arXiv subjects

Wagner Marcolino

Publications and source records attributed to Wagner Marcolino.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

A near-UV reconnaissance of metal-poor massive stars

We use synthetic model spectra to investigate the potential of near-ultraviolet (3000-4050 Å) observations of massive O-type stars. We highlight the He I $λ$3188 and He II $λ$3203 pair as a potential temperature diagnostic in this range, supported by estimates of gravity using the high Balmer series lines. The near-ultraviolet also contains important metallic lines for determinations of chemical abundances (oxygen in particular) and estimates of projected rotational velocities for O-type spectra. Using the model spectra we present performance estimates for observations of extragalactic massive stars with the Cassegrain U-Band Efficient Spectrograph (CUBES) now in construction for the Very Large Telescope. The high efficiency of CUBES will open-up exciting new possibilities in the study of massive stars in external galaxies. For instance, CUBES will provide new insights into the physical properties of O-type stars, including oxygen abundances, in metal-poor irregular galaxies at ~1 Mpc from integrations of just 2-3 hrs. Moreover, CUBES will bring quantitative spectroscopy of more distant targets within reach for the first time, such as the O-type star (V~21.5 mag) in Leo P (at 1.6 Mpc) in only half a night of observations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

The CUBES Science Case

We introduce the scientific motivations for the development of the Cassegrain U-Band Efficient Spectrograph (CUBES) that is now in construction for the Very Large Telescope. The assembled cases span a broad range of contemporary topics across Solar System, Galactic and extragalactic astronomy, where observations are limited by the performance of current ground-based spectrographs shortwards of 400nm. A brief background to each case is presented and specific technical requirements on the instrument design that flow-down from each case are identified. These were used as inputs to the CUBES design, that will provide a factor of ten gain in efficiency for astronomical spectroscopy over 300-405nm, at resolving powers of R~24,000 and ~7,000. We include performance estimates that demonstrate the ability of CUBES to observe sources that are up to three magnitudes fainter than currently possible at ground-ultraviolet wavelengths, and we place its predicted performance in the context of existing facillities.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

Massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud : Evolution, rotation and surface abundances

We study the evolutionary and physical properties of evolved O stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), with a special focus on their surface abundances to investigate the efficiency of rotational mixing as a function of age, rotation and global metallicity. We analyse the UV + optical spectra of thirteen SMC O-type giants and supergiants, using the stellar atmosphere code CMFGEN to derive photospheric and wind properties. We compare the inferred properties to theoretical predictions from evolution models. For a more comprehensive analysis, we interpret the results together with those we obtained for O-type dwarfs in a former study. Most dwarfs lie in the early phases of the main-sequence. For a given initial mass, giants are farther along the evolutionary tracks, confirming that they are more evolved than dwarfs. Supergiants have higher initial masses and are located past the terminal age main-sequence. We find no clear trend of a mass discrepancy, regardless of the diagram that was used to estimate the evolutionary mass. CNO abundances are consistent with nucleosynthesis from the CNO cycle. Comparisons to theoretical predictions reveal that the initial mixture is important when the observed trends in the N/C versus N/O diagram are to be reproduced. A trend for stronger chemical evolution for more evolved objects is observed. More massive stars, are on average, more chemically enriched at a given evolutionary phase, qualitatively consistent with evolutionary models. Abundance ratios supports the theoretical prediction that massive stars at low metallicity are more chemically processed than their Galactic counterparts. Finally, models including rotation generally reproduce the surface abundances and rotation rates when different initial rotational velocities are considered. Nevertheless, there are objects for which a stronger braking and/or more efficient mixing is required.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

$ξ^1$ CMa: An Extremely Slowly Rotating Magnetic B0.7 IV Star

We present our analysis of 6 years of ESPaDOnS spectropolarimetry of the magnetic $β$ Cep star $ξ^1$ CMa (B0.7 IV). This high-precision magnetometry is consistent with a rotational period $P{\rm rot} >$ 40 yr. Absorption line profiles can be reproduced with a non-rotating model. We constrain $R_*$, $L_*$, and the stellar age via a Baade-Wesselink analysis. Spindown due to angular momentum loss via the magnetosphere predicts an extremely long rotational period if the magnetic dipole $B_{\rm d} > 6$ kG, a strength also inferred by the best-fit sinusoids to the longitudinal magnetic field measurements $B_{\rm Z}$ when phased with a 60-year $P_{\rm rot}$.

astro-ph.SR↗