arXiv subjects

H. Sana

Publications and source records attributed to H. Sana.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

The massive star binary fraction in young open clusters - III. IC 2944 and the Cen OB2 association

Using an extended set of multi-epoch high-resolution high signal-to-noise ratio optical spectra, we readdress the multiplicity properties of the O-type stars in IC 2944 and in the Cen OB2 association. We present new evidence of binarity for five objects and we confirm the multiple nature of another two. We derive the first orbital solutions for HD 100099, HD 101436 and HD 101190 and we provide additional support for HD 101205 being a quadruple system. The minimal spectroscopic binary fraction in our sample is f_min = 0.57. Using numerical simulations, we show that the detection rate of our observational campaign is close to 90 per cent, leaving thus little room for undetected spectroscopic binary systems. The statistical properties of the O-star population in IC 2944 are similar, within the uncertainties, to the results obtained in the earlier papers in this series despite the fact that sample size effects limit the significance of the comparison. Using newly derived spectroscopic parallaxes, we reassess the distance to IC 2944 and obtained 2.3+/-0.3 kpc, in agreement with previous studies. We also confirm that, as far as the O stars are concerned, the IC 2944 cluster is most likely a single entity.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey III: A very massive star in apparent isolation from the massive cluster R136

VFTS 682 is located in an active star-forming region, at a projected distance of 29 pc from the young massive cluster R136 in the Tarantula Nebula of the Large Magellanic Cloud. It was previously reported as a candidate young stellar object, and more recently spectroscopically revealed as a hydrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet (WN5h) star. Our aim is to obtain the stellar properties, such as its intrinsic luminosity, and to investigate the origin of VFTS 682. To this purpose, we model optical spectra from the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey with the non-LTE stellar atmosphere code CMFGEN, as well as the spectral energy distribution from complementary optical and infrared photometry. We find the extinction properties to be highly peculiar (RV ~4.7), and obtain a surprisingly high luminosity log(L/Lsun) = 6.5 \pm 0.2, corresponding to a present-day mass of ~150Msun. The high effective temperature of 52.2 \pm 2.5kK might be explained by chemically homogeneous evolution - suggested to be the key process in the path towards long gamma-ray bursts. Lightcurves of the object show variability at the 10% level on a timescale of years. Such changes are unprecedented for classical Wolf-Rayet stars, and are more reminiscent of Luminous Blue Variables. Finally, we discuss two possibilities for the origin of VFTS 682: (i) the star either formed in situ, which would have profound implications for the formation mechanism of massive stars, or (ii) VFTS 682 is a slow runaway star that originated from the dense cluster R136, which would make it the most massive runaway known to date.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey I: Introduction and observational overview

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS) is an ESO Large Programme that has obtained multi-epoch optical spectroscopy of over 800 massive stars in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Here we introduce our scientific motivations and give an overview of the survey targets, including optical and near-infrared photometry and comprehensive details of the data reduction. One of the principal objectives was to detect massive binary systems via variations in their radial velocities, thus shaping the multi-epoch observing strategy. Spectral classifications are given for the massive emission-line stars observed by the survey, including the discovery of a new Wolf-Rayet star (VFTS 682, classified as WN5h), 2' to the northeast of R136. To illustrate the diversity of objects encompassed by the survey, we investigate the spectral properties of sixteen targets identified by Gruendl & Chu from Spitzer photometry as candidate young stellar objects or stars with notable mid-infrared excesses. Detailed spectral classification and quantitative analysis of the O- and B-type stars in the VFTS sample, paying particular attention to the effects of rotational mixing and binarity, will be presented in a series of future articles to address fundamental questions in both stellar and cluster evolution.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey II: R139 revealed as a massive binary system

We report the discovery that R139 in 30 Doradus is a massive spectroscopic binary system. Multi-epoch optical spectroscopy of R139 was obtained as part of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey, revealing a double-lined system. The two components are of similar spectral types; the primary exhibits strong C III 4650 emission and is classified as an O6.5 Iafc supergiant, while the secondary is an O6 Iaf supergiant. The radial-velocity variations indicate a highly eccentric orbit with a period of 153.9 days. Photometry obtained with the Faulkes Telescope South shows no evidence for significant variability within an 18 month period. The orbital solution yields lower mass limits for the components of M1sin^3 i = 78 \pm 8 Msun and M2sin^3 i = 66 \pm 7 Msun. As R139 appears to be the most massive binary system known to contain two evolved Of supergiants, it will provide an excellent test for atmospheric and evolutionary models.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The FLAMES Tarantula Survey

