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Surveys in the Milky Way and Large Magellanic Cloud revealed that the majority of massive stars will interact with companions during their lives. However, knowledge of the binary properties of massive stars at low metallicity, which approaches the conditions of the Early Universe, remains sparse. We present the Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM) campaign - an ESO large programme designed to obtain 25 epochs of spectroscopy for 929 massive stars in the SMC - the lowest metallicity conditions in which multiplicity is probed to date (Z = 0.2 Zsun). BLOeM will provide (i) the binary fraction, (ii) the orbital configurations of systems with periods P < 3 yr, (iii) dormant OB+BH binaries, and (iv) a legacy database of physical parameters of massive stars at low metallicity. The stars are observed with the LR02 setup of the giraffe instrument of the Very Large Telescope (3960-4570A, resolving power R=6200; typical signal-to-noise ratio S/N=70-100). This paper utilises the first 9 epochs obtained over a three-month time. We describe the survey and data reduction, perform a spectral classification of the stacked spectra, and construct a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram of the sample via spectral-type and photometric calibrations. The sample covers spectral types from O4 to F5, spanning the effective temperature and luminosity ranges 6.5

Massive star feedback affects the evolution of galaxies, where the most massive stars may have the largest impact. The majority of massive stars are born as members of close binary systems. Here, we investigate detailed evolutionary models of very massive binaries (30$\dots$90$M_{\odot}$) with Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) metallicity. We identify four effects defying the conventional knowledge of binary evolution, which are all related to the proximity of the models to the Eddington limit. We find that the majority of systems undergo mass transfer during core hydrogen burning. During the ensuing nuclear timescale evolution, many mass donors remain more massive than their companions (``reverse Algols''), and nuclear timescale mass transfer may be interrupted or absent altogether. Furthermore, due to the elevated luminosity-to-mass ratio, many of the core-hydrogen burning donors may develop Wolf-Rayet-type winds, at luminosities where single stars would not. We identify observational counterparts of very massive reverse Algol binaries in the LMC, and discuss their contribution to the observed hydrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet stars. We argue that an understanding of very massive Algol systems is key to predicting the advanced evolution of very massive binaries, including their ability to evolve into observable gravitational wave sources., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, proposed for acceptance in A&A. Animation at https://zenodo.org/record/4068428#.Y-SrOtLMKV4

R 144 is the visually brightest WR star in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). R 144 was reported to be a binary, making it potentially the most massive binary thus observed. We perform a comprehensive spectral, photometric, orbital, and polarimetric analysis of R 144. R 144 is an eccentric (e=0.51) 74.2-d binary comprising two relatively evolved (age~2 Myr), H-rich WR stars. The hotter primary (WN5/6h, T=50 kK) and the cooler secondary (WN6/7h,T=45kK) have nearly equal masses. The combination of low rotation and H-depletion observed in the system is well reproduced by contemporary evolution models that include boosted mass-loss at the upper-mass end. The systemic velocity of R 144 and its relative isolation suggest that it was ejected as a runaway from the neighbouring R 136 cluster. The optical light-curve shows a clear orbital modulation that can be well explained as a combination of two processes: excess emission stemming from wind-wind collisions and double wind eclipses. Our light-curve model implies an orbital inclination of i=60.4+-1.5deg, resulting in accurately constrained dynamical masses of 74+-4 and 69+-4 Msun. Assuming that both binary components are core H-burning, these masses are difficult to reconcile with the derived luminosities (logL1,2 = 6.44, 6.39 [Lsun]), which correspond to evolutionary masses of the order of 110 and 100Msun, respectively. Taken at face value, our results imply that both stars have high classical Eddington factors of Gamma_e = 0.78+-0.1. If the stars are on the main sequence, their derived radii (~25Rsun) suggest that they are only slightly inflated, even at this high Eddington factor. Alternatively, the stars could be core-He burning, strongly inflated from the regular size of classical Wolf-Rayet stars (~1Rsun), a scenario that could help resolve the observed mass discrepancy., Comment: Accepted to A&A on the April 06 2021. 17 pages + 5 page appendix. Version 28.10.2021: corrected typo in Eq. (2); numerator and denominator were inversed on RHS (only typo; no impact on results)

The process of massive star ($M\geq8~M_\odot$) formation is still poorly understood. Observations of massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) are challenging due to their rarity, short formation timescale, large distances, and high circumstellar extinction. Here, we present the results of a spectroscopic analysis of a population of MYSOs in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We took advantage of the spectral resolution and wavelength coverage of X-shooter (300-2500 nm), mounted on the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope, to detect characteristic spectral features in a dozen MYSO candidates near 30 Doradus, the largest starburst region in the Local Group hosting the most massive stars known. The X-shooter spectra are strongly contaminated by nebular emission. We used a scaling method to subtract the nebular contamination from our objects. We detect H$\alpha,\beta$, [O I] 630.0 nm, Ca II infrared triplet, [Fe II] 1643.5 nm, fluorescent Fe II 1687.8 nm, H$_2$ 2121.8 nm, Br$\gamma$, and CO bandhead emission in the spectra of multiple candidates. This leads to the spectroscopic confirmation of 10 candidates as bona fide MYSOs. We compare our observations with photometric observations from the literature and find all MYSOs to have a strong near-infrared excess. We compute lower limits to the brightness and luminosity of the MYSO candidates, confirming the near-infrared excess and the massive nature of the objects. No clear correlation is seen between the Br$\gamma$ luminosity and metallicity. Combining our sample with other LMC samples results in a combined detection rate of disk features such as fluorescent Fe II and CO bandheads which is consistent with the Galactic rate (40\%). Most of our MYSOs show outflow features., Comment: Accepted to A&A, 26 pages, 19 figures, 4 tables

We report the discovery of a handful of optical hydrogen-poor knots in the central part of an extended infrared nebula centred on the [WO1] star WR 72, obtained by spectroscopic and imaging observations with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) images of the nebula show that it is composed of an extended almost circular halo (of $\approx6$ arcmin or $\approx2.4$ pc in diameter) and an elongated and apparently bipolar inner shell (of a factor of six smaller size), within which the knots are concentrated. Our findings indicate that WR 72 is a new member of the rare group of hydrogen-poor planetary nebulae, which may be explained through a very late thermal pulse of a post-AGB star, or by a merger of two white dwarfs., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

The recent gravitational wave measurements have demonstrated the existence of stellar mass black hole binaries. It is essential for our understanding of massive star evolution to identify the contribution of binary evolution to the formation of double black holes. A promising way to progress is investigating the progenitors of double black hole systems and comparing predictions with local massive star samples such as the population in 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Methods. To this purpose, we analyse a large grid of detailed binary evolution models at LMC metallicity with initial primary masses between 10 and 40 Msun, and identify which model systems potentially evolve into a binary consisting of a black hole and a massive main sequence star. We then derive the observable properties of such systems, as well as peculiarities of the OB star component. We find that about 3% of the LMC late O and early B stars in binaries are expected to possess a black hole companion, when assuming stars with a final helium core mass above 6.6 M to form black holes. While the vast majority of them may be X-ray quiet, our models suggest that these may be identified in spectroscopic binaries, either by large amplitude radial velocity variations ( > 50 km s ) and simultaneous nitrogen surface enrichment, or through a moderate radial velocity ( > 10 km/s ) and simultaneously rapid rotation of the OB star. The predicted mass ratios are such that main sequence companions could be excluded in most cases. A comparison to the observed OB+WR binaries in the LMC, Be/X-ray binaries, and known massive BH binaries supports our conclusion. We expect spectroscopic observations to be able to test key assumptions in our models, with important implications for massive star evolution in general, and for the formation of double-black hole mergers in particular., Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures, Astronomy and Astrophysics, in press

Accurate stellar parameters of individual objects in binary systems are essential to constrain the effects of binarity on stellar evolution. These parameters serve as a prerequisite to probing existing and future theoretical evolutionary models. We aim to derive the atmospheric parameters of the 31 SB2s in the TMBM sample. This sample, composed of detached, semi-detached and contact systems with at least one of the components classified as an O star, is an excellent test-bed to study how binarity can impact our knowledge of the evolution of massive stars. 32 epochs of FLAMES/GIRAFFE spectra are analysed using spectral disentangling to construct the individual spectra of 62 components. We apply the CMFGEN atmosphere code to determine their stellar parameters and their He, C and N surface abundances. From these properties, we show that the effects of tides on chemical mixing are limited. Components on longer-period orbits show higher nitrogen enrichment at their surface than those on shorter-period orbits, in contrast to expectations of rotational or tidal mixing, implying that other mechanisms play a role in this process. Components filling their Roche lobe are mass donors. They exhibit higher nitrogen content at their surface and rotate more slowly than their companions. By accreting new material, their companions spin faster and are rejuvenated. Their locations in the N-vsini diagram tend to show that binary products are good candidates to populate the two groups of stars (slowly rotating, nitrogen-enriched and rapidly rotating non-enriched) that cannot be reproduced through single-star population synthesis. This sample is the largest sample of binaries to be studied in such a homogeneous way. The study of these objects gives us strong observational constraints to test theoretical binary evolutionary tracks., Comment: accepted to A&A Core of the paper 15 pages, Appendix: 41 pages

Comprehensive spectral analyses of the Galactic Wolf-Rayet stars of the nitrogen sequence (i.e.\ the WN subclass) have been performed in a previous paper. However, the distances of these objects were poorly known. Distances have a direct impact on the "absolute" parameters, such as luminosities and mass-loss rates. The recent Gaia Data Release (DR2) of trigonometric parallaxes includes nearly all WN stars of our Galactic sample. In the present paper, we apply the new distances to the previously analyzed Galactic WN stars and rescale the results accordingly. On this basis, we present a revised catalog of 55 Galactic WN stars with their stellar and wind parameters. The correlations between mass-loss rate and luminosity show a large scatter, for the hydrogen-free WN stars as well as for those with detectable hydrogen. The slopes of the $\log L - \log \dot{M}$ correlations are shallower than found previously. The empirical Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HRD) still shows the previously established dichotomy between the hydrogen-free early WN subtypes that are located on the hot side of the zero-age main sequence (ZAMS), and the late WN subtypes, which show hydrogen and reside mostly at cooler temperatures than the ZAMS (with few exceptions). However, with the new distances, the distribution of stellar luminosities became more continuous than obtained previously. The hydrogen-showing stars of late WN subtype are still found to be typically more luminous than the hydrogen-free early subtypes, but there is a range of luminosities where both subclasses overlap. The empirical HRD of the Galactic single WN stars is compared with recent evolutionary tracks. Neither these single-star evolutionary models nor binary scenarios can provide a fully satisfactory explanation for the parameters of these objects and their location in the HRD., Comment: 11 pages; accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Gravitational wave emission can lead to the coalescence of close pairs of compact objects orbiting each other. For the case of neutron stars such mergers may yield masses above the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit, leading to the formation of black holes. For the case of white dwarfs the merger product may exceed the Chandrasekhar limit, leading either to a thermonuclear explosion as Type Ia supernova, or to a collapse forming a neutron star. If a Type Ia supernova explosion is avoided, the merger of two massive white dwarfs is expected to form a hydrogen- and helium-free circumstellar nebula with a hot and luminous, rapidly rotating and highly magnetized central star for several 10,000 yr before its final collapse. Here we report the discovery of a hot star with an emission line dominated spectrum in the centre of a circular mid-infrared nebula. Both the star and the nebula appear to be free of hydrogen and helium. Our tailored stellar atmosphere and wind models indicate a stellar surface temperature of about 200,000 K, and a record outflow velocity of 16,000 km/s. This extreme velocity, together with the derived mass outflow rate, imply rapid stellar rotation and a strong magnetic field aiding the wind acceleration. The Gaia distance of the star leads to a luminosity of 10^{4.5} Lsun, which matches models of the post-merger evolution of super-Chandrasekhar mass white dwarfs. The high stellar temperature and the nebular size argue for a short remaining lifetime of the star, which will produce a bright optical and high-energy transient upon collapse. Our observations indicate that super-Chandrasekhar mass white dwarf mergers can indeed avoid a thermonuclear explosion as Type Ia supernova, and provide empirical evidence for magnetic field generation in stellar mergers., Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures, original version of the manuscript submitted to Nature; accepted version is published at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1216-1 and is accessible at https://rdcu.be/bDo6c

Type II supernovae (SNe) originate from the explosion of hydrogen-rich supergiant massive stars. Their first electromagnetic signature is the shock breakout, a short-lived phenomenon which can last from hours to days depending on the density at shock emergence. We present 26 rising optical light curves of SN II candidates discovered shortly after explosion by the High cadence Transient Survey (HiTS) and derive physical parameters based on hydrodynamical models using a Bayesian approach. We observe a steep rise of a few days in 24 out of 26 SN II candidates, indicating the systematic detection of shock breakouts in a dense circumstellar matter consistent with a mass loss rate $\dot{M} > 10^{-4} M_\odot yr^{-1}$ or a dense atmosphere. This implies that the characteristic hour timescale signature of stellar envelope SBOs may be rare in nature and could be delayed into longer-lived circumstellar material shock breakouts in most Type II SNe., Comment: Published in Nature Astronomy (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-018-0563-4). 41 pages including methods. 5 figures in main text) + 8 figures in methods

Farr and Mandel reanalyse our data, finding initial-mass-function slopes for high mass stars in 30 Doradus that agree with our results. However, their reanalysis appears to underpredict the observed number of massive stars. Their technique results in more precise slopes than in our work, strengthening our conclusion that there is an excess of massive stars above $30\,\mathrm{M}_\odot$ in 30 Doradus., Comment: Authors' version of a response to a technical comment published in Science; 8 pages, 1 figure

The 30 Doradus (30 Dor) nebula in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the brightest HII region in the Local Group and a prototype starburst similar to those found in high redshift galaxies. It is thus a stepping stone to understand the complex formation processes of stars in starburst regions across the Universe. Here, we have studied the formation history of massive stars in 30 Dor using masses and ages derived for 452 mainly OB stars from the spectroscopic VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS). We find that stars of all ages and masses are scattered throughout 30 Dor. This is remarkable because it implies that massive stars either moved large distances or formed independently over the whole field of view in relative isolation. We find that both channels contribute to the 30 Dor massive star population. Massive star formation rapidly accelerated about 8 Myr ago, first forming stars in the field before giving birth to the stellar populations in NGC 2060 and NGC 2070. The R136 star cluster in NGC 2070 formed last and, since then, about 1 Myr ago, star formation seems to be diminished with some continuing in the surroundings of R136. Massive stars within a projected distance of 8 pc of R136 are not coeval but show an age range of up to 6 Myr. Our mass distributions are well populated up to $200\,\mathrm{M}_\odot$. The inferred IMF is shallower than a Salpeter-like IMF and appears to be the same across 30 Dor. By comparing our sample of stars to stellar models in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, we find evidence for missing physics in the models above $\log L/\mathrm{L}_\odot=6$ that is likely connected to enhanced wind mass loss for stars approaching the Eddington limit. [abridged], Comment: 20 pages (incl. appendix), 15 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in A&A

The 30 Doradus star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud is a nearby analogue of large star-formation events in the distant Universe. We determine the recent formation history and the initial mass function (IMF) of massive stars in 30 Doradus based on spectroscopic observations of 247 stars more massive than 15 solar masses ($\mathrm{M}_\odot$). The main episode of massive star formation started about $8\,\mathrm{Myr}$ ago and the star-formation rate seems to have declined in the last $1\,\mathrm{Myr}$. The IMF is densely sampled up to $200\,\mathrm{M}_\odot$ and contains $32\pm12\%$ more stars above $30\,\mathrm{M}_\odot$ than predicted by a standard Salpeter IMF. In the mass range $15-200\,\mathrm{M}_\odot$, the IMF power-law exponent is $1.90^{+0.37}_{-0.26}$, shallower than the Salpeter value of 2.35., Comment: Authors' version of paper published in Science at http://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6371/69 ; 15 pages main text (3 figures), 47 pages supplementary materials (10 figures, 3 tables)

