 - The Magellanic Bridge, stretching between the Small and the Large Magellanic Cloud (SMC and LMC), is the nearest tidally stripped intergalactic environment. The Bridge has a significantly low average metallicity of Z less than or similar to 0.1 Z(circle dot). Here we report the first discovery of O-type stars in the Magellanic Bridge. Three massive O stars were identified thanks to the archival spectra obtained by the ESO's Very Large Telescope FLAMES instrument. We analyze the spectra of each star using the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) non-local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmosphere code, which provides the physical parameters, ionizing photon fluxes, and surface abundances. The ages of the newly discovered O stars suggest that star formation in the Bridge is ongoing. Furthermore, the discovery of O stars in the Bridge implies that tidally stripped galactic tails containing low-density but highly dynamical gas are capable of producing massive O stars. The multi-epoch spectra indicate that all three O stars are binaries. Despite their spatial proximity to one another, these O stars are chemically distinct. One of them is a fast-rotating giant with nearly LMC-like abundances. The other two are main-sequence stars that rotate extremely slowly and are strongly metal depleted. We discover the most nitrogen-poor O star known to date. Taking into account the previous analyses of B stars in the Bridge, we interpret the various metal abundances as the signature of a chemically inhomogeneous interstellar medium (ISM), suggesting that the Bridge gas might have accreted during multiple episodes of tidal interaction between the Clouds. Attributing the lowest derived metal content to the primordial gas, the time of the initial formation of the Bridge may date back several billion years. Using the Gaia and Galex color-magnitude diagrams, we roughly estimate the total number of O stars in the Bridge and their total ionizing radiation. Comparing this with the energetics of the diffuse ISM, we find that the contribution of the hot stars to the ionizing radiation field in the Bridge is less than 10% and conclude that the main sources of ionizing photons are leaks from the LMC and SMC. We estimate a lower limit for the fraction of ionizing radiation that escapes from these two dwarf galaxies. KW - stars: massive KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - stars: abundances KW - Magellanic Clouds KW - techniques: spectroscopic KW - stars: atmospheres Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202039486 SN - 1432-0746 SN - 0004-6361 VL - 646 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reindl, Nicole A1 - Rauch, Thomas A1 - Parthasarathy, M. A1 - Werner, K. A1 - Kruk, J. W. A1 - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer A1 - Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph A1 - Todt, Helge Tobias T1 - The rapid evolution of the exciting star of the Stingray nebula JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - Context. SAO 244567, the exciting star of the Stingray nebula, is rapidly evolving. Previous analyses suggested that it has heated up from an effective temperature of about 21 kK in 1971 to over 50 kK in the 1990s. Canonical post-asymptotic giant branch evolution suggests a relatively high mass while previous analyses indicate a low-mass star. Aims. A comprehensive model-atmosphere analysis of UV and optical spectra taken during 1988-2006 should reveal the detailed temporal evolution of its atmospheric parameters and provide explanations for the unusually fast evolution. Methods. Fitting line profiles from static and expanding non-LTE model atmospheres to the observed spectra allowed us to study the temporal change of effective temperature, surface gravity, mass-loss rate, and terminal wind velocity. In addition, we determined the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Results. We find that the central star has steadily increased its effective temperature from 38 kK in 1988 to a peak value of 60 kK in 2002. During the same time, the star was contracting, as concluded from an increase in surface gravity from log g = 4.8 to 6.0 and a drop in luminosity. Simultaneously, the mass-loss rate declined from log(M/M-circle dot yr(-1)) = -9.0 to -11.6 and the terminal wind velocity increased from v(infinity) = 1800 km s(-1) to 2800 km s(-1). Since around 2002, the star stopped heating and has cooled down again to 55 kK by 2006. It has a largely solar surface composition with the exception of slightly subsolar carbon, phosphorus, and sulfur. The results are discussed by considering different evolutionary scenarios. Conclusions. The position of SAO 244567 in the log T-eff-log g plane places the star in the region of sdO stars. By comparison with stellar-evolution calculations, we confirm that SAO 244567 must be a low-mass star (M < 0.55 M-circle dot). However, the slow evolution of the respective stellar evolutionary models is in strong contrast to the observed fast evolution and the young planetary nebula with a kinematical age of only about 1000 years. We speculate that the star could be a late He-shell flash object. Alternatively, it could be the outcome of close-binary evolution. Then SAD 244567 would be a low-mass (0.354 M-circle dot) helium pre-white dwarf after the common-envelope phase, during which the planetary nebula was ejected. KW - stars: abundances KW - stars: evolution KW - stars: AGB and post-AGB KW - stars: individual: SAO 244567 KW - stars: fundamental parameters KW - planetary nebulae: individual: Stingray nebula (Henize 3-1357) Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201323189 SN - 0004-6361 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 565 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER -