scholarly journals An updated stellar census of the Quintuplet cluster

2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A2 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Clark ◽  
M. E. Lohr ◽  
L. R. Patrick ◽  
F. Najarro ◽  
H. Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Massive Stars ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Observational Constraints ◽  
Luminous Blue Variables ◽  
Very Large Telescope ◽  
Stellar Formation ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Evolutionary Phase ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
Stellar Aggregate

Context. Found within the central molecular zone, the Quintuplet is one of the most massive young clusters in the Galaxy. As a consequence it offers the prospect of constraining stellar formation and evolution in extreme environments. However, current observations suggest that it comprises a remarkably diverse stellar population that is difficult to reconcile with an instantaneous formation event. Aims. To better understand the nature of the cluster our aim is to improve observational constraints on the constituent stars. Methods. In order to accomplish this goal we present Hubble Space Telescope/NICMOS+WFC3 photometry and Very Large Telescope/SINFONI+KMOS spectroscopy for ∼100 and 71 cluster members, respectively. Results. Spectroscopy of the cluster members reveals the Quintuplet to be far more homogeneous than previously expected. All supergiants are classified as either O7–8 Ia or O9–B0 Ia, with only one object of earlier (O5 I–III) spectral type. These stars form a smooth morphological sequence with a cohort of seven early-B hypergiants and six luminous blue variables and WN9-11h stars, which comprise the richest population of such stars of any stellar aggregate known. In parallel, we identify a smaller population of late-O hypergiants and spectroscopically similar WN8–9ha stars. No further H-free Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars are identified, leaving an unexpectedly extreme ratio of 13:1 for WC/WN stars. A subset of the O9–B0 supergiants are unexpectedly faint, suggesting they are both less massive and older than the greater cluster population. Finally, no main sequence objects were identifiable. Conclusions. Due to uncertainties over which extinction law to apply, it was not possible to quantitatively determine a cluster age via isochrone fitting. Nevertheless, we find an impressive coincidence between the properties of cluster members preceding the H-free WR phase and the evolutionary predictions for a single, non-rotating 60 M⊙ star; in turn this implies an age of ∼3.0–3.6 Myr for the Quintuplet. Neither the late O-hypergiants nor the low luminosity supergiants are predicted by such a path; we suggest that the former either result from rapid rotators or are the products of binary driven mass-stripping, while the latter may be interlopers. The H-free WRs must evolve from stars with an initial mass in excess of 60 M⊙ but it appears difficult to reconcile their observational properties with theoretical expectations. This is important since one would expect the most massive stars within the Quintuplet to be undergoing core-collapse/SNe at this time; since the WRs represent an evolutionary phase directly preceding this event,their physical properties are crucial to understanding both this process and the nature of the resultant relativistic remnant. As such, the Quintuplet provides unique observational constraints on the evolution and death of the most massive stars forming in the local, high metallicity Universe.

scholarly journals The BinaMIcS project: understanding the origin of magnetic fields in massive stars through close binary systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (S307) ◽  
pp. 330-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Alecian ◽  
C. Neiner ◽  
G. A. Wade ◽  
S. Mathis ◽  
D. Bohlender ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Properties ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Close Binary ◽  
First Year ◽  
Close Binary Systems ◽  
Stellar Formation ◽  
Formation And Evolution

AbstractIt is now well established that a fraction of the massive (M> 8M⊙) star population hosts strong, organised magnetic fields, most likely of fossil origin. The details of the generation and evolution of these fields are still poorly understood. The BinaMIcS project takes an important step towards the understanding of the interplay between binarity and magnetism during the stellar formation and evolution, and in particular the genesis of fossil fields, by studying the magnetic properties of close binary systems. The components of such systems are most likely formed together, at the same time and in the same environment, and can therefore help us to disentangle the role of initial conditions on the magnetic properties of the massive stars from other competing effects such as age or rotation. We present here the main scientific objectives of the BinaMIcS project, as well as preliminary results from the first year of observations from the associated ESPaDOnS and Narval spectropolarimetric surveys.

scholarly journals Basic observational constraints on the evolution of massive stars

1984 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 233-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter S. Conti
Keyword(s):  
Local Group ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Mass Composition ◽  
Observational Constraints ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Extensive Discussion ◽  
Short Summary ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Kinematic Properties