(abridged) The strong winds of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars are important for the mechanical and chemical feedback of the most massive stars and determine whether they end their lives as neutron stars or black holes. In this work we investigate theoretically the mass-loss properties of H-free WR stars of the nitrogen sequence (WN stars). We connect stellar structure models for He stars with wind models for optically-thick winds and assess how both types of models can simultaneously fulfill their respective sonic-point conditions. Fixing the outer wind law and terminal wind velocity, we obtain unique solutions for the mass-loss rates of optically-thick, radiatively-driven winds of WR stars in the phase of core He-burning. The resulting mass-loss relations as a function of stellar parameters, agree well with previous empirical relations. Furthermore, we encounter stellar mass limits below which no continuous solutions exist. While these mass limits agree with observations of WR stars in the Galaxy, they are in conflict with observations in the LMC. While our results confirm in particular the slope of oft-used empirical mass-loss relations, they imply that only part of the observed WN population can be understood in the framework of the standard assumptions of a smooth transonic flow and compact stellar core. This means that alternative approaches, such as a clumped and inflated wind structure, or deviations from the diffusion limit at the sonic point may have to be invoked. Qualitatively, the existence of mass limits for the formation of WR-type winds may be relevant for the non-detection of low-mass WR stars in binary systems, which are believed to be progenitors of Type Ib/c supernovae. The sonic-point conditions derived in this work may provide a possibility to include optically-thick winds in stellar evolution models in a more physically motivated form than in current models., Comment: accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysics

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey has observed hundreds of O-type stars in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We study the properties of 105 apparently single O-type dwarfs. To determine stellar and wind parameters, we used the IACOB-GBAT package, an automatic procedure based on a large grid of atmospheric models calculated with the FASTWIND code. In addition to classical techniques, we applied the Bayesian BONNSAI tool to estimate evolutionary masses. We provide a new calibration of effective temperature vs. spectral type for O-type dwarfs in the LMC, based on our homogeneous analysis of the largest sample of such objects to date and including all spectral subtypes. Good agreement with previous results is found, although the sampling at the earliest subtypes could be improved. Rotation rates and helium abundances are studied in an evolutionary context. We find that most of the rapid rotators (vsini higher than 300 km/s ) in our sample have masses below 25 MSun and intermediate rotation-corrected gravities (log gc between 3.9 and 4.1). Such rapid rotators are scarce at higher gravities (i.e. younger ages) and absent at lower gravities (larger ages). This is not expected from theoretical evolutionary models, and does not appear to be due to a selection bias in our sample. We compare the estimated evolutionary and spectroscopic masses, finding a trend that the former is higher for masses below 20 MSun. This can be explained as a consequence of limiting our sample to the O-type stars, and we see no compelling evidence for a systematic mass discrepancy. For most of the stars in the sample we were unable to estimate the wind-strength parameter (hence mass-loss rates) reliably, particularly for objects with luminosity lower than logL/LSun about 5.1. Ultraviolet spectroscopy is needed to undertake a detailed investigation of the wind properties of these dwarfs., Comment: 23 pages, 16 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

The Tarantula region in the Large Magellanic Cloud contains the richest population of spatially resolved massive O-type stars known so far. This unmatched sample offers an opportunity to test models describing their main-sequence evolution and mass-loss properties. Using ground-based optical spectroscopy obtained in the framework of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS), we aim to determine stellar, photospheric and wind properties of 72 presumably single O-type giants, bright giants and supergiants and to confront them with predictions of stellar evolution and of line-driven mass-loss theories. We apply an automated method for quantitative spectroscopic analysis of O stars combining the non-LTE stellar atmosphere model {{\sc fastwind}} with the genetic fitting algorithm {{\sc pikaia}} to determine the following stellar properties: effective temperature, surface gravity, mass-loss rate, helium abundance, and projected rotational velocity. We present empirical effective temperature versus spectral subtype calibrations at LMC-metallicity for giants and supergiants. In the spectroscopic and classical Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams, our sample O stars are found to occupy the region predicted to be the core hydrogen-burning phase by Brott et al. (2011) and K\"{o}hler et al. (2015). Except for five stars, the helium abundance of our sample stars is in agreement with the initial LMC composition. The aforementioned five stars present moderate projected rotational velocities (i.e., $v_{\mathrm{e}}\,\sin\,i\,<\,200\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$) and hence do not agree with current predictions of rotational mixing in main-sequence stars. Adopting theoretical results for the wind velocity law, we find modified wind momenta for LMC stars that are $\sim$0.3 dex higher than earlier results. [Due to the limitation of characters, the abstract appearing here is slightly shorter than that in the PDF file.], Comment: 39 pages, 12 figures in the main text, 12 figures in the appendix. Accepted for publication in A&A. Tables C1-C5 will be available at the CDS. Appendix E has been truncated due to size limitations, the full version will be available on A&A

We present the first SB2 orbital solution and disentanglement of the massive Wolf-Rayet binary R145 (P = 159d) located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The primary was claimed to have a stellar mass greater than 300Msun, making it a candidate for the most massive star known. While the primary is a known late type, H-rich Wolf-Rayet star (WN6h), the secondary could not be so far unambiguously detected. Using moderate resolution spectra, we are able to derive accurate radial velocities for both components. By performing simultaneous orbital and polarimetric analyses, we derive the complete set of orbital parameters, including the inclination. The spectra are disentangled and spectroscopically analyzed, and an analysis of the wind-wind collision zone is conducted. The disentangled spectra and our models are consistent with a WN6h type for the primary, and suggest that the secondary is an O3.5 If*/WN7 type star. We derive a high eccentricity of e = 0.78 and minimum masses of M1 sin^3 i ~ M2 sin^3 i ~ 13 +- 2 Msun, with q = M2 / M1 = 1.01 +- 0.07. An analysis of emission excess stemming from a wind-wind collision yields a similar inclination to that obtained from polarimetry (i = 39 +- 6deg). Our analysis thus implies M1 = 53^{+40}_{-20} and M2 = 54^{+40}_{-20} Msun, excluding M1 > 300Msun. A detailed comparison with evolution tracks calculated for single and binary stars, as well as the high eccentricity, suggest that the components of the system underwent quasi-homogeneous evolution and avoided mass-transfer. This scenario would suggest current masses of ~ 80 Msun and initial masses of Mi,1 ~ 105 and Mi,2 ~ 90Msun, consistent with the upper limits of our derived orbital masses, and would imply an age of ~2.2 Myr., Comment: Accepted for Publication in A&A, 16 pages, 17 figures and 4 tables

Theoretically, rotation-induced chemical mixing in massive stars has far reaching evolutionary consequences, affecting the sequence of morphological phases, lifetimes, nucleosynthesis, and supernova characteristics. Using a sample of 72 presumably single O-type giants to supergiants observed in the context of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS), we aim to investigate rotational mixing in evolved core-hydrogen burning stars initially more massive than $15\,M_\odot$ by analysing their surface nitrogen abundances. Using stellar and wind properties derived in a previous VFTS study, we constrained the nitrogen abundance by fitting the equivalent widths of relatively strong lines that are sensitive to changes in the abundance of this element. Given the quality of the data, we constrained the nitrogen abundance in 38 cases; for 34 stars only upper limits could be derived, which includes almost all stars rotating at $v_\mathrm{e}\sin i >200\,\mathrm{km s^{-1}}$. We analysed the nitrogen abundance as a function of projected rotation rate $v_\mathrm{e}\sin i$ and confronted it with predictions of rotational mixing. The upper limits on the nitrogen abundance of the rapidly rotating stars are not in apparent violation with theoretical expectations. However, we found a group of N-enhanced slowly-spinning stars that is not in accordance with predictions of rotational mixing in single stars. Among O-type stars with (rotation-corrected) gravities less than $\log\,g_c = 3.75$ this group constitutes 30$-$40 percent of the population. We found a correlation between nitrogen and helium abundance which is consistent with expectations, suggesting that, whatever the mechanism that brings N to the surface, it displays CNO-processed material.

