TY  - JOUR
A1  - Boehm, Thorsten
A1  - Holschneider, Matthias
A1  - Lignieres, Frederic
A1  - Petit, Pascal
A1  - Rainer, Monica
A1  - Paletou, Francois
A1  - Wade, Gregg
A1  - Alecian, Evelyne
A1  - Carfantan, Herve
A1  - Blazere, Aurore
A1  - Mirouh, Giovanni M.
T1  - Discovery of starspots on Vega First spectroscopic detection of surface structures on a normal A-type star
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - Context. The theoretically studied impact of rapid rotation on stellar evolution needs to be compared with these results of high-resolution spectroscopy-velocimetry observations. Early-type stars present a perfect laboratory for these studies. The prototype A0 star Vega has been extensively monitored in recent years in spectropolarimetry. A weak surface magnetic field was detected, implying that there might be a (still undetected) structured surface. First indications of the presence of small amplitude stellar radial velocity variations have been reported recently, but the confirmation and in-depth study with the highly stabilized spectrograph SOPHIE/OHP was required.
 Aims. The goal of this article is to present a thorough analysis of the line profile variations and associated estimators in the early-type standard star Vega (A0) in order to reveal potential activity tracers, exoplanet companions, and stellar oscillations.
 Methods. Vega was monitored in quasi-continuous high-resolution echelle spectroscopy with the highly stabilized velocimeter SOPHIE/OHP. A total of 2588 high signal-to-noise spectra was obtained during 34.7 h on five nights (2 to 6 of August 2012) in high-resolution mode at R = 75 000 and covering the visible domain from 3895 6270 angstrom. For each reduced spectrum, least square deconvolved equivalent photospheric profiles were calculated with a T-eff = 9500 and log g = 4.0 spectral line mask. Several methods were applied to study the dynamic behaviour of the profile variations (evolution of radial velocity, bisectors, vspan, 2D profiles, amongst others).
 Results. We present the discovery of a spotted stellar surface on an A-type standard star (Vega) with very faint spot amplitudes Delta F/Fc similar to 5 x 10(-4). A rotational modulation of spectral lines with a period of rotation P = 0.68 d has clearly been exhibited, unambiguously confirming the results of previous spectropolarimetric studies. Most of these brightness inhomogeneities seem to be located in lower equatorial latitudes. Either a very thin convective layer can be responsible for magnetic field generation at small amplitudes, or a new mechanism has to be invoked to explain the existence of activity tracing starspots. At this stage it is difficult to disentangle a rotational from a stellar pulsational origin for the existing higher frequency periodic variations.
 Conclusions. This first strong evidence that standard A-type stars can show surface structures opens a new field of research and ask about a potential link with the recently discovered weak magnetic field discoveries in this category of stars.
KW  - starspots
KW  - stars: early-type
KW  - stars: rotation
KW  - stars: oscillations
KW  - stars: individual: Vega
KW  - asteroseismology
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201425425
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 577
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Corcoran, Michael F.
A1  - Nichols, Joy S.
A1  - Pablo, Herbert
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
A1  - Pollock, Andy M. T.
A1  - Waldron, Wayne L.
A1  - Moffat, Anthony F. J.
A1  - Richardson, Noel D.
A1  - Russell, Christopher M. P.
A1  - Hamaguchi, Kenji
A1  - Huenemoerder, David P.
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
A1  - Naze, Yael
A1  - Ignace, Richard
A1  - Evans, Nancy Remage
A1  - Lomax, Jamie R.
A1  - Hoffman, Jennifer L.
A1  - Gayley, Kenneth
A1  - Owocki, Stanley P.
A1  - Leutenegger, Maurice
A1  - Gull, Theodore R.
A1  - Hole, Karen Tabetha
A1  - Lauer, Jennifer
A1  - Iping, Rosina C.