The sources of information and uncertainties in the intrinsic stellar parameters of luminosity, effective temperature, mass, composition and mass loss rates are discussed. These are used to compare the observed positions of massive stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram (HRD) with evolutionary tracks. The current status of this effort is briefly reviewed. A short summary of the kinematic properties of massive stars is made. A preliminary but fairly extensive discussion of the distributions and numbers of O-type and Wolf-Rayet stars in the galaxy and other members of the local group is then given.

scholarly journals The Arches cluster revisited

2018 ◽  
Vol 617 ◽  
pp. A65 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Clark ◽  
M. E. Lohr ◽  
F. Najarro ◽  
H. Dong ◽  
F. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Class V ◽  
Near Ir ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Evolutionary Connection ◽  
Binary Evolution ◽  
Ir Spectroscopic ◽  
First Time

Context. Located within the central region of the Galaxy, the Arches cluster appears to be one of the youngest, densest, and most massive stellar aggregates within the Milky Way. As such, it has the potential to be uniquely instructive laboratory for the study of star formation in extreme environments and the physics of very massive stars. Aims. To realise this possibility, the fundamental physical properties of both cluster and constituent stars need to be robustly determined; tasks we attempt here. Methods. In order to accomplish these goals we provide and analyse new multi-epoch near-IR spectroscopic data obtained with the VLT/SINFONI and photometry from the HST/WFC3. We are able to stack multiple epochs of spectroscopy for individual stars in order to obtain the deepest view of the cluster members ever obtained. Results. We present spectral classifications for 88 cluster members, all of which are WNLh or O stars: a factor of three increase over previous studies. We find no further examples of Wolf–Rayet stars within the cluster; importantly no H-free examples were identified. The smooth and continuous progression in spectral morphologies from O super/hypergiants through to the WNLh cohort implies a direct evolutionary connection. We identify candidate giant and main sequence O stars spectroscopically for the first time. No products of binary evolution may be unambiguously identified despite the presence of massive binaries within the Arches. Conclusions. Notwithstanding difficulties imposed by the highly uncertain (differential) reddening to the Arches, we infer a main sequence/luminosity class V turn-off mass of ~30−38 M⊙ via the distribution of spectral types. Analysis of the eclipsing binary F2 suggests current masses of ~80 M⊙ and ~60 M⊙ for the WNLh and O hypergiant cohorts, respectively; we conclude that all classified stars have masses >20 M⊙. An age of ~2.0−3.3 Myr is suggested by the turn-off between ~O4-5 V; constraints imposed by the supergiant population and the lack of H-free WRs are consistent with this estimate. While the absence of highly evolved WC stars strongly argues against the prior occurrence of SNe within the Arches, the derived age does accommodate such events for exceptionally massive stars. Further progress will require quantitative analysis of multiple individual cluster members in addition to further spectroscopic observations to better constrain the binary and main sequence populations; nevertheless it is abundantly clear that the Arches offers an unprecedented insight into the formation, evolution and death of the most massive stars nature allows to form.

scholarly journals On particle acceleration and transport in plasmas in the Galaxy: theory and observations

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Amato ◽  
Sabrina Casanova
Keyword(s):  
Particle Acceleration ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Energetic Particles ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
Galaxy Assembly

Accelerated particles are ubiquitous in the Cosmos and play a fundamental role in many processes governing the evolution of the Universe at all scales, from the sub-AU scale relevant for the formation and evolution of stars and planets to the Mpc scale involved in Galaxy assembly. We reveal the presence of energetic particles in many classes of astrophysical sources thanks to their production of non-thermal radiation, and we detect them directly at the Earth as cosmic rays. In the last two decades both direct and indirect observations have provided us a wealth of new, high-quality data about cosmic rays and their interactions both in sources and during propagation, in the Galaxy and in the Solar System. Some of the new data have confirmed existing theories about particle acceleration and propagation and their interplay with the environment in which they occur. Some others have brought about interesting surprises, whose interpretation is not straightforward within the standard framework and may require a change of paradigm in terms of our ideas about the origin of cosmic rays of different species or in different energy ranges. In this article, we focus on cosmic rays of galactic origin, namely with energies below a few petaelectronvolts, where a steepening is observed in the spectrum of energetic particles detected at the Earth. We review the recent observational findings and the current status of the theory about the origin and propagation of galactic cosmic rays.

scholarly journals Populations of OB-type stars in galaxies

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S272) ◽  
pp. 233-241
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Evolution ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Spectral Synthesis ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Young Star ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
External Galaxies

