arXiv subjects

J. Maíz Apellániz

Publications and source records attributed to J. Maíz Apellániz.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

NGC 1624-2: A slowly rotating, X-ray luminous Of?cp star with an extraordinarily strong magnetic field

This paper presents a first observational investigation of the faint Of?cp star NGC 1624-2, yielding important new constraints on its spectral and physical characteristics, rotation, magnetic field strength, X-ray emission and magnetospheric properties. Modeling the spectrum and spectral energy distribution, we conclude that NGC 1624-2 is a main sequence star of mass M {\simeq} 30 M{\odot}, and infer an effective temperature of 35 {\pm} 2 kK and log g = 4.0 {\pm} 0.2. Based on an extensive time series of optical spectral observations we report significant variability of a large number of spectral lines, and infer a unique period of 157.99 {\pm} 0.94 d which we interpret as the rotational period of the star. We report the detection of a very strong - 5.35 {\pm} 0.5 kG - longitudinal magnetic field , coupled with probable Zeeman splitting of Stokes I profiles of metal lines confirming a surface field modulus of 14 {\pm} 1 kG, consistent with a surface dipole of polar strength >~ 20 kG. This is the largest magnetic field ever detected in an O-type star, and the first report of Zeeman splitting of Stokes I profiles in such an object. We also report the detection of reversed Stokes V profiles associated with weak, high-excitation emission lines of O iii, which we propose may form in the close magnetosphere of the star. We analyze archival Chandra ACIS-I X-ray data, inferring a very hard spectrum with an X-ray efficiency log Lx/Lbol = -6.4, a factor of 4 larger than the canonical value for O-type stars and comparable to that of the young magnetic O-type star θ1 Ori C and other Of?p stars. Finally, we examine the probable magnetospheric properties of the star, reporting in particular very strong magnetic confinement of the stellar wind, with η* {\simeq} 1.5 {\times} 10^4, and a very large Alfven radius, RAlf = 11.4 R*.

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arXiv2012

A multipurpose 3-D grid of stellar models

The last two decades have produced a proliferation of stellar atmosphere grids, evolutionary tracks, and isochrones which are available to the astronomical community from different internet services. However, it is not straightforward (at least for an inexperienced user) to manipulate those models to answer questions of the type: What is the spectral energy distribution of a 9000 K giant? What about its J-band magnitude for different metallicities? What can I tell about the mass of a star if I know that its unreddened B-V color is -0.05 and its luminosity in solar units is 10^5? The answers to those questions are indeed in the models but a series of transformations and combinations involving different variables and models are required to obtain them. To make the available knowledge more user friendly, I have combined a number of state-of-the-art sources to create a 3-D (effective temperature, luminosity, and metallicity) grid of stellar models for which I provide calibrated SEDs and magnitudes as well as auxiliary variables such as mass and age. Furthermore, I have generated a grid of extinguished magnitudes using the recent Maíz Apellániz et al. (2012) extinction laws and incorporated them into the Bayesian code CHORIZOS (Maíz Apellániz 2004).

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arXiv2012

Do we need a new family of optical-NIR extinction laws?

I consider whether we can significantly improve the Cardelli et al. (1989) family of extinction laws using new data and techniques. There are six different aspects that need to be treated: The use of monochromatic quantities, the three different wavelength regimes (NIR, optical and UV), the sample, and the photometric calibration. Excluding the behavior in the NIR and UV, I discuss the other four aspects and propose a new family of extinction laws derived from VLT/FLAMES and HST/WFC3 data.

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arXiv2012

Using radiative transfer models to study the atmospheric water vapor content and to eliminate telluric lines from high-resolution optical spectra

The Radiative Transfer Model (RTM) and the retrieval algorithm, incorporated in the SCIATRAN 2.2 software package developed at the Institute of Remote Sensing/Institute of Enviromental Physics of Bremen University (Germany), allows to simulate, among other things, radiance/irradiance spectra in the 2400-24 000 Å range. In this work we present applications of RTM to two case studies. In the first case the RTM was used to simulate direct solar irradiance spectra, with different water vapor amounts, for the study of the water vapor content in the atmosphere above Sierra Nevada Observatory. Simulated spectra were compared with those measured with a spectrometer operating in the 8000-10 000 Å range. In the second case the RTM was used to generate telluric model spectra to subtract the atmospheric contribution and correct high-resolution stellar spectra from atmospheric water vapor and oxygen lines. The results of both studies are discussed.