The progenitors of type-IIb supernovae (SNe) are believed to have lost their H-rich envelopes almost completely in the direct pre-SN phase. Recently the first 'flash spectrum' of a SN IIb (SN2013cu) has been presented, taken early enough to study its immediate circumstellar medium (CSM). Similar to a previous study by Groh (2014) we analyse the structure and chemical composition of the optically-thick CSM using non-LTE model atmospheres. For the first time we take light-travel time (LTT) effects on the spectrum formation into account, which affect the shapes and strengths of the observable emission lines, as well as the inferred SN luminosity. Based on the new CSM parameters we estimate a lower limit of ~0.3Msun for the CSM mass, which is a factor 10-100 higher than previous estimates. The spectral fit implies a CSM in the form of a homogeneous and spherically symmetric superwind whose mass-loss rate exceeds common expectations by up to two orders of magnitude. The derived chemical composition is in agreement with a progenitor that has just left, or is just about to leave the Red-Supergiant (RSG) stage, confirming the standard picture for the origin of SNe IIb. Due to its extreme mass loss the SN progenitor will likely appear as extreme RSG, Luminous Blue Variable (LBV), or Yellow Hypergiant (YHG). The direct detection of a superwind, and the high inferred CSM mass suggest that stellar wind mass loss may play an important role in the formation of SNe IIb., Comment: MNRAS, accepted

The contact phase expected to precede the coalescence of two massive stars is poorly characterized due to the paucity of observational constraints. Here we report on the discovery of VFTS 352, an O-type binary in the 30 Doradus region, as the most massive and earliest spectral type overcontact system known to date. We derived the 3D geometry of the system, its orbital period $P_{\rm orb}=1.1241452(4)$ d, components' effective temperatures -- $T_1=42\,540\pm280$ K and $T_2=41\,120\pm290$ K -- and dynamical masses -- $M_1=28.63\pm0.30 M_{\odot}$ and $M_2 = 28.85\pm0.30 M_{\odot}$. Compared to single-star evolutionary models, the VFTS 352 components are too hot for their dynamical masses by about 2700 and 1100 K, respectively. These results can be explained naturally as a result of enhanced mixing, theoretically predicted to occur in very short-period tidally-locked systems. The VFTS 352 components are two of the best candidates identified so far to undergo this so-called chemically homogeneous evolution. The future of VFTS 352 is uncertain. If the two stars merge, a very rapidly rotating star will be produced. Instead, if the stars continue to evolve homogeneously and keep shrinking within their Roche Lobes, coalescence can be avoided. In this case, tides may counteract the spin down by winds such that the VFTS 352 components may, at the end of their life, fulfill the requirements for long gamma-ray burst (GRB) progenitors in the collapsar scenario. Independently of whether the VFTS 352 components become GRB progenitors, this scenario makes VFTS 352 interesting as a progenitor of a black hole binary, hence as a potential gravitational wave source through black hole-black hole merger., Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

The initial distribution of spin rates of massive stars is a fingerprint of their elusive formation process. It also sets a key initial condition for stellar evolution and is thus an important ingredient in stellar population synthesis. So far, most studies have focused on single stars. Most O stars are however found in multiple systems. By establishing the spin-rate distribution of a sizeable sample of O-type spectroscopic binaries and by comparing the distributions of binary sub-populations with one another as well as with that of presumed single stars in the same region, we aim to constrain the initial spin distribution of O stars in binaries, and to identify signatures of the physical mechanisms that affect the evolution of the massive stars spin rates. We use ground-based optical spectroscopy obtained in the framework of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS) to establish the projected equatorial rotational velocities (\vrot) for components of 114 spectroscopic binaries in 30 Doradus. The \vrot\ values are derived from the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of a set of spectral lines, using a FWHM vs. \vrot\ calibration that we derive based on previous line analysis methods applied to single O-type stars in the VFTS sample. The overall \vrot\ distribution of the primary stars resembles that of single O-type stars in the VFTS, featuring a low-velocity peak (at $\vrot < 200$ kms) and a shoulder at intermediate velocities ($200 < \vrot < 300$ kms). The distributions of binaries and single stars however differ in two ways. First, the main peak at $\vrot \sim$100 kms is broader and slightly shifted toward higher spin rates in the binary distribution compared to that of the presumed-single stars. Second, the \vrot distribution of primaries lacks a significant population of stars spinning faster than 300 kms while such a population is clearly present in the single star sample., Comment: 16 pages, 16 figures, paper accepted in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Context. Oxygen sequence Wolf-Rayet (WO) stars represent a very rare stage in the evolution of massive stars. Their spectra show strong emission lines of helium-burning products, in particular highly ionized carbon and oxygen. The properties of WO stars can be used to provide unique constraints on the (post-)helium burning evolution of massive stars, as well as their remaining lifetime and the expected properties of their supernovae. Aims. We aim to homogeneously analyse the currently known presumed-single WO stars to obtain the key stellar and outflow properties and to constrain their evolutionary state. Methods. We use the line-blanketed non-local thermal equilibrium atmosphere code cmfgen to model the X-Shooter spectra of the WO stars and deduce the atmospheric parameters. We calculate dedicated evolutionary models to determine the evolutionary state of the stars. Results. The WO stars have extremely high temperatures that range from 150 kK to 210 kK, and very low surface helium mass fractions that range from 44% down to 14%. Their properties can be reproduced by evolutionary models with helium zero-age main sequence masses of $M_{\mathrm{He, ini}} = 15-25 M_{\odot}$ that exhibit a fairly strong (on the order of a few times $10^{-5} M_{\odot} \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$), homogeneous ($f_\mathrm{c} > 0.3$) stellar wind. Conclusions. WO stars represent the final evolutionary stage of stars with estimated initial masses of $M_{\mathrm{ini}} = 40-60 M_{\odot}$. They are post core-helium burning and predicted to explode as type Ic supernovae within a few thousand years., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. 18 pages, 24 figures

In a recent study star-forming galaxies with HeII emission between redshifts 2 and 4.6 have been found to occur in two modes, distinguished by the width of their HeII emission lines. Broad HeII emission has been attributed to stellar emission from a population of evolved Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars while narrow HeII emission has been attributed to nebular emission excited by a population of very hot PopIII stars formed in pockets of pristine gas at moderate redshifts. In this work we propose an alternative scenario for the origin of the narrow HeII emission, namely very massive stars (VMS) at low metallicity (Z) which form strong but slow WR-type stellar winds due to their proximity to the Eddington limit. We estimate the expected HeII line fluxes and equivalent widths based on wind models for VMS and population synthesis models, and compare the results with recent observations of star-forming galaxies at moderate redshifts. The observed HeII line strengths and equivalent widths are in line with what is expected for a population of VMS in one or more young super-clusters located within these galaxies. In our scenario the two observed modes of HeII emission originate from massive stellar populations in distinct evolutionary stages at low Z. If this interpretation is correct there is no need to postulate the existence of PopIII stars at moderate redshifts to explain the observed narrow HeII emission. An interesting possibility is the existence of self-enriched VMS with similar WR-type spectra at extremely low Z. Stellar HeII emission from such very early generations of VMS may be detectable in future studies of star-forming galaxies at high redshifts with the James Webb Space Telescope. The fact that the HeII emission of VMS is largely neglected in current population synthesis models will generally affect the interpretation of the integrated spectra of young stellar populations., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, A&A letters (accepted)