T1  - A coordinated X-Ray and optical campaign of the nearest massive eclipsing binary, delta ORIONIS Aa. I. Overview of thr X-Ray spectrum
JF  - The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics
N2  - We present an overview of four deep phase-constrained Chandra HETGS X-ray observations of delta Ori A. Delta Ori A is actually a triple system that includes the nearest massive eclipsing spectroscopic binary, delta Ori Aa, the only such object that can be observed with little phase-smearing with the Chandra gratings. Since the fainter star, delta Ori Aa2, has a much lower X-ray luminosity than the brighter primary (delta Ori Aa1), delta Ori Aa provides a unique system with which to test the spatial distribution of the X-ray emitting gas around delta Ori Aa1 via occultation by the photosphere of, and wind cavity around, the X-ray dark secondary. Here we discuss the X-ray spectrum and X-ray line profiles for the combined observation, having an exposure time of nearly 500 ks and covering nearly the entire binary orbit. The companion papers discuss the X-ray variability seen in the Chandra spectra, present new space-based photometry and ground-based radial velocities obtained simultaneously with the X-ray data to better constrain the system parameters, and model the effects of X-rays on the optical and UV spectra. We find that the X-ray emission is dominated by embedded wind shock emission from star Aa1, with little contribution from the tertiary star Ab or the shocked gas produced by the collision of the wind of Aa1 against the surface of Aa2. We find a similar temperature distribution to previous X-ray spectrum analyses. We also show that the line half-widths are about 0.3-0.5 times the terminal velocity of the wind of star Aa1. We find a strong anti-correlation between line widths and the line excitation energy, which suggests that longer-wavelength, lower-temperature lines form farther out in the wind. Our analysis also indicates that the ratio of the intensities of the strong and weak lines of Fe XVII and Ne X are inconsistent with model predictions, which may be an effect of resonance scattering.
KW  - binaries: close
KW  - binaries: eclipsing
KW  - stars: early-type
KW  - stars: individual (Delta Ori)
KW  - stars: mass-loss
KW  - X-rays: stars
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/809/2/132
SN  - 0004-637X
SN  - 1538-4357
VL  - 809
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  - Hainich, Rainer
A1  - Pasemann, Diana
A1  - Todt, Helge Tobias
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
A1  - Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
T1  - Wolf-Rayet stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud I. Analysis of the single WN stars
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - stars: Wolf-Rayet
KW  - Magellanic Clouds
KW  - stars: early-type
KW  - stars: atmospheres
KW  - stars: winds, outflows
KW  - stars: mass-loss
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201526241
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 581
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
A1  - Hainich, Rainer
A1  - Gimenez-Garcia, Ana
A1  - Todt, Helge Tobias
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
T1  - On the consistent treatment of the quasi-hydrostatic layers in hot star atmospheres
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - Context. Spectroscopic analysis remains the most common method to derive masses of massive stars, the most fundamental stellar parameter. While binary orbits and stellar pulsations can provide much sharper constraints on the stellar mass, these methods are only rarely applicable to massive stars. Unfortunately, spectroscopic masses of massive stars heavily depend on the detailed physics of model atmospheres.
 Aims. We demonstrate the impact of a consistent treatment of the radiative pressure on inferred gravities and spectroscopic masses of massive stars. Specifically, we investigate the contribution of line and continuum transitions to the photospheric radiative pressure. We further explore the effect of model parameters, e.g., abundances, on the deduced spectroscopic mass. Lastly, we compare our results with the plane-parallel TLUSTY code, commonly used for the analysis of massive stars with photospheric spectra.
 Methods. We calculate a small set of O-star models with the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) code using different approaches for the quasi-hydrostatic part. These models allow us to quantify the effect of accounting for the radiative pressure consistently. We further use PoWR models to show how the Doppler widths of line profiles and abundances of elements such as iron affect the radiative pressure, and, as a consequence, the derived spectroscopic masses.
 Results. Our study implies that errors on the order of a factor of two in the inferred spectroscopic mass are to be expected when neglecting the contribution of line and continuum transitions to the radiative acceleration in the photosphere. Usage of implausible microturbulent velocities, or the neglect of important opacity sources such as Fe, may result in errors of approximately 50% in the spectroscopic mass. A comparison with TLUSTY model atmospheres reveals a very good agreement with PoWR at the limit of low mass-loss rates.
KW  - stars: early-type
KW  - stars: mass-loss
KW  - stars: winds, outflows
KW  - stars: atmospheres
KW  - stars: fundamental parameters
KW  - stars: massive
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201425356
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 577
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Pablo, Herbert
A1  - Richardson, Noel D.