The Tarantula survey is an ESO Large Programme which has obtained multi-epochs spectroscopy of over 800 massive stars in the 30 Dor region in the Large Magelanic Cloud. Here we briefly describe the main drivers of the survey and the observational material derived.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Optical atmospheric extinction over Cerro Paranal

Aims: The present study was conducted to determine the optical extinction curve for Cerro Paranal under typical clear-sky observing conditions, with an accuracy of 0.01 mag/airmass. Methods: The extinction curve of Paranal was obtained through low-resolution spectroscopy of 8 spectrophotometric standard stars observed with FORS1 mounted at the 8.2 m Very Large Telescope, covering a spectral range 3300-8000 A. A total of 600 spectra were collected on more than 40 nights distributed over six months, from October 2008 to March 2009. The average extinction curve was derived using a global fit algorithm, which allowed us to simultaneously combine all the available data. The main atmospheric parameters were retrieved using the LBLRTM radiative transfer code, which was also utilised to study the impact of variability of the main molecular bands of O2, O3, and H2O, and to estimate their column densities. Results: In general, the extinction curve of Paranal appears to conform to those derived for other astronomical sites in the Atacama desert, like La Silla and Cerro Tololo. However, a systematic deficit with respect to the extinction curve derived for Cerro Tololo before the El Chichon eruption is detected below 4000 A. We attribute this downturn to a non standard aerosol composition, probably revealing the presence of volcanic pollutants above the Atacama desert. An analysis of all spectroscopic extinction curves obtained since 1974 shows that the aerosol composition has been evolving during the last 35 years. The persistence of traces of non meteorologic haze suggests the effect of volcanic eruptions, like those of El Chichon and Pinatubo, lasts several decades. The usage of the standard CTIO and La Silla extinction curves implemented in IRAF and MIDAS produce systematic over/under-estimates of the absolute flux.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2010

The multiplicity of massive stars

Binaries are excellent astrophysical laboratories that provide us with direct measurements of fundamental stellar parameters. Compared to single isolated star, multiplicity induces new processes, offering the opportunity to confront our understanding of a broad range of physics under the extreme conditions found in, and close to, astrophysical objects. In this contribution, we will discuss the parameter space occupied by massive binaries, and the observational means to investigate it. We will review the multiplicity fraction of OB stars within each regime, and in different astrophysical environments. In particular we will compare the O star spectroscopic binary fraction in nearby open clusters and we will show that the current data are adequately described by an homogeneous fraction of f~0.44. We will also summarize our current understanding of the observed parameter distributions of O+OB spectroscopic binaries. We will show that the period distribution is overabundant in short period binaries and that it can be described by a bi-modal Oepik law with a break point around P~10d. The distribution of the mass-ratios shows no indication for a twin population of equal mass binaries and seems rather uniform in the range 0.2< q=M_2/M_1<1.0.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

A massive runaway star from 30 Doradus

We present the first ultraviolet (UV) and multi-epoch optical spectroscopy of 30 Dor 016, a massive O2-type star on the periphery of 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The UV data were obtained with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope as part of the Servicing Mission Observatory Verification program after Servicing Mission 4, and reveal #016 to have one of the fastest stellar winds known. From analysis of the CIV 1548-51 doublet we find a terminal velocity, v_infty=3450 +/- 50km/s. Optical spectroscopy is from the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey, from which we rule out a massive companion (with 2d<P<1yr) to a confidence of 98%. The radial velocity of #016 is offset from the systemic value by -85km/s, suggesting that the star has traveled the 120pc from the core of 30 Doradus as a runaway, ejected via dynamical interactions.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