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arXiv2012

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey. VII. A low velocity dispersion for the young massive cluster R136

Detailed studies of resolved young massive star clusters are necessary to determine their dynamical state and evaluate the importance of gas expulsion and early cluster evolution. In an effort to gain insight into the dynamical state of the young massive cluster R136 and obtain the first measurement of its velocity dispersion, we analyse multi-epoch spectroscopic data of the inner regions of 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) obtained as part of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey. Following a quantitative assessment of the variability, we use the radial velocities of non-variable sources to place an upper limit of 6 km/s on the line-of-sight velocity dispersion of stars within a projected distance of 5 pc from the centre of the cluster. After accounting for the contributions of undetected binaries and measurement errors through Monte Carlo simulations, we conclude that the true velocity dispersion is likely between 4 and 5 km/s given a range of standard assumptions about the binary distribution. This result is consistent with what is expected if the cluster is in virial equilibrium, suggesting that gas expulsion has not altered its dynamics. We find that the velocity dispersion would be ~25 km/s if binaries were not identified and rejected, confirming the importance of the multi-epoch strategy and the risk of interpreting velocity dispersion measurements of unresolved extragalactic young massive clusters.

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arXiv2012

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey VI: Evidence for rotation of the young massive cluster R136

Although it has important ramifications for both the formation of star clusters and their subsequent dynamical evolution, rotation remains a largely unexplored characteristic of young star clusters (few Myr). Using multi-epoch spectroscopic data of the inner regions of 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) obtained as part of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey, we search for rotation of the young massive cluster R136. From the radial velocities of 36 apparently single O-type stars within a projected radius of 10 pc from the centre of the cluster, we find evidence, at the 95% confidence level, for rotation of the cluster as a whole. We use a maximum likelihood method to fit simple rotation curves to our data and find a typical rotational velocity of ~3 km/s. When compared to the low velocity dispersion of R136, our result suggests that star clusters may form with at least ~20% of the kinetic energy in rotation.

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arXiv2012

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey IV: Candidates for isolated high-mass star formation in 30 Doradus

Whether massive stars can occasionally form in relative isolation or if they require a large cluster of lower-mass stars around them is a key test in the differentiation of star formation theories as well as how the initial mass function of stars is sampled. Previous attempts to find O-type stars that formed in isolation were hindered by the possibility that such stars are merely runaways from clusters, i.e., their current isolation does not reflect their birth conditions. We introduce a new method to find O-type stars that are not affected by such a degeneracy. Using the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey and additional high resolution imaging we have identified stars that satisfy the following constraints: 1) they are O-type stars that are not detected to be part of a binary system based on RV time series analysis; 2) they are designated spectral type O7 or earlier ; 3) their velocities are within 1σof the mean of OB-type stars in the 30 Doradus region, i.e. they are not runaways along our line-of-sight; 4) the projected surface density of stars does not increase within 3 pc towards the O-star (no evidence for clusters); 5) their sight lines are associated with gaseous and/or dusty filaments in the ISM, and 6) if a second candidate is found in the direction of the same filament with which the target is associated, both are required to have similar velocities. With these criteria, we have identified 15 stars in the 30 Doradus region, which are strong candidates for being high-mass stars that have formed in isolation. Additionally, we employed extensive MC stellar cluster simulations to confirm that our results rule out the presence of clusters around the candidates. Eleven of these are classified as Vz stars, possibly associated with the zero-age main sequence. We include a newly discovered W-R star as a candidate, although it does not meet all of the above criteria.

