arXiv subjects

D. J. Lennon

Publications and source records attributed to D. J. Lennon.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

Properties of Galactic B supergiants

Physical and wind properties of Galactic B supergiants are presented based upon non-LTE line blanketed model atmospheres, including Sher 25 toward the NGC 3603 cluster. We compare Halpha derived wind densities with recent results for SMC B supergiants and generally confirm theoretical expectations for stronger winds amongst Galactic supergiants. Mid B supergiant winds are substantially weaker than predictions from current radiatively driven wind theory, a problem which is exacerbated if winds are already clumped in the Halpha line forming region. We find that the so-called `bistability jump' at B1 (Teff ~ 21kK) from Lamers et al. is rather a more gradual downward trend. CNO elemental abundances, including Sher 25, reveal partially processed material at their surfaces. In general, these are in good agreement with evolutionary predictions for blue supergiants evolving redward accounting for rotational mixing. A few cases, including HD 152236 (zeta^1 Sco), exhibit strongly processed material which is more typical of Luminous Blue Variables. Our derived photospheric [N/O] ratio for Sher~25 agrees with that for its ejecta nebula, although a higher degree of CNO processing would be expected if the nebula originated during a red supergiant phase, as is suspected for the ring nebula ejected by the B supergiant progenitor of SN 1987A, Sk-69 202. Sher 25 has an inferred age of ~5Myr in contrast with ~2Myr for HD 97950, the ionizing cluster of NGC 3603. Sher 25 may be a foreground object or close binary evolution could be responsible for its unusual location in the H-R diagram.

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arXiv2006

The VLT-FLAMES survey of massive stars: Mass loss and rotation of early-type stars in the SMC

We have studied the optical spectra of a sample of 31 O- and early B-type stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud, 21 of which are associated with the young massive cluster NGC 346. Stellar parameters are determined using an automated fitting method. Comparison with predictions of stellar evolution that account for stellar rotation does not result in a unique age, though most stars are best represented by an age of 1-3 Myr. The present day v_sini distribution of the 21 dwarf stars in our sample is consistent with an underlying rotational velocity (v_r) distribution that can be characterised by a mean velocity of about 160-190 km/s and an effective half width of 100-150 km/s. The v_r distribution must include a small percentage of slowly rotating stars. If predictions of the time evolution of the equatorial velocity for massive stars within the environment of the SMC are correct, the young age of the cluster implies that this underlying distribution is representative for the initial rotational velocity distribution. The location in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram of the stars showing helium enrichment is in qualitative agreement with evolutionary tracks accounting for rotation, but not for those ignoring v_r. The mass loss rates of the SMC objects having luminosities of log L/L_sun > 5.4 are in excellent agreement with predictions. However, for lower luminosity stars the winds are too weak to determine M_dot accurately from the optical spectrum. Two of three spectroscopically classified Vz stars from our sample are located close to the theoretical zero age main sequence, as expected.

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arXiv2006

The VLT-FLAMES Survey of Massive Stars: Stellar parameters and rotational velocities in NGC3293, NGC4755 and NGC6611

An analysis is presented of VLT-FLAMES spectroscopy for three Galactic clusters, NGC3293, NGC4755 and NGC6611. Non-LTE model atmosphere calculations have been used to estimate effective temperatures (from either the helium spectrum or the silicon ionization equilibrium) and gravities (from the hydrogen spectrum). Projected rotational velocities have been deduced from the helium spectrum (for fast and moderate rotators) or the metal line spectrum (for slow rotators). The observed Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams are compared with theoretical predictions and some discrepancies including differences in the main sequence luminosities are discussed. Cluster ages have been deduced and evidence for non-coeval star formation is found for all three of the clusters. Projected rotational velocities for targets in the older clusters, NGC3293 and NGC4755, have been found to be systematically larger than those for the field, confirming recent results in other similar age clusters. The distribution of projected rotational velocities are consistent with a Gaussian distribution of intrinsic rotational velocities. For the relatively unevolved targets in the older clusters, NGC3293 and NGC4755, the peak of the velocity distribution would be 250km/s with a full-width-half-maximum of approximately 180km/s. For NGC6611, the sample size is relatively small but implies a lower mean rotational velocity. This may be evidence for the spin-down effect due to angular momentum loss through stellar winds, although our results are consistent with those found for very young high mass stars. For all three clusters we deduce present day mass functions with Gamma-values in the range of -1.5 to -1.8, which are similar to other young stellar clusters in the Milky Way (Abridged).