A MAD view of Trumpler 14

We present adaptive optics (AO) near-infrared observations of the core of the Tr 14 cluster in the Carina region obtained with the ESO multi-conjugate AO demonstrator, MAD. Our campaign yields AO-corrected observations with an image quality of about 0.2 arcsec across the 2 arcmin field of view, which is the widest AO mosaic ever obtained. We detected almost 2000 sources spanning a dynamic range of 10 mag. The pre-main sequence (PMS) locus in the colour-magnitude diagram is well reproduced by Palla & Stahler isochrones with an age of 3 to 5 1E+05 yr, confirming the very young age of the cluster. We derive a very high (deprojected) central density n0~4.5(+/-0.5) \times 10^4 pc^-3 and estimate the total mass of the cluster to be about ~4.3^{+3.3}_{-1.5} \times 10^3 Msun, although contamination of the field of view might have a significant impact on the derived mass. We show that the pairing process is largely dominated by chance alignment so that physical pairs are difficult to disentangle from spurious ones based on our single epoch observation. Yet, we identify 150 likely bound pairs, 30% of these with a separation smaller than 0.5 arcsec (~1300AU). We further show that at the 2-sigma level massive stars have more companions than lower-mass stars and that those companions are respectively brighter on average, thus more massive. Finally, we find some hints of mass segregation for stars heavier than about 10 Msun. If confirmed, the observed degree of mass segregation could be explained by dynamical evolution, despite the young age of the cluster.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

Chemical evolution of the Galactic bulge as traced by microlensed dwarf and subgiant stars. II. Ages, metallicities, detailed elemental abundances, and connections to the Galactic thick disc

The Bulge is the least understood major stellar population of the Milky Way. Most of what we know about the formation and evolution of the Bulge comes from bright giant stars. The underlying assumption that giants represent all the stars, and accurately trace the chemical evolution of a stellar population, is under debate. In particular, recent observations of a few microlensed dwarf stars give a very different picture of the evolution of the Bulge from that given by the giant stars. [ABRIDGED] We perform a detailed elemental abundance analysis of dwarf stars in the Galactic bulge, based on high-resolution spectra that were obtained while the stars were optically magnified during gravitational microlensing events. [ABRIDGED] We present detailed elemental abundances and stellar ages for six new dwarf stars in the Galactic bulge. Combining these with previous events, here re-analysed with the same methods, we study a homogeneous sample of 15 stars, which constitute the largest sample to date of microlensed dwarf stars in the Galactic bulge. We find that the stars span the full range of metallicities from [Fe/H]=-0.72 to +0.54, and an average metallicity of <[Fe/H]>=-0.08+/-0.47, close to the average metallicity based on giant stars in the Bulge. Furthermore, the stars follow well-defined abundance trends, that for [Fe/H]<0 are very similar to those of the local Galactic thick disc. This suggests that the Bulge and the thick disc have had, at least partially, comparable chemical histories. At sub-solar metallicities we find the Bulge dwarf stars to have consistently old ages, while at super-solar metallicities we find a wide range of ages. Using the new age and abundance results from the microlensed dwarf stars we investigate possible formation scenarios for the Bulge.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

A new investigation of the binary HD 48099

With an orbital period of about 3.078 days, the double-lined spectroscopic binary HD 48099 is, still now, the only short-period O+O system known in the Mon OB2 association. Even though an orbital solution has already been derived for this system, few information are available about the individual stars. We present, in this paper, the results of a long-term spectroscopic campaign. We derive a new orbital solution and apply a disentangling method to recover the mean spectrum of each star. To improve our knowledge concerning both components, we determine their spectral classifications and their projected rotational velocities. We also constrain the main stellar parameters of both stars by using the CMFGEN atmosphere code and provide the wind properties for the primary star through the study of IUE spectra. This investigation reveals that HD 48099 is an O5.5 V((f))+O9 V binary with M_1 sin^3 i = 0.70 M_{\sun} and M_2 sin^3 i = 0.39 M_{\sun}, implying a rather low orbital inclination. This result, combined with both a large effective temperature and log g, suggests that the primary star (v sini ~ 91 km s^-1) is actually a fast rotator with a strongly clumped wind and a nitrogen abundance of about 8 times the solar value.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

The massive star binary fraction in young open clusters - II. NGC 6611 (Eagle Nebula)

Based on a set of over 100 medium- to high-resolution optical spectra collected from 2003 to 2009, we investigate the properties of the O-type star population in NGC6611 in the core of the Eagle Nebula (M16). Using a much more extended data set than previously available, we revise the spectral classification and multiplicity status of the nine O-type stars in our sample. We confirm two suspected binaries and derive the first SB2 orbital solutions for two systems. We further report that two other objects are displaying a composite spectrum, suggesting possible long-period binaries. Our analysis is supported by a set of Monte-Carlo simulations, allowing us to estimate the detection biases of our campaign and showing that the latter do not affect our conclusions. The absolute minimal binary fraction in our sample is f_min=0.44 but could be as high as 0.67 if all the binary candidates are confirmed. As in NGC6231 (see Paper I), up to 75% of the O star population in NGC6611 are found in an O+OB system, thus implicitly excluding random pairing from a classical IMF as a process to describe the companion association in massive binaries. No statistical difference could be further identified in the binary fraction, mass-ratio and period distributions between NGC6231 and NGC6611, despite the difference in age and environment of the two clusters.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

On the velocity dispersion of young star clusters: super-virial or binaries?

