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arXiv · 1805.06973

Winds of Massive Stars: High Resolution X-ray Spectra of Stars in NGC 3603

David P. Huenemoerder·Norbert S. Schulz·Joy S. Nichols
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Abstract

The cluster NGC 3603 hosts some of the most massive stars in the Galaxy. With a modest 50 ks exposure with the Chandra High Energy Grating Spectrometer, we have resolved emission lines in spectra of several of the brightest cluster members which are of WNh and O spectral types. This observation provides our first definitive high-resolution spectra of such stars in this nearby starburst region. The stars studied have broadened X-ray emission lines, some with blue-shifted centroids, and are characteristic of massive stellar winds with terminal velocities around 2000--3000 km/s. X-ray luminosities and plasma temperatures are very high for both the WNh and O stars studied. We conclude that their X-rays are likely the result of colliding winds.

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David P. Huenemoerder, Norbert S. Schulz, Joy S. Nichols. 2018-05-17. Winds of Massive Stars: High Resolution X-ray Spectra of Stars in NGC 3603. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881%2Faaf380

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