arXiv subjects

S. R. Berlanas

Publications and source records attributed to S. R. Berlanas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Results on young stellar clusters with the WEAVE LIFU

We present the first results of two Spanish TAC programs using the WEAVE LIFU that have been obtaining data since October 2023. The first one is obtaining high-resolution multi-epoch spectroscopy of the nine stellar clusters that contain a minimum number of 3 O-type stars (and many more B stars) within the field of view of the WEAVE LIFU and that are accessible from La Palma with the purpose of studying the spectroscopic multiplicity of the OB stars. The second program is obtaining single-shot low-resolution spectroscopy of as many stellar clusters with OB stars as possible with the purpose of characterizing the OB-star population in those regions that are too crowded to be properly studied with the guaranteed time SCIP program. That program has already observed 54 clusters in a wide range of environments, from H II regions to gas-free clusters, and distances, from clusters in the solar neighbourhood to (nearby) extragalactic systems. We also present the tools developed for this program, which include a data cube processing and visualisation utility and UNWIND, a code that fits and subtracts the ISM signature in the observed spectra.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

SPAMMS: 3D spectroscopic modelling of stellar surfaces. II. Implementation of Kurucz and TLUSTY model atmospheres

Context. Accurate stellar spectra are essential to derive stellar properties. Traditional model atmospheres often oversimplify phenomena that break spherical symmetry, such as rotational deformation or multiplicity. The Spectroscopic PAtch Model for Massive Stars (SPAMMS) accounts for these effects, but its applicability has been limited by the spectral types covered by its model atmosphere grids. Aims. We aim to extend the parameter space of the model atmosphere grids available to SPAMMS, enabling spectral synthesis across a broader range of stellar types. Methods. We computed specific intensities, $I\left(λ,μ\right)$, for $101$ emergent angles using PRISMAS (Pipeline of Radiative Intensity Synthesis for Meshed Atmospheric Surfaces), and pre-computed LTE and non-LTE atmospheres from two ATLAS9-Kurucz grids and the TLUSTY-based OSTAR2002 and BSTAR2006 models. Results. The intensity grids cover effective temperatures from $3500$ to $55000\,\mathrm{K}$ and surface gravities from $0.0$ to $5.0\,\mathrm{dex}$, spanning O- to K-type stars. They include metallicities from $0$ to $30\,\mathrm{Z_\odot}$ and microturbulent velocities of $1$, $3$, $5$, and $10\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$. The spectral range extends from $3000$ to $9000\,\mathring{\mathrm{A}}$ with $Δλ=0.01\,\mathring{\mathrm{A}}$. As a proof of concept, we modelled with SPAMMS a rapidly rotating B-type star and an eclipsing Algol-type binary. Conclusions. The new LTE-Kurucz and NLTE-TLUSTY grids substantially expand the parameter space accessible to SPAMMS. The code can now generate synthetic spectra for a broader range of stellar types and geometries, including rapidly rotating and multiple systems -- providing a more comprehensive framework for modelling non-spherical stellar surfaces.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

MEGARA Stellar Spectral Library. Second Release

We present the second release of the MEGARA spectral library, MEGASTAR, which now includes all spectra collected during ten observing semesters at the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS. This new release supersedes our first release and incorporates a substantial number of additional observations (2000 new spectra), obtained at high spectral resolution, R(FWHM)$\sim$20000, in two wavelength ranges centred on H$α$ (6420 - 6790 A) and on the CaII triplet (8370 - 8885 A). The aim of this paper is to introduce MEGASTAR DR2 to the community as its high-resolution spectra can serve as a valuable resource for numerous types of research. In particular, we will use MEGASTAR spectra to construct SSP blocks within the HR-PyPopStar evolutionary synthesis models. The stars were observed using the integral field spectroscopy mode of the instrument. We process the data in a uniform way with the MEGARA data reduction pipeline. We estimate the stellar flux by adding the spectra from 37 spaxels, centred on the spaxel with the highest flux in the IFU reconstructed image. This approach guarantees that the effective slit width, and therefore the spectral resolution, are the same for all spectra. The second MEGASTAR release consists of 2838 spectra corresponding to 1408 stars, providing a better coverage of the stellar parameter space than the first release. The spectra were acquired with an average continuum S/N of about 215. This second release meets the standards of a modern empirical library: it offers reliable calibrations, data free from slit effects, observations of a large number of stars, and provides high spectral resolution to model both individual stellar clusters and entire galaxies observed with MEGARA.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Multiplicity of Massive Stars at Low Metallicity: Early Results from the BLOeM Campaign