We present a dense model grid with tailored input chemical composition appropriate for the Large Magellanic Cloud. We use a one-dimensional hydrodynamic stellar evolution code, which accounts for rotation, transport of angular momentum by magnetic fields, and stellar wind mass loss to compute our detailed models. We calculate stellar evolution models with initial masses of 70-500 Msun and with initial surface rotational velocities of 0-550 km/s, covering the core-hydrogen burning phase of evolution. We find our rapid rotators to be strongly influenced by rotationally induced mixing of helium, with quasi-chemically homogeneous evolution occurring for the fastest rotating models. Above 160 Msun, homogeneous evolution is also established through mass loss, producing pure helium stars at core hydrogen exhaustion independent of the initial rotation rate. Surface nitrogen enrichment is also found for slower rotators, even for stars that lose only a small fraction of their initial mass. For models above 150 MZAMS, and for models in the whole considered mass range later on, we find a considerable envelope inflation due to the proximity of these models to their Eddington limit. This leads to a maximum zero-age main sequence surface temperature of 56000 K, at 180 Msun, and to an evolution of stars in the mass range 50-100 Msun to the regime of luminous blue variables in the HR diagram with high internal Eddington factors. Inflation also leads to decreasing surface temperatures during the chemically homogeneous evolution of stars above 180 Msun. The cool surface temperatures due to the envelope inflation in our models lead to an enhanced mass loss, which prevents stars at LMC metallicity from evolving into pair-instability supernovae. The corresponding spin-down will also prevent very massive LMC stars to produce long-duration gamma-ray bursts, which might, however, originate from lower masses., Comment: 21 pages, 25 figures

Rotation is a key parameter in the evolution of massive stars, affecting their evolution, chemical yields, ionizing photon budget, and final fate. We determined the projected rotational velocity, $v_e\sin i$, of $\sim$330 O-type objects, i.e. $\sim$210 spectroscopic single stars and $\sim$110 primaries in binary systems, in the Tarantula nebula or 30 Doradus (30\,Dor) region. The observations were taken using VLT/FLAMES and constitute the largest homogeneous dataset of multi-epoch spectroscopy of O-type stars currently available. The most distinctive feature of the $v_e\sin i$ distributions of the presumed-single stars and primaries in 30 Dor is a low-velocity peak at around 100\,$\rm{km s^{-1}}$. Stellar winds are not expected to have spun-down the bulk of the stars significantly since their arrival on the main sequence and therefore the peak in the single star sample is likely to represent the outcome of the formation process. Whereas the spin distribution of presumed-single stars shows a well developed tail of stars rotating more rapidly than 300\,$\rm{km s^{-1}}$, the sample of primaries does not feature such a high-velocity tail. The tail of the presumed-single star distribution is attributed for the most part -- and could potentially be completely due -- to spun-up binary products that appear as single stars or that have merged. This would be consistent with the lack of such post-interaction products in the binary sample, that is expected to be dominated by pre-interaction systems. The peak in this distribution is broader and is shifted toward somewhat higher spin rates compared to the distribution of presumed-single stars. Systems displaying large radial velocity variations, typical for short period systems, appear mostly responsible for these differences., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 307, 2014, 'New windows on massive stars: asteroseismology, interferometry, and spectropolarimetry'

The enigmatic oxygen sequence Wolf-Rayet (WO) stars represent a very late stage in massive star evolution, although their exact nature is still under debate. The spectra of most of the WO stars have never been analysed through detailed modelling with a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium expanding atmosphere code. Here we present preliminary results of the first homogeneous analysis of the (apparently) single WOs., Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure, Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 307, 2014, 'New windows on massive stars: asteroseismology, interferometry, and spectropolarimetry'

Context: The commonly used extinction laws of Cardelli et al. (1989) have limitations that, among other issues, hamper the determination of the effective temperatures of O and early B stars from optical+NIR photometry. Aims: We aim to develop a new family of extinction laws for 30 Doradus, check their general applicability within that region and elsewhere, and apply them to test the feasibility of using optical+NIR photometry to determine the effective temperature of OB stars. Methods: We use spectroscopy and NIR photometry from the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey and optical photometry from HST/WFC3 of 30 Doradus and we analyze them with the software code CHORIZOS using different assumptions such as the family of extinction laws. Results: We derive a new family of optical+NIR extinction laws for 30 Doradus and confirm its applicability to extinguished Galactic O-type systems. We conclude that by using the new extinction laws it is possible to measure the effective temperatures of OB stars with moderate uncertainties and only a small bias, at least up to E(4405-5495) ~ 1.5 mag., Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. Revised version corrects language and fixes typos (one of them caught by David Nicholls). Figure 4 has poor quality due to the size restrictions imposed by arXiv

Aims: Following our comprehensive studies of the WR stars in the Milky Way, we now present spectroscopic analyses of almost all known WN stars in the LMC. Methods: For the quantitative analysis of the wind-dominated emission-line spectra, we employ the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code. By fitting synthetic spectra to the observed spectral energy distribution and the available spectra (ultraviolet and optical), we obtain the physical properties of 107 stars. Results: We present the fundamental stellar and wind parameters for an almost complete sample of WN stars in the LMC. Among those stars that are putatively single, two different groups can be clearly distinguished. While 12% of our sample are more luminous than 10^6 Lsun and contain a significant amount of hydrogen, 88% of the WN stars, with little or no hydrogen, populate the luminosity range between log (L/Lsun) = 5.3...5.8. Conclusions: While the few extremely luminous stars (log (L/Lsun) > 6), if indeed single stars, descended directly from the main sequence at very high initial masses, the bulk of WN stars have gone through the red-supergiant phase. According to their luminosities in the range of log (L/Lsun) = 5.3...5.8, these stars originate from initial masses between 20 and 40 Msun. This mass range is similar to the one found in the Galaxy, i.e. the expected metallicity dependence of the evolution is not seen. Current stellar evolution tracks, even when accounting for rotationally induced mixing, still partly fail to reproduce the observed ranges of luminosities and initial masses. Moreover, stellar radii are generally larger and effective temperatures correspondingly lower than predicted from stellar evolution models, probably due to subphotospheric inflation., Comment: 17+46 pages; 10+54 figures; v2: typos corrected, space-saving layout for appendix C, published in A&A

We present the results of a quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the oxygen-sequence Wolf- Rayet star DR1 in the low-metallicity galaxy IC 1613. Our models suggest that the strong oxygen emission lines are the result of the high temperature of this WO3 star and do not necessarily reflect a more advanced evolutionary stage than WC stars., Comment: Massive Stars: From {\alpha} to {\Omega}, held 10-14 June 2013 in Rhodes, Greece; Online at http://a2omega-conference.net, id.187

Context. Oxygen sequence Wolf-Rayet (WO) stars are thought to represent the final evolutionary stage of the most massive stars. The characteristic strong O vi emission possibly originates from an enhanced oxygen abundance in the stellar wind. Alternatively, the O vi emission can be caused by the high temperature of these stars, in which case the WO stars are the high-temperature extension of the more common carbon sequence Wolf-Rayet (WC) stars. Aims. By constraining the physical properties and evolutionary status of DR1, a WO star in the low-metallicity Local Group dwarf galaxy IC 1613 and one of only two objects of its class known in a SMC-like metallicity environment, we aim to investigate the nature of WO stars and their evolutionary connection with WC stars. Methods. We use the non-LTE atmosphere code cmfgen to model the observed spectrum of DR1 and to derive its stellar and wind parameters. We compare our values with other studies of WC and WO stars, as well as with the predictions of evolutionary models. We also model the surrounding nebula using the photo-ionization code cloudy. Results. The oxygen and carbon abundances that we obtain are comparable to values found for WC stars. The temperature and luminosity are, however, higher than those of WC stars. DR1 is embedded in the hottest known H ii region in the Local Group. The nebular properties can be consistently reproduced by cloudy models adopting DR1 as central ionizing source. Conclusions. Comparison of the abundances and temperature of DR1 with core helium-burning models show that DR1 is currently well into the second half of helium burning. If the properties of DR1 are representative for the WO class, it would imply that WO stars are the high-temperature and high-luminosity extension of the WC stars, and do not necessarily represent a later evolutionary stage., Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

