arXiv subjects

M. Cantiello

Publications and source records attributed to M. Cantiello.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

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 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

Chemically homogeneous evolution in massive binaries

Rotation can have severe consequences for the evolution of massive stars. It is now considered as one of the main parameters, alongside mass and metallicity that determine the final fate of single stars. In massive, fast rotating stars mixing processes induced by rotation may be so efficient that helium produced in the center is mixed throughout the envelope. Such stars evolve almost chemically homogeneously. At low metallicity they remain blue and compact, while they gradually evolve into Wolf-Rayet stars and possibly into progenitors of long gamma-ray bursts. In binaries this type of evolution may occur because of (I) tides in very close binaries, as a result of (II) spin up by mass transfer, as result of (III) a merger of the two stars and (IV) when one of the components in the binary was born with a very high initial rotation rate. As these stars stay compact, the evolutionary channels are very different from what classical binary evolutionary models predict. In this contribution we discuss examples of nearly chemically homogeneous evolution in very close tidally-locked binaries. Even in such very close massive binaries, the stars may remain compact and avoid mass transfer, while Roche lobe overflow and a merger would be inevitable in the classical picture. This type of evolution may provide an alternative path to form tight Wolf-Rayet binaries and massive black hole binaries.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

Light elements in massive single and binary stars

We highlight the role of the light elements (Li, Be, B) in the evolution of massive single and binary stars, which is largely restricted to a diagnostic value, and foremost so for the element boron. However, we show that the boron surface abundance in massive early type stars contains key information about their foregoing evolution which is not obtainable otherwise. In particular, it allows to constrain internal mixing processes and potential previous mass transfer event for binary stars (even if the companion has disappeared). It may also help solving the mystery of the slowly rotating nitrogen-rich massive main sequence stars.

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arXiv2009

A new evolutionary scenario for the formation of massive black-hole binaries such as M33 X-7 and IC 10 X-1

The formation of close massive black-hole binaries is a challenge for binary evolutionary models, especially the intriguing system M33 X-7 which harbours one of the most massive stellar-mass black holes (16 solar masses) orbiting a 70 solar mass O-star every 3.5 days. In standard binary evolution theory an episode of mass transfer or common envelope is inevitable in a binary with such a small orbital period, which complicates the formation of a black hole with such a high mass. To explain this system, we discuss a new binary evolution channel (De Mink et al. 2009), in which rotational mixing plays an important role. In very massive close binaries, tides force the rotation rate of the stars to be so high that rotationally induced mixing becomes very efficient. Helium produced in the center is mixed throughout the envelope. Instead of expanding during their mainsequence evolution (with the inevitable consequence of mass transfer), these stars stay compact, and avoid filling their Roche lobe. They gradually evolve into massive helium stars. This scenario naturally leads to the formation of very massive black holes in a very close orbit with a less evolved massive companion such as M33 X-7.

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

Sub-surface convection zones in hot massive stars and their observable consequences

We study the convection zones in the outer envelope of hot massive stars which are caused by opacity peaks associated with iron and helium ionization. We determine the occurrence and properties of these convection zones as function of the stellar parameters. We then confront our results with observations of OB stars. A stellar evolution code is used to compute a grid of massive star models at different metallicities. In these models, the mixing length theory is used to characterize the envelope convection zones. We find the iron convection zone (FeCZ) to be more prominent for lower surface gravity, higher luminosity and higher initial metallicity. It is absent for luminosities below about $10^{3.2}\Lsun$, $10^{3.9}\Lsun$, and $10^{4.2}$\Lsun$ for the Galaxy, LMC and SMC, respectively. We map the strength of the FeCZ on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for three metallicities, and compare this with the occurrence of observational phenomena in O stars: microturbulence, non-radial pulsations, wind clumping, and line profile variability. The confirmation of all three trends for the FeCZ as function of stellar parameters by empirical microturbulent velocities argues for a physical connection between sub-photospheric convective motions and small scale stochastic velocities in the photosphere of O- and B-type stars. We further suggest that clumping in the inner parts of the winds of OB stars could be caused by the same mechanism, and that magnetic fields produced in the FeCZ could appear at the surface of OB stars as diagnosed by discrete absorption components in ultraviolet absorption lines.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Rotational mixing in massive binaries: detached short-period systems