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arXiv2006

B-type supergiants in the SMC: Rotational velocities and implications for evolutionary models

High-resolution spectra for 24 SMC and Galactic B-type supergiants have been analysed to estimate the contributions of both macroturbulence and rotation to the broadening of their metal lines. Two different methodologies are considered, viz. goodness-of-fit comparisons between observed and theoretical line profiles and identifying zeros in the Fourier transforms of the observed profiles. The advantages and limitations of the two methods are briefly discussed with the latter techniques being adopted for estimated projected rotational velocities (\vsini) but the former being used to estimate macroturbulent velocities. Only one SMC supergiant, SK 191, shows a significant degree of rotational broadening (\vsini $\simeq$ 90 \kms). For the remaining targets, the distribution of projected rotational velocities are similar in both our Galactic and SMC samples with larger values being found at earlier spectral types. There is marginal evidence for the projected rotational velocities in the SMC being higher than those in the Galactic targets but any differences are only of the order of 5-10 \kms, whilst evolutionary models predict differences in this effective temperature range of typically 20 to 70 \kms. The combined sample is consistent with a linear variation of projected rotational velocity with effective temperature, which would imply rotational velocities for supergiants of 70 \kms at an effective temperature of 28 000 K (approximately B0 spectral type) decreasing to 32 \kms at 12 000 K (B8 spectral type). For all targets, the macroturbulent broadening would appear to be consistent with a Gaussian distribution (although other distributions cannot be discounted) with an $\frac{1}{e}$ half-width varying from approximately 20 \kms at B8 to 60 \kms at B0 spectral types.

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arXiv2005

Massive Stars in the SMC

In this paper we review the observational data for OB stars in the SMC concentrating on those aspects of their spectra which provide information on processes which may strongly influence their evolution, namely mass-loss, rotational mixing and mass-transfer. We illustrate the very weak winds now thought to pertain to late O-dwarfs in the SMC, using HST/STIS observations of the main sequence in the very young cluster NGC346, briefly discussing the quantitative results for these stars, and the difficulties involved in their determination. We show how stars with similar luminosities can have different luminosity classes while stars with similar spectral types and luminosity classes can have significantly different luminosities. While the weak winds of the dwarfs present serious difficulties for the determination of wind terminal velocities we show that the supergiants have terminal velocities comparable to OB supergiants in the Milky Way, agreement with theory. We also summarize recent work demonstrating that the temperature dependence of wind terminal velocities does not follow the widely adopted step-like approximation. Finally we review surface compositons of OB stars in the SMC finding that 42 out of 45 OB stars with detailed surface abundances are enriched in nitrogen by a factor \~10 or more. While these enhancements are consistent with those produced by models with rotational mixing the rotational velocities of the sample are significantly lower than the values predicted by the modesls, indicating a possible problem with the evolution of angular momentum in the models or possibly in the efficiency of mixing.

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arXiv2005

VLT-FLAMES observations of young stellar clusters in the Magellanic Clouds

We introduce our VLT-FLAMES survey of massive stars in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds, giving details of the observations in our younger fields in the LMC and SMC. In particular we highlight a new O2.5-type star discovered in N11, and Be-type stars in NGC 346 with permitted Fe II emission lines in their spectra. We give an overview of the distribution of spectral types in these fields and summarize the observed binary fraction.

