TY - JOUR A1 - Leto, Paolo A1 - Trigilio, C. A1 - Oskinova, Lida A1 - Ignace, R. A1 - Buemi, C. S. A1 - Umana, G. A1 - Ingallinera, A. A1 - Todt, Helge Tobias A1 - Leone, F. T1 - The detection of variable radio emission from the fast rotating magnetic hot B-star HR 7355 and evidence for its X-ray aurorae JF - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society N2 - In this paper, we investigate the multiwavelength properties of the magnetic early B-type star HR 7355. We present its radio light curves at several frequencies, taken with the Jansky Very Large Array, and X-ray spectra, taken with the XMM-Newton X-ray telescope. Modelling of the radio light curves for the Stokes I and V provides a quantitative analysis of the HR 7355 magnetosphere. A comparison between HR 7355 and a similar analysis for the Ap star CU Vir allows us to study how the different physical parameters of the two stars affect the structure of the respective magnetospheres where the non-thermal electrons originate. Our model includes a cold thermal plasma component that accumulates at high magnetic latitudes that influences the radio regime, but does not give rise to X-ray emission. Instead, the thermal X-ray emission arises from shocks generated by wind stream collisions close to the magnetic equatorial plane. The analysis of the X-ray spectrum of HR 7355 also suggests the presence of a non-thermal radiation. Comparison between the spectral index of the power-law X-ray energy distribution with the non-thermal electron energy distribution indicates that the non-thermal X-ray component could be the auroral signature of the non-thermal electrons that impact the stellar surface, the same non-thermal electrons that are responsible for the observed radio emission. On the basis of our analysis, we suggest a novel model that simultaneously explains the X-ray and the radio features of HR 7355 and is likely relevant for magnetospheres of other magnetic early-type stars. KW - stars: chemically peculiar KW - stars: early-type KW - stars: individual: HR 7355 KW - stars: magnetic field KW - radio continuum: stars KW - X-rays: stars Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx267 SN - 0035-8711 SN - 1365-2966 VL - 467 SP - 2820 EP - 2833 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Robrade, Jan A1 - Oskinova, Lida A1 - Schmitt, J. H. M. M. A1 - Leto, Paolo A1 - Trigilio, C. T1 - Outstanding X-ray emission from the stellar radio pulsar CU Virginis JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - Context. Among the intermediate-mass magnetic chemically peculiar (MCP) stars, CU Vir is one of the most intriguing objects. Its 100% circularly polarized beams of radio emission sweep the Earth as the star rotates, thereby making this strongly magnetic star the prototype of a class of nondegenerate stellar radio pulsars. While CU Vir is well studied in radio, its high-energy properties are not known. Yet, X-ray emission is expected from stellar magnetospheres and confined stellar winds. Aims. Using X-ray data we aim to test CU Vir for intrinsic X-ray emission and investigate mechanisms responsible for its generation. Methods. We present X-ray observations performed with XMM-Newton and Chandra and study obtained X-ray images, light curves, and spectra. Basic X-ray properties are derived from spectral modelling and are compared with model predictions. In this context we investigate potential thermal and nonthermal X-ray emission scenarios. Results. We detect an X-ray source at the position of CU Vir. With LX approximate to 3 x 10(28) erg s(-1) it is moderately X-ray bright, but the spectrum is extremely hard compared to other Ap stars. Spectral modelling requires multi-component models with predominant hot plasma at temperatures of about T-X = 25MK or, alternatively, a nonthermal spectral component. Both types of model provide a virtually equivalent description of the X-ray spectra. The Chandra observation was performed six years later than those by XMM-Newton, yet the source has similar X-ray flux and spectrum, suggesting a steady and persistent X-ray emission. This is further confirmed by the X-ray light curves that show only mild X-ray variability. Conclusions. CU Vir is also an exceptional star at X-ray energies. To explain its full X-ray properties, a generating mechanism beyond standard explanations, like the presence of a low-mass companion or magnetically confined wind-shocks, is required. Magnetospheric activity might be present or, as proposed for fast-rotating strongly magnetic Bp stars, the X-ray emission of CU Vir is predominantly auroral in nature. KW - individual: CU Vir KW - stars: activity KW - stars: chemically peculiar KW - stars: magnetic field KW - X-rays: stars Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201833492 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 619 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Leto, Paolo A1 - Trigilio, C. A1 - Oskinova, Lida A1 - Ignace, R. A1 - Buemi, C. S. A1 - Umana, G. A1 - Ingallinera, A. A1 - Leone, Francesco A1 - Phillips, N. M. A1 - Agliozzo, Claudia A1 - Todt, Helge Tobias A1 - Cerrigone, L. T1 - A combined multiwavelength VLA/ALMA/Chandra study unveils the complex magnetosphere of the B-type star HR5907 JF - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society N2 - We present new radio/millimeter measurements of the hot magnetic star HR5907 obtained with the VLA and ALMA interferometers. We find that HR5907 is the most radio luminous early type star in the cm-mm band among those presently known. Its multi-wavelength radio light curves are strongly variable with an amplitude that increases with radio frequency. The radio emission can be explained by the populations of the non-thermal electrons accelerated in the current sheets on the outer border of the magnetosphere of this fast-rotating magnetic star. We classify HR5907 as another member of the growing class of strongly magnetic fast-rotating