scholarly journals Mass loss and the Eddington parameter: a new mass-loss recipe for hot and massive stars

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (3) ◽  
pp. 3938-3946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim M Bestenlehner

ABSTRACT Mass loss through stellar winds plays a dominant role in the evolution of massive stars. In particular, the mass-loss rates of very massive stars ($\gt 100\, M_{\odot}$) are highly uncertain. Such stars display Wolf–Rayet spectral morphologies (WNh), whilst on the main sequence. Metal-poor very massive stars are progenitors of gamma-ray bursts and pair instability supernovae. In this study, we extended the widely used stellar wind theory by Castor, Abbott & Klein from the optically thin (O star) to the optically thick main-sequence (WNh) wind regime. In particular, we modify the mass-loss rate formula in a way that we are able to explain the empirical mass-loss dependence on the Eddington parameter (Γe). The new mass-loss recipe is suitable for incorporation into current stellar evolution models for massive and very massive stars. It makes verifiable predictions, namely how the mass-loss rate scales with metallicity and at which Eddington parameter the transition from optically thin O star to optically thick WNh star winds occurs. In the case of the star cluster R136 in the Large Magellanic Cloud we find in the optically thin wind regime $\dot{M} \propto \Gamma _{\rm e}^{3}$, while in the optically thick wind regime $\dot{M} \propto 1/ (1 - \Gamma _{\rm e})^{3.5}$. The transition from optically thin to optically thick winds occurs at Γe, trans ≈ 0.47. The transition mass-loss rate is $\log \dot{M}~(\mathrm{M}_{\odot } \, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}) \approx -4.76 \pm 0.18$, which is in line with the prediction by Vink & Gräfener assuming a volume filling factor of $f_{\rm V} = 0.23_{-0.15}^{+0.40}$.

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S279) ◽  
pp. 427-428
Author(s):  
Takashi Yoshida ◽  
Hideyuki Umeda

AbstractWe investigate the evolution of very massive stars with Z = 0.2 Z⊙ to constrain the progenitor of the extremely luminous Type Ic SN 2007bi. In order to reproduce the 56Ni amount produced in SN 2007bi, the range of the stellar mass at the zero-age main-sequence is expected to be 515 - 575M⊙ for pair-instability supernova and 110 - 280M⊙ for core-collapse supernova. Uncertainty in the mass loss rate affects the mass range appropriate for the explosion of SN 2007bi. A core-collapse supernova of a WO star evolved from a 110 M⊙ star produces sufficient radioactive 56Ni to reproduce the light curve of SN 2007bi.


2018 ◽  
Vol 617 ◽  
pp. A137 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Fenech ◽  
J. S. Clark ◽  
R. K. Prinja ◽  
S. Dougherty ◽  
F. Najarro ◽  
...  

Massive stars play an important role in both cluster and galactic evolution and the rate at which they lose mass is a key driver of both their own evolution and their interaction with the environment up to and including their terminal SNe explosions. Young massive clusters provide an ideal opportunity to study a co-eval population of massive stars, where both their individual properties and the interaction with their environment can be studied in detail. We aim to study the constituent stars of the Galactic cluster Westerlund 1 in order to determine mass-loss rates for the diverse post-main sequence population of massive stars. To accomplish this we made 3mm continuum observations with the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array. We detected emission from 50 stars in Westerlund 1, comprising all 21 Wolf-Rayets within the field of view, plus eight cool and 21 OB super-/hypergiants. Emission nebulae were associated with a number of the cool hypergiants while, unexpectedly, a number of hot stars also appear spatially resolved. We were able to measure the mass-loss rates for a unique population of massive post-main sequence stars at every stage of evolution, confirming a significant increase as stars transitioned from OB supergiant to WR states via LBV and/or cool hypergiant phases. Fortuitously, the range of spectral types exhibited by the OB supergiants provides a critical test of radiatively-driven wind theory and in particular the reality of the bi-stability jump. The extreme mass-loss rate inferred for the interacting binary Wd1-9 in comparison to other cluster members confirmed the key role binarity plays in massive stellar evolution. The presence of compact nebulae around a number of OB and WR stars is unexpected; by analogy to the cool super-/hypergiants we attribute this to confinement and sculpting of the stellar wind via interaction with the intra-cluster medium/wind. Given the morphologies of core collapse SNe depend on the nature of the pre-explosion circumstellar environment, if this hypothesis is correct then the properties of the explosion depend not just on the progenitor, but also the environment in which it is located.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S329) ◽  
pp. 401-401
Author(s):  
Alex C. Gormaz-Matamala ◽  
Michel Curé ◽  
Lydia Cidale ◽  
Roberto Venero

AbstractIn the frame of radiation driven wind theory (Castor et al.1975), we present self-consistent hydrodynamical solutions to the line-force parameters (k, α, δ) under LTE conditions. Hydrodynamic models are provided by HydWind (Curé 2004). We evaluate these results with those ones previously found in literature, focusing in different regions of the optical depth to be used to perform the calculations. The values for mass-loss rate and terminal velocity obtained from our calculations are also presented.We also examine the line-force parameters for the case when large changes in ionization throughout the wind occurs (δ-slow solutions, Curé et al.2011).