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arXiv2005

The VLT-FLAMES Survey of Massive Stars: Observations in the Galactic Clusters NGC 3293, NGC 4755 and NGC 6611

We introduce a new survey of massive stars in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds using the Fibre Large Array Multi-Element Spectrograph (FLAMES) instrument at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Here we present observations of 269 Galactic stars with the FLAMES-Giraffe Spectrograph (R ~ 25,000), in fields centered on the open clusters NGC 3293, NGC 4755 and NGC 6611. These data are supplemented by a further 50 targets observed with the Fibre-Fed Extended Range Optical Spectrograph (FEROS, R = 48,000). Following a description of our scientific motivations and target selection criteria, the data reduction methods are described; of critical importance the FLAMES reduction pipeline is found to yield spectra that are in excellent agreement with less automated methods. Spectral classifications and radial velocity measurements are presented for each star, with particular attention paid to morphological peculiarities and evidence of binarity. These observations represent a significant increase in the known spectral content of NGC 3293 and NGC 4755, and will serve as standards against which our subsequent FLAMES observations in the Magellanic Clouds will be compared.

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arXiv2005

A non-LTE analysis of the spectra of two narrow lined main sequence stars in the SMC

An analysis of high-resolution VLT/UVES spectra of two B-type main sequence stars, NGC 346-11 and AV 304, in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), has been undertaken, using the non-LTE TLUSTY model atmospheres to derive the stellar parameters and chemical compositions of each star. The chemical compositions of the two stars are in reasonable agreement. Moreover, our stellar analysis agrees well with earlier analyses of H II regions. The results derived here should be representative of the current base-line chemical composition of the SMC interstellar medium as derived from B-type stars.

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arXiv2005

Understanding B-type supergiants in the low metallicity environment of the SMC II

Despite a resurgence of effort over the last decade in the area of massive stars there is still ambiguity over their evolutionary path, contamination of their surface abundances and the behaviour of their stellar winds. Here 10 SMC B-type supergiants are analysed applying a unified model atmosphere code FASTWIND to intermediate resolution spectra from the ESO Multi Mode Instrument (EMMI) on the NTT telescope. Combined with the 8 targets analysed in paper 1, this work provides observational results on the properties of the winds and chemical compositions of B-type supergiants in the SMC. This paper emphasizes and substantiates the implications for stellar evolution from paper 1; that current theoretical models need to produce larger degrees of surface nitrogen enhancements at lower rotational velocities. In addition a significant discrepancy between theoretical and observed mass-loss rates is discussed which will have important implications for the rotational velocities obtained from stellar evolution calculations. Furthermore, an initial calibration of the wind-momentum luminosity relationship for B-type supergiants in a low metallicity environment (Z = 0.004) is presented.

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arXiv2004

B-type Supergiants in the SMC: Chemical compositions and comparison of static and unified models

High-resolution UCLES/AAT spectra are presented for nine B-type supergiants in the SMC, chosen on the basis that they may show varying amounts of nuclear-synthetically processed material mixed to their surface. These spectra have been analysed using a new grid of approximately 12 000 non-LTE line blanketed {\sc tlusty} model atmospheres to estimate atmospheric parameters and chemical composition. The abundance estimates for O, Mg and Si are in excellent agreement with those deduced from other studies, whilst the low estimate for C may reflect the use of the \ion{C}{ii} doublet at 4267Å. The N estimates are approximately an order of magnitude greater than those found in unevolved B-type stars or \ion{H}{ii} regions but are consistent with the other estimates in AB-type supergiants. These results have been combined with results from a unified model atmosphere analysis of UVES/VLT spectra of B-type supergiants (Trundle et al. \cite{Tru04}) to discuss the evolutionary status of these objects. For two stars that are in common with those discussed by Trundle et al., we have undertaken a careful comparison in order to try to understand the relative importance of the different uncertainties present in such analyses, including observational errors and the use of static or unified models. We find that even for these relatively luminous supergiants, {\sc tlusty} models yield atmospheric parameters and chemical compositions similar to those deduced from the unified code {\sc fastwind}.

