SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

L. S. Cidale

Publications and source records attributed to L. S. Cidale.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

ISOSCELES Project: II. Modelling galactic B-type stars for fast and $δ-$slow wind regimes

Radiation-driven winds in B-type stars play a key role in their evolution, yet their hydrodynamical structure remains uncertain, particularly in evolved objects. While the classical fast solution of the modified CAK theory is widely adopted, it does not always reproduce the optical wind diagnostics of B-type giants and supergiants. We investigate the applicability of the classical fast and $δ$-slow hydrodynamical solutions to B-type stellar winds through a homogeneous spectroscopic analysis based on optical diagnostics. We analysed 50 Galactic B-type stars spanning luminosity classes I to V using mid- and high-resolution optical spectra from the IACOB, ESO-UVES, and CASLEO datasets. Synthetic spectra were taken from the ISOSCELES grid, which combines hydrodynamical wind models computed with Hydwind and NLTE radiative transfer with Fastwind. Stellar and wind parameters were derived through a multi-line $χ^2$ fitting procedure using hydrogen, helium, and silicon lines. We find evidence for different preferred hydrodynamical regimes across luminosity classes. Most supergiants ($\sim$96%) and giants ($\sim$88%) are better reproduced by $δ$-slow models, characterised by higher ionisation parameters, slower terminal velocities ($v_\infty \lesssim 300$,km,s$^{-1}$, and denser outflows. In contrast, most dwarfs and subgiants ($\sim$88%) are more consistent with the classical fast solution, showing higher $v_\infty$ and lower $\dot{M}$. These trends suggest a dichotomy between luminosity classes. Our results indicate that the $δ$-slow solution provides a viable framework for modelling the optical spectra of evolved B-type stars, whereas fast solutions remain adequate for less evolved objects. The ISOSCELES grid provides a physically motivated basis for interpreting optical wind diagnostics and motivates future multi-wavelength studies of B-type stellar winds.

astro-ph.SR

Multi epoch spectroscopic variability of the B supergiant HD75149

Massive stars continuously enrich the surrounding interstellar medium by supplying it with stellar material driven by their powerful winds. B supergiant stars (BSGs) in particular are a type of massive star characterized by strong winds and notable photometric and spectroscopic variability. We aim to conduct a pilot study of the optical spectroscopic variability of the BSG HD75149 between 2004 and 2025. Its extended temporal baseline and pronounced variability amplitude make it particularly well suited for investigating the physical origin of the observed short-term variability within a consistent hydrodynamical and radiative-transfer framework. We analyzed 25 nightly averaged optical spectra obtained with different instruments and telescopes, some of them with observations over several consecutive days. We measured the radial velocities (RVs) and equivalent widths (EWs) of 17 spectral lines (H, HeI, SiIII, NII, MgII, CII). We modeled the Halpha emission, absorption, and P-Cygni profiles using the ISOSCELES grid and the delta-slow hydrodynamic regime. Halpha shows variability in intervals of a few days, including P-Cygni changes, while metal lines show small RV amplitudes, consistent with pulsating oscillations. The largest variation in the mass-loss rate corresponds to an increase of a factor of 1.8 within four days. In contrast, the terminal velocity remains barely affected during the same time interval. The pronounced variation observed in hydrogen lines, in contrast with the variability of other lines, suggests that it is due to mass-loss rate episodes driven by a slow wind occurring on a timescale comparable to photometric variations. We found no evidence of a close binary companion in the sample used, but we cannot completely exclude the possibility of a wide or low-inclination companion.

astro-ph.SR

Radiation-driven stellar winds at the fast-slow transition: new hydrodynamic solutions

