scholarly journals New predictions for radiation-driven, steady-state mass-loss and wind-momentum from hot, massive stars

2019 ◽  
Vol 632 ◽  
pp. A126 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. O. Sundqvist ◽  
R. Björklund ◽  
J. Puls ◽  
F. Najarro

Context. Radiation-driven mass loss plays a key role in the life cycles of massive stars. However, basic predictions of such mass loss still suffer from significant quantitative uncertainties. Aims. We develop new radiation-driven, steady-state wind models for massive stars with hot surfaces, suitable for quantitative predictions of global parameters like mass-loss and wind-momentum rates. Methods. The simulations presented here are based on a self-consistent, iterative grid solution to the spherically symmetric, steady-state equation of motion, using full non-local thermodynamic equilibrium radiative transfer solutions in the co-moving frame to derive the radiative acceleration. We do not rely on any distribution functions or parametrization for computation of the line force responsible for the wind driving. The models start deep in the subsonic and optically thick atmosphere and extend up to a large radius at which the terminal wind speed has been reached. Results. In this first paper, we present models representing two prototypical O-stars in the Galaxy, one with a higher stellar mass M*∕M⊙ = 59 and luminosity log10L*∕L⊙ = 5.87 (spectroscopically an early O supergiant) and one with a lower M*∕M⊙ = 27 and log10L*∕L⊙ = 5.1 (a late O dwarf). For these simulations, basic predictions for global mass-loss rates, velocity laws, and wind momentum are given, and the influence from additional parameters like wind clumping and microturbulent speeds is discussed. A key result is that although our mass-loss rates agree rather well with alternative models using co-moving frame radiative transfer, they are significantly lower than those predicted by the mass-loss recipes normally included in models of massive-star evolution. Conclusions. Our results support previous suggestions that Galactic O-star mass-loss rates may be overestimated in present-day stellar evolution models, and that new rates might therefore be needed. Indeed, future papers in this series will incorporate our new models into such simulations of stellar evolution, extending the very first simulations presented here toward larger grids covering a range of metallicities, B supergiants across the bistability jump, and possibly also Wolf-Rayet stars.

2021 ◽  
Vol 648 ◽  
pp. A36 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Björklund ◽  
J. O. Sundqvist ◽  
J. Puls ◽  
F. Najarro

Context. Reliable predictions of mass-loss rates are important for massive-star evolution computations. Aims. We aim to provide predictions for mass-loss rates and wind-momentum rates of O-type stars, while carefully studying the behaviour of these winds as functions of stellar parameters, such as luminosity and metallicity. Methods. We used newly developed steady-state models of radiation-driven winds to compute the global properties of a grid of O-stars. The self-consistent models were calculated by means of an iterative solution to the equation of motion using full non-local thermodynamic equilibrium radiative transfer in the co-moving frame to compute the radiative acceleration. In order to study winds in different galactic environments, the grid covers main-sequence stars, giants, and supergiants in the Galaxy and both Magellanic Clouds. Results. We find a strong dependence of mass-loss on both luminosity and metallicity. Mean values across the grid are Ṁ~L*2.2 and Ṁ~L*0.95; however, we also find a somewhat stronger dependence on metallicity for lower luminosities. Similarly, the mass loss-luminosity relation is somewhat steeper for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) than for the Galaxy. In addition, the computed rates are systematically lower (by a factor 2 and more) than those commonly used in stellar-evolution calculations. Overall, our results are in good agreement with observations in the Galaxy that properly account for wind-clumping, with empirical Ṁ versus Z* scaling relations and with observations of O-dwarfs in the SMC. Conclusions. Our results provide simple fit relations for mass-loss rates and wind momenta of massive O-stars stars as functions of luminosity and metallicity, which are valid in the range Teff = 28 000–45 000 K. Due to the systematically lower values for Ṁ, our new models suggest that new rates might be needed in evolution simulations of massive stars.


1999 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 389-394
Author(s):  
K.-P. Schröder ◽  
J.M. Winters ◽  
E. Sedlmayr