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arXiv2004

The ultraviolet and optical spectra of luminous B-type stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present ultraviolet spectra from the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) of 12 early B-type stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), comprising 9 supergiants and 3 giants. A morphological comparison with Galactic analogues is made using archival data from the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). In general, the intensity of the P Cygni emission in the UV resonance lines is greater, and seen to later spectral types, in the Galactic spectra than in their metal-deficient SMC counterparts; we attribute these effects as most likely arising from weaker stellar winds in the SMC targets, as predicted by radiatively driven wind theory. We also include unpublished STIS observations of two late O-type stars in the SMC. In combination with the B-type observations, and published O-type data, we now have an extensive ultraviolet spectral library of metal-deficient stars, of use in the study of unresolved starbursts and high redshift, star-forming galaxies. In this context, we present empirical measurements for the B-type spectra of the new `1978 index' suggested by Rix et al. as a probe of metallicity in such systems.

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arXiv2004

A Be star with a low nitrogen abundance in the SMC cluster NGC330

High-resolution UVES/VLT spectra of B12, an extreme pole-on Be star in the SMC cluster NGC330, have been analysed using non-LTE model atmospheres to obtain its chemical composition relative to the SMC standard star AV304. We find a general underabundance of metals which can be understood in terms of an extra contribution to the stellar continuum due to emission from a disk which we estimate to be at the ~25% level. When this is corrected for, the nitrogen abundance for B12 shows no evidence of enhancement by rotational mixing as has been found in other non-Be B-type stars in NGC330, and is inconsistent with evolutionary models which include the effects of rotational mixing. A second Be star, NGC330-B17, is also shown to have no detectable nitrogen lines. Possible explanations for the lack of rotational mixing in these rapidly rotating stars are discussed, one promising solution being the possibility that magnetic fields might inhibit rotational mixing.

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arXiv2004

Terminal velocities of luminous, early-type SMC stars

Ultraviolet spectra from the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) are used to determine terminal velocities for 11 O and B-type giants and supergiants in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) from the Si IV and C IV resonance lines. Using archival data from observations with the Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph and the International Ultraviolet Explorer telescope, terminal velocities are obtained for a further five B-type supergiants. We discuss the metallicity dependence of stellar terminal velocities, finding no evidence for a significant scaling between Galactic and SMC metallicities for Teff < 30,000 K, consistent with the predictions of radiation driven wind theory for supergiant stars. A comparison of the $v_\infty / v_{esc}$ ratio between the SMC and Galactic samples, while consistent with the above statement, emphasizes that the uncertainties in the distances to galactic O-stars are a serious obstacle to a detailed comparison with theory. For the SMC sample there is considerable scatter in this ratio at a given effective temperature, perhaps indicative of uncertainties in stellar masses.

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arXiv2003

Understanding B-type Supergiants in the Low Metallicity Environment of the SMC

Spectroscopic analyses of 7 SMC B-type supergiants and 1 giant have been undertaken using high resolution optical data obtained on the VLT with UVES. FASTWIND, a non-LTE, spherical,line-blanketed model atmosphere code was used to derive atmospheric and wind parameters of these stars as well as their absolute abundances. The implications of these results for stellar evolution and line driven wind theory are discussed.

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arXiv2003

Quantitative Spectroscopy of O Stars at Low Metallicity. O Dwarfs in NGC 346

We present the results of a detailed UV and optical spectral analysis of the properties of 6 dwarf O-type stars in the SMC H II region NGC 346. Stellar parameters, chemical abundances, and wind parameters have been determined using NLTE line blanketed models calculated with the photospheric code, Tlusty, and with the wind code, CMFGEN. The results, in particular iron abundances, obtained with the two NLTE codes compare very favorably, demonstrating that basic photospheric parameters of O dwarfs can be reliably determined using NLTE static model atmospheres. The two NLTE codes require a microturbulent velocity to match the observed spectra. Our results hint at a decrease of the microturbulent velocity from early O stars to late O stars. Similarly to several recent studies of galactic, LMC and SMC stars, we derive effective temperatures lower than predicted from the widely-used relation between spectral type and Teff, resulting in lower stellar luminosities and lower ionizing fluxes. From evolutionary tracks in the HR diagram, we find an age of 3 10^6 years for NGC 346. A majority of the stars in our sample reveal CNO-cycle processed material at their surface during the MS stage, indicating thus fast stellar rotation and/or very efficient mixing processes. We obtain an overall metallicity, Z = 0.2 Zsun, in good agreement with other recent analyses of SMC stars. The derived mass loss rate of the three most luminous stars agrees with recent theoretical predictions. However, the three other stars of our sample reveal very weak wind signatures. We obtain mass loss rates that are significantly lower than 10^{-8} Msun/yr, which is below the predictions of radiative line-driven wind theory by an order of magnitude or more. (abridged version)