A1  - Moffat, Anthony F. J.
A1  - Corcoran, Michael
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
A1  - Benvenuto, Omar
A1  - Fuller, Jim
A1  - Naze, Yael
A1  - Hoffman, Jennifer L.
A1  - Miroshnichenko, Anatoly
A1  - Apellaniz, Jesus Maiz
A1  - Evans, Nancy
A1  - Eversberg, Thomas
A1  - Gayley, Ken
A1  - Gull, Ted
A1  - Hamaguchi, Kenji
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
A1  - Henrichs, Huib
A1  - Hole, Tabetha
A1  - Ignace, Richard
A1  - Iping, Rosina
A1  - Lauer, Jennifer
A1  - Leutenegger, Maurice
A1  - Lomax, Jamie
A1  - Nichols, Joy
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Owocki, Stan
A1  - Pollock, Andy
A1  - Russell, Christopher M. P.
A1  - Waldron, Wayne
A1  - Buil, Christian
A1  - Garrel, Thierry
A1  - Graham, Keith
A1  - Heathcote, Bernard
A1  - Lemoult, Thierry
A1  - Li, Dong
A1  - Mauclaire, Benjamin
A1  - Potter, Mike
A1  - Ribeiro, Jose
A1  - Matthews, Jaymie
A1  - Cameron, Chris
A1  - Guenther, David
A1  - Kuschnig, Rainer
A1  - Rowe, Jason
A1  - Rucinski, Slavek
A1  - Sasselov, Dimitar
A1  - Weiss, Werner
T1  - A coordinated X-Ray and optical campaign of the nearest massive eclipsing binary, delta ORIONIS Aa. III. Analysis of optical photometric (most) and spectroscopic (ground based) variations
JF  - The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics
N2  - We report on both high-precision photometry from the Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars (MOST) space telescope and ground-based spectroscopy of the triple system delta Ori A, consisting of a binary O9.5II+early-B (Aa1 and Aa2) with P = 5.7 days, and a more distant tertiary (O9 IV P > 400 years). This data was collected in concert with X-ray spectroscopy from the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Thanks to continuous coverage for three weeks, the MOST light curve reveals clear eclipses between Aa1 and Aa2 for the first time in non-phased data. From the spectroscopy, we have a well-constrained radial velocity (RV) curve of Aa1. While we are unable to recover RV variations of the secondary star, we are able to constrain several fundamental parameters of this system and determine an approximate mass of the primary using apsidal motion. We also detected second order modulations at 12 separate frequencies with spacings indicative of tidally influenced oscillations. These spacings have never been seen in a massive binary, making this system one of only a handful of such binaries that show evidence for tidally induced pulsations.
KW  - binaries: close
KW  - binaries: eclipsing
KW  - stars: early-type
KW  - stars: individual (delta Ori A)
KW  - stars: mass-loss
KW  - stars: variables: general
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/809/2/134
SN  - 0004-637X
SN  - 1538-4357
VL  - 809
IS  - 2
PB  - IOP Publ. Ltd.
