@article{SteffenHubrigTodtetal.2014, author = {Steffen, M. and Hubrig, Swetlana and Todt, Helge Tobias and Schoeller, M. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Sandin, Christer and Sch{\"o}nberner, Detlef}, title = {Weak magnetic fields in central stars of planetary nebulae?}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {570}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201423842}, pages = {15}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Context. It is not yet clear whether magnetic fields play an essential role in shaping planetary nebulae (PNe), or whether stellar rotation alone and/or a close binary companion, stellar or substellar, can account for the variety of the observed nebular morphologies. Aims. In a quest for empirical evidence verifying or disproving the role of magnetic fields in shaping planetary nebulae, we follow up on previous attempts to measure the magnetic field in a representative sample of PN central stars. Methods. We obtained low-resolution polarimetric spectra with FORS2 installed on the Antu telescope of the VLT for a sample of 12 bright central stars of PNe with different morphologies, including two round nebulae, seven elliptical nebulae, and three bipolar nebulae. Two targets are Wolf-Rayet type central stars. Results. For the majority of the observed central stars, we do not find any significant evidence for the existence of surface magnetic fields. However, our measurements may indicate the presence of weak mean longitudinal magnetic fields of the order of 100 Gauss in the central star of the young elliptical planetary nebula IC 418 as well as in the Wolf-Rayet type central star of the bipolar nebula Hen 2-113 and the weak emission line central star of the elliptical nebula Hen 2-131. A clear detection of a 250 G mean longitudinal field is achieved for the A-type companion of the central star of NGC 1514. Some of the central stars show a moderate night-to-night spectrum variability, which may be the signature of a variable stellar wind and/or rotational modulation due to magnetic features. Conclusions. Since our analysis indicates only weak fields, if any, in a few targets of our sample, we conclude that strong magnetic fields of the order of kG are not widespread among PNe central stars. Nevertheless, simple estimates based on a theoretical model of magnetized wind bubbles suggest that even weak magnetic fields below the current detection limit of the order of 100 G may well be sufficient to contribute to the shaping of the surrounding nebulae throughout their evolution. Our current sample is too small to draw conclusions about a correlation between nebular morphology and the presence of stellar magnetic fields.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenarSablowskiHainichetal.2019, author = {Shenar, Tomer and Sablowski, D. P. and Hainich, Rainer and Todt, Helge Tobias and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Oskinova, Lida and Ramachandran, Varsha and Sana, Hugues and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Schnurr, O. and St-Louis, N. and Vanbeveren, D. and Gotberg, Y. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {The Wolf-Rayet binaries of the nitrogen sequence in the Large Magellanic Cloud Spectroscopy, orbital analysis, formation, and evolution}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {627}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201935684}, pages = {68}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Context. Massive Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars dominate the radiative and mechanical energy budget of galaxies and probe a critical phase in the evolution of massive stars prior to core collapse. It is not known whether core He-burning WR stars (classical WR; cWR) form predominantly through wind stripping (w-WR) or binary stripping (b-WR). Whereas spectroscopy of WR binaries has so-far largely been avoided because of its complexity, our study focuses on the 44 WR binaries and binary candidates of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC; metallicity Z approximate to 0.5 Z(circle dot)), which were identified on the basis of radial velocity variations, composite spectra, or high X-ray luminosities. Aims. Relying on a diverse spectroscopic database, we aim to derive the physical and orbital parameters of our targets, confronting evolution models of evolved massive stars at subsolar metallicity and constraining the impact of binary interaction in forming these stars. Methods. Spectroscopy was performed using the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) code and cross-correlation techniques. Disentanglement was performed using the code Spectangular or the shift-and-add algorithm. Evolutionary status was interpreted using the Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis (BPASS) code, exploring binary interaction and chemically homogeneous evolution. Results. Among our