Many young extra-galactic clusters have a measured velocity dispersion that is too high for the mass derived from their age and total luminosity, which has led to the suggestion that they are not in virial equilibrium. Most of these clusters are confined to a narrow age range centred around 10 Myr because of observational constraints. At this age the cluster light is dominated by luminous evolved stars, such as red supergiants, with initial masses of ~13-22 Msun for which (primordial) binarity is high. In this study we investigate to what extent the observed excess velocity dispersion is the result of the orbital motions of binaries. We demonstrate that estimates for the dynamical mass of young star clusters, derived from the observed velocity dispersion, exceed the photometric mass by up-to a factor of 10 and are consistent with a constant offset in the square of the velocity dispersion. This can be reproduced by models of virialised star clusters hosting a massive star population of which ~25 is in binaries, with typical mass ratios of ~0.6 and periods of ~1000 days. We conclude that binaries play a pivotal role in deriving the dynamical masses of young (~10 Myr) moderately massive and compact (<1e5 Msun; > 1 pc) star clusters.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey

The Tarantula Survey is an ambitious ESO Large Programme that has obtained multi-epoch spectroscopy of over 1,000 massive stars in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud. Here we introduce the scientific motivations of the survey and give an overview of the observational sample. Ultimately, quantitative analysis of every star, paying particular attention to the effects of rotational mixing and binarity, will be used to address fundamental questions in both stellar and cluster evolution.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Elemental abundances in the Galactic bulge from microlensed dwarf stars

We present elemental abundances of 13 microlensed dwarf and subgiant stars in the Galactic bulge, which constitute the largest sample to date. We show that these stars span the full range of metallicity from Fe/H=-0.8 to +0.4, and that they follow well-defined abundance trends, coincident with those of the Galactic thick disc.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

The place of interferometry in massive star multiplicity sudies

While it is well known that most massive stars are found to be part of binary or multiple systems, an accurate characterization of the statistical properties of these multiple objects is still lacking. In the present talk, we will review the current status of the field, emphasizing the need of using complementarity techniques to cover the large parameter space. We will also describe what we think is the place of interferometry in this context.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Optical spectroscopy of X-Mega targets in the Carina nebula - VII On the multiplicity of Tr 16-112, HD 93343 and HD 93250

We present the results of a spectroscopic monitoring campaign devoted to three O-type stars in the Carina nebula. We derive the full SB2 orbital solution of the binary system Tr 16-112, an exceptional dissymmetrical system consisting of an O5.5-6V((f$^+$?p)) primary and a B2V-III secondary. We also report on low-amplitude brightness variations in Tr 16-112 that are likely due to the ellipsoidal shape of the O5.5-6 primary revolving in an eccentric orbit around the system's centre of mass. We detect for the first time a clear SB2 binary signature in the spectrum of HD 93343 (O8 + O8), although our data are not sufficient to establish an orbital solution. This system also displays low amplitude photometric modulations. On the other hand, no indication of multiplicity is found in the optical spectra of HD 93250. Finally, we discuss the general properties of multiple massive stars in the Carina OB1 association.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

The nature of the line profile variability in the spectrum of the massive binary HD 152219

HD 152219 is a massive binary system with O9.5 III + B1-2 V/III components and a short orbital period of 4.2 d. Its primary component further displays clear line profile variability (LPV). The primary component being located within the pulsational instability domain predicted for high-luminosity stars, we previously suggested that the observed LPV could be associated with non-radial pulsations. The aim of the present work is to determine the nature of the observed LPV in the spectrum of the primary component of HD 152219.During a 4-night FEROS monitoring campaign, we collected a new set of 134 high signal-to-noise spectra. These new observations were then used to re-investigate the variability of different line profiles in the spectrum of HD 152219. Based on the present analysis, we discard the non-radial pulsations and point out the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect as the cause of the LPV in HD 152219. The upper limit on the amplitude of possible weak pulsations is set at a few parts per thousand of the continuum level.

astro-ph.SR↗