SIMBAD references

2002ApJ...579..774C - Astrophys. J., 579, 774-799 (2002/November-2)

Revised stellar temperatures for Magellanic cloud O supergiants from Far Spectroscopic Explorer and Very Large Telescope UV-visual echelle spectrograph spectroscopy.

CROWTHER P.A., HILLIER D.J., EVANS C.J., FULLERTON A.W., DE MARCO O. and WILLIS A.J.

Abstract (from CDS):

We have undertaken quantitative analysis of four LMC and SMC O4-9.7 extreme supergiants using far-ultraviolet FUSE, ultraviolet IUE/Hubble Space Telescope, and optical Very Large Telescope UV-Visual Echelle Spectrograph spectroscopy. Extended, non-LTE model atmospheres that allow for the consistent treatment of line blanketing, developed by Hillier & Miller, are used to analyze wind and photospherics spectral features simultaneously. Using Hα to constrain mass-loss rates, He I-He II photospheric lines reveal stellar temperatures that are systematically (5-7.5 kK) and substantially (15%-20%) lower than previously derived from unblanketed, plane-parallel, non-LTE photospheric studies. We have confidence in these revisions since derived temperatures generally yield consistent fits across the entire 912-7000 Å observed spectral range. In particular, we are able to resolve the UV-optical temperature discrepancy identified for AzV 232 (O7 Iaf+) in the SMC by Fullerton and coworkers. The temperature and abundance sensitivity of far-ultraviolet, UV, and optical lines are discussed. ``Of'' classification criteria are directly linked to (strong) nitrogen enrichment (via N III λ4097) and (weak) carbon depletion (via C III λλ4647-4651), providing evidence for mixing of unprocessed and CNO-processed material at their stellar surfaces. Oxygen abundances are more difficult to constrain, except via O II lines in the O9.7 supergiant, for which it is also found to be somewhat depleted. Unfortunately, He/H is very difficult to determine in individual O supergiants because of uncertainties in microturbulence and the atmospheric scale height. The effect of wind clumping is also investigated, for which P V λλ1118-1128 potentially provides a useful diagnostic in O star winds, unless phosphorus can be independently demonstrated to be underabundant relative to other heavy elements. Revised stellar properties affect existing calibrations of (1) Lyman continuum photons–a factor of 2 lower for the O4 supergiant–and (2) kinetic energy released into the ISM by O supergiants. Our results also have importance for the calibration of the wind momentum-luminosity relationship for OB stars, particularly since the stars studied here are among the visually brightest OB stars in external galaxies.

Abstract Copyright:

Journal keyword(s): Stars: Early-Type - Stars: Fundamental Parameters - Stars: Mass Loss - Ultraviolet: Stars

Simbad objects: 27

goto Full paper

goto View the references in ADS

To bookmark this query, right click on this link: simbad:2002ApJ...579..774C and select 'bookmark this link' or equivalent in the popup menu