sample, 28/44 objects show composite spectra and are analyzed as such. An additional five targets show periodically moving WR primaries but no detected companions (SB1); two (BAT99 99 and 112) are potential WR + compact-object candidates owing to their high X-ray luminosities. We cannot confirm the binary nature of the remaining 11 candidates. About two-thirds of the WN components in binaries are identified as cWR, and one-third as hydrogen-burning WR stars. We establish metallicity-dependent mass-loss recipes, which broadly agree with those recently derived for single WN stars, and in which so-called WN3/O3 stars are clear outliers. We estimate that 45 +/- 30\% of the cWR stars in our sample have interacted with a companion via mass transfer. However, only approximate to 12 +/- 7\% of the cWR stars in our sample naively appear to have formed purely owing to stripping via a companion (12\% b-WR). Assuming that apparently single WR stars truly formed as single stars, this comprises approximate to 4\% of the whole LMC WN population, which is about ten times less than expected. No obvious differences in the properties of single and binary WN stars, whose luminosities extend down to log L approximate to 5.2 [L-circle dot], are apparent. With the exception of a few systems (BAT99 19, 49, and 103), the equatorial rotational velocities of the OB-type companions are moderate (v(eq) less than or similar to 250 km s(-1)) and challenge standard formalisms of angular-momentum accretion. For most objects, chemically homogeneous evolution can be rejected for the secondary, but not for the WR progenitor. Conclusions. No obvious dichotomy in the locations of apparently single and binary WN stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is apparent. According to commonly used stellar evolution models (BPASS, Geneva), most apparently single WN stars could not have formed as single stars, implying that they were stripped by an undetected companion. Otherwise, it must follow that pre-WR mass-loss/mixing (e.g., during the red supergiant phase) are strongly underestimated in standard stellar evolution models.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenarOskinovaHamannetal.2015, author = {Shenar, Tomer and Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Corcoran, Michael F. and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Pablo, Herbert and Richardson, Noel D. and Waldron, Wayne L. and Huenemoerder, David P. and Maiz Apellaniz, Jesus and Nichols, Joy S. and Todt, Helge Tobias and Naze, Yael and Hoffman, Jennifer L. and Pollock, Andy M. T. and Negueruela, Ignacio}, title = {A coordinated X-Ray and optical campaign of the nearest massive eclipsing binary, delta ORIONIS Aa. IV. A multiwavelength, non-lte spectroscopic analysis}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {809}, 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/809/2/135}, pages = {20}, year = {2015}, abstract = {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.}, 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{SchaffenrothPelisoliBarlowetal.2022, author = {Schaffenroth, Veronika and Pelisoli, Ingrid and Barlow, Brad N. and Geier, Stephan and Kupfer, Thomas}, title = {Hot subdwarfs in close binaries observed from space I.}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {666}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202244214}, pages = {19}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Context: About a third of the hot subdwarfs of spectral type B (sdBs), which are mostly core-helium-burning objects on the extreme horizontal branch, are found in close binaries with cool, low-mass stellar, substellar, or white dwarf companions. They can show light variations due to di fferent phenomena. Aims: Many hot subdwarfs now have space-based light curves with a high signal-to-noise ratio available. We used light curves from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and the K2 space mission to look for more sdB binaries. Their light curves can be used to study the hot subdwarf primaries and their companions, and obtained orbital, atmospheric, and absolute parameters for those systems, when combined with other analysis methods. Methods: By classifying the light variations and combining these with the fit of the spectral energy distribution, the distance derived by the parallaxes obtained by Gaia, and the atmospheric parameters, mainly from the literature, we could derive the nature of the primaries and secondaries in 122 (75\%) of the known sdB binaries and 82 newly found reflection e ffect systems. We derived absolute masses, radii, and luminosities for a total of 39 hot subdwarfs with cool, low-mass companions, as well 29 known and newly found sdBs with white dwarf companions. Results: The mass distribution of hot subdwarfs with cool, low-mass stellar and substellar companions, di ffers from those with white dwarf companions, implying they come from di fferent