The 30 Doradus (30\,Dor) region in the Large Magellanic Cloud (also known as the Tarantula Nebula) is the nearest massive starburst region, containing the richest sample of massive stars in the Local Group. It is the best possible laboratory to investigate aspects of the formation and evolution of massive stars. Here, we focus on rotation which is a key parameter in the evolution of these objects. We establish the projected rotational velocity, $v_{e}\sin i$, distribution of an unprecedented sample of 216 radial velocity constant ($\rm{\Delta RV\, \leq\, 20 \,km s^{-1}}$) O-type stars in 30\,Dor observed in the framework of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS). The distribution of $v_{e}\sin i$ shows a two-component structure: a peak around 80 $\rm{km s^{-1}}$ and a high-velocity tail extending up to $\sim$600 $\rm{km s^{-1}}$. Around 75% of the sample has 0 $\leq\, v_{e}\sin i \leq$ 200 $\rm{km s^{-1}}$ with the other 25% distributed in the high-velocity tail. The presence of the low-velocity peak is consistent with that found in other studies of late-O and early-B stars. The high-velocity tail is compatible with expectations from binary interaction synthesis models and may be predominantly populated by post-binary interaction, spun-up, objects and mergers. This may have important implications for the nature of progenitors of long-duration gamma ray bursts., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Conference proceedings article: Massive stars: from alpha to Omega, 10-14 June 2013, Rhodes, Greece

Towards the end of their evolution hot massive stars develop strong stellar winds and appear as emission line stars, such as WR stars or LBVs. The quantitative description of the mass loss in these important pre-SN phases is hampered by unknowns such as clumping and porosity due to an in-homogeneous wind structure, and by an incomplete theoretical understanding of optically thick stellar winds. In this work we investigate the conditions in deep atmospheric layers of WR stars to find out whether these comply with the theory of optically thick winds, and whether we find indications of clumping in these layers. We use a new semi-empirical method to determine sonic-point optical depths, densities, and temperatures for a large sample of WR stars of the carbon (WC) and oxygen (WO) sequence. Based on an artificial model sequence we investigate the reliability of our method and its sensitivity to uncertainties in stellar parameters. We find that the WR stars in our sample obey an approximate relation with P_rad/P_gas~80 at the sonic point. This 'wind condition' is ubiquitous for radiatively driven, optically thick winds, and sets constraints on possible wind/envelope solutions affecting radii, mass-loss rates, and clumping properties. Our results suggest that the presence of an optically thick wind may force many stars near the Eddington limit to develop clumped, radially extended sub-surface zones. The clumping in these zones is most likely sustained by the non-linear strange-mode instability, and may be the origin of the observed wind clumping. The properties of typical late-type WC stars comply with this model. Solutions without sub-surface clumping and inflation are also possible but demand for compact stars with comparatively low mass-loss rates. These objects may resemble the small group of WO stars with their exceptionally hot stellar temperatures and highly ionized winds., Comment: accepted by A&A

Aims. Using ground based multi-object optical spectroscopy obtained in the framework of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS), we aim to establish the (projected) rotational velocity distribution for a sample of 216 presumably single O-type stars in 30 Doradus (30 Dor). Methods. We measured projected rotational velocities, \vrot, by means of a Fourier transform method and a profile fitting method applied on a set of isolated spectral lines. We also used an iterative deconvolution procedure to infer the probability density, $\rm{P(\veq)}$, of the equatorial rotational velocity, \veq. Results. The distribution of \vrot\ shows a two-component structure: a peak around 80 \kms\ and a high-velocity tail extending up to $\sim$600 \kms. This structure is also present in the inferred distribution $\rm{P(\veq)}$ with around 80% of the sample having 0 $<$ \veq\, $\leq\, 300$ \kms\ and the other 20% distributed in the high-velocity region. Conclusions. Most of the stars in our sample rotate with a rate less than 20%\ of their break-up velocity. For the bulk of the sample, mass-loss in a stellar wind and/or envelope expansion is not efficient enough to significantly spin down these stars within the first few Myr of evolution. The presence of a sizeable population of fast rotators is compatible with recent population synthesis computations that investigate the influence of binary evolution on the rotation rate of massive stars. Despite the fact that we have excluded stars that show significant radial velocity variations, our sample may have remained contaminated by post-interaction binary products. The fact that the high-velocity tail may be preferentially (and perhaps even exclusively), populated by post-binary interaction products, has important implications for the evolutionary origin of systems that produce gamma-ray bursts., Comment: 16 pages, 20 figures, A&A paper accepted

(shortened) We investigate the properties of Galactic WR stars and their environment to identify evolutionary channels that may lead to the formation of LGRBs. To this purpose we compile available information on the spectropolarimetric properties, the presence of CS ejecta, and the CS velocities in the environment of Galactic WR stars. We use linear line-depolarization as an indicator of rotation, nebular morphology as an indicator of stellar ejecta, and velocity patterns in UV absorption features as an indicator of increased velocities in the CS environment. We find that the ~23% WR stars with "possible ejecta nebulae" dominate the population of WR stars with spectropolarimetric signatures of rotation, while WR stars without such nebulae only rarely show indications of rotation. The corresponding objects are most likely in an early stage after a preceding RSG or LBV phase, and have not yet lost their angular momenta due to the strong mass-loss in the WR phase. From their photometric periods we estimate rotation parameters in the range omega = 0.04...0.25, corresponding to moderate rotation speeds of 36...120 km/s. These values are very uncertain, but comply with the specific surface angular momentum requirement for LGRB progenitors. Our results indicate that, in the Galaxy, mainly "young" WR stars shortly after a RSG/LBV phase show spectropolarimetric signatures of rotation. Their rotation rates are thus likely enhanced with respect to the majority of Galactic WR stars. According to their estimated specific surface angular momenta, a subgroup of stars exploding in this phase may represent an evolutionary channel towards LGRBs at high metallicities, comparable to the Galaxy., Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, A&A accepted

The progenitors of many Type II supernovae have been observationally identified but the search for Type Ibc supernova (SN Ibc) progenitors has thus far been unsuccessful, despite the expectation that they are luminous Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars. We investigate how the evolution of massive helium stars affects their visual appearances, and discuss the implications for the detectability of SN Ibc progenitors. Massive WR stars that rapidly lose their helium envelopes through stellar-wind mass-loss end their lives when their effective temperatures -- related to their hydrostatic surfaces -- exceed about 150kK.At their pre-supernova stage, their surface properties resemble those of hot Galactic WR stars of WO sub-type. These are visually faint with narrow-band visual magnitudes Mv = -1.5 ~ -2.5, despite their high bolometric luminosities (log L/Lsun = 5.6 ~ 5.7), compared to the bulk of Galactic WR stars (Mv < -4). In contrast, relatively low-mass helium stars that retain a thick helium envelope appear fairly bright in optical bands, depending on the final masses and the history of the envelope expansion during the late evolutionary stages. We conclude that SNe Ibc observations have so far not provided strong constraints on progenitor bolometric luminosities and masses, even with the deepest searches. We also argue that Ic progenitors are more challenging to identify than Ib progenitors in any optical images., Comment: 5 pages, 1 table, 4 figures, A&A Letter, accepted

Whether massive stars can occasionally form in relative isolation or if they require a large cluster of lower-mass stars around them is a key test in the differentiation of star formation theories as well as how the initial mass function of stars is sampled. Previous attempts to find O-type stars that formed in isolation were hindered by the possibility that such stars are merely runaways from clusters, i.e., their current isolation does not reflect their birth conditions. We introduce a new method to find O-type stars that are not affected by such a degeneracy. Using the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey and additional high resolution imaging we have identified stars that satisfy the following constraints: 1) they are O-type stars that are not detected to be part of a binary system based on RV time series analysis; 2) they are designated spectral type O7 or earlier ; 3) their velocities are within 1\sigma of the mean of OB-type stars in the 30 Doradus region, i.e. they are not runaways along our line-of-sight; 4) the projected surface density of stars does not increase within 3 pc towards the O-star (no evidence for clusters); 5) their sight lines are associated with gaseous and/or dusty filaments in the ISM, and 6) if a second candidate is found in the direction of the same filament with which the target is associated, both are required to have similar velocities. With these criteria, we have identified 15 stars in the 30 Doradus region, which are strong candidates for being high-mass stars that have formed in isolation. Additionally, we employed extensive MC stellar cluster simulations to confirm that our results rule out the presence of clusters around the candidates. Eleven of these are classified as Vz stars, possibly associated with the zero-age main sequence. We include a newly discovered W-R star as a candidate, although it does not meet all of the above criteria., Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures, 5 tables; Accepted for publication by A&A