Radiation-driven winds of massive stars can be described within the modified CAK theory, which parametrises the radiation force through three key quantities: $α$, $δ$, and $k$. Different combinations of these parameters, together with rotation, result in three types of stationary solutions, namely fast (or classical), $δ$-slow, and $Ω$-slow solutions. The primary objective of this work is to model radiation-driven winds inside the gap region between the fast and $δ$-slow regimes, where stationary solutions have proven elusive. In addition, we compute synthetic line profiles of H I, He I, and Si IV to illustrate the morphology of different wind regimes. We employ the time-dependent hydrodynamic code ZEUS-3D, capable of obtaining stationary solutions by progressing through an initial solution. Then we compute the line profiles solving the transfer equation for an expanding atmosphere, assuming spherical symmetry in the comoving frame, under non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) conditions. We found new stationary solutions in the gap region, alongside their corresponding line profiles, for a typical B supergiant star model. In this model, the new solutions are stable, and some of them present a kink in the velocity profile at a fixed distance from the star, depending on the $δ$ value. Perturbations in the wind ionisation may trigger transitions between different hydrodynamic regimes and offer a plausible explanation for structured and variable winds. A systematic investigation of these effects will be the subject of future work. Furthermore, we investigate the resulting line profiles from different hydrodynamic solutions and compare them with those predicted by a velocity profile given by a $β$-law using the same global wind parameters.

astro-ph.SR

High-resolution near-IR spectroscopy of the B[e] supergiant LHA 115-S 18: discovery of hot water vapor emission

The post-main-sequence evolution of massive stars involves phases of intense, often eruptive mass loss, including the B[e] supergiant phase. These hot stars are surrounded by cool, dense circumstellar disks that host complex chemistry, producing both molecules and dust. Understanding the mass-loss history of B[e] supergiants is essential for constraining stellar evolution models, particularly regarding their final stages. Near-infrared CO band emission serves as a key tracer of disk dynamics, typically arising from the inner edge of the molecular disk or ring. However, the oxygen-rich environments of these stars also favor the presence of other molecules which trace regions complementary to those probed by CO. In this work, we present high-resolution near-infrared spectra of the Small Magellanic Cloud B[e] supergiant LHA 115-S 18. Our analysis reveals rotationally broadened CO emission consistent with a Keplerian molecular ring, alongside strong hydrogen wind features in both H and K bands and numerous metallic emission lines. Notably, we report the first detection of hot water vapor emission in a B[e] supergiant. This finding indicates the existence of extended cool and dense regions in a harsh environment. A radial velocity offset between molecular and Pfund line emission further supports a binary system, with the molecular gas potentially being circumbinary. The discovery of hot H2 O around the B[e] supergiant star LHA 115-S 18 challenges classical models on evolution and chemistry of massive binary stars and provides critical insight into mass-loss processes and molecular enrichment of the ISM.

astro-ph.SR

New self-consistent theoretical descriptions for mass-loss rates of O-type stars

Massive O-type stars lose a significant fraction of their mass through radiation-driven winds, a process that critically shapes their evolution and feedback into the interstellar medium. Accurate predictions of mass-loss rates are essential for models of stellar structure and population synthesis. We computed wind parameters for O-type stars using a self-consistent approach that couples the hydrodynamics of the wind with detailed calculations of the line acceleration. This approach follows the theory of radiation-driven stellar winds and allows us to derive mass-loss rate distributions for different atomic configurations of the stellar flux. We used the TLUSTY code for stellar atmosphere models to compute non-local thermodynamic equilibrium models; these models served as input radiation fields for the calculation of the line-force parameters, for which we used the LOCUS code. These line-force parameters were then iteratively coupled with the HYDWIND code to solve the wind hydrodynamics. The procedure was applied across a grid of stellar parameters for three chemical configurations. We obtain self-consistent wind parameters for a broad set of O-type stellar models. The results show a systematic decrease in mass-loss rates with the inclusion of more elements in the radiation field, which is attributed to a strong effect on the UV region of the spectral energy distribution. As more elements are included, resulting in a larger number of spectral lines, the contribution from the UV diminishes, leading to lower mass-loss rates. We fitted three theoretical prescriptions for $\dot{M}$ using a Bayesian approach; this yielded Pearson correlation values greater than 0.92 for all three model grids. It also allowed for the estimation of the wind momentum-luminosity relationships for each of the grids, yielding results similar to those based on observations of O-type stars.