populations. By comparing the period and minimum companion mass distributions, we find that the reflection e ffect systems all have M dwarf or brown dwarf companions, and that there seem to be several di fferent populations of hot subdwarfs with white dwarf binaries - one with white dwarf minimum masses around 0.4 M-circle dot, one with longer periods and minimum companion masses up to 0.6 M-circle dot, and at the shortest period, another with white dwarf minimum masses around 0.8 M-circle dot. We also derive the first orbital period distribution for hot subdwarfs with cool, low-mass stellar or substellar systems selected from light variations instead of radial velocity variations. It shows a narrower period distribution, from 1.5 h to 35 h, compared to the distribution of hot subdwarfs with white dwarfs, which ranges from 1 h to 30 days. These period distributions can be used to constrain the previous common-envelope phase.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaffenrothBarlowGeieretal.2019, author = {Schaffenroth, Veronika and Barlow, Brad N. and Geier, Stephan Alfred and Vuckovic, Maja and Kilkenny, D. and Wolz, M. and Kupfer, Thomas and Heber, Ulrich and Drechsel, H. and Kimeswenger, S. and Marsh, T. and Wolf, M. and Pelisoli, Ingrid Domingos and Freudenthal, Joseph and Dreizler, S. and Kreuzer, S. and Ziegerer, E.}, title = {The EREBOS project: Investigating the effect of substellar and low-mass stellar companions on late stellar evolution Survey, target selection, and atmospheric parameters}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {630}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201936019}, pages = {29}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Eclipsing post-common-envelope binaries are highly important for resolving the poorly understood, very short-lived common-envelope phase of stellar evolution. Most hot subdwarfs (sdO/Bs) are the bare helium-burning cores of red giants that have lost almost all of their hydrogen envelope. This mass loss is often triggered by common-envelope interactions with close stellar or even substellar companions. Cool companions to hot subdwarf stars such as late-type stars and brown dwarfs are detectable from characteristic light-curve variations - reflection effects and often eclipses. In the recently published catalog of eclipsing binaries in the Galactic Bulge and in the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) survey, we discovered 125 new eclipsing systems showing a reflection effect seen by visual inspection of the light curves and using a machine-learning algorithm, in addition to the 36 systems previously discovered by the Optical Gravitational Lesing Experiment (OGLE) team. The Eclipsing Reflection Effect Binaries from Optical Surveys (EREBOS) project aims at analyzing all newly discovered eclipsing binaries of the HW Vir type (hot subdwarf + close, cool companion) based on a spectroscopic and photometric follow up to derive the mass distribution of the companions, constrain the fraction of substellar companions, and determine the minimum mass needed to strip off the red-giant envelope. To constrain the nature of the primary we derived the absolute magnitude and the reduced proper motion of all our targets with the help of the parallaxes and proper motions measured by the Gaia mission and compared those to the Gaia white-dwarf candidate catalog. It was possible to derive the nature of a subset of our targets, for which observed spectra are available, by measuring the atmospheric parameter of the primary, confirming that less than 10\% of our systems are not sdO/Bs with cool companions but are white dwarfs or central stars of planetary nebula. This large sample of eclipsing hot subdwarfs with cool companions allowed us to derive a significant period distribution for hot subdwarfs with cool companions for the first time showing that the period distribution is much broader than previously thought and is ideally suited to finding the lowest-mass companions to hot subdwarf stars. The comparison with related binary populations shows that the period distribution of HW Vir systems is very similar to WD+dM systems and central stars of planetary nebula with cool companions. In the future, several new photometric surveys will be carried out, which will further increase the sample of this project, providing the potential to test many aspects of common-envelope theory and binary evolution.