TY  - JOUR
A1  - Przybilla, Norbert
A1  - Fossati, Luca
A1  - Hubrig, Swetlana
A1  - Nieva, M. -F.
A1  - Jaervinen, S. P.
A1  - Castro, Norberto
A1  - Schoeller, M.
A1  - Ilyin, Ilya
A1  - Butler, Keith
A1  - Schneider, F. R. N.
A1  - Oskinova, Lidia M.
A1  - Morel, T.
A1  - Langer, N.
A1  - de Koter, A.
T1  - B fields in OB stars (BOB): Detection of a magnetic field in the He-strong star CPD-57 degrees 3509
JF  - Organic letters
N2  - Methods. Spectropolarimetric observations with FORS2 and HARPSpol are analysed using two independent approaches to quantify the magnetic field strength. A high-S/N FLAMES/GIRAFFE spectrum is analysed using a hybrid non-LTE model atmosphere technique. Comparison with stellar evolution models constrains the fundamental parameters of the star. Results. We obtain a firm detection of a surface averaged longitudinal magnetic field with a maximum amplitude of about 1 kG. Assuming a dipolar configuration of the magnetic field, this implies a dipolar field strength larger than 3.3 kG. Moreover, the large amplitude and fast variation (within about 1 day) of the longitudinal magnetic field implies that CPD-57 degrees 3509 is spinning very fast despite its apparently slow projected rotational velocity. The star should be able to support a centrifugal magnetosphere, yet the spectrum shows no sign of magnetically confined material; in particular, emission in H alpha is not observed. Apparently, the wind is either not strong enough for enough material to accumulate in the magnetosphere to become observable or, alternatively, some leakage process leads to loss of material from the magnetosphere. The quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the star yields an effective temperature and a logarithmic surface gravity of 23 750 +/- 250 K and 4.05 +/- 0.10, respectively, and a surface helium fraction of 0.28 +/- 0.02 by number. The surface abundances of C, N, O, Ne, S, and Ar are compatible with the cosmic abundance standard, whereas Mg, Al, Si, and Fe are depleted by about a factor of 2. This abundance pattern can be understood as the consequence of a fractionated stellar wind. CPD-57 degrees 3509 is one of the most evolved He-strong stars known with an independent age constraint due to its cluster membership.
KW  - stars: abundances
KW  - stars: atmospheres
KW  - stars: evolution
KW  - stars: magnetic field
KW  - stars: individual: CPD-57 degrees 3509
KW  - stars: massive
Y1  - 2016
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201527646
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 587
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
A1  - Hainich, Rainer
A1  - Todt, Helge Tobias
A1  - Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
A1  - Moffat, Anthony F. J.
A1  - Eldridge, J. J.
A1  - Pablo, H.
A1  - Oskinova, Lidia M.
A1  - Richardson, N. D.
T1  - Wolf-Rayet stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud II. Analysis of the binaries
JF  - American mineralogist : an international journal of earth and planetary materials
N2  - 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.
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: Wolf-Rayet
KW  - stars: evolution
KW  - binaries: close
KW  - binaries: symbiotic
KW  - Magellanic Clouds
Y1  - 2016
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201527916
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 591
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Aldoretta, E. J.
A1  - St-Louis, N.
A1  - Richardson, N. D.
A1  - Moffat, Anthony F. J.
A1  - Eversberg, T.
A1  - Hill, G. M.
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
A1  - Artigau, E.
A1  - Gauza, B.
A1  - Knapen, J. H.
A1  - Kubat, Jiří
A1  - Kubatova, Brankica
A1  - Maltais-Tariant, R.
A1  - Munoz, M.
A1  - Pablo, H.
A1  - Ramiaramanantsoa, T.
A1  - Richard-Laferriere, A.
A1  - Sablowski, D. P.
A1  - Simon-Diaz, S.
A1  - St-Jean, L.
A1  - Bolduan, F.
A1  - Dias, F. M.
A1  - Dubreuil, P.
A1  - Fuchs, D.
A1  - Garrel, T.
A1  - Grutzeck, G.
A1  - Hunger, T.
A1  - Kuesters, D.