AbstractOne of the challenges for stellar astrophysics is to reach the point at which we can undertake reliable spectral synthesis of unresolved populations in young, star-forming galaxies at high redshift. Here I summarise recent studies of massive stars in the Galaxy and Magellanic Clouds, which span a range of metallicities commensurate with those in high-redshift systems, thus providing an excellent laboratory in which to study the role of environment on stellar evolution. I also give an overview of observations of luminous supergiants in external galaxies out to a remarkable 6.7 Mpc, in which we can exploit our understanding of stellar evolution to study the chemistry and dynamics of the host systems.

scholarly journals The properties of early-type stars in the Magellanic Clouds

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S256) ◽  
pp. 325-336
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Temperature Scale ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Early Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Stellar Temperature ◽  
Early Type Stars

AbstractThe past decade has witnessed impressive progress in our understanding of the physical properties of massive stars in the Magellanic Clouds, and how they compare to their cousins in the Galaxy. I summarise new results in this field, including evidence for reduced mass-loss rates and faster stellar rotational velocities in the Clouds, and their present-day compositions. I also discuss the stellar temperature scale, emphasizing its dependence on metallicity across the entire upper-part of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

scholarly journals LINER-like emission in red galaxies: evolutionary phase or recurring phenomenon?

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S245) ◽  
pp. 181-184
Author(s):  
Genevieve J. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Population ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Optical Emission ◽  
Ionized Gas ◽  
Satellite Galaxy ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Evolutionary Phase ◽  
Interstellar Material ◽  
Red Galaxies

AbstractWe present recent results showing that a large fraction of red sequence galaxies contain ionized gas with LINER-like optical emission line ratios. This emission is more frequently found in galaxies with lower central velocity dispersion (σ) and these galaxies typically have younger mean ages than galaxies at the same σ which do not host emission. We suggest that the presence of LINER-like emission may be determined by the quantity of interstellar material in these galaxies and may be associated with the recent accretion of a gas-rich satellite galaxy or alternatively with stellar mass loss that declines as the galaxy stellar population ages.

scholarly journals Past, Present, and Future of the Scaling Relations of Galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro D’Onofrio ◽  
Paola Marziani ◽  
Cesare Chiosi
Keyword(s):  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Scaling Relations ◽  
Short History ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Galaxy Formation And Evolution ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Formation And Evolution

We review the properties of the established Scaling Relations (SRs) of galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN), focusing on their origin and expected evolution back in time, providing a short history of the most important progresses obtained up to now and discussing the possible future studies. We also try to connect the observed SRs with the physical mechanisms behind them, examining to what extent current models reproduce the observational data. The emerging picture clarifies the complexity intrinsic to the galaxy formation and evolution process as well as the basic uncertainties still affecting our knowledge of the AGN phenomenon. At the same time, however, it suggests that the detailed analysis of the SRs can profitably contribute to our understanding of galaxies and AGN.

scholarly journals Massive stars in their death throes

2008 ◽  
Vol 366 (1884) ◽  
pp. 4441-4452 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J Eldridge
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Evolution ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Evolution Theory ◽  
Luminous Blue Variables ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Red Supergiants ◽  
Working Backwards

The study of the stars that explode as supernovae used to be a forensic study, working backwards from the remnants of the star. This changed in 1987 when the first progenitor star was identified in pre-explosion images. Currently, there are eight detected progenitors with another 21 non-detections, for which only a limit on the pre-explosion luminosity can be placed. This new avenue of supernova research has led to many interesting conclusions, most importantly that the progenitors of the most common supernovae, type IIP, are red supergiants, as theory has long predicted. However, no progenitors have been detected thus far for the hydrogen-free type Ib/c supernovae, which, given the expected progenitors, is an unlikely result. Also, observations have begun to show evidence that luminous blue variables, which are among the most massive stars, may directly explode as supernovae. These results contradict the current stellar evolution theory. This suggests that we may need to update our understanding.

scholarly journals Stellar and wind properties of massive stars in the central parsec of the Galaxy

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (14) ◽  
pp. 207-207
Author(s):  
Fabrice Martins ◽  
Reinhard Genzel ◽  
Frank Eisenhauer ◽  
Thibaut Paumard ◽  
Thomas Ott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Central Parsec

AbstractThe stellar and wind properties of the new population of massive stars in the central parsec of the Galaxy are derived through quantitative analysis with atmosphere models.

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