We have computed mass-loss histories and tip-AGB stellar evolution models in the presence of a dust-induced, carbon-rich “superwind”, in the initial mass-range of 1.1 to about 2.5 solar masses and for nearly solar composition (X=0.28, Y=0.70, Z=0.02). Consistent, actual mass-loss rates are used in each time-step, based on pulsating and “dust-driven” stellar wind models for carbon-rich stars (Fleischer et al. 1992) which include a detailed treatment of dust-formation, radiative transfer and wind acceleration. Our tip-AGB mass-loss rates reach about 4 · 10−5M⊙yr−1 and become an influencial factor of stellar evolution.Heavy outflows of 0.3 to 0.6 M⊙ within only 2 to 3·104 yrs, exactly as required for PN-formation, occur with tip-AGB models of an initial stellar mass Mi ≳ 1.3M⊙. The mass-loss of our “superwind” varies strongly with effective temperature (Ṁ ∝ T−8eff, see Arndt et al. 1997), reflecting the temperature-sensitive micro-physics and chemistry of dust-formation and radiative transfer on a macroscopic scale. Furthermore, a thermal pulse leads to a very short (100 to 200 yrs) interruption of the “superwind” of these models.For Mi ≲ 1.1M⊙, our evolution models fail to reach the (Eddington-like) critical luminosity Lc required by the radiatively driven wind models, while for the (initial) mass-range in-between, with the tip-AGB luminosity LtAGB near Lc, thermal pulses drive bursts of “superwind”, which could explain the outer shells found with some PN's. In particular, a burst with a duration of only 800 yrs and a mass-loss of about 0.03 M⊙, occurs right after the last AGB thermal pulse of a model with Mi ≈ 1.1M⊙. There is excellent agreement with the thin CO shells found by Olofsson et al. (e.g., 1990, 1998) around some Mira stars.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S272) ◽  
pp. 93-94
Author(s):  
Catherine Lovekin ◽  
Robert G. Deupree

AbstractRadiatively driven mass loss is an important factor in the evolution of massive stars. The mass loss rates depend on a number of stellar parameters, including the effective temperature and luminosity. Massive stars are also often rapidly rotating, which affects their structure and evolution. In sufficiently rapidly rotating stars, both the effective temperature and surface flux vary significantly as a function of latitude, and hence mass loss rates can vary appreciably between the poles and the equator. In this work, we discuss the addition of mass loss to a 2D stellar evolution code (ROTORC) and compare evolution sequences with and without mass loss.


2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S252) ◽  
pp. 189-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Anne Willson

AbstractObservations tend to select mass loss rates near the critical rate, Ṁcrit = M/L. There are two reasons for this. In some situations, such as near the tip of the AGB, the mass loss rate is very sensitive to stellar parameters. In this case, stars with Ṁ ≪ Ṁcrit have dust-free, hard-to-measure mass loss rates while stars with Ṁ ≫ Ṁcrit do not survive very long and thus make up a small fraction of any sample. Selection effects dominate the fitting of empirical formulae; observations of mass loss rates tell us more about which stars are losing mass than about how a star loses mass. In other situations, such as for some of the stars along the RGB, a steady state situation occurs where the loss of mass leads to a decrease in mass loss rate while the evolutionary changes lead to an increase; the result is a steady state with Ṁ = Ṁcrit. To determine the envelope mass and composition at the end of a phase of intensive mass loss requires stellar evolution models capable of responding on a time scale ~ tKH and thus, a new generation of stellar modeling codes.


2003 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
pp. 412-413
Author(s):  
Anton V. Dorodnitsyn ◽  
Gennadi S. Bisnovatyi-Kogan

Mass loss due to outflow is one factor introducing uncertainty into our understanding of the evolution of massive stars. There is a need of a theory, that would make it possible to take into account mass loss in the process of evolutionary computations in a self-consistent way. It is currently clear that the role of outflow is extremely important for stellar evolution, but quantitative conclusions about mass-loss rates remain uncertain. The evolution of stars with masses M ≥ 15 M⊙ is accompanied by mass loss at rates reaching 10–4-10–6 M⊙ yr–1. This strongly influences the evolution of such stars in the supergiant stage.


2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (2) ◽  
pp. 1531-1560
Author(s):  
Christer Sandin ◽  
Lars Mattsson

ABSTRACT Stellar winds of cool carbon stars enrich the interstellar medium with significant amounts of carbon and dust. We present a study of the influence of two-fluid flow on winds where we add descriptions of frequency-dependent radiative transfer (RT). Our radiation hydrodynamic models in addition include stellar pulsations, grain growth and ablation, gas-to-dust drift using one mean grain size, dust extinction based on both the small particle limit (SPL) and Mie scattering, and an accurate numerical scheme. We calculate models at high spatial resolution using 1024 gridpoints and solar metallicities at 319 frequencies, and we discern effects of drift by comparing drift models to non-drift models. Our results show differences of up to 1000 per cent in comparison to extant results. Mass-loss rates and wind velocities of drift models are typically, but not always, lower than in non-drift models. Differences are larger when Mie scattering is used instead of the SPL. Amongst other properties, the mass-loss rates of the gas and dust, dust-to-gas density ratio, and wind velocity show an exponential dependence on the dust-to-gas speed ratio. Yields of dust in the least massive winds increase by a factor 4 when drift is used. We find drift velocities in the range $10\!-\!67\, \mbox{km}\, \mbox{s}^{-1}$, which is drastically higher than in our earlier works that use grey RT. It is necessary to include an estimate of drift velocities to reproduce high yields of dust and low wind velocities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 613 ◽  
pp. A75 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Kurfürst ◽  
A. Feldmeier ◽  
J. Krtička