Author(s):  
Jorick S. Vink

In our quest for gamma-ray burst (GRB) progenitors, it is relevant to consider the progenitor evolution of normal supernovae (SNe). This is largely dominated by mass loss. We discuss the mass-loss rate for very massive stars up to 300 M ⊙ . These objects are in close proximity to the Eddington Γ limit. We describe the new concept of the transitional mass-loss rate, enabling us to calibrate wind mass loss. This allows us to consider the occurrence of pair-instability SNe in the local Universe. We also discuss luminous blue variables and their link to luminous SNe. Finally, we address the polarization properties of Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars, measuring their wind asphericities. We argue to have found a group of rotating WR stars that fulfil the required criteria to make long-duration GRBs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S329) ◽  
pp. 279-286
Author(s):  
Jorick S. Vink ◽  
C.J. Evans ◽  
J. Bestenlehner ◽  
C. McEvoy ◽  
O. Ramírez-Agudelo ◽  
...  

AbstractWe present a number of notable results from the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS), an ESO Large Program during which we obtained multi-epoch medium-resolution optical spectroscopy of a very large sample of over 800 massive stars in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). This unprecedented data-set has enabled us to address some key questions regarding atmospheres and winds, as well as the evolution of (very) massive stars. Here we focus on O-type runaways, the width of the main sequence, and the mass-loss rates for (very) massive stars. We also provide indications for the presence of a top-heavy initial mass function (IMF) in 30 Dor.


1991 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 281-288
Author(s):  
M.J. Barlow

The future use of space-borne IR spectroscopy to determine the ionization structure and abundances in the outer winds of WR stars is described. A mass loss rate of 1.7×10-5 M⊙ yr–1 has been derived from 10 μm photometry of the WO2 star Sanduleak 5 (WR 142). The He/H number ratios in the winds of P Cyg and AG Car have been derived from a recombination line analysis of their 1-4 μm spectra and mass loss rates of 2.2×10-5 M⊙ yr–1 and 3.7×10-5 M⊙ yr–1 have been respectively derived for them.


1991 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 480-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Leitherer ◽  
Norbert Langer

The structure and evolution of massive stars is significantly influenced by effects of chemical composition in a low-metallicity environment (as compared to the solar neighbourhood, SN), such as the Magellanic Clouds. A fundamental ingredient in evolutionary models is the stellar mass-loss rate M. Lower metal content decreases the mass-loss rates derived theoretically, which in turn affects the stellar evolution models. On the other hand, different evolutionary models predict different stellar parameters (especially L), which again influence M so that an iterative procedure is required to achieve self-consistency.


1981 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 265-270
Author(s):  
L.R. Yungelson ◽  
A.G. Massevitch ◽  
A.V. Tutukov

It is shown that mass loss by stellar wind with rates observed in O, B-stars cannot change qualitatively their evolution in the core hydrogen-burning stage. The effects, that are usually attributed to the mass loss, can be explained by other causes: e.g., duplicity or enlarged chemically homogeneous stellar cores.The significance of mass loss by stellar wind for the evolution of massive stars was studied extensively by numerous authors (see e.g. Chiosi et al. (1979) and references therein). However, the problem is unclear as yet. There does not exist any satisfactory theory of mass loss by stars. Therefore one is usually forced to assume that mass loss rate depends on some input parameters.


1993 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 483-483
Author(s):  
S.K. Górny

A grid of homogeneous models of evolution of hydrogen burning planetary nebulae nuclei, assuming different stellar winds and the zero points for the post-AGB evolution, have been constructed from original Schönberners tracks. Following a simplified line-driven wind theory the mass loss rate has been adopted to be


2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (4) ◽  
pp. 5230-5238
Author(s):  
Roni Anna Gofman ◽  
Naomi Gluck ◽  
Noam Soker

ABSTRACT We evolve stellar models with zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) mass of MZAMS ≳ 18 M⊙ under the assumption that they experience an enhanced mass-loss rate when crossing the instability strip at high luminosities and conclude that most of them end as type Ibc supernovae (SNe Ibc) or dust-obscured SNe II. We explore what level of enhanced mass-loss rate during the instability strip would be necessary to explain the ‘red supergiant problem’. This problem refers to the dearth of observed core-collapse supernovae progenitors with MZAMS ≳ 18 M⊙. Namely, we examine what enhanced mass-loss rate could make it possible for all these stars actually to explode as core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe). We find that the mass-loss rate should increase by a factor of at least about 10. We reach this conclusion by analysing the hydrogen mass in the stellar envelope and the optical depth of the dusty wind at the explosion, and crudely estimate that under our assumptions only about a fifth of these stars explode as unobscured SNe II and SNe IIb. About 10–15 per cent end as obscured SNe II that are infrared-bright but visibly very faint, and the rest, about 65–70 per cent, end as SNe Ibc. However, the statistical uncertainties are still too significant to decide whether many stars with MZAMS ≳ 18 M⊙ do not explode as expected in the neutrino driven explosion mechanism, or whether all of them explode as CCSNe, as expected by the jittering jets explosion mechanism.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document