}, language = {en} } @article{ReindlSchaffenrothFilizetal.2021, author = {Reindl, Nicole and Schaffenroth, Veronika and Filiz, Semih and Geier, Stephan and Pelisoli, Ingrid and Kepler, Souza Oliveira}, title = {Mysterious, variable, and extremely hot}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal / European Southern Observatory (ESO)}, volume = {647}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal / European Southern Observatory (ESO)}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202140289}, pages = {22}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Context. About 10\% of all stars exhibit absorption lines of ultra-highly excited (UHE) metals (e.g., O VIII) in their optical spectra when entering the white dwarf cooling sequence. This is something that has never been observed in any other astrophysical object, and poses a decades-long mystery in our understanding of the late stages of stellar evolution. The recent discovery of a UHE white dwarf that is both spectroscopically and photometrically variable led to the speculation that the UHE lines might be created in a shock-heated circumstellar magnetosphere. Aims. We aim to gain a better understanding of these mysterious objects by studying the photometric variability of the whole population of UHE white dwarfs, and white dwarfs showing only the He II line problem, as both phenomena are believed to be connected. Methods. We investigate (multi-band) light curves from several ground- and space-based surveys of all 16 currently known UHE white dwarfs (including one newly discovered) and eight white dwarfs that show only the He II line problem. Results. We find that 75(-13)(+8) \% of the UHE white dwarfs, and 75(-19)(+9)\% of the He II line problem white dwarfs are significantly photometrically variable, with periods ranging from 0.22 d to 2.93 d and amplitudes from a few tenths to a few hundredths of a magnitude. The high variability rate is in stark contrast to the variability rate amongst normal hot white dwarfs (we find 9(2)(+4)\%), marking UHE and He II line problem white dwarfs as a new class of variable stars. The period distribution of our sample agrees with both the orbital period distribution of post-common-envelope binaries and the rotational period distribution of magnetic white dwarfs if we assume that the objects in our sample will spin-up as a consequence of further contraction. Conclusions. We find further evidence that UHE and He II line problem white dwarfs are indeed related, as concluded from their overlap in the Gaia HRD, similar photometric variability rates, light-curve shapes and amplitudes, and period distributions. The lack of increasing photometric amplitudes towards longer wavelengths, as well as the nondetection of optical emission lines arising from the highly irradiated face of a hypothetical secondary in the optical spectra of our stars, makes it seem unlikely that an irradiated late-type companion is the origin of the photometric variability. Instead, we believe that spots on the surfaces of these stars and/or geometrical effects of circumstellar material might be responsible.}, language = {en} } @article{PelisoliVos2019, author = {Pelisoli, Ingrid Domingos and Vos, Joris}, title = {Gaia Data Release 2 catalogue of extremely low-mass white dwarf candidates}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {488}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stz1876}, pages = {2892 -- 2903}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Extremely low-mass white dwarf stars (ELMs) are M < 0.3 M-circle dot helium-core white dwarfs born either as a result of a common-envelope phase or after a stable Roche lobe overflow episode in a multiple system. The Universe is not old enough for ELMs to have formed through single-star evolution channels. As remnants of binary evolution, ELMs can shed light onto the poorly understood phase of common-envelope evolution and provide constraints to the physics of mass accretion. Most known ELMs will merge in less than a Hubble time, providing an important contribution to the signal to be detected by upcoming space-based gravitational wave detectors. There are currently less than 150 known ELMs; most were selected by colour, focusing on hot objects, in a magnitude-limited survey of the Northern hemisphere only. Recent theoretical models have predicted a much larger space density for ELMs than estimated observationally based on this limited sample. In order to perform meaningful comparisons with theoretical models and test their predictions, a larger well-defined sample is required. In this work, we present a catalogue of ELM candidates selected from the second data release of Gaia (DR2). We have used predictions from theoretical models and analysed the properties of the known sample to map the space spanned by ELMs in the Gaia Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Defining a set of colour cuts and quality flags, we have obtained a final sample of 5762 ELM candidates down to T-eff approximate to 5000 K.