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N. Machuca

Publications and source records attributed to N. Machuca.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

ISOSCELES Project: II. Modelling galactic B-type stars for fast and $\delta-$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 $\delta$-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 $\chi^2$ 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 $\delta$-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 $\delta$-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

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 $\beta$-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 $\delta$-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 $\delta$-slow solution proved effective for two early-type B supergiants. The grid also highlights the difference of using the $\beta$-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 $\beta$-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