CY  - Bristol
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Gimenez-Garcia, Angel
A1  - Torrejon, Jose Miguel
A1  - Eikmann, Wiebke
A1  - Martinez-Nunez, Silvia
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Rodes-Roca, Jose Joaquin
A1  - Bernabeu, Guillermo
T1  - An XMM-Newton view of FeK alpha in high-mass X-ray binaries
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - We present a comprehensive analysis of the whole sample of available XMM-Newton observations of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) until August 2013, focusing on the FeK alpha emission line. This line is key to better understanding the physical properties of the material surrounding the X-ray source within a few stellar radii (the circumstellar medium). We collected observations from 46 HMXBs and detected FeK alpha in 21 of them. We used the standard classification of HMXBs to divide the sample into different groups. We find that (1) different classes of HMXBs display different qualitative behaviours in the FeK alpha spectral region. This is visible especially in SGXBs (showing ubiquitous Fe fluorescence but not recombination Fe lines) and in gamma Cass analogues (showing both fluorescent and recombination Fe lines). (2) FeK alpha is centred at a mean value of 6.42 keV. Considering the instrumental and fits uncertainties, this value is compatible with ionization states that are lower than Fe xviii. (3) The flux of the continuum is well correlated with the flux of the line, as expected. Eclipse observations show that the Fe fluorescence emission comes from an extended region surrounding the X-ray source. (4) We observe an inverse correlation between the X-ray luminosity and the equivalent width of FeK alpha (EW). This phenomenon is known as the X-ray Baldwin effect. (5) FeK alpha is narrow (sigma(line) < 0.15 keV), reflecting that the reprocessing material does not move at high speeds. We attempt to explain the broadness of the line in terms of three possible broadening phenomena: line blending, Compton scattering, and Doppler shifts (with velocities of the reprocessing material V similar to 1000 km s(-1)). (6) The equivalent hydrogen column (N-H) directly correlates to the EW of FeK alpha, displaying clear similarities to numerical simulations. It highlights the strong link between the absorbing and the fluorescent matter. (7) The observed NH in supergiant X-ray binaries (SGXBs) is in general higher than in supergiant fast X-ray transients (SFXTs). We suggest two possible explanations: different orbital configurations or a different interaction compact object - wind. (8) Finally, we analysed the sources IGR J16320-4751 and 4U 1700-37 in more detail, covering several orbital phases. The observed variation in NH between phases is compatible with the absorption produced by the wind of their optical companions. The results clearly point to a very important contribution of the donor's wind in the FeK alpha emission and the absorption when the donor is a supergiant massive star.
KW  - surveys
KW  - X-rays: binaries
KW  - binaries: general
KW  - circumstellar matter
KW  - stars: winds, outflows
KW  - stars: early-type
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201425004
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 576
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  - Shenar, Tomer
A1  - Oskinova, Lida
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
A1  - Corcoran, Michael F.
A1  - Moffat, Anthony F. J.
A1  - Pablo, Herbert
A1  - Richardson, Noel D.
A1  - Waldron, Wayne L.
A1  - Huenemoerder, David P.
A1  - Maiz Apellaniz, Jesus
A1  - Nichols, Joy S.
A1  - Todt, Helge Tobias
A1  - Naze, Yael
A1  - Hoffman, Jennifer L.
A1  - Pollock, Andy M. T.
A1  - Negueruela, Ignacio
T1  - A coordinated X-Ray and optical campaign of the nearest massive eclipsing binary, delta ORIONIS Aa. IV. A multiwavelength, non-lte spectroscopic analysis
JF  - The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics
N2  - Eclipsing systems of massive stars allow one to explore the properties of their components in great detail. We perform a multi-wavelength, non-LTE analysis of the three components of the massive multiple system delta Ori A, focusing on the fundamental stellar properties, stellar winds, and X-ray characteristics of the system. The primary's distance-independent parameters turn out to be characteristic for its spectral type (O9.5 II), but usage of the Hipparcos parallax yields surprisingly low values for the mass, radius, and luminosity. Consistent values follow only if delta Ori lies at about twice the Hipparcos distance, in the vicinity of the sigma-Orionis cluster. The primary and tertiary dominate the spectrum and leave the secondary only marginally detectable. We estimate the V-band magnitude difference between primary and secondary to be Delta V approximate to 2.(m)8. The inferred parameters suggest that the secondary is an early B-type dwarf (approximate to B1 V), while the tertiary is an early B-type subgiant (approximate to B0 IV). We find evidence for rapid turbulent velocities (similar to 200 km s(-1)) and wind inhomogeneities, partially optically thick, in the primary's wind. The bulk of the X-ray emission likely emerges from the primary's stellar wind (logL(X)/L-Bol approximate to -6.85), initiating close to the stellar surface at R-0 similar to 1.1 R-*. Accounting for clumping, the mass-loss rate of the primary is found to be log (M) over dot approximate to -6.4 (M-circle dot yr(-1))., which agrees with hydrodynamic predictions, and provides a consistent picture along the X-ray, UV, optical, and radio spectral domains.
KW  - binaries: close
KW  - binaries: eclipsing
KW  - stars: early-type
KW  - stars: individual ([HD 36486]delta Ori A)
KW  - X-rays: stars
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/809/2/135
SN  - 0004-637X
SN  - 1538-4357
VL  - 809
IS  - 2
PB  - IOP Publ. Ltd.
CY  - Bristol
ER  -