}, language = {en} } @article{PabloRichardsonMoffatetal.2015, author = {Pablo, Herbert and Richardson, Noel D. and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Corcoran, Michael and Shenar, Tomer and Benvenuto, Omar and Fuller, Jim and Naze, Yael and Hoffman, Jennifer L. and Miroshnichenko, Anatoly and Apellaniz, Jesus Maiz and Evans, Nancy and Eversberg, Thomas and Gayley, Ken and Gull, Ted and Hamaguchi, Kenji and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Henrichs, Huib and Hole, Tabetha and Ignace, Richard and Iping, Rosina and Lauer, Jennifer and Leutenegger, Maurice and Lomax, Jamie and Nichols, Joy and Oskinova, Lida and Owocki, Stan and Pollock, Andy and Russell, Christopher M. P. and Waldron, Wayne and Buil, Christian and Garrel, Thierry and Graham, Keith and Heathcote, Bernard and Lemoult, Thierry and Li, Dong and Mauclaire, Benjamin and Potter, Mike and Ribeiro, Jose and Matthews, Jaymie and Cameron, Chris and Guenther, David and Kuschnig, Rainer and Rowe, Jason and Rucinski, Slavek and Sasselov, Dimitar and Weiss, Werner}, title = {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}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {809}, 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/809/2/134}, pages = {11}, year = {2015}, abstract = {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.}, language = {en} } @article{NicholsHuenemoerderCorcoranetal.2015, author = {Nichols, Joy and Huenemoerder, David P. and Corcoran, Michael F. and Waldron, Wayne and Naze, Yael and Pollock, Andy M. T. and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Lauer, Jennifer and Shenar, Tomer and Russell, Christopher M. P. and Richardson, Noel D. and Pablo, Herbert and Evans, Nancy Remage and Hamaguchi, Kenji and Gull, Theodore and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Oskinova, Lida and Ignace, Rosina and Hoffman, Jennifer L. and Hole, Karen Tabetha and Lomax, Jamie R.}, title = {A COORDINATED X-RAY AND OPTICAL CAMPAIGN OF THE NEAREST MASSIVE ECLIPSING BINARY, delta ORIONIS Aa. II. X-RAY VARIABILITY}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {809}, 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/809/2/133}, pages = {21}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We present time-resolved and phase-resolved variability studies of an extensive X-ray high-resolution spectral data set of the delta Ori Aa binary system. The four observations, obtained with Chandra ACIS HETGS, have a total exposure time of approximate to 479 ks and provide nearly complete binary phase coverage. Variability of the total X-ray flux in the range of 5-25 is is confirmed, with a maximum amplitude of about +/- 15\% within a single approximate to 125 ks observation. Periods of 4.76 and 2.04 days are found in the total X-ray flux, as well as an apparent overall increase in the flux level throughout the nine-day observational campaign. Using 40 ks contiguous spectra derived from the original observations, we investigate the variability of emission line parameters and ratios. Several emission lines are shown to be variable, including S XV, Si XIII, and Ne IX. For the first time, variations of the X-ray emission line widths as a function of the binary phase are found in a binary system, with the smallest widths at phi = 0.0 when the secondary delta Ori Aa2 is at the inferior conjunction. Using 3D hydrodynamic modeling of the interacting winds, we relate the emission line width variability to the presence of a wind cavity created by a wind-wind collision, which is effectively void of embedded wind shocks and is carved out of the X-ray-producing primary wind, thus producing phase-locked X-ray variability.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinezNunezSanderGimenezGarciaetal.2015, author = {Martinez-Nunez, Silvia and Sander, Angelika and Gimenez-Garcia, Angel and Gonzalez-Galan, Ana and Torrejon, Jose Miguel and Gonzalez-Fernandez, Carlos and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {The donor star of the X-ray pulsar X1908+075}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {578}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201424823}, pages = {9}, year = {2015}, abstract = {High-mass X-ray binaries consist of a massive donor star and a compact object. While several of those systems have been well studied in X-rays, little is known for most of the donor stars as they are often heavily obscured in the optical and ultraviolet regime. There is an opportunity to observe them at infrared wavelengths, however. The goal of this study is to obtain the stellar and wind parameters of the donor star in the X1908+075 high-mass X-ray binary system with a stellar atmosphere model to check whether previous studies from X-ray observations and spectral morphology lead to a sufficient description of the donor star. We obtained H-and K-band spectra of X1908+075 and analysed them with the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code. For the first time, we calculated a stellar atmosphere model for the donor star, whose main parameters are: M-spec = 15 +/- 6 M-circle dot, T-* = 23(-3)(+6) kK, log g(eff) = 3.0 +/- 0.2 and log L/L-circle dot = 4.81 +/- 0.25. The obtained parameters point towards an early B-type (B0-B3) star, probably in a supergiant phase. Moreover we determined a more accurate distance to the system of 4.85 +/- 0.50 kpc than the previously reported value.