Models of rotating single stars can successfully account for a wide variety of observed stellar phenomena, such as the surface enhancements of N and He. However, recent observations have questioned the idea that rotational mixing is the main process responsible for the surface enhancements, emphasizing the need for a strong and conclusive test. We investigate the consequences of rotational mixing for massive main-sequence stars in short-period binaries. In these systems the tides spin up the stars to rapid rotation. We use a state-of-the-art stellar evolution code including the effect of rotational mixing, tides, and magnetic fields. We discuss the surface abundances expected in massive close binaries (M1~20 solar masses) and we propose using such systems to test the concept of rotational mixing. As these short-period binaries often show eclipses, their parameters can be determined with high accuracy, allowing for a direct comparison with binary evolution models. In more massive close systems (M1~50 solar masses, Porb<~2 days) we find that helium is efficiently mixed throughout the envelope. The star remains blue and compact during the main-sequence phase. It stays within its Roche lobe while it gradually becomes a helium star. It is the less massive star, in which the effects of rotational mixing are less pronounced, which fills its Roche lobe first. We propose that this evolution path provides an alternative channel for the formation of tight Wolf-Rayet binaries with a main-sequence companion and might explain massive black hole binaries such as the intriguing system M33 X-7.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

Disentangling age and metallicity in distant unresolved stellar systems

We present some results of an observational and theoretical study on unresolved stellar systems based on the Surface Brightness Fluctuations (SBF) technique. It is shown that SBF magnitudes are a valuable tracer of stellar population properties, and a reliable distance indicator. SBF magnitudes, SBF-colors, and SBF-gradients can help to constrain within relatively narrow limits the metallicity and age of the dominant stellar component in distant stellar systems, especially if coupled with other spectro-photometric indicators.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Optical SBFs of shell galaxies

We measure F814W Surface Brightness Fluctuations (SBFs) for a sample of distant shell galaxies observed with the Advanced Camera for Survey (ACS) on board of HST. To evaluate the distance at galaxies, theoretical SBF magnitudes for the ACS@HST filters are computed for single burst stellar populations covering a wide range of ages (t=1.5-14 Gyr) and metallicities (Z=0.008-0.04). Using these stellar population models we provide the first M_SBF,F814W versus (F475W-F814W)0 calibration. The results suggest that optical SBFs can be measured at d>100 Mpc using high resolution spatial optical data.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Rotational mixing in tidally locked massive main-sequence binaries

One of the main uncertainties in evolutionary calculations of massive stars is the efficiency of internal mixing. It changes the chemical profile inside the star and can therefore affect the structure and further evolution. We demonstrate that eclipsing binaries, in which the tides synchronize the rotation period of the stars and the orbital period, constitute a potentially strong test for the efficiency of rotational mixing. We present detailed stellar evolutionary models of massive binaries assuming the composition of the Small Magellanic Cloud. In these models we find enhancements in the surface nitrogen abundance of up to 0.6 dex.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

On the origin of microturbulence in hot stars

We present results from the first extensive study of convection zones in the envelopes of hot massive stars, which are caused by opacity peaks associated with iron and helium ionization. These convective regions can be located very close to the stellar surface. Recent observations of microturbulence in massive stars from the VLT-Flames survey are in good agreement with our predictions concerning the occurrence and the strength of sub-surface convection in hot stars. We argue further that convection close to the surface may trigger clumping at the base of the stellar wind of massive stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Thermohaline mixing in low-mass giants

Thermohaline mixing has recently been proposed to occur in low mass red giants, with large consequences for the chemical yields of low mass stars. We investigate the role of thermohaline mixing during the evolution of stars between 1Msun and 3Msun, in comparison to other mixing processes acting in these stars. We confirm that thermohaline mixing has the potential to destroy most of the ^3He which is produced earlier on the main sequence during the red giant stage. In our models we find that this process is working only in stars with initial mass M <~ 1.5Msun. Moreover, we report that thermohaline mixing can be present during core helium burning and beyond in stars which still have a ^3He reservoir. While rotational and magnetic mixing is negligible compared to the thermohaline mixing in the relevant layers, the interaction of thermohaline motions with differential rotation and magnetic fields may be essential to establish the time scale of thermohaline mixing in red giants.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Rotational mixing in close binaries