A1  - Langenbrink, M.
A1  - Leadbeater, R.
A1  - Li, D.
A1  - Lopez, A.
A1  - Mauclaire, B.
A1  - Moldenhawer, T.
A1  - Potter, M.
A1  - dos Santos, E. M.
A1  - Schanne, L.
A1  - Schmidt, J.
A1  - Sieske, H.
A1  - Strachan, J.
A1  - Stinner, E.
A1  - Stinner, P.
A1  - Stober, B.
A1  - Strandbaek, K.
A1  - Syder, T.
A1  - Verilhac, D.
A1  - Waldschlaeger, U.
A1  - Weiss, D.
A1  - Wendt, A.
T1  - An extensive spectroscopic time series of three Wolf-Rayet stars - I. The lifetime of large-scale structures in the wind of WR 134
JF  - Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
N2  - During the summer of 2013, a 4-month spectroscopic campaign took place to observe the variabilities in three Wolf-Rayet stars. The spectroscopic data have been analysed for WR 134 (WN6b), to better understand its behaviour and long-term periodicity, which we interpret as arising from corotating interaction regions (CIRs) in the wind. By analysing the variability of the He ii lambda 5411 emission line, the previously identified period was refined to P = 2.255 +/- 0.008 (s.d.) d. The coherency time of the variability, which we associate with the lifetime of the CIRs in the wind, was deduced to be 40 +/- 6 d, or similar to 18 cycles, by cross-correlating the variability patterns as a function of time. When comparing the phased observational grey-scale difference images with theoretical grey-scales previously calculated from models including CIRs in an optically thin stellar wind, we find that two CIRs were likely present. A separation in longitude of Delta I center dot a parts per thousand integral 90A degrees was determined between the two CIRs and we suggest that the different maximum velocities that they reach indicate that they emerge from different latitudes. We have also been able to detect observational signatures of the CIRs in other spectral lines (C iv lambda lambda 5802,5812 and He i lambda 5876). Furthermore, a DAC was found to be present simultaneously with the CIR signatures detected in the He i lambda 5876 emission line which is consistent with the proposed geometry of the large-scale structures in the wind. Small-scale structures also show a presence in the wind, simultaneously with the larger scale structures, showing that they do in fact co-exist.
KW  - instabilities
KW  - methods: data analysis
KW  - techniques: spectroscopic
KW  - stars: individual: WR 134
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: Wolf-Rayet
Y1  - 2016
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stw1188
SN  - 0035-8711
SN  - 1365-2966
VL  - 460
SP  - 3407
EP  - 3417
PB  - Oxford Univ. Press
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Fossati, Luca
A1  - Castro, Norberto
A1  - Morel, Thierry
A1  - Langer, Norbert
A1  - Briquet, Maryline
A1  - Carroll, Thorsten Anthony
A1  - Hubrig, Swetlana
A1  - Nieva, Maria-Fernanda
A1  - Oskinova, Lidia M.
A1  - Przybilla, Norbert
A1  - Schneider, Fabian R. N.