}, language = {en} } @article{LatourRandallCalamidaetal.2018, author = {Latour, Marilyn and Randall, Suzanna K. and Calamida, Annalisa and Geier, Stephan Alfred and Moehler, Sabine}, title = {The ultimate spectroscopic census of extreme horizontal branch stars in omega Centauri}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {618}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201833129}, pages = {26}, year = {2018}, abstract = {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.}, language = {en} } @article{HubrigFossatiCarrolletal.2014, author = {Hubrig, Swetlana and Fossati, Luca and Carroll, Thorsten Anthony and Castro, Norberto and Gonzalez, J. F. and Ilyin, Ilya and Przybilla, Norbert and Schoeller, M. and Oskinova, Lida and Morel, T. and Langer, N. and Scholz, Ralf-Dieter and Kharchenko, N. V. and Nieva, M. -F.}, title = {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}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {564}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, organization = {BOB Collaboration}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201423490}, pages = {5}, year = {2014}, abstract = {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.}, language = {en} } @article{HosseinzadehCowperthwaiteGomezetal.2019, author = {Hosseinzadeh, Griffin and Cowperthwaite, Philip S. and Gomez, Sebastian and Villar, Victoria Ashley and Nicholl, Matt and Margutti, Raffaella and Berger, Edo and Chornock, Ryan and Paterson, Kerry and Fong, Wen-fai and Savchenko, Volodymyr and Short, Phil and Alexander, Kate D. and Blanchard, Peter K. and Braga, Joao and Calkins, Michael L. and Cartier, Regis and Coppejans, Deanne L. and Eftekhari, Tarraneh and Laskar, Tanmoy and Ly, Chun and Patton, Locke and Pelisoli, Ingrid Domingos and Reichart, Daniel E. and Terreran, Giacomo and Williams, Peter K. G.}, title = {Follow-up of the Neutron Star Bearing Gravitational-wave Candidate Events S190425z and S190426c with MMT and SOAR}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics ; Part 2, Letters}, volume = {880}, 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/ab271c}, pages = {14}, year = {2019}, abstract = {On 2019 April 25.346 and 26.640 UT the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo gravitational-wave (GW) observatory announced the detection of the first candidate events in Observing Run 3 that contained at least one neutron star (NS). S190425z is a likely binary neutron star (BNS) merger at d(L) = 156 +/- 41 Mpc, while S190426c is possibly the first NS-black hole (BH) merger ever detected, at d(L) = 377 +/- 100 Mpc, although with marginal statistical significance. Here we report our optical follow-up observations for both events using the MMT 6.5 m telescope, as well as our spectroscopic follow-up of candidate counterparts (which turned out to be unrelated) with the 4.1 m SOAR telescope. We compare to publicly reported searches, explore the overall areal coverage and depth, and evaluate those in relation to the optical/near-infrared (NIR) kilonova emission from the BNS merger GW170817, to theoretical kilonova models, and to short gamma-ray burst (SGRB) afterglows. We find that for a GW170817-like kilonova, the partial volume covered spans up to about 40\% for S190425z and 60\% for S190426c. For an on-axis jet typical of SGRBs, the search effective volume is larger, but such a configuration is expected in at most a few percent of mergers. We further find that wide-field gamma-ray and X-ray limits rule out luminous on-axis SGRBs, for a large fraction of the localization regions, although these searches are not sufficiently deep in the context of the gamma-ray emission from GW170817 or off-axis SGRB afterglows. The results indicate that some optical follow-up searches are sufficiently deep for counterpart identification to about 300 Mpc, but that localizations better than 1000 deg(2) are likely essential.}, language = {en} } @article{HillwigReindlRotteretal.2022, author = {Hillwig, Todd C. and Reindl, Nicole and Rotter, Hannah M. and Rengstorf, Adam W. and Heber, Ulrich and Irrgang, Andreas}, title = {Two evolved close binary stars: GALEX J015054.4+310745 and the central star of the planetary nebula Hen 2-84}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {511}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stac226}, pages = {2033 -- 2039}, year = {2022}, abstract = {As part of a survey to find close binary systems among central stars of planetary nebula, we present two newly discovered binary systems. GALEX J015054.4+310745 is identified as the central star of the possible planetary nebula Fr 2-22. We find it to be a single-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 0.2554435(10) d. We support the previous identification of GALEX J015054.4+310745 as an sdB star and provide physical parameters for the star from spectral modelling. We identify its undetected companion as a likely He white dwarf. Based on this information, we find it unlikely that Fr 2-22 is a true planetary nebula. In addition, the central star of the true planetary nebula Hen 2-84 is found to be a photometric variable, likely due to the irradiation of a cool companion. The system has an orbital period of 0.485645(30) d. We discuss limits on binary parameters based on the available light-curve data. Hen 2-84 is a strongly shaped bipolar planetary nebula, which we now add to the growing list of axially or point-symmetric planetary nebulae with a close binary central star.