astro-ph.SR

ISOSCELES project: A grid-based quantitative spectroscopic analysis of massive stars

Massive stars play a fundamental role in galactic evolution through their strong stellar winds, chemical enrichment, and feedback mechanisms. Accurate modelling of their atmospheres and winds is critical for understanding their physical properties and evolutionary pathways. Traditional spectroscopic analyses often rely on the $β$-law approximation for wind-velocity profiles, which may not capture the complexity of observed phenomena. This study aims to introduce and validate the grId of Stellar atmOSphere and hydrodynamiC modELs for massivE Stars (ISOSCELES), a grid-based framework for the quantitative spectroscopic analysis of massive stars. The project leverages hydrodynamic wind solutions derived from the m-CAK theory, including both fast and $δ$-slow solutions, to improve the accuracy of derived stellar and wind parameters. We constructed a comprehensive grid of models based on hydrodynamic wind solutions from the Hydwind code and synthetic spectral line profiles generated by the Fastwind code. The grid spans a broad parameter space covering OBA-type stars with solar metallicity. A semi-automatic fitting procedure was developed to analyse key spectral lines and derive the stellar and wind parameters. Applying ISOSCELES to six stars demonstrates its ability to reproduce observed spectral profiles with high fidelity. The $δ$-slow solution proved effective for two early-type B supergiants. The grid also highlights the difference of using the $β$-law in modelling stellar winds compared with the m-CAK wind solutions. The ISOSCELES database represents a step forward in quantitatively analysing massive stars, offering an alternative to the $β$-law approximation. Future work will address the inclusion of UV lines and metallicity effects to further refine its applicability across diverse stellar populations.

astro-ph.SR

BCD spectrophotometry for massive stars in transition phases

Context. Stars in transition phases, like those showing the B[e] phenomenon and luminous blue variables (LBVs), undergo strong, often irregular mass ejection events. The prediction of these phases in stellar evolution models is therefore extremely difficult if not impossible. As a result, their effective temperatures, their luminosities and even their true nature are not fully known. Aims. A suitable procedure to derive the stellar parameters of these types of objects is to use the BCD spectrophotometric classification system, based on the analysis of the Balmer discontinuity. The BCD parameters (λ_1, D) are independent of interstellar extinction and circumstellar contributions. Methods. We obtained low-resolution spectra for 14 stars with the B[e] phenomenon and LBVs. Using the BCD method, we derived the stellar and physical parameters. The study was complemented with the information provided by the JHK colour-colour diagram. Results. For each star, the BCD system gives a complete set of fundamental parameters and related quantities such as luminosity and distance. We confirmed HK Ori, HD 323771 and HD 52721 as pre-main sequence HAe/B[e], AS 202 and HD 85567 as FS CMa-type, and HD 62623 as sgB[e] stars. We classified Hen 3-847, CD-24 5721, and HD 53367 as young B[e] stars or FS CMa-type candidates, and HD 58647 as a slightly evolved B[e] star. In addition, Hen 3-1398 is an sgB[e] and MWC 877, CPD-59 2854 and LHA 120-S 65 are LBV candidates. The stellar parameters of the latter two LBVs are determined for the first time. Conclusions. Our results emphasise that the BCD system is a highly valuable tool to derive stellar parameters and physical properties of B-type stars in transition phases. This method can be combined with near-IR colour-colour diagrams to determine or confirm the evolutionary stage of emission-line stars with dust disks.

astro-ph.SR

Simultaneous J-, H-, K- and L-band spectroscopic observations of galactic Be stars. I. IR atlas