Massive stars at low metallicity (Z) play a central role in shaping the high-redshift Universe, yet their multiplicity remains poorly constrained. The Binarity at Low Metallicity (BLOeM) campaign is a two-year survey of 929 stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud with the Fibre Large Array Multi Element Spectrograph (FLAMES) instrument at ESO's Very Large Telescope, providing the first large-scale spectroscopic monitoring of massive stars at low Z (1/5 solar). Analysis of the initial nine epochs reveals high intrinsic binary fractions (>70%) on the main sequence and a steep decline in evolved objects. Analysis of the full dataset will yield orbital solutions, identify black-hole companions, and allow a derivation of the initial mass function for single and binary stars at low Z.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2026

X-Shooting ULLYSES: Massive stars at low metallicity XV. On the metallicity dependence of B-supergiant mass-loss rates

Context. For stellar evolution models we rely on mass-loss rate prescriptions that show features that lack empirical confirmation, such as the bi-stability jump. This jump is an increase in mass loss in the decreasing temperature regime Teff 28-21 kK. Although papers compared empirical results to prescriptions,a large observational sample of B stars for which the wind has been scrutinised over different metallicities is still lacking. Aims. By modelling of both ultraviolet (ULLYSES) and optical (XShootU) spectra, we determined the stellar and wind parameters, of 24 SMC B stars ranging in Teff from 13 to 29 kK. By combining this sample with LMC studies, we compared the wind behaviour of B stars in two different metallicity regimes. We compared our results to common mass-loss rate prescriptions to test features present in these models and their metallicity dependence. Methods. We have used the model atmosphere code fastwind and the genetic algorithm code Kiwi-GA to fit the UV and optical spectra simultaneously. This allows us to determine wind properties including clumping behaviour. Results. The metallicity trends present in the mass-loss prescriptions (Z^(0.41-1.4)) explored here overestimate the empirical metallicity dependence in the B-star regime, which appears very weak. We do not find an increase in mass-loss rate at approximately spectral type B1. We show that on average 40% of the wind mass is located in the wind medium between the clumps. We compiled a sample of 80+ O and B stars in the SMC and LMC. From a comparison we find a clear difference in O- and B-type metallicity dependence. Conclusions. The lack of a bi-stability jump in the B-star regime and a weak metallicity dependence for the same stars offers new empirical constraints to models of line-driven winds. As differences between these models are large (reaching orders of magnitude) such constraints are much needed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM): Projected rotational velocities

The Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM) survey is an ESO large programme designed to obtain multi-epoch spectroscopy for 929 massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). It will provide binary fractions and orbital configurations of binary systems, and search for dormant black-hole binary candidates (OB+BH). Here we present projected rotational velocities (vsini) of all sources and, using the multiplicity properties presented in previous papers, we derive the vsini distributions of apparent single stars, single lined spectroscopic (SB1) binaries, and SB2 systems. We identify a locus in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram where rotational velocities decrease significantly; we interpret this feature as broadly corresponding to the terminal-age main sequence. The main sequence cohort is distinguished by a broad range of vsini values, but with a strong peak in the distribution in the range 30-60 km/s, close to the resolution limit of 30 km/s. Sources in this low vsini peak are distributed throughout the main sequence, and are also present in the SB1 sample, though less prominent than in the single star distribution. A preliminary analysis of the lowest vsini cohort, that includes SB1 systems, implies that roughly one third may be nitrogen rich and we speculate that this cohort is a mix of pristine single stars, long period binaries, and merger products. The SB2 systems appear to be mostly short period binaries in synchronous rotation and have vsini estimates distributed around a mean value of approximately 140 km/s . Higher vsini sources are also present in the single and SB1 systems, all of which have tail to higher vsini values, consistent with tidal and mass-transfer effects. The supergiants, with a few exceptions, have low vsini, the bulk of these systems being essentially unresolved at current spectral resolution.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

