Search

Context. Large spectroscopic surveys of individual massive stars, such as ULLYSES and XShootU, provide observational data for hundreds of massive stars. Their analysis requires large numbers of synthetic spectra so that stellar parameters can be determined. In addition, libraries of massive stars' spectra are needed to produce population synthesis models able to reproduce the observed spectra of unresolved young stellar populations, such as those revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in the early Universe. Aims. Our main goal is to provide an extensive library of synthetic spectra and spectral energy distributions of OB stars at metallicities of the Magellanic Clouds. This library will offer a wealth of spectrophotometric information, making it readily applicable to a variety of astrophysical problems. Methods. We used the CMFGEN code to calculate 606 NLTE, line-blanketed, expanding atmosphere models using a comprehensive set of atomic data. An overall metallicity of 1/2 Z⊙ and 1/5 Z⊙ was adopted for the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), respectively. We produced high-resolution spectra from 30 Å to 3 µm for stars on the Main Sequence and slightly beyond. Results. We provide spectral energy distributions, normalized synthetic spectra, ionizing fluxes, and photometry in various bands: Johnson UBV, Cousins RI, Bessel JHK, selected wide JWST filters, Gaia, and LSST ugrizy filters. For each of these filters, we compute bolometric corrections for all synthetic spectra and calibrations as a function of effective temperature. Conclusions. All of our synthetic spectra are publicly available through the POLLUX database, aiming to expedite multiwavelength analyses of massive stars in low metallicity environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present mid-infrared (mid-IR) observations for a sample of 16 O-type stars. The data were acquired with the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope, using the IRS instrument at moderate resolution (R ∼ 600), covering the range of ∼10-37 μm. Our sample includes early, mid and late O supergiants and dwarfs. We explore for the first time their mid-IR spectral morphology in a quantitative way. We use NLTE expanding atmosphere models to help with line identifications, analyse profile contributions and line-formation regions. The O supergiants present a rich emission line spectra. The most intense features are from hydrogen-6 α, 7 α and 8 αthat have non-negligible contributions of He I or He II lines, depending on the spectral type. The spectrum of early O supergiants is a composite of HI and He II lines, He I lines being absent. On the other hand, late O supergiants present features composed mainly by HI and He I lines. All emission lines are formed throughout the stellar wind. We found that O dwarfs exhibit a featureless mid-IR spectrum. Two stars of our sample exhibit very similar mid-IR features, despite having a very different optical spectral classification. The analysis of O-type stars based on mid-IR spectra alone to infer spectral classes or to estimate physical parameters may thus be prone to substantial errors. Our results may therefore inform spectroscopic observations of massive stars located in heavily obscured regions and help establish an initial framework for observations of massive stars using the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The evolution of massive stars is still partly unconstrained. Mass, metallicity, mass loss, and rotation are the main drivers of stellar evolution. Binarity and the magnetic field may also significantly affect the fate of massive stars. Aims. Our goal is to investigate the evolution of single O stars in the Galaxy. Methods. For that, we used a sample of 74 objects comprising all luminosity classes and spectral types from O4 to O9.7. We relied on optical spectroscopy obtained in the context of the MiMeS survey of massive stars. We performed spectral modelling with the code CMFGEN. We determined the surface properties of the sample stars, with special emphasis on abundances of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. Results. Most of our sample stars have initial masses in the range of 20 to 50 M⊙. We show that nitrogen is more enriched and carbon and oxygen are more depleted in supergiants than in dwarfs, with giants showing intermediate degrees of mixing. CNO abundances are observed in the range of values predicted by nucleosynthesis through the CNO cycle. More massive stars, within a given luminosity class, appear to be more chemically enriched than lower mass stars. We compare our results with predictions of three types of evolutionary models and show that for two sets of models, 80% of our sample can be explained by stellar evolution including rotation. The effect of magnetism on surface abundances is unconstrained. Conclusions. Our study indicates that in the 20-50 M⊙ mass range, the surface chemical abundances of most single O stars in the Galaxy are fairly well accounted for by stellar evolution of rotating stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Massive stars show a variety of spectral variabilities: discrete absorption components in UV P-Cygni profiles, optical line profile variability, X-ray variability, and radial velocity modulations. Aims. Our goal is to study the spectral variability of single OB stars to better understand the relation between photospheric and wind variability. For that, we rely on high spectral resolution and on high signal-to-noise ratio optical spectra collected with the spectrograph NARVAL on the Télescope Bernard Lyot at Pic du Midi. Methods. We investigated the variability of twelve spectral lines by means of the temporal variance spectrum. The selected lines probe the radial structure of the atmosphere from the photosphere to the outer wind. We also performed a