(shortened) It has been proposed that the envelopes of luminous stars may be subject to substantial radius inflation. The inflation effect has been discussed in relation to the radius problem of WR stars, but has yet failed to explain the large observed radii of Galactic WR stars. We wish to obtain a physical perspective of the inflation effect, and study the consequences for the radii of WR stars, and LBVs. For WR stars the observed radii are up to an order of magnitude larger than predicted by theory, whilst S Doradus-type LBVs are subject to humongous radius variations, which remain as yet ill-explained. We use a dual approach to investigate the envelope inflation, based on numerical models for stars near the Eddington limit, and a new analytic formalism to describe the effect. An additional new aspect is that we take the effect of density inhomogeneities (clumping) within the outer stellar envelopes into account. Due to the effect of clumping we are able to bring the observed WR radii in agreement with theory. Based on our new formalism, we find that the radial inflation is a function of a dimensionless parameter W, which largely depends on the topology of the Fe-opacity peak, i.e., on material properties. For W>1, we discover an instability limit, for which the stellar envelope becomes gravitationally unbound, i.e. there no longer exists a static solution. Within this framework we are also able to explain the S Doradus-type instabilities for LBVs like AG Car, with a possible triggering due to changes in stellar rotation. The stellar effective temperatures in the upper HR diagram are potentially strongly affected by the inflation effect. This may have particularly strong effects on the evolved massive LBV and WR stars just prior to their final collapse, as the progenitors of SNe Ibc, SNe II, and long GRBs., Comment: 15 pages, 11 Figures, recommended for publication in A&A

Some studies have claimed the existence of a stellar upper-mass limit of 150 Msun. A factor that is often overlooked concerns the issue that there might be a significant difference between the present-day and the initial mass of the most massive stars - as a result of mass loss. The upper-mass limit may be substantially higher, possibly exceeding 200 Msun. The issue of the upper mass-limit will however remain uncertain as long as there is only limited quantitative knowledge of mass loss in close proximity to the Eddington (= Gamma) limit. For this reason, we present mass-loss predictions from Monte Carlo radiative transfer models for very massive stars up to 300 Msun. Using our new dynamical approach, we find an upturn or "kink" in the mass-loss versus Gamma dependence, at the point where our model winds become optically thick. These are the first mass-loss predictions where the transition from optically thin O-star winds to optically thick Wolf-Rayet winds has been resolved., Comment: To appear in Four Decades of Research on Massive Stars, ASP Conf. Ser. 5 pages, 2 figures

Long gamma-ray bursts involve the most powerful cosmic explosions since the Big Bang. Whilst it has been established that GRBs are related to the death throes of massive stars, the identification of their progenitors has proved challenging. Theory suggests that rotating Wolf-Rayet stars are the best candidates, but their strong stellar winds shroud their surfaces, preventing a direct measurement of their rotation. Fortunately, linear spectropolarimetry may be used to probe the flattening of their winds due to stellar spin. Spectropolarimetry surveys show that an 80% majority of WR stars have spherically symmetric winds and are thus rotating slowly, yet a small 20% minority display a spectropolarimetric signature indicative of rotation. Here we find a highly significant correlation between WR objects that carry the signature of stellar rotation and the subset of WR stars with ejecta nebulae that have only recently transitioned from a red sugergiant or luminous blue variable phase. As these youthful WR stars have yet to spin-down due to mass loss, they are the best candidate GRB progenitors identified to date. When we take recently published WR ejecta nebula numbers we find that five out of the six line-effect WR stars are surrounded by ejecta nebulae. The statistics imply that the null hypothesis of no correlation between line-effect WR stars and ejecta nebulae can be rejected at the 0.0004% level. Given that four line-effect and WR ejecta nebula have spectroscopically been confirmed to contain nucleosynthetic products, we argue that the correlation is both statistically significant and physically convincing. The implication is that we have identified a WR sub-population that fulfills the necessary criteria for making GRBs. Finally, we discuss the potential of identifying GRB progenitors via spectropolarimetry with extremely large telescopes., Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters (small textual changes)

We report magnetic and spectroscopic observations and modeling of the Of?p star HD 148937 within the context of the MiMeS LP at the CFHT. Thirty-two high signal-to-noise ratio circularly polarised (Stokes V) spectra and 13 unpolarised (Stokes I) spectra of HD 148937 were acquired in 2009 and 2010. A definite detection of a Stokes V Zeeman signature is obtained in the grand mean of all observations (in both LSD mean profiles and individual spectral lines). The longitudinal magnetic field inferred from the Stokes V LSD profiles is consistently negative, in contrast to the essentially zero field strength measured from the diagnostic null profiles. A period search of equivalent width measurements confirms the previously-reported 7.03 d variability period. The variation of equivalent widths is not strictly periodic: we present evidence for evolution of the amount or distribution of circumstellar plasma. Interpreting the 7.03 d period as the stellar rotational period within the context of the ORM, we have phased the equivalent widths and longitudinal field measurements. The longitudinal field measurements show a weak sinusoidal variation of constant sign, with extrema out of phase with the H{\alpha} variation by about 0.25 cycles. The inferred magnetic configuration confirms the suggestion of Naz\'e et al (2010), who proposed that the weaker variability of HD 148937 as compared to other members of this class is a consequence of the stellar geometry. Based on the derived magnetic properties and published wind characteristics, we find a wind magnetic confinement parameter \eta\ast \simeq 20 and rotation parameter W = 0.12, supporting a picture in which the Halpha emission and other line variability have their origin in an oblique, rigidly rotating magnetospheric structure resulting from a magnetically channeled wind. (Abridged.), Comment: 13 pages, MNRAS. Version 2, small change to Fig. 10

The most massive stars are thought to be hydrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet stars of late spectral subtype (WNh stars). In previous theoretical studies the enhanced mass loss of these stars has been attributed to their proximity to the Eddington limit. Here we investigate observed trends in the mass-loss properties of such young, very massive stars. We derive theoretical mass-luminosity relations for very massive stars, based on a large grid of stellar structure models. Using these relations, we estimate Eddington factors for a sample of stars, under different assumptions of their evolutionary status. We evaluate the resulting mass-loss relations, and compare them with theoretical predictions. We find observational evidence that the mass loss in the WR regime is dominated by the Eddington parameter Gamma_e, which has important consequences for the way we understand Wolf-Rayet stars and their mass loss. In addition, we derive wind masses that support the picture that the WNh stars in young stellar clusters are very massive, hydrogen-burning stars. Our findings suggest that the proximity to the Eddington limit is the physical reason for the onset of Wolf-Rayet type mass loss. This means that, e.g. in stellar evolution models, the Wolf-Rayet stage should be identified by large Eddington parameters, instead of a helium-enriched surface composition. The latter is most likely only a consequence of strong mass loss, in combination with internal mixing. For very massive stars, the enhanced Gamma-dependent mass loss is responsible for the formation of late WNh subtypes with high hydrogen surface abundances, partly close to solar. Because mass loss dominates the evolution of very massive stars, we expect a strong impact of this effect on their end products, in particular on the potential formation of black holes, and Gamma-Ray Bursts, as well as the observed upper mass limit of stars.