It is already accepted that Be stars are surrounded by circumstellar envelopes, which are mostly compatible with a disc geometry in Keplerian rotation. We aim to obtain a more complete characterisation of the properties of the circumstellar environment of Be stars that helps to constrain the theoretical models of the Be phenomenon. We present near-infrared, medium-resolution spectra of a sample of galactic Be stars with different spectral subtypes and luminosity classes. We measure different parameters of the hydrogen recombination lines from the Paschen, Brackett, Pfund, and Humphreys series, and use them to diagnose physical conditions in the circumstellar environment. We analysed the equivalent-width (EW) ratio between Br$α$ and Br$γ$ lines and different diagrams of flux ratios. We also identify lines from He I, C I, N I, O I, Na I, Mg I, Mg II, Si I, Fe I, and Fe II. Analysing the EW measurements of particular He I, Mg II, Fe I, Fe II and O I lines, we find that for some lines they correlate with the spectral type of the star. Particularly, the emission of the O I~$λ\,1.3168\,μ$m line decreases towards the later spectral types. We present an atlas of 22 Be stars, that covers a wide infrared (IR) spectral range with quasi-simultaneous observations. From a detailed analysis, we define new complementary criteria to Mennickent's classification of Be stars according to their disc opacity. Some objects in our sample present compact thick envelopes, while in others the envelope is extended and optically thin. The correlation between the full widths at half maximum (FWHM) and the peak separation ($Δ\mathrm{V}$) versus $V\,\sin\,i$ for the Br10, Br$δ$, and Hu14 lines reveals that the broadening mechanism is rotational. The Ly$β$ fluorescence is a key mechanism to explain the intensity of the emission of Mg II and O I lines.

astro-ph.SR

Follow-Up of Extended Shells around B[e] Stars

B[e] stars are massive B type emission line stars in different evolutionary stages ranging from pre-main sequence to post-main sequence. Due to their mass loss and ejection events these objects deposit huge amounts of mass and energy into their environment and enrich it with chemically processed material, contributing significantly to the chemical and dynamical evolution of their host galaxies. However, the large-scale environments of these enigmatic objects have not attracted much attention. The first and so far only catalog reporting the detection of extended shells around a sample of B[e] stars was an Ha imaging survey carried out in the year 2001, and was limited to bright targets in the northern hemisphere. We have recently started a follow-up of those targets to detect possible evolution of their nebulae in the plane of the sky over a baseline of two decades. Furthermore, we extend our survey to southern targets and fainter northern ones to complement and complete our knowledge on large-scale ejecta surrounding B[e] stars. Besides imaging in Ha and selected nebular lines, we utilize long-slit and 3D spectral observations across the nebulae to derive their physical properties. We discovered pronounced nebula structures around 15 more objects, resulting in a total of 27 B[e] stars with a large-scale nebula. Here we present our (preliminary) results for three selected objects: the two massive supergiants MWC137 and MWC 314, and the unclassified B[e] star MWC 819.

astro-ph.SR

Analytical Solutions for Radiation-Driven Winds in Massive Stars II: The $δ$-slow Regime

Accurate mass-loss rates and terminal velocities from massive stars winds are essential to obtain synthetic spectra from radiative transfer calculations and to determine the evolutionary path of massive stars. From a theoretical point of view, analytical expressions for the wind parameters and velocity profile would have many advantages over numerical calculations that solve the complex non-linear set of hydrodynamic equations. In a previous work, we obtained an analytical description for the fast wind regime. Now, we propose an approximate expression for the line-force in terms of new parameters and obtain a velocity profile closed-form solution (in terms of the Lambert $W$ function) for the $δ$-slow regime. Using this analytical velocity profile, we were able to obtain the mass-loss rates based on the m-CAK theory. Moreover, we established a relation between this new set of line-force parameters with the known stellar and m-CAK line-force parameters. To this purpose, we calculated a grid of numerical hydrodynamical models and performed a multivariate multiple regression. The numerical and our descriptions lead to good agreement between their values.