A1  - Schoeller, Magnus
A1  - Simon Díaz, Sergio
A1  - Ilyin, Ilya
A1  - de Koter, Alex
A1  - Reisenegger, Andreas
A1  - Sana, Hugues
T1  - B fields in OB stars (BOB): on the detection of weak magnetic fields in the two early B-type stars beta CMa and epsilon CMa Possible lack of a "magnetic desert" in massive stars
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - Only a small fraction of massive stars seem to host a measurable structured magnetic field, whose origin is still unknown and whose implications for stellar evolution still need to be assessed. Within the context of the "B fields in OB stars (BOB)" collaboration, we used the HARPSpol spectropolarimeter to observe the early B-type stars beta CMa (HD 44743; B1 II/III) and epsilon CMa (HD 52089; B1.5II) in December 2013 and April 2014. For both stars, we consistently detected the signature of a weak (<30 G in absolute value) longitudinal magnetic field, approximately constant with time. We determined the physical parameters of both stars and characterise their X-ray spectrum. For the beta Cep star beta CMa, our mode identification analysis led to determining a rotation period of 13.6 +/- 1.2 days and of an inclination angle of the rotation axis of 57.6 +/- 1.7 degrees, with respect to the line of sight. On the basis of these measurements and assuming a dipolar field geometry, we derived a best fitting obliquity of about 22 degrees and a dipolar magnetic field strength (B-d) of about 100 G (60 < B-d < 230 G within the 1 sigma level), below what is typically found for other magnetic massive stars. This conclusion is strengthened further by considerations of the star's X-ray spectrum. For epsilon CMa we could only determine a lower limit on the dipolar magnetic field strength of 13 G. For this star, we determine that the rotation period ranges between 1.3 and 24 days. Our results imply that both stars are expected to have a dynamical magnetosphere, so the magnetic field is not able to support a circumstellar disk. We also conclude that both stars are most likely core hydrogen burning and that they have spent more than 2/3 of their main sequence lifetime. A histogram of the distribution of the dipolar magnetic field strength for the magnetic massive stars known to date does not show the magnetic field "desert" observed instead for intermediate-mass stars. The biases involved in the detection of (weak) magnetic fields in massive stars with the currently available instrumentation and techniques imply that weak fields might be more common than currently observed. Our results show that, if present, even relatively weak magnetic fields are detectable in massive stars and that more observational effort is probably still needed to properly access the magnetic field incidence.
KW  - stars: atmospheres
KW  - stars: evolution
KW  - stars: magnetic field
KW  - stars: individual: epsilon CMa
KW  - stars: individual: beta CMa
KW  - stars: massive
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201424986
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 574
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  - Oskinova, Lidia M.
A1  - Todt, Helge Tobias
A1  - Huenemoerder, David P.
A1  - Hubrig, Swetlana
A1  - Ignace, Richard
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
A1  - Balona, Luis
T1  - On X-ray pulsations in beta Cephei-type variables
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - Context. beta Cep-type variables are early B-type stars that are characterized by oscillations observable in their optical light curves. At least one beta Cep-variable also shows periodic variability in X-rays.
 Aims. Here we study the X-ray light curves in a sample of beta Cep-variables to investigate how common X-ray pulsations are for this type of stars.
 Methods. We searched the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray archives and selected stars that were observed by these telescopes for at least three optical pulsational periods. We retrieved and analyzed the X-ray data for kappa Sco, beta Cru, and alpha Vir. The X-ray light curves of these objects were studied to test for their variability and periodicity.
 Results. While there is a weak indication for X-ray variability in beta Cru, we find no statistically significant evidence of X-ray pulsations in any of our sample stars. This might be due either to the insufficient data quality or to the physical lack of modulations. New, more sensitive observations should settle this question.
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: variables: general
KW  - X-rays: stars
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201525908
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 577
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Martinez-Nunez, Silvia
A1  - Sander, Angelika
A1  - Gimenez-Garcia, Angel
A1  - Gonzalez-Galan, Ana
A1  - Torrejon, Jose Miguel
A1  - Gonzalez-Fernandez, Carlos
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
T1  - The donor star of the X-ray pulsar X1908+075
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - 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.
KW  - binaries: close
KW  - stars: individual: X1908+075
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: winds
KW  - outflows
KW  - X-rays: binaries
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201424823
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 578
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Todt, Helge Tobias
A1  - Sander, Angelika
A1  - Hainich, Rainer
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
A1  - Quade, Markus
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
T1  - Potsdam Wolf-Rayet model atmosphere grids for WN stars
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - We present new grids of Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmospheres for Wolf-Rayet stars of the nitrogen sequence (WN stars). The models have been calculated with the latest version of the PoWR stellar atmosphere code for spherical stellar winds. The WN model atmospheres include the non-LTE solutions of the statistical equations for complex model atoms, as well as the radiative transfer equation in the co-moving frame. Iron-line blanketing is treated with the help of the superlevel approach, while wind inhomogeneities are taken into account via optically thin clumps. Three of our model grids are appropriate for Galactic metallicity. The hydrogen mass fraction of these grids is 50%, 20%, and 0%, thus also covering the hydrogen-rich late-type WR stars that have been discovered in recent years. Three grids are adequate for LMC WN stars and have hydrogen fractions of 40%, 20%, and 0%. Recently, additional grids with SMC metallicity and with 60%, 40%, 20%, and 0% hydrogen have been added. We provide contour plots of the equivalent widths of spectral lines that are usually used for classification and diagnostics.