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arXiv2012

UV Extinction Towards a Quiescent Molecular Cloud in the SMC

Context: The mean UV extinction law for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is usually taken as a template for low-metallicity galaxies. However, its current derivation is based on only five stars, thus placing doubts on its universality. An increase in the number of targets with measured extinction laws in the SMC is necessary to determine its possible dependence on parameters such as metallicity and star-forming activity. Aims: To measure the UV extinction law for several stars in the quiescent molecular cloud SMC B1-1. Methods: We obtained HST/STIS slitless UV spectroscopy of a 25"x25" field of view and we combined it with ground-based NIR and visible photometry of the stars in the field. The results were processed using the Bayesian photometric package CHORIZOS to derive the visible-NIR extinction values for each star. The unextinguished Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) obtained in this way were then used to derive the UV extinction law for the four most extinguished stars. We also recalculated the visible-NIR extinction for the five SMC stars with preexisting UV extinction laws. Results: The UV extinction law for four SMC B1-1 stars within several pc of each other differs significantly from star to star. The 2175 Å bump is moderately strong in one, weak in two, and absent in the fourth.

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arXiv2011

The IACOB project: synergies for the Gaia era

The IACOB spectroscopic survey of Galactic OB stars is an ambitious observational project aimed at compiling a large, homogeneous, high-resolution database of optical spectra of massive stars observable from the Northern hemisphere. The quantitative spectroscopic analysis of this database, complemented by the invaluable information provided by Gaia (mainly regarding photometry and distances), will represent a major step forward in our knowledge of the fundamental physical characteristics of Galactic massive stars. In addition, results from this analysis will be of interest for other scientific questions to be investigated using Gaia observations. In this contribution we outline the present status of the IACOB spectroscopic database and indicate briefly some of the synergy links between the IACOB and Gaia scientific projects.

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arXiv2011

The Galactic O-Star Spectroscopic (GOSSS) and Northern Massive Dim Stars (NoMaDS) Surveys, the Galactic O-Star Catalog (GOSC), and Marxist Ghost Buster (MGB)

There are several ongoing massive-star (mostly of spectral type O) surveys that are significantly increasing the quality and quantity of the spectroscopic information about these objects. Here we discuss and present results for two of them, GOSSS and NoMaDS. We also discuss recent and future developments on the Galactic O-Star Catalog and announce the upcoming availability of Marxist Ghost Buster, an IDL code that attacks spectral classification (hence the name) by using an interactive comparison with spectral libraries.

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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.

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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.

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arXiv2011

The Galactic O-Star Spectroscopic Survey. I. Classification System and Bright Northern Stars in the Blue-Violet at R~2500

We present the first installment of a massive spectroscopic survey of Galactic O stars, based on new, high signal-to-noise ratio, R~2500 digital observations from both hemispheres selected from the Galactic O-Star Catalog of Maíz Apellániz et al. (2004) and Sota et al. (2008). The spectral classification system is rediscussed and a new atlas is presented, which supersedes previous versions. Extensive sequences of exceptional objects are given, including types Ofc, ON/OC, Onfp, Of?p, Oe, and double-lined spectroscopic binaries. The remaining normal spectra bring this first sample to 184 stars, which is close to complete to B=8 and north of delta = -20 and includes all of the northern objects in Maíz Apellániz et al. (2004) that are still classified as O stars. The systematic and random accuracies of these classifications are substantially higher than previously attainable, because of the quality, quantity, and homogeneity of the data and analysis procedures. These results will enhance subsequent investigations in Galactic astronomy and stellar astrophysics. In the future we will publish the rest of the survey, beginning with a second paper that will include most of the southern stars in Maíz Apellániz et al. (2004).

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arXiv2010

The Galactic O-Star Spectroscopic Survey (GOSSS)

We present a massive spectroscopic survey of Galactic O stars, GOSSS, based on new, high signal-to-noise ratio, R~2500 blue-violet digital observations from both hemispheres. The sample size and selection criteria; the relationship between GOSSS, the Galactic O-Star Catalog (GOSC), and three sister surveys (OWN, IACOB, and Lucky Imaging); the current status; and our plans for the future are discussed. We also show some of our first results, which include the new Ofc category, two new examples of Of?p stars, a new atlas for O stars, and the introduction of the O9.7 type for luminosity classes III to V. Finally, our scientific objectives are discussed.