astro-ph.SR

Intriguing detection of $^{12}$CO molecular emission in a classical Be star

In the group of B stars with spectroscopic peculiarities, we can find the Be and the B[e] stars. The Be stars are early-type rapid rotators that present, as their principal characteristic, emission lines of hydrogen and singly ionized metals due to the presence of a gaseous envelope. The B[e] stars present in their spectra heterogeneous features that reveal the presence of regions with very different properties in a gaseous and dusty envelope. Our goal is to study the evolution of the disks around peculiar B stars through the variability of their physical properties and dynamical structure, as well as to set constraints on different models and disk forming mechanisms. Throughout the last decade, we have carried out temporal monitoring of a sample of objects in the near infrared using spectroscopic facilities at the Gemini and Las Campanas Observatories. In the present work, we focus on the classical Be star 12 Vul, for which also optical spectra have been collected quasi-simultaneously. We observed variability in the hydrogen line profiles of 12 Vul, attributed to dissipating and building-up processes of the circumstellar envelope. Also, we found that this Be star presented the $^{12}$CO band heads in emission in one observation. The emission of this molecule has not been previously reported in a Be star, while it is a common feature among B[e] stars. We obtained parameters to describe the $^{12}$CO emitting region and propose different scenarios to explain this intriguing emission.

astro-ph.SR

Be and Bn stars: Balmer discontinuity and stellar-class relationship

A significant number of Be stars show a second Balmer discontinuity (sBD) attributed to an extended circumstellar envelope (CE). The fast rotational velocity of Be stars undoubtedly plays a significant role in the formation of the CE. However, Bn stars, which are also B-type rapidly rotating stars, do not all present clear evidence of being surrounded by circumstellar material. We aim to characterize the populations of Be and Bn stars, and discuss the appearance of the sBD as a function of the stellar parameters. We expect to find new indices characterizing the properties of CEs in Be stars and properties relating Be and Bn stars. Correlations of the aspect and intensity of the sBD and the emission in the H$α$ line with the stellar parameters and the $V\!\sin i$ are presented. Some Bn stars exhibit the sBD in absorption, which may indicate the presence of rather dense CEs. Six Bn stars show emission in the H$α$ line, so they are reclassified as Be stars. The sBD in emission appears in Be stars with $V\!\sin i \lesssim 250$ km\,s$^{-1}$, and in absorption in both Be and Bn stars with \mbox{$V\!\sin i \gtrsim 50$ km\,s$^{-1}$}. Low-mass Be and Bn stars share the same region in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. The distributions of rotational to critical velocity ratios of Be and Bn stars corresponding to the current stellar evolutionary stage are similar, while distributions inferred for the zero-age main sequence have different skewness. We found emission in the H$α$ line and signs of a CE in some Bn stars, which motivated us to think that Bn and Be stars probably belong to the same population. It should be noted that some of the most massive Bn stars could display the Be phenomenon at any time. The similarities found among Be and Bn stars deserve to be more deeply pursued.

astro-ph.SR

Wind properties of variable B supergiants. Evidence of pulsations connected with mass-loss episodes

Variable B supergiants (BSGs) constitute a heterogeneous group of stars with complex photometric and spectroscopic behaviours. They exhibit mass-loss variations and experience different types of oscillation modes, and there is growing evidence that variable stellar winds and photospheric pulsations are closely related. To discuss the wind properties and variability of evolved B-type stars, we derive new stellar and wind parameters for a sample of 19 Galactic BSGs by fitting theoretical line profiles of H, He, and Si to the observed ones and compare them with previous determinations. The mass-loss rate of three stars has been obtained for the first time. All stars follow the known empirical wind momentum-luminosity relationships, and the late BSGs show the trend of the mid BSGs. We find an empirical relationship that associates the amplitude of mass-loss variations with photometric/spectroscopic variability on timescales of tens of days. We find that stars located on the cool side of the bi-stability jump show a decrease in the terminal and escape velocities ratio, while their corresponding mass-loss rates are similar to or lower than the values found for stars on the hot side. Particularly, for those variable stars a decrease in the terminal and escape velocities ratio is accompanied by a decrease in the mass-loss rate. Our results also suggest that radial pulsation modes with periods longer than 6 days might be responsible for the wind variability in the mid/late-type BSGs. These radial modes might be identified with strange modes, which are known to facilitate (enhanced) mass loss. On the other hand, we propose that the wind behaviour of stars on the cool side of the bi-stability jump could fit with predictions of the delta-slow hydrodynamics solution for radiation-driven winds with highly variable ionization.