WEAVE imaging spectroscopy of NGC 6720: an iron bar in the Ring

We present spatially resolved spectroscopic observations of the planetary nebula NGC 6720, the Ring Nebula, taken during the science verification phase of WEAVE, a new instrument mounted on the William Herschel Telescope on La Palma. We use the instrument's Large Integral Field Unit (LIFU) to obtain spectra of the Ring Nebula, covering its entire optically bright inner regions as well as parts of its much fainter outer molecular halo. We report the discovery of emission from [Fe~{\sc v}] and [Fe~{\sc vi}] confined to a narrow ``bar'' extending across the central regions of the nebula. No lines of other elements share this morphology or, at the spectral resolving power used ($R \sim 2500$), the same radial velocity. The extent to which iron in this bar is depleted is presently unclear; comparison with JWST-detected dust continuum emission suggests that some dust grain destruction may be occurring in the region, but there is currently no observational evidence for the $>$ 50~km\,s$^{-1}$ shock waves or $T > 10^6$~K X-ray emitting gas needed to enable this. Where the bar is located along the line of sight through the nebula, and how it was created, are new puzzles to be solved for this iconic planetary nebula.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Why the northern hemisphere needs a 30-40 m telescope and the science at stake: Massive stars in spiral galaxies

This document discusses the three main lines expected to dominate massive-star research in the 2040s, namely: (1) The role of metallicity in stellar evolution, especially in determining the end products such as gravitational-wave progenitors. (2) The initial mass function from the most massive stars to substellar objects. (3) The role of the environment in the different modes of star formation from compact star clusters to born-this-way associations and from massive clusters to small stellar groups. More specifically, we present the contributions to such science that would be enabled by a 30~m type telescope in the northern hemisphere studying spiral galaxies. Those can be grouped in three: our own Galaxy, the Milky Way; the other two spiral galaxies in the Local Group, M31 and M33; and other galaxies within 25 Mpc, such as M101, M51, and NGC~6946. This work is based on the fact that, as of today, no construction of a 30~m telescope has yet started in the northern hemisphere, so even in the best case scenario of such a hypothetical telescope, its full operation would not start until the late 2030s or early 2040s. It makes no assumptions about its location but supposes an instrumentation development similar to that of ELT.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

The lack of fast rotators in Cyg OB2. I. Insights from spectral reclassification of its B0 population

Context. Cygnus OB2, in the Cygnus X complex -- one of the most active star-forming regions of the Galaxy -- hosts hundreds of O- and B-type stars at different evolutionary stages. This association provides a unique laboratory to study massive star evolution and dynamics. However, despite extensive studies, the absence of a fast-rotating group ($v\sin{i}>200\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$) among the O-type population of Cygnus OB2 challenges current models of massive star evolution. Aims. Stellar rotation strongly impacts spectral line shapes of O-type stars, and high rotation can potentially lead to misclassifications. We investigate whether some stars in Cygnus OB2, classified at low spectral resolution as B0, are actually rapidly rotating late-O types. Such cases could explain the observed lack of fast rotators in Cygnus OB2. Methods. Accounting for rotation, we reclassified the known B0 population in Cygnus OB2, using the MGB tool and both the new and pre-existing optical spectroscopy. Finally, we computed the projected rotational velocities using iacob-broad. Results. About $19\,\%$ of the initial B0 population in Cygnus OB2 are, in fact, late-O types. Only six stars in the entire dataset show $v\sin{i}>200\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$, with just one new O-type star exceeding this threshold. Conclusions. In our study of Cygnus OB2, we continue to find a notable lack of fast rotators among its O-type population. We propose a combination of three factors as the most likely explanation: (i) the young age of Cygnus OB2 may imply that fast rotators have not been produced yet due to binary interactions; (ii) fast rotators may have been dynamically ejected from the core as runaway stars; and (iii) local star formation conditions may hinder binary formation (reducing spin-up interactions) or result in slower rotational velocities at birth.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Massive stars in the era of large spectroscopic surveys: The MEIGAS project

In the era of large spectroscopic surveys, a vast amount of spectra of massive stars will be gathered and supplemented by the wealth of astrometric and photometric data provided by the Gaia satellite. Released data will mean a major step forward in the study of massive stars, giving us the chance to create statistically significant samples to explore the role of almost any parameter. In this contribution, I introduce to the community the Multi-wavelength Exploration of massIve star-forminG regions and ASsociations project (MEIGAS) and long-term plans for conducting comprehensive studies in the major galactic and near extragalactic star-forming regions and OB associations. Benefiting from current and forthcoming data from large scale spectroscopic surveys such as WEAVE and 4MOST (among others), as well as complementary observations at different wavelength ranges, the project aims to achieve crucial and complementary information to adequately characterize these regions and their stellar content, something imperative to improve our understanding of star formation and poorly known evolutionary pathways of massive stars.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM): a spectroscopic VLT monitoring survey of massive stars in the SMC