spectroscopic analysis with atmosphere models to derive the stellar and wind properties and to constrain the formation region of the selected lines. Results. We show that variability is observed in the wind lines of all bright giants and supergiants on a daily timescale. Lines formed in the photosphere are sometimes variable, sometimes not. The dwarf stars do not show any sign of variability. If variability is observed on a daily timescale, it can also (but not always) be observed on hourly timescales, albeit with lower amplitude. There is a very clear correlation between amplitude of the variability and fraction of the line formed in the wind. Strong anti-correlations between the different parts of the temporal variance spectrum are observed. Conclusions. Our results indicate that variability is stronger in lines formed in the wind. A link between photospheric and wind variability is not obvious from our study, since wind variability is observed regardless of the level of photospheric variability. Different photospheric lines also show different degrees of variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present for the first time phase-resolved ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy of an Of?p star, namely, HD 191612. The observations were acquired with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We report the variability observed in the main photospheric and wind features and compare the results with previous findings for the Of?p star HD 108. We show that UV line strengths, Hα, and longitudinal magnetic field, vary coherently according to the rotational period (Prot = 537.6 d), providing additional support for the magnetic oblique rotator scenario. The stellar and wind parameters of HD 191612 are obtained based on NLTE expanding atmosphere models. The peculiar wind line profile variations revealed by the new STIS data – not reproduced by 1D atmosphere models – are addressed through non-spherical magnetohydrodynamical simulations coupled with radiative transfer. The basic aspects of the UV variability observed are explained and the structure of the dynamical magnetosphere of HD 191612 is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We present the first ultraviolet spectrum of the peculiar, magnetic Of?p star HD 108 obtained in its spectroscopic low state. The new data, obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on the Hubble Space Telescope, reveal significant changes compared to IUE spectra obtained in the high state: N vλ1240, Si ivλ1400 and C ivλ1550 present weaker P Cygni profiles (less absorption) in the new data, while N ivλ1718 absorption is deeper, without the clear wind signature evident in the high state. Such changes contrast with those found in other magnetic massive stars, where more absorption is observed in the resonance doublets when the sightline is close to the plane of the magnetic equator. The new data show also that the photospheric Fe iv forest, at ∼1600-1700 Å, has strengthened compared to previous observations. The ultraviolet variability is large compared to that found in typical, non-magnetic O stars, but moderate when compared to the high-/low-state changes reported in the optical spectrum of HD 108 over several decades. We use non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) expanding-atmosphere models to analyse the new STIS observations. Overall, the results are in accord with a scenario in which the optical variability is mainly produced by magnetically constrained gas, close to the photosphere. The relatively modest changes found in the main ultraviolet wind lines suggest that the stellar wind is not substantially variable on a global scale. Nonetheless, multidimensional radiative-transfer models may be needed to understand some of the phenomena observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the detection of a magnetic field on the Of?p star HD 108. Spectropolarimetric observations conducted in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, with NARVAL@Télescope Bernard Lyot (TBL) and Echelle SpectroPolarimetric Device for the Observation of Stars at Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope (ESPaDOnS@CFHT) reveal a clear Zeeman signature in the average Stokes V profile, stable on time-scales of days to months and slowly increasing in amplitude on time-scales of years. We speculate that this time-scale is the same as that on which Hα emission is varying and is equal to the rotation period of the star. The corresponding longitudinal magnetic field, measured during each of the three seasons, increases slowly from 100 to 150 G, implying that the polar strength of the putatively dipolar large-scale magnetic field of HD 108 is at least 0.5 kG and most likely of the order of 1–2 kG. The stellar and wind properties are derived through a quantitative spectroscopic analysis with the codecmfgen. The effective temperature is difficult to constrain because of the unusually strong He i 4471, 5876 lines. Values in the range of 33 000–37 000 K are preferred. A mass-loss rate of about (with a clumping factor ) and a wind terminal velocity of 2000 km s−1 are derived. The wind confinement parameter is larger than 100, implying that the wind of HD 108 is magnetically confined. Stochastic short-term variability is observed in the wind-sensitive lines but not in the photospheric lines, excluding the presence of pulsations. Material infall in the confined wind is the most likely origin for lines formed in the inner wind. Wind clumping also probably causes part of the Hα variability. The projected rotational velocity of HD 108 is lower than 50 km s−1, consistent with the spectroscopic and photometric variation time-scales of a few decades. Overall, HD 108 is very similar to the magnetic O star HD 191612 except for an even slower rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]