astro-ph.SR

Spectro-interferometric observations of a sample of Be stars. Setting limits to the geometry and kinematics of stable Be disks

Be stars are rapid rotators surrounded by a gaseous disk envelope whose origin is still under debate. This envelope is responsible for observed emission lines and large infrared excess. To progress in the understanding of the physical processes involved in the disk formation, we estimate the disk parameters for a sample of Be stars and search for correlations between these parameters and stellar properties. We performed spectro-interferometric observations of 26 Be stars in the region of the Br$γ$ line to study the kinematical properties of their disks through the Doppler effect. Observations were performed at the Paranal observatory with the VLTI/AMBER interferometer. This instrument provides high spectral and high spatial resolutions. We modeled 18 Be stars with emission in the Br$γ$ line. The disk kinematic is described by a quasi-Keplerian rotation law, with the exception of HD28497 that presents a one-arm density-wave structure. Using a combined sample, we derived a mean value for the velocity ratio V/Vc=0.75, and found that rotation axes are probably randomly distributed in the sky. Disk sizes in the line component model are in the range of 2-13 stellar radii and do not correlate with the effective temperature or spectral type. However, we found that the maximum size of a stable disk correlates with the rotation velocity at the inner part of the disk and the stellar mass. We found that, on average, the Be stars of our combined sample do not rotate at their critical velocity. However, the centrifugal force and mass of the star defines an upper limit size for a stable disk configuration. For a given rotation, high-mass Be stars tend to have more compact disks than their low-mass counterparts. It would be interesting to follow up the evolution of the disk size in variable stars to better understand the formation and dissipation processes of their circumstellar disks.

astro-ph.SR

Open clusters: III. Fundamental parameters of B stars in NGC 6087, NGC 6250, NGC 6383 and NGC 6530. B type stars with circumstellar envelopes

Context. Stellar physical properties of star clusters are poorly known. Aims. Our goals are to perform a spectrophotometric study of the B star population in open clusters to derive accurate stellar parameters, search for the presence of circumstellar envelopes, and discuss the characteristics of these stars. Methods. The BCD spectrophotometric system is a powerful tool to obtain fundamental parameters and infer the main properties of open clusters: distance modulus, color excess, and age. We inspected the Balmer discontinuity to seek circumstellar disks and identify Be-star candidates. High resolution spectra in the H$α$ region are used to confirm the Be nature. Results. We provide Teff , log g, Mv , Mbol and spectral types for a sample of 68 stars in the field of the open clusters NGC 6087, NGC 6250, NGC 6383, and NGC 6530, as well as the cluster distances, ages and reddening. Then, based on a sample of 230 B stars in the direction of the 11 open clusters studied along this series of three papers, we report 6 new Be stars, 4 blue straggler candidates, and 15 B-type stars (called Bdd) with a double Balmer discontinuity. We also find that the majority of the Be stars are dwarfs and present a maximum at the spectral type B2-B4 in young and intermediate-age open clusters. Another maximum of Be stars is observed at the spectral type B6-B8 in open clusters older than 40 Myr, where the population of Bdd stars also becomes relevant. Conclusions. Our results support previous statements that the Be phenomenon is present along the whole main sequence band and occurs in very different evolutionary states. We find clear evidence of an increase of stars with circumstellar envelopes with cluster age. The Be phenomenon reaches its maximum in clusters of intermediate age and the number of B stars with circumstellar envelopes (Be+Bdd stars) is also high for the older clusters.