Surveys in the Milky Way and Large Magellanic Cloud revealed that the majority of massive stars will interact with companions during their lives. However, knowledge of the binary properties of massive stars at low metallicity, which approaches the conditions of the Early Universe, remains sparse. We present the Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM) campaign - an ESO large programme designed to obtain 25 epochs of spectroscopy for 929 massive stars in the SMC - the lowest metallicity conditions in which multiplicity is probed to date (Z = 0.2 Zsun). BLOeM will provide (i) the binary fraction, (ii) the orbital configurations of systems with periods P < 3 yr, (iii) dormant OB+BH binaries, and (iv) a legacy database of physical parameters of massive stars at low metallicity. The stars are observed with the LR02 setup of the giraffe instrument of the Very Large Telescope (3960-4570A, resolving power R=6200; typical signal-to-noise ratio S/N=70-100). This paper utilises the first 9 epochs obtained over a three-month time. We describe the survey and data reduction, perform a spectral classification of the stacked spectra, and construct a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram of the sample via spectral-type and photometric calibrations. The sample covers spectral types from O4 to F5, spanning the effective temperature and luminosity ranges 6.5<Teff/kK<45 and 3.7<log L/Lsun<6.1 and initial masses 8<Mini/Msun<80. It comprises 159 O-type stars, 331 early B-type (B0-3) dwarfs and giants (luminosity classes V-III), 303 early B-type supergiants (II-I), and 136 late-type supergiants. At least 82 stars are Oe/Be stars: 20 O-type and 62 B-type (13% and 11% of the respective samples). In addition, it includes 4 high-mass X-ray binaries, 3 stars resembling luminous blue variables, 2 bloated stripped-star candidates, 2 candidate magnetic stars, and 74 eclipsing binaries.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

A high fraction of close massive binary stars at low metallicity

At high metallicity, a majority of massive stars have at least one close stellar companion. The evolution of such binaries is subject to strong interaction processes, heavily impacting the characteristics of their life-ending supernova and compact remnants. For the low-metallicity environments of high-redshift galaxies constraints on the multiplicity properties of massive stars over the separation range leading to binary interaction are crucially missing. Here we show that the presence of massive stars in close binaries is ubiquitous, even at low metallicity. Using the Very Large Telescope, we obtained multi-epoch radial velocity measurements of a representative sample of 139 massive O-type stars across the Small Magellanic Cloud, which has a metal content of about one fifth of the solar value. We find that 45% of them show radial velocity variations which demonstrate that they are members of close binary systems, and predominantly have orbital periods shorter than one year. Correcting for observational biases indicates that at least 70[+11:-6]% of the O stars in our sample are in close binaries, and that at least 68[+7:-8]% of all O stars interact with a companion star during their lifetime. We found no evidence supporting a statistically significant trend of the multiplicity properties with metallicity. Our results indicate that multiplicity and binary interactions govern the evolution of massive stars and determine their cosmic feedback and explosive fates.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

The Alma catalogue of OB stars. III. A cross-match with Gaia DR3 and an extension based on new spectral classifications

We present the third installment of the Alma Luminous Star (ALS) catalogue, aimed at creating the most comprehensive and clean sample of Galactic massive stars. This update extends the sample by adding approximately 2000 OB stars, incorporating astrometric and photometric data from the Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) alongside spectroscopic information from the Galactic O-Star Catalog based on recent ground-based spectroscopic surveys. Rigorous astrometric corrections are applied to Gaia DR3 parallaxes, proper motions, and photometry, ensuring accurate distance estimates through a Bayesian method suited to this stellar population's spatial distribution in the Milky Way. We perform some comparative analyses highlighting the improved distance accuracy over previous versions, underscore the importance of precise spectral classifications with competing catalogues, and identify areas for improvement in Gaia DR3 effective temperature and extinction estimates for massive stars. We also address the challenges of having robust definitions for these objects. In addition, we explore the catalogue's ability to trace Galactic features such as spiral arms, spurs and OB associations (with some insights on the nature of Gould's Belt). Finally, we discuss the potential for further expanding the sample with upcoming surveys. This effort marks a significant advancement in the creation of a reliable census of Galactic massive stars, contributing to our understanding of the Milky Way's structure and star formation history. This catalogue should serve as a valuable reference for the massive star community, supporting research on stellar interiors, winds, stellar feedback, and other processes that make OB stars key to the evolution of galaxies.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