}, language = {en} } @article{HainichOskinovaShenaretal.2018, author = {Hainich, Rainer and Oskinova, Lida and Shenar, Tomer and Marchant Campos, Pablo and Eldridge, J. J. and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Langer, Norbert and Todt, Helge Tobias}, title = {Observational properties of massive black hole binary progenitors}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {609}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731449}, pages = {62}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Context: The first directly detected gravitational waves (GW 150914) were emitted by two coalescing black holes (BHs) with masses of ≈ 36 M⊙ and ≈ 29 M⊙. Several scenarios have been proposed to put this detection into an astrophysical context. The evolution of an isolated massive binary system is among commonly considered models. Aims: Various groups have performed detailed binary-evolution calculations that lead to BH merger events. However, the question remains open as to whether binary systems with the predicted properties really exist. The aim of this paper is to help observers to close this gap by providing spectral characteristics of massive binary BH progenitors during a phase where at least one of the companions is still non-degenerate. Methods: Stellar evolution models predict fundamental stellar parameters. Using these as input for our stellar atmosphere code (Potsdam Wolf-Rayet), we compute a set of models for selected evolutionary stages of massive merging BH progenitors at different metallicities. Results: The synthetic spectra obtained from our atmosphere calculations reveal that progenitors of massive BH merger events start their lives as O2-3V stars that evolve to early-type blue supergiants before they undergo core-collapse during the Wolf-Rayet phase. When the primary has collapsed, the remaining system will appear as a wind-fed high-mass X-ray binary. Based on our atmosphere models, we provide feedback parameters, broad band magnitudes, and spectral templates that should help to identify such binaries in the future. Conclusions: While the predicted parameter space for massive BH binary progenitors is partly realized in nature, none of the known massive binaries match our synthetic spectra of massive BH binary progenitors exactly. Comparisons of empirically determined mass-loss rates with those assumed by evolution calculations reveal significant differences. The consideration of the empirical mass-loss rates in evolution calculations will possibly entail a shift of the maximum in the predicted binary-BH merger rate to higher metallicities, that is, more candidates should be expected in our cosmic neighborhood than previously assumed.}, language = {en} } @article{CorcoranNicholsPabloetal.2015, author = {Corcoran, Michael F. and Nichols, Joy S. and Pablo, Herbert and Shenar, Tomer and Pollock, Andy M. T. and Waldron, Wayne L. and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Richardson, Noel D. and Russell, Christopher M. P. and Hamaguchi, Kenji and Huenemoerder, David P. and Oskinova, Lida and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Naze, Yael and Ignace, Richard and Evans, Nancy Remage and Lomax, Jamie R. and Hoffman, Jennifer L. and Gayley, Kenneth and Owocki, Stanley P. and Leutenegger, Maurice and Gull, Theodore R. and Hole, Karen Tabetha and Lauer, Jennifer and Iping, Rosina C.}, title = {A coordinated X-Ray and optical campaign of the nearest massive eclipsing binary, delta ORIONIS Aa. I. Overview of thr X-Ray spectrum}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {809}, 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/809/2/132}, pages = {15}, year = {2015}, abstract = {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.