Context. Evolution of massive stars is affected by a significant loss of mass either via (nearly) spherically symmetric stellar winds or by aspherical mass-loss mechanisms, namely the outflowing equatorial disks. However, the scenario that leads to the formation of a disk or rings of gas and dust around massive stars is still under debate. It is also unclear how various forming physical mechanisms of the circumstellar environment affect its shape and density, as well as its kinematic and thermal structure. Aims. We study the hydrodynamic and thermal structure of optically thick, dense parts of outflowing circumstellar disks that may be formed around various types of critically rotating massive stars, for example, Be stars, B[e] supergiant (sgB[e]) stars or Pop III stars. We calculate self-consistent time-dependent models of temperature and density structure in the disk’s inner dense region that is strongly affected by irradiation from a rotationally oblate central star and by viscous heating. Methods. Using the method of short characteristics, we specify the optical depth of the disk along the line-of-sight from stellar poles. Within the optically thick dense region with an optical depth of τ > 2∕3 we calculate the vertical disk thermal structure using the diffusion approximation while for the optically thin outer layers we assume a local thermodynamic equilibrium with the impinging stellar irradiation. For time-dependent hydrodynamic modeling, we use two of our own types of hydrodynamic codes: two-dimensional operator-split numerical code based on an explicit Eulerian finite volume scheme on a staggered grid, and unsplit code based on the Roe’s method, both including full second-order Navier-Stokes shear viscosity. Results. Our models show the geometric distribution and contribution of viscous heating that begins to dominate in the central part of the disk for mass-loss rates higher than Ṁ ≳ 10−10 M⊙ yr−1. In the models of dense viscous disks with Ṁ > 10−8 M⊙ yr−1, the viscosity increases the central temperature up to several tens of thousands of Kelvins, however the temperature rapidly drops with radius and with distance from the disk midplane. The high mass-loss rates and high viscosity lead to instabilities with significant waves or bumps in density and temperature in the very inner disk region. Conclusions. The two-dimensional radial-vertical models of dense outflowing disks including the full Navier-Stokes viscosity terms show very high temperatures that are however limited to only the central disk cores inside the optically thick area, while near the edge of the optically thick region the temperature may be low enough for the existence of neutral hydrogen, for example.


2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S250) ◽  
pp. 89-96
Author(s):  
D. John Hillier

AbstractThe standard theory of radiation driven winds has provided a useful framework to understand stellar winds arising from massive stars (O stars, Wolf-Rayet stars, and luminous blue variables). However, with new diagnostics, and advances in spectral modeling, deficiencies in our understanding of stellar winds have been thrust to the forefront of our research efforts. Spectroscopic observations and analyses have shown the importance of inhomogeneities in stellar winds, and revealed that there are fundamental discrepancies between predicted and theoretical mass-loss rates. For late O stars, spectroscopic analyses derive mass-loss rates significantly lower than predicted. For all O stars, observed X-ray fluxes are difficult to reproduce using standard shock theory, while observed X-ray profiles indicate lower mass-loss rates, the potential importance of porosity effects, and an origin surprisingly close to the stellar photosphere. In O stars with weak winds, X-rays play a crucial role in determining the ionization balance, and must be taken into account.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 39-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Vink

Abstract. We discuss the origin and quantification of wind clumping and mass–loss rates (Ṁ), particularly in close proximity to the Eddington (Γ) limit, relevant for very massive stars (VMS). We present evidence that clumping may not be the result of the line-deshadowing instability (LDI), but that clumps are already present in the stellar photosphere.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-175
Author(s):  
L. Hernández-Cervantes ◽  
B. Pérez-Rendón ◽  
A. Santillán ◽  
G. García-Segura ◽  
C. Rodríguez-Ibarra

In this work, we present models of massive stars between 15 and 23 M⊙ , with enhanced mass loss rates during the red supergiant phase. Our aim is to explore the impact of extreme red supergiant mass-loss on stellar evolution and on their circumstellar medium. We computed a set of numerical experiments, on the evolution of single stars with initial masses of 15, 18, 20 and, 23 M⊙ , and solar composition (Z = 0.014), using the numerical stellar code BEC. From these evolutionary models, we obtained time-dependent stellar wind parameters, that were used explicitly as inner boundary conditions in the hydrodynamical code ZEUS-3D, which simulates the gas dynamics in the circumstellar medium (CSM), thus coupling the stellar evolution to the dynamics of the CSM. We found that stars with extreme mass loss in the RSG phase behave as a larger mass stars.


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