The Gaia-ESO Survey: Projected Rotational Velocities of B stars in the Carina Nebula

The Carina Nebula is an active star-forming region with several open clusters rich in massive OB stars, thus making it an optimal target for studying stellar properties such as rotation for large samples of these early-type stars. We studied a sample of early-type stars probable members of the 8 open clusters in the Carina Complex. The observational data consist of high-resolution spectra from the Gaia-ESO public Spectroscopic Survey. Astrometric and photometric data from Gaia EDR3 and radial velocities measured from the observed spectra are used to confirm the cluster members. The projected rotational velocities of 330 early-type stars of Carina are derived from the widths of \ion{He}{i} lines at 4388 and 4471 Å. The reported \Vsini\ values are the first estimates for 222 early-type stars. The \Vsini\ distribution for the Carina clusters peaks at $\sim$100-150 \kms, consistent with the distributions for B stars in Galactic clusters. \Vsini\ estimates for stars members of the clusters Trumpler 15, Collinder 228, Collinder 232, and Bochum 11 are presented for the first time in the literature. For a subsample of stars with earlier spectral types from B0 to B3, we find a bimodal distribution, with a third, small peak towards the upper values of \Vsini. When the full sample is split according to the parent cluster, we find that the oldest cluster in our sample, NGC 3293, presents a higher concentration of rapidly rotating stars. In contrast, Collinder 228 presents a larger number of stars with lower \Vsini.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM): Multiplicity of early B-type supergiants in the Small Magellanic Cloud

The blue supergiant (BSG) domain contains a large variety of stars whose past and future evolutionary paths are still highly uncertain. Since binary interaction plays a crucial role in the fate of massive stars, investigating the multiplicity among BSGs helps shed light on the fate of such objects. We aim to estimate the binary fraction of a large sample of BSGs in the Small Magellanic Cloud within the Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM) survey. In total, we selected 262 targets with spectral types B0-B3 and luminosity classes I-II. This work is based on spectroscopic data collected by the GIRAFFE instrument, mounted on the Very Large Telescope, which gathered nine epochs over three months. Our spectroscopic analysis for each target includes the individual and peak-to-peak radial velocity measurements, an investigation of the line profile variability, and a periodogram analysis to search for possible short- and long-period binaries. By applying a 20 km s$^{-1}$ threshold on the peak-to-peak radial velocities above which we would consider the star to be binary, the resulting observed spectroscopic binary fraction for our BSG sample is 23 $\pm$ 3$\%$. In addition, we derived reliable orbital periods for 41 spectroscopic binaries and potential binary candidates, among which there are 17 eclipsing binaries, including 20 SB1 and SB2 systems with periods of less than 10 days. We reported a significant drop in the binary fraction of BSGs with spectral types later than B2 and effective temperatures less than 18 kK, which could indicate the end of the main sequence phase in this temperature regime. We found no metallicity dependence in the binary fraction of BSGs, compared to existing spectroscopic surveys of the Galaxy and Large Magellanic Cloud.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Gaia-ESO Survey: massive stars in the Carina Nebula. II. The spectroscopic analysis of the O-star population