Rotational mixing is a very important but uncertain process in the evolution of massive stars. We propose to use close binaries to test its efficiency. Based on rotating single stellar models we predict nitrogen surface enhancements for tidally locked binaries. Furthermore we demonstrate the possibility of a new evolutionary scenario for very massive (M > 40 solar mass) close (P < 3 days) binaries: Case M, in which mixing is so efficient that the stars evolve quasi-chemically homogeneously, stay compact and avoid any Roche-lobe overflow, leading to very close (double) WR binaries.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Rotation and massive close binary evolution

We review the role of rotation in massive close binary systems. Rotation has been advocated as an essential ingredient in massive single star models. However, rotation clearly is most important in massive binaries where one star accretes matter from a close companion, as the resulting spin-up drives the accretor towards critical rotation. Here, we explore our understanding of this process, and its observable consequences. When accounting for these consequences, the question remains whether rotational effects in massive single stars are still needed to explain the observations.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Optical Surface Brightness Fluctuations of shell galaxies towards 100 Mpc

We measure F814W Surface Brightness Fluctuations (SBF) for a sample of distant shell galaxies with radial velocities ranging from 4000 to 8000 km/s. The distance at galaxies is then evaluated by using the SBF method. For this purpose, theoretical SBF magnitudes for the ACS@HST filters are computed for single burst stellar populations covering a wide range of ages (t=1.5-14 Gyr) and metallicities (Z=0.008-0.04). Using these stellar population models we provide the first $\bar{M}_{F814W}$ versus $(F475W-F814W)_0$ calibration and we extend the previous I-band versus $(B-I)_0$ color relation to colors $(B-I)_{0}\leq 2.0$ mag. Coupling our SBF measurements with the theoretical calibration we derive distances with a statistical uncertainty of $\sim 8%$, and systematic error of $\sim 6 %$. The procedure developed to analyze data ensures that the indetermination due to possible unmasked residual shells is well below $\sim 12 %$. The results suggest that \emph{optical} SBFs can be measured at $d \geq 100 Mpc$ with ACS@HST imaging. SBF-based distances coupled with recession velocities corrected for peculiar motion, allow us obtain $H_{0} = 76 \pm 6$ (statistical) $\pm 5$ (systematic) km/s/Mpc.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Evolution of progenitor stars of Type Ibc supernovae and long gamma-ray bursts

We discuss how rotation and binary interactions may be related to the diversity of type Ibc supernovae and long gamma-ray bursts. After presenting recent evolutionary models of massive single and binary stars including rotation, the Tayler-Spruit dynamo and binary interactions, we argue that the nature of SNe Ibc progenitors from binary systems may not significantly differ from that of single star progenitors in terms of rotation, and that most long GRB progenitors may be produced via the quasi-chemically homogeneous evolution at sub-solar metallicity. We also briefly discuss the possible role of magnetic fields generated in the convective core of a massive star for the transport of angular momentum, which is potentially important for future stellar evolution models of supernova and GRB progenitors.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Evolution of massive stars at very low metallicity including rotation and binary interactions

We discuss recent models on the evolution of massive stars at very low metallicity including the effects of rotation, magnetic fields and binarity. Very metal poor stars lose very little mass and angular momentum during the main sequence evolution, and rotation plays a dominant role in their evolution. In rapidly rotating massive stars, the rotationally induced mixing time scale can be even shorter than the nuclear time scale throughout the main sequence. The consequent quasi-chemically homogeneous evolution greatly differs from the standard massive star evolution that leads to formation of red giants with strong chemical stratification. Interesting outcomes of such a new mode of evolution include the formation of rapidly rotating massive Wolf-Rayet stars that emit large amounts of ionizing photons, the formation of a long gamma-ray bursts and a hypernovae, and the production of large amounts of primary nitrogen. We show that binary interactions can further enhance the effects of rotation, as mass accretion in a close binary spins up the secondary.

astro-ph↗