VFTS 682 is located in an active star-forming region, at a projected distance of 29 pc from the young massive cluster R136 in the Tarantula Nebula of the Large Magellanic Cloud. It was previously reported as a candidate young stellar object, and more recently spectroscopically revealed as a hydrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet (WN5h) star. Our aim is to obtain the stellar properties, such as its intrinsic luminosity, and to investigate the origin of VFTS 682. To this purpose, we model optical spectra from the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey with the non-LTE stellar atmosphere code CMFGEN, as well as the spectral energy distribution from complementary optical and infrared photometry. We find the extinction properties to be highly peculiar (RV ~4.7), and obtain a surprisingly high luminosity log(L/Lsun) = 6.5 \pm 0.2, corresponding to a present-day mass of ~150Msun. The high effective temperature of 52.2 \pm 2.5kK might be explained by chemically homogeneous evolution - suggested to be the key process in the path towards long gamma-ray bursts. Lightcurves of the object show variability at the 10% level on a timescale of years. Such changes are unprecedented for classical Wolf-Rayet stars, and are more reminiscent of Luminous Blue Variables. Finally, we discuss two possibilities for the origin of VFTS 682: (i) the star either formed in situ, which would have profound implications for the formation mechanism of massive stars, or (ii) VFTS 682 is a slow runaway star that originated from the dense cluster R136, which would make it the most massive runaway known to date., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, accepted by A&A Letters

Some studies have claimed a universal stellar upper-mass limit of 150 Msun. A factor that is often overlooked is that there might be a difference between the current and initial masses of the most massive stars, as a result of mass loss. We present Monte Carlo mass-loss predictions for very massive stars in the range 40-300 Msun, with large luminosities and Eddington factors Gamma. Using our new dynamical approach, we find an upturn in the mass-loss vs. Gamma dependence, at the point where the winds become optically thick. This coincides with the location where wind efficiency numbers surpass the single-scattering limit of Eta = 1, reaching values up to Eta = 2.5. Our modelling suggests a transition from common O-type winds to Wolf-Rayet characteristics at the point where the winds become optically thick. This transitional behaviour is also revealed with respect to the wind acceleration parameter beta, which starts at values below 1 for the optically thin O-stars, and naturally reaches values as high as 1.5-2 for the optically thick Wolf-Rayet models. An additional finding concerns the transition in spectral morphology of the Of and WN characteristic He II line at 4686 Angstrom. When we express our mass-loss predictions as a function of the electron scattering Gamma_e (=L/M) only, we obtain a mass-loss Gamma dependence that is consistent with a previously reported power-law Mdot propto Gamma^5 (Vink 2006) that was based on our semi-empirical modelling approach. When we express Mdot in terms of both Gamma and stellar mass, we find Mdot propto M^0.8 Gamma^4.8 for our high Gamma models. Finally, we confirm that the Gamma-effect on the mass-loss predictions is much stronger than that of an increased helium abundance, calling for a fundamental revision in the way mass loss is incorporated in evolutionary models of the most massive stars., Comment: minor language changes (Astronomy & Astrophysics in press - 11 pages, 10 figures)

We report the discovery that R139 in 30 Doradus is a massive spectroscopic binary system. Multi-epoch optical spectroscopy of R139 was obtained as part of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey, revealing a double-lined system. The two components are of similar spectral types; the primary exhibits strong C III 4650 emission and is classified as an O6.5 Iafc supergiant, while the secondary is an O6 Iaf supergiant. The radial-velocity variations indicate a highly eccentric orbit with a period of 153.9 days. Photometry obtained with the Faulkes Telescope South shows no evidence for significant variability within an 18 month period. The orbital solution yields lower mass limits for the components of M1sin^3 i = 78 \pm 8 Msun and M2sin^3 i = 66 \pm 7 Msun. As R139 appears to be the most massive binary system known to contain two evolved Of supergiants, it will provide an excellent test for atmospheric and evolutionary models., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures. Letter accepted for publication in A&A

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS) is an ESO Large Programme that has obtained multi-epoch optical spectroscopy of over 800 massive stars in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Here we introduce our scientific motivations and give an overview of the survey targets, including optical and near-infrared photometry and comprehensive details of the data reduction. One of the principal objectives was to detect massive binary systems via variations in their radial velocities, thus shaping the multi-epoch observing strategy. Spectral classifications are given for the massive emission-line stars observed by the survey, including the discovery of a new Wolf-Rayet star (VFTS 682, classified as WN5h), 2' to the northeast of R136. To illustrate the diversity of objects encompassed by the survey, we investigate the spectral properties of sixteen targets identified by Gruendl & Chu from Spitzer photometry as candidate young stellar objects or stars with notable mid-infrared excesses. Detailed spectral classification and quantitative analysis of the O- and B-type stars in the VFTS sample, paying particular attention to the effects of rotational mixing and binarity, will be presented in a series of future articles to address fundamental questions in both stellar and cluster evolution., Comment: Accepted by A&A, 52 pages (main body: 19 pages, supplementary tables: 33 pages), v3: two classifications updated to match a parallel paper

The Tarantula survey is an ESO Large Programme which has obtained multi-epochs spectroscopy of over 800 massive stars in the 30 Dor region in the Large Magelanic Cloud. Here we briefly describe the main drivers of the survey and the observational material derived., Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of the 5th annual conference of the Bulgarian Astronomical Society

A considerable fraction of the central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) are hydrogen-deficient. As a rule, these CSPNe exhibit a chemical composition of helium, carbon, and oxygen with the majority showing Wolf-Rayet-like emission line spectra. These stars are classified as CSPNe of a spectral type [WC]. We perform a spectral analysis of CSPN PB 8 with the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) models for expanding atmospheres. The source PB 8 displays wind-broadened emission lines from strong mass loss. Most strikingly, we find that its surface composition is hydrogen-deficient, but not carbon-rich. With mass fractions of 55% helium, 40% hydrogen, 1.3% carbon, 2% nitrogen, and 1.3% oxygen, it differs greatly from the 30-50% of carbon which are typically seen in [WC]-type central stars. The atmospheric mixture in PB 8 has an analogy in the WN/WC transition type among the massive Wolf-Rayet stars. Therefore we suggest to introduce a new spectral type [WN/WC] for CSPNe, with PB 8 as its first member. The central star of PB 8 has a relatively low temperature of T=52kK, as expected for central stars in their early evolutionary stages. Its surrounding nebula is less than 3000 years old, i.e. relatively young. Existing calculations for the post-AGB evolution can produce hydrogen-deficient stars of the [WC] type, but do not predict the composition found in PB 8. We discuss various scenarios that might explain the origin of this unique object., Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures

The location of B supergiants in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HRD) represents a long-standing problem in massive star evolution. Here we propose their nature may be revealed utilising their rotational properties, and we highlight a steep drop in massive star rotation rates at an effective temperature of 22000 K. We discuss two potential explanations for it. On the one hand, the feature might be due to the end of the main sequence, which could potentially constrain the core overshooting parameter. On the other hand, the feature might be the result of enhanced mass loss at the predicted location of the bi-stability jump. We term this effect "bi-stability breaking" and discuss its potential consequences for the evolution of massive stars., Comment: Accepted by A&A Letters (4 pages, 5 figures); typos corrected

The Tarantula Survey is an ambitious ESO Large Programme that has obtained multi-epoch spectroscopy of over 1,000 massive stars in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud. Here we introduce the scientific motivations of the survey and give an overview of the observational sample. Ultimately, quantitative analysis of every star, paying particular attention to the effects of rotational mixing and binarity, will be used to address fundamental questions in both stellar and cluster evolution., Comment: 6 pages, to appear in the proceedings of IAU Symposium 266 "Star Clusters - Basic Galactic Building Blocks Throughout Time and Space", Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 2009

Analyzing the spectra from Wolf-Rayet stars requires adequate non-LTE modeling of their expanding atmosphere. The numerical schemes for solving the radiative transfer in the co-moving frame of reference have been developed by Mihalas and co-workers 30 years ago. The most elaborate codes can cope today with many hundred explicit non-LTE levels or super-levels and account for metal-line blanketing. The limited agreement with observed spectra indicates that the model simplifications are still severe. One approximation that has to be blamed is homogeneity. Stellar-wind clumping on small scales was easily implemented, while "macro-clumping" is still a big challenge. First studies showed that macro-clumping can reduce the strength of predicted P-Cygni line profiles in O-star spectra, and largely affects the X-ray line spectra from stellar winds. The classical model for radiation-driven winds by Castor, Abbot and Klein fails to explain the very dense winds from Wolf-Rayet stars. Only when we solved the detailed non-LTE radiative transfer consistently with the hydrodynamic equations, mass-loss rates above the single-scattering limit have been obtained., Comment: to appear in "Recent Directions in Astrophysical Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiation Hydrodynamics"