KW  - stars: evolution
KW  - stars: mass-loss
KW  - stars: winds, outflows
KW  - stars: Wolf-Rayet
KW  - stars: atmospheres
KW  - stars: massive
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201526253
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 579
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Castro, Norberto
A1  - Fossati, Luca
A1  - Hubrig, Swetlana
A1  - Simon Díaz, Sergio
A1  - Schoeller, Markus
A1  - Ilyin, Ilya
A1  - Carrol, Thorsten A.
A1  - Langer, Norbert
A1  - Morel, Thierry
A1  - Schneider, Fabian R. N.
A1  - Przybilla, Norbert
A1  - Herrero, Artemio
A1  - de Koter, Alex
A1  - Oskinova, Lidia M.
A1  - Reisenegger, Andreas
A1  - Sana, Hugues
T1  - B fields in OB stars (BOB) Detection of a strong magnetic field in the O9.7 V star HD 54879
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - The number of magnetic stars detected among massive stars is small; nevertheless, the role played by the magnetic field in stellar evolution cannot be disregarded. Links between line profile variability, enhancements/depletions of surface chemical abundances, and magnetic fields have been identified for low-mass B-stars, but for the O-type domain this is almost unexplored. Based on FORS 2 and HARPS spectropolarimetric data, we present the first detection of a magnetic field in HD54879, a single slowly rotating O9.7 V star. Using two independent and different techniques we obtained the firm detection of a surface average longitudinal magnetic field with a maximum amplitude of about 600 G, in modulus. A quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the star with the stellar atmosphere code FASTWIND results in an effective temperature and a surface gravity of 33 000 +/- 1000K and 4.0 +/- 0.1 dex. The abundances of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, and magnesium are found to be slightly lower than solar, but compatible within the errors. We investigate line-profile variability in HD54879 by complementing our spectra with spectroscopic data from other recent OB-star surveys. The photospheric lines remain constant in shape between 2009 and 2014, although H alpha shows a variable emission. The H alpha emission is too strong for a standard O9.7 V and is probably linked to the magnetic field and the presence of circumstellar material. Its normal chemical composition and the absence of photospheric line profile variations make HD54879 the most strongly magnetic, non-variable single O-star detected to date.
KW  - stars: atmospheres
KW  - stars: evolution
KW  - stars: magnetic field
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: individual: HD 54879
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201425354
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 581
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Huenemoerder, David P.
A1  - Gayley, K. G.
A1  - Hamann, Wolf-Rainer
A1  - Ignace, R.
A1  - Nichols, J. S.
A1  - Oskinova, Lidia M.
A1  - Pollock, A. M. T.
A1  - Schulz, Norbert S.
A1  - Shenar, Tomer
T1  - Probing Wolf-Rayet winds: Chandra/HETG X-ray spectra of WR 6
JF  - The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics
N2  - With a deep Chandra/HETGS exposure of WR 6, we have resolved emission lines whose profiles show that the X-rays originate from a uniformly expanding spherical wind of high X-ray-continuum optical depth. The presence of strong helium-like forbidden lines places the source of X-ray emission at tens to hundreds of stellar radii from the photosphere. Variability was present in X-rays and simultaneous optical photometry, but neither were correlated with the known period of the system or with each other. An enhanced abundance of sodium revealed nuclear-processed material, a quantity related to the evolutionary state of the star. The characterization of the extent and nature of the hot plasma in WR 6 will help to pave the way to a more fundamental theoretical understanding of the winds and evolution of massive stars.
KW  - stars: individual (WR 6)
KW  - stars: massive
KW  - stars: Wolf-Rayet
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/815/1/29
SN  - 0004-637X
SN  - 1538-4357
VL  - 815
IS  - 1
PB  - IOP Publ. Ltd.
CY  - Bristol
ER  -