hot stars where the gyro-synchrotron emission mechanism efficiently operates in their magnetospheres. The new radio observations of HR5907 are combined with archival X-ray data to study the physical condition of its magnetosphere. The X-ray spectra of HR5907 show tentative evidence for the presence of non-thermal spectral component. We suggest that non-thermal X-rays originate a stellar X-ray aurora due to streams of non-thermal electrons impacting on the stellar surface. Taking advantage of the relation between the spectral indices of the X-ray power-law spectrum and the non-thermal electron energy distributions, we perform 3-D modelling of the radio emission for HR5907. The wavelength-dependent radio light curves probe magnetospheric layers at different heights above the stellar surface. A detailed comparison between simulated and observed radio light curves leads us to conclude that the stellar magnetic field of HR 5907 is likely non-dipolar, providing further indirect evidence of the complex magnetic field topology of HR5907. KW - stars: chemically peculiar KW - stars: early-type KW - stars: individual: HR 5907 KW - stars: magnetic field KW - radio continuum: stars KW - X-rays: stars Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sty244 SN - 0035-8711 SN - 1365-2966 VL - 476 IS - 1 SP - 562 EP - 579 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Irrgang, Andreas A1 - Geier, Stephan A1 - Kreuzer, Simon A1 - Pelisoli, Ingrid Domingos A1 - Heber, Ulrich T1 - A stripped helium star in the potential black hole binary LB-1 JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - Context The recently claimed discovery of a massive (M-BH = 68(-13)(+11) M-circle dot) black hole in the Galactic solar neighborhood has led to controversial discussions because it severely challenges our current view of stellar evolution. Aims A crucial aspect for the determination of the mass of the unseen black hole is the precise nature of its visible companion, the B-type star LSV +22 25. Because stars of different mass can exhibit B-type spectra during the course of their evolution, it is essential to obtain a comprehensive picture of the star to unravel its nature and, thus, its mass. Methods To this end, we study the spectral energy distribution of LSV +22 25 and perform a quantitative spectroscopic analysis that includes the determination of chemical abundances for He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ar, and Fe. Results Our analysis clearly shows that LSV +22 25 is not an ordinary main sequence B-type star. The derived abundance pattern exhibits heavy imprints of the CNO bi-cycle of hydrogen burning, that is, He and N are strongly enriched at the expense of C and O. Moreover, the elements Mg, Al, Si, S, Ar, and Fe are systematically underabundant when compared to normal main-sequence B-type stars. We suggest that LSV +22 25 is a stripped helium star and discuss two possible formation scenarios. Combining our photometric and spectroscopic results with the Gaia parallax, we infer a stellar mass of 1.1 +/- 0.5 M-circle dot. Based on the binary system's mass function, this yields a minimum mass of 2-3 M-circle dot for the compact companion, which implies that it may not necessarily be a black hole but a massive neutron- or main sequence star. Conclusions The star LSV +22 25 has become famous for possibly having a very massive black hole companion. However, a closer look reveals that the star itself is a very intriguing object. Further investigations are necessary for complete characterization of this object. KW - stars: abundances KW - stars: chemically peculiar KW - stars: early-type KW - pulsars: individual: LS V+22 25 Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201937343 SN - 0004-6361 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 633 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Dorsch, Matti A1 - Jeffery, C. Simon A1 - Irrgang, Andreas A1 - Woolf, Vincent A1 - Heber, Ulrich T1 - EC 22536-5304 BT - a lead-rich and metal-poor long-period binary JF - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal N2 - Helium-burning hot subdwarf stars of spectral types O and B (sdO/B) are thought to be produced through various types of binary interactions. The helium-rich hot subdwarf star EC 22536-5304 was recently found to be extremely enriched in lead. Here, we show that EC 22536-5304 is a binary star with a metal-poor subdwarf F-type (sdF) companion. We performed a detailed analysis of high-resolution SALT/HRS and VLT/UVES spectra, deriving metal abundances for the hot subdwarf, as well as atmospheric parameters for both components. Because we consider the contribution of the sdF star, the derived lead abundance for the sdOB, + 6.3 +/- 0.3 dex relative to solar, is even higher than previously thought. We derive T-eff = 6210 +/- 70 K, log g = 4.64 +/- 0.10, [FE/H] = - 1.95 +/- 0.04, and [alpha/Fe] = + 0.40 +/- 0.04 for the sdF component. Radial velocity variations, although poorly sampled at present, indicate that the binary system has a long orbital period of about 457 days. This suggests that the system was likely formed through stable Roche lobe overflow (RLOF). A kinematic analysis shows that EC 22536-5304 is on an eccentric orbit around the Galactic centre. This, as well as the low metallicity and strong alpha enhancement of the sdF-type companion, indicate that EC 22536-5304 is part of the Galactic halo or metal-weak thick disc. As the first long-period hot subdwarf binary at [FE/H] less than or similar to- 1, EC 22536-5304 may help to constrain the RLOF mechanism for mass transfer from low-mass, low-metallicity red giant branch (RGB) stars to main-sequence companions. KW - stars: abundances KW - stars: chemically peculiar KW - subdwarfs KW - stars: individual: EC 22536-5304 KW - binaries: spectroscopic Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202141381 SN - 1432-0746 VL - 653 PB - EDP Sciences CY - Les Ulis ER -