}, language = {en} } @article{ArchambaultBeilickeBenbowetal.2013, author = {Archambault, S. and Beilicke, M. and Benbow, W. and Berger, K. and Bird, R. and Bouvier, A. and Buckley, J. H. and Bugaev, V. and Byrum, K. and Cerruti, M. and Chen, Xuhui and Ciupik, L. and Connolly, M. P. and Cui, W. and Duke, C. and Dumm, J. and Errando, M. and Falcone, A. and Federici, Simone and Feng, Q. and Finley, J. P. and Fortson, L. and Furniss, A. and Galante, N. and Gillanders, G. H. and Griffin, S. and Griffiths, S. T. and Grube, J. and Gyuk, G. and Hanna, D. and Holder, J. and Hughes, G. and Humensky, T. B. and Kaaret, P. and Kertzman, M. and Khassen, Y. and Kieda, D. and Krawczynski, H. and Lang, M. J. and Madhavan, A. S. and Maier, G. and Majumdar, P. and McArthur, S. and McCann, A. and Moriarty, P. and Mukherjee, R. and Nieto, D. and de Bhroithe, A. O'Faolain and Ong, R. A. and Otte, A. N. and Pandel, D. and Park, N. and Perkins, J. S. and Pohl, Martin and Popkow, A. and Prokoph, H. and Quinn, J. and Ragan, K. and Rajotte, J. and Reyes, L. C. and Reynolds, P. T. and Richards, G. T. and Roache, E. and Sembroski, G. H. and Sheidaei, F. and Smith, A. W. and Staszak, D. and Telezhinsky, Igor O. and Theiling, M. and Tucci, J. V. and Tyler, J. and Varlotta, A. and Vincent, S. and Wakely, S. P. and Weekes, T. C. and Weinstein, A. and Williams, D. A. and Zitzer, B. and McCollough, M. L.}, title = {Veritas observatons of the microquasar cygnus X-3}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {779}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, organization = {VERITAS Collaboration, Smithsonian Astrophys Observ}, issn = {0004-637X}, doi = {10.1088/0004-637X/779/2/150}, pages = {10}, year = {2013}, abstract = {We report results from TeV gamma-ray observations of the microquasar Cygnus X-3. The observations were made with the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) over a time period from 2007 June 11 to 2011 November 28. VERITAS is most sensitive to gamma rays at energies between 85 GeV and 30 TeV. The effective exposure time amounts to a total of about 44 hr, with the observations covering six distinct radio/X-ray states of the object. No significant TeV gamma-ray emission was detected in any of the states, nor with all observations combined. The lack of a positive signal, especially in the states where GeV gamma rays were detected, places constraints on TeV gamma-ray production in Cygnus X-3. We discuss the implications of the results.}, language = {en} } @article{AlmeidaSanaTayloretal.2017, author = {Almeida, Leonardo A. and Sana, H. and Taylor, W. and Barb{\´a}, Rodolfo and Bonanos, Alceste Z. and Crowther, Paul and Damineli, Augusto and de Koter, A. and de Mink, Selma E. and Evans, C. J. and Gieles, Mark and Grin, Nathan J. and H{\´e}nault-Brunet, V. and Langer, Norbert and Lennon, D. and Lockwood, Sean and Ma{\´i}z Apell{\´a}niz, Jes{\´u}s and Moffat, A. F. J. and Neijssel, C. and Norman, C. and Ram{\´i}rez-Agudelo, O. H. and Richardson, N. D. and Schootemeijer, Abel and Shenar, Tomer and Soszyński, Igor and Tramper, Frank and Vink, J. S.}, 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 = {10.1051/0004-6361/201629844}, pages = {36}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Context: Massive binaries play a crucial role in the Universe. Knowing the distributions of their orbital parameters is important for a wide range of topics from stellar feedback to binary evolution channels and from the distribution of supernova types to gravitational wave progenitors, yet no direct measurements exist outside the Milky Way. Aims: The Tarantula Massive Binary Monitoring project was designed to help fill this gap by obtaining multi-epoch radial velocity (RV) monitoring of 102 massive binaries in the 30 Doradus region. Methods: In this paper we analyze 32 FLAMES/GIRAFFE observations of 93 O- and 7 B-type binaries. We performed a Fourier analysis and obtained orbital solutions for 82 systems: 51 single-lined (SB1) and 31 double-lined (SB2) spectroscopic binaries. Results: Overall, the binary fraction and orbital properties across the 30 Doradus region are found to be similar to existing Galactic samples. This indicates that within these domains environmental effects are of second order in shaping the properties of massive binary systems. A small difference is found in the distribution of orbital periods, which is slightly flatter (in log space) in 30 Doradus than in the Galaxy, although this may be compatible within error estimates and differences in the fitting methodology. Also, orbital periods in 30 Doradus can be as short as 1.1 d, somewhat shorter than seen in Galactic samples. Equal mass binaries (q> 0.95) in 30 Doradus are all found outside NGC 2070, the central association that surrounds R136a, the very young and massive cluster at 30 Doradus's core. Most of the differences, albeit small, are compatible with expectations from binary evolution. One outstanding exception, however, is the fact that earlier spectral types (O2-O7) tend to have shorter orbital periods than later spectral types (O9.2-O9.7). Conclusions: Our results point to a relative universality of the incidence rate of massive binaries and their orbital properties in the metallicity range from solar (Z⊙) to about half solar. This provides the first direct constraints on massive binary properties in massive star-forming galaxies at the Universe's peak of star formation at redshifts z ~ 1 to 2 which are estimated to have Z ~ 0.5 Z⊙.}, language = {en} }