astro-ph.SR

Clumpy molecular structures revolving the B[e] supergiant MWC 137

The peculiar emission-line star MWC 137 with its extended optical nebula was recently classified as B[e] supergiant. To study the spatial distribution of its circumstellar molecular gas on small and large scales, we obtained near-infrared and radio observations using SINFONI and APEX, respectively. We find that the hot CO gas is arranged in moving clumpy ring and shell structures close to the star, while a cold CO envelope is encircling the borders of the optical nebula from the south to the west.

astro-ph.SR

Inhomogeneous molecular ring around the B[e] supergiant LHA 120-S 73

We aim to improve our knowledge on the structure and dynamics of the circumstellar disk of the LMC B[e] supergiant LHA 120-S 73. High-resolution optical and near-IR spectroscopic data were obtained over a period of 16 and 7 years, respectively. The spectra cover the diagnostic emission lines from [CaII] and [OI], as well as the CO bands. These features trace the disk at different distances from the star. We analyzed the kinematics of the individual emission regions by modeling their emission profiles. A low-resolution mid-infrared spectrum was obtained as well, which provides information on the composition of the dusty disk. All diagnostic emission features display double-peaked line profiles, which we interpret as due to Keplerian rotation. We find that LHA 120-S 73 is surrounded by at least four individual rings of material with alternating densities (or by a disk with strongly non-monotonic radial density distribution). Moreover, we find that the molecular ring must have gaps or at least strong density inhomogeneities, or in other words, a clumpy structure. The mid-infrared spectrum displays features of oxygen- and carbon-rich grain species, which indicates a long-lived, stable dusty disk. We cannot confirm the previously reported high value for the stellar rotation velocity. The line profile of HeI 5876 A is strongly variable in both width and shape and resembles of those seen in non-radially pulsating stars. A proper determination of the real underlying stellar rotation velocity is hence not possible. The existence of multiple stable and clumpy rings of alternating density recalls ring structures around planets. Although there is currently insufficient observational evidence, it is tempting to propose a scenario with one (or more) minor bodies or planets revolving around LHA 120-S 73 and stabilizing the ring system, in analogy to the shepherd moons in planetary systems.

astro-ph.SR

Interplay between pulsations and mass loss in the blue supergiant 55 Cygnus = HD 198478

Blue supergiant stars are known to display photometric and spectroscopic variability that is suggested to be linked to stellar pulsations. Pulsational activity in massive stars strongly depends on the star's evolutionary stage and is assumed to be connected with mass-loss episodes, the appearance of macroturbulent line broadening, and the formation of clumps in the wind. To investigate a possible interplay between pulsations and mass-loss, we carried out an observational campaign of the supergiant 55 Cyg over a period of five years to search for photospheric activity and cyclic mass-loss variability in the stellar wind. We modeled the H, He I, Si II and Si III lines using the nonlocal thermal equilibrium atmosphere code FASTWIND and derived the photospheric and wind parameters. In addition, we searched for variability in the intensity and radial velocity of photospheric lines and performed a moment analysis of the line profiles to derive frequencies and amplitudes of the variations. The Halpha line varies with time in both intensity and shape, displaying various types of profiles: P Cygni, pure emission, almost complete absence, and double or multiple peaked. The star undergoes episodes of variable mass-loss rates that change by a factor of 1.7-2 on different timescales. We also observe changes in the ionization rate of Si II and determine a multiperiodic oscillation in the He I absorption lines, with periods ranging from a few hours to 22.5 days. We interpret the photospheric line variations in terms of oscillations in p-, g-, and strange modes. We suggest that these pulsations can lead to phases of enhanced mass loss. Furthermore, they can mislead the determination of the stellar rotation. We classify the star as a post-red supergiant, belonging to the group of alpha Cyg variables.

astro-ph.SR