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arXiv2010

High-resolution imaging of Galactic massive stars with AstraLux. I. 138 fields with delta > -25 degrees

CONTEXT. Massive stars have high-multiplicity fractions, and many of them have still undetected components, thus hampering the study of their properties. AIMS. I study a sample of massive stars with high angular resolution to better characterize their multiplicity. METHODS. I observed 138 fields that include at least one massive star with AstraLux, a lucky imaging camera at the 2.2 m Calar Alto telescope. I also used observations of 3 of those fields with ACS/HRC on HST to obtain complementary information and to calibrate the AstraLux data. The results were compared with existing information from the Washington Double Star Catalog, Tycho-2, 2MASS, and other literature results. RESULTS. I discover 16 new optical companions of massive stars, the majority of which are likely to be physically bound to their primaries. I also improve the accuracy for the separation and magnitude difference of many previously known systems. In a few cases the orbital motion is detected when comparing the new data with existing ones and constraints on the orbits are provided. CONCLUSIONS. The analysis indicate that the majority of the AstraLux detections are bound pairs. For a range of separations of 0.1"-14" and magnitude differences lower than 8, I find that the multiplicity fraction for massive stars is close to 50%. When objects outside those ranges are included, the multiplicity fraction should be considerably higher.

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arXiv2009

The range of validity of cluster masses and ages derived from broad-band photometry

I analyze the stochastic effects introduced by the sampling of the stellar initial mass function (SIMF) in the derivation of the individual masses and the cluster mass function (CMF) from broad-band visible-NIR unresolved photometry. The classical method of using unweighted UBV photometry to simultaneously establish ages and extinctions of stellar clusters is found to be unreliable for clusters older than approx. 30 Ma, even for relatively large cluster masses. On the other hand, augmenting the filter set to include longer-wavelength filters and using weights for each filter increases the range of masses and ages that can be accurately measured with unresolved photometry. Nevertheless, a relatively large range of masses and ages is found to be dominated by SIMF sampling effects that render the observed masses useless, even when using UBVRIJHK photometry.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Biases on initial mass function determinations. III. Cluster masses derived from unresolved photometry

It is currently common to use spatially unresolved multi-filter broad-band photometry to determine the masses of individual stellar clusters (and hence the cluster mass function, CMF). I analyze the stochastic effects introduced by the sampling of the stellar initial mass function (SIMF) in the derivation of the individual masses and the CMF and I establish that such effects are the largest contributor to the observational uncertainties. An analytical solution, valid in the limit where uncertainties are small, is provided to establish the range of cluster masses over which the CMF slope can be obtained with a given accuracy. The validity of the analytical solution is extended to higher mass uncertainties using Monte Carlo simulations and the Gamma approximation. The value of the Poisson mass is calculated for a large range of ages and a variety of filters for solar-metallicity clusters measured with single-filter photometry. A method that uses the code CHORIZOS is presented to simultaneously derive masses, ages, and extinctions. The classical method of using unweighted UBV photometry to simultaneously establish ages and extinctions of stellar clusters is found to be unreliable for clusters older than approx. 30 Ma, even for relatively large cluster masses. On the other hand, augmenting the filter set to include longer-wavelength filters and using weights for each filter increases the range of masses and ages that can be accurately measured with unresolved photometry. Nevertheless, a relatively large range of masses and ages is found to be dominated by SIMF sampling effects that render the observed masses useless, even when using UBVRIJHK photometry. A revision of some literature results affected by these effects is presented and possible solutions for future observations and analyses are suggested.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2008

Accurate distances to nearby massive stars with the new reduction of the Hipparcos raw data

We use the new reduction of the Hipparcos data (van Leeuwen 2007) and a self-consistent distance determination technique for Lutz-Kelker limited samples to obtain distances to the massive stars in the solar vicinity. The distance uncertainties for the nearest massive stars have been substantially reduced with respect to those derived from the old Hipparcos reduction. In two cases (gamma2 Vel and theta2 Ori A) we have been able to verify that the new values are in good agreement with recent determinations with alternative methods. We also derive new values for the vertical displacement of the Sun with respect to the Galactic Plane and for the scale height of the thin disk from the spatial distribution of massive stars around us.

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