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arXiv2003

The Chemical Composition of Two Supergiants in the Dwarf Irregular Galaxy WLM

[Abridged] The chemical composition of two stars in WLM has been determined from high quality UVES data obtained at the VLT UT2 (program 65.N-0375). The model atmospheres analysis shows that they have the same metallicity, [Fe/H] = -0.38 +/-0.20, and [Mg/Fe] = -0.24 +/-0.16. This result suggests that the [alpha(Mg)/Fe] ratio in WLM may be suppressed relative to solar abundances (also supported by differential abundances relative to similar stars in NGC6822 and the SMC). The absolute Mg abundance, [Mg/H] = -0.62 is high relative to what is expected from the nebulae though, where two independent spectroscopic analyses of the HII regions in WLM yield [O/H] = -0.89. Intriguingly, the oxygen abundance determined from the OI 6158 feature in one WLM star is [O/H] = -0.21 +/-0.10, corresponding to five times higher than the nebular oxygen abundance. This is the first time that a significant difference between young stellar and nebular oxygen abundances has been found, and presently, there is no simple explanation for this difference. If the stellar abundances reflect the true composition of WLM, then this galaxy lies well above the metallicity-luminosity relationship for dwarf irregular galaxies. It also suggests that WLM is more chemically evolved than currently interpreted from its color-magnitude diagram.

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arXiv2003

The Local Group Census: planetary nebulae in IC 10, Leo A and Sextans A

In the framework of our narrow-band survey of the Local Group galaxies, we present the results of the search for planetary nebulae (PNe) in the dwarf irregular galaxies IC10, LeoA and SextansA. Using the standard on-band/off-band technique, sixteen new candidate PNe have been discovered in the closest starburst galaxy, IC10. The optical size of this galaxy is estimated to be much larger than previously thought, considering the location of the new PNe in an area of 3.6 kpc X 2.7 kpc. We also confirm the results of previous studies for the other two dwarf irregular galaxies, with the detection of one candidate PN in LeoA and another one in SextansA. We review the number of planetary nebulae discovered in the Local Group to date and their behaviour with metallicity. We suggest a possible fall in the observed number of PNe when [Fe/H]$<<$-1.0, which might indicate that below this point the formation rate of PNe is much lower than for stellar populations of near Solar abundances. We also find non-negligible metallicity effects on the [OIII] luminosity of the brightest PN of a galaxy.

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arXiv2002

Chemical composition of B-type supergiants in the OB8, OB10, OB48, OB78 associations of M31

Absolute and differential chemical abundances are presented for the largest group of massive stars in M31 studied to date. These results were derived from intermediate resolution spectra of seven B-type supergiants, lying within four OB associations covering a galactocentric distance of 5 - 12 kpc. The results are mainly based on an LTE analysis, and we additionally present a full non-LTE, unified model atmosphere analysis of one star (OB78-277) to demonstrate the reliability of the differential LTE technique. A comparison of the stellar oxygen abundance with that of previous nebular results shows that there is an offset of between ~0.15 - 0.4 dex between the two methods which is critically dependent on the empirical calibration adopted for the R23 parameter with [O/H]. However within the typical errors of the stellar and nebular analyses (and given the strength of dependence of the nebular results on the calibration used) the oxygen abundances determined in each method are fairly consistent. We determine the radial oxygen abundance gradient from these stars, and do not detect any systematic gradient across this galactocentric range. We find that the inner regions of M31 are not, as previously thought, very 'metal rich'. Our abundances of C, N, O, Mg, Si, Al, S and Fe in the M31 supergiants are very similar to those of massive stars in the solar neighbourhood.

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