The new census of massive stars in the Carina nebula reveals the presence of 54 apparently single O-type stars in the Car OB1 association, an extremely active star-forming region which hosts some of the most luminous stars of the Milky Way. A detailed spectroscopic analysis of the currently most complete sample of O-type stars in the association can be used to inspect the main physical properties of cluster members and test evolutionary and stellar atmospheres models. We perform quantitative spectroscopic analysis for the most complete sample of apparently single O-type stars in Car OB1 with available spectroscopic data. From the high-resolution GES and OWN spectra we obtain a reliable distribution of rotational velocities for a sample of 37 O-type stars. It shows a bimodal structure with a low velocity peak at 60 km s$^{-1}$ and a short tail of fast rotators reaching 320 km s$^{-1}$. We also perform quantitative spectroscopic analysis and derive effective temperature, surface gravity and He abundance for a sample of 47 O-type stars, now including further stars from GOSSS database. Radii, luminosities, and spectroscopic masses were also determined using $Gaia$ astrometry. We create the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram to inspect the evolutionary status of the region and confirm the lack of stars close to the Zero Age Main Sequence (ZAMS) between $\sim$35 -- 55 M$_\odot$. We confirm a very young population with an age distribution peaking at 1 Myr, some stars close or even on the ZAMS, and a secondary peak at 4 -- 5 Myr in the age distribution. We confirm the youth of Trumpler 14, which is also the only cluster not showing the secondary peak. We also find a clear trend to evolutionary masses higher than derived spectroscopic masses for stars with evolutionary mass below 40 M$_{\odot}$.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

X-Shooting ULLYSES: Massive Stars at Low Metallicity X. Physical Parameters and Feedback of Massive Stars in the LMC N11 B Star-Forming Region

Massive stars lead the ionization and mechanical feedback within young star-forming regions. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is an ideal galaxy for studying individual massive stars and quantifying their feedback contribution to the environment. We analyze eight exemplary targets in LMC N11 B from the Hubble UV Legacy Library of Young Stars as Essential Standards (ULLYSES) program, using novel spectra from HST (COS and STIS) in the UV, and from VLT (X-shooter) in the optical. We model the spectra of early to late O-type stars by using state-of-the-art PoWR atmosphere models. We determine the stellar and wind parameters (e.g., $T_\star$, $\log g$, $L_{\star}$, $\dot{M}$, $v_\infty$) of the analyzed objects, chemical abundances (C, N, O), ionizing and mechanical feedback ($Q_\mathrm{H}$, $Q_\mathrm{He{\small{I}}}$, $Q_\mathrm{He{\small{II}}}$, $L_\mathrm{mec}$) and X-rays. We report ages of $2-4.5$ Myr and masses of $30-60$ $M_\odot$ for the analyzed stars in N11 B, consistent with a scenario of sequential star formation. We note that the observed wind-momentum luminosity relation is consistent with theoretical predictions. We detect nitrogen enrichment in most of the stars, up to a factor of seven. However, we do not find a correlation between nitrogen enrichment and projected rotational velocity. Finally, based on their spectral type, we estimate the total ionizing photons injected from the O-type stars in N11 B into its environment. We report $\log$ ($\sum$ $Q_\mathrm{H}$)$=50.5$ ph s$^{-1}$, $\log$ ($\sum$ $Q_\mathrm{He{\small{I}}}$)$=49.6$ ph s$^{-1}$ and $\log$ ($\sum$ $Q_\mathrm{He{\small{II}}}$)$=44.4$ ph s$^{-1}$, consistent with the total ionizing budget in N11.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

WEAVE First Light Observations: Origin and Dynamics of the Shock Front in Stephan's Quintet

We present a detailed study of the large-scale shock front in Stephan's Quintet, a byproduct of past and ongoing interactions. Using integral-field spectroscopy from the new William Herschel Telescope Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer (WEAVE), recent 144 MHz observations from the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), and archival data from the Very Large Array and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), we obtain new measurements of key shock properties and determine its impact on the system. Harnessing the WEAVE large integral field unit's (LIFU) field of view (90 $\times$ 78 arcsec$^{2}$), spectral resolution ($R\sim2500$) and continuous wavelength coverage across the optical band, we perform robust emission line modeling and dynamically locate the shock within the multi-phase intergalactic medium (IGM) with higher precision than previously possible. The shocking of the cold gas phase is hypersonic, and comparisons with shock models show that it can readily account for the observed emission line ratios. In contrast, we demonstrate that the shock is relatively weak in the hot plasma visible in X-rays (with Mach number of $\mathcal{M} \sim 2 - 4$), making it inefficient at producing the relativistic particles needed to explain the observed synchrotron emission. Instead, we propose that it has led to an adiabatic compression of the medium, which has increased the radio luminosity ten-fold. Comparison of the Balmer line-derived extinction map with the molecular gas and hot dust observed with JWST suggests that pre-existing dust may have survived the collision, allowing the condensation of H$_{2}$ - a key channel for dissipating the shock energy.

astro-ph.GA↗