| 1. |
- Weigelt, G., et al.
(författare)
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VLTI-MATISSE chromatic aperture-synthesis imaging of eta Carinae's stellar wind across the Br alpha line Periastron passage observations in February 2020
- 2021
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 652
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Eta Carinae is a highly eccentric, massive binary system (semimajor axis similar to 15.5 au) with powerful stellar winds and a phase-dependent wind-wind collision (WWC) zone. The primary star, eta Car A, is a luminous blue variable (LBV); the secondary, eta Car B, is a Wolf-Rayet or O star with a faster but less dense wind. Aperture-synthesis imaging allows us to study the mass loss from the enigmatic LBV eta Car. Understanding LBVs is a crucial step toward improving our knowledge about massive stars and their evolution. Aims. Our aim is to study the intensity distribution and kinematics of eta Car's WWC zone. Methods. Using the VLTI-MATISSE mid-infrared interferometry instrument, we perform Br alpha imaging of eta Car's distorted wind. Results. We present the first VLTI-MATISSE aperture-synthesis images of eta Car A's stellar windin several spectral channels distributed across the Br alpha 4.052 mu m line (spectral resolving power R similar to 960). Our observations were performed close to periastron passage in February 2020 (orbital phase similar to 14.0022). The reconstructed iso-velocity images show the dependence of the primary stellar wind on wavelength or line-of-sight (LOS) velocity with a spatial resolution of 6 mas (similar to 14 au). The radius of the faintest outer wind regions is similar to 26 mas (similar to 60 au). At several negative LOS velocities, the primary stellar wind is less extended to the northwest than in other directions. This asymmetry is most likely caused by the WWC. Therefore, we see both the velocity field of the undisturbed primary wind and the WWC cavity. In continuum spectral channels, the primary star wind is more compact than in line channels. A fit of the observed continuum visibilities with the visibilities of a stellar wind CMFGEN model (CMFGEN is an atmosphere code developed to model the spectra of a variety of objects) provides a full width at half maximum fit diameter of the primary stellar wind of 2.84 +/- 0.06 mas (6.54 +/- 0.14 au). We comparethe derived intensity distributions with the CMFGEN stellar wind model and hydrodynamic WWC models.
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| 2. |
- Wade, G. A., et al.
(författare)
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The MiMeS survey of magnetism in massive stars : introduction and overview
- 2016
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 456:1, s. 2-22
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The MiMeS (Magnetism in Massive Stars) project is a large-scale, high-resolution, sensitive spectropolarimetric investigation of the magnetic properties of O- and early B-type stars. Initiated in 2008 and completed in 2013, the project was supported by three Large Program allocations, as well as various programmes initiated by independent principal investigators, and archival resources. Ultimately, over 4800 circularly polarized spectra of 560 O and B stars were collected with the instruments ESPaDOnS (Echelle SpectroPolarimetric Device for the Observation of Stars) at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, Narval at the Telescope Bernard Lyot and HARPSpol at the European Southern Observatory La Silla 3.6 m telescope, making MiMeS by far the largest systematic investigation of massive star magnetism ever undertaken. In this paper, the first in a series reporting the general results of the survey, we introduce the scientific motivation and goals, describe the sample of targets, review the instrumentation and observational techniques used, explain the exposure time calculation designed to provide sensitivity to surface dipole fields above approximately 100 G, discuss the polarimetric performance, stability and uncertainty of the instrumentation, and summarize the previous and forthcoming publications.
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| 3. |
- Gaffney, K J, et al.
(författare)
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Observation of structural anisotropy and the onset of liquidlike motion during the nonthermal melting of InSb
- 2005
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Ingår i: Physical Review Letters. - : American Physical Society. - 0031-9007 .- 1079-7114. ; 95:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The melting dynamics of laser excited InSb have been studied with femtosecond x-ray diffraction. These measurements observe the delayed onset of diffusive atomic motion, signaling the appearance of liquidlike dynamics. They also demonstrate that the root-mean-squared displacement in the [111] direction increases faster than in the [110] direction after the first 500 fs. This structural anisotropy indicates that the initially generated fluid differs significantly from the equilibrium liquid.
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| 4. |
- Hareter, M., et al.
(författare)
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MOST discovers a multimode delta Scuti star in a triple system : HD 61199
- 2008
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 492:1, s. 185-195
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. A field star, HD61199 (V approximate to 8), simultaneously observed with Procyon by the MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of STars) satellite in continuous runs of 34, 17, and 34 days in 2004, 2005, and 2007, was found to pulsate in 11 frequencies in the delta Scuti range with amplitudes from 1.7 down to 0.09 mmag. The photometry also showed variations with a period of about four days. To investigate the nature of the longer period, 45 days of time-resolved spectroscopy was obtained at the Thuringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg in 2004. The radial velocity measurements indicate that HD61199 is a triple system. Aims. A delta Scuti pulsator with a rich eigenspectrum in a multiple system is promising for asteroseismology. Our objectives were to identify which of the stars in the system is the delta Scuti variable and to obtain the orbital elements of the system and the fundamental parameters of the individual components, which are constrained by the pulsation frequencies of the delta Scuti star.Methods. Classical Fourier techniques and least-squares multi-sinusoidal fits were applied to the MOST photometry to identify the pulsation frequencies. The groundbased spectroscopy was analysed with least-squares-deconvolution (LSD) techniques, and the orbital elements derived with the KOREL and ORBITX routines. Asteroseismic models were also generated. Results. The photometric and spectroscopic data are compatible with a triple system consisting of a close binary with an orbital period of 3.57 days and a d Scuti companion (HD61199 A) as the most luminous component. The d Scuti star is a rapid rotator with about v sin i = 130 km s(-1) and an upper mass limit of about 2.1 M-circle dot. For the close binary components, we find they are of nearly equal mass, with lower mass limits of about 0.7 M-circle dot. Comparisons to synthetic spectra indicate these stars have a late-F spectral type. The observed oscillation frequencies are compared to pulsation models to further constrain the evolutionary state and mass of HD61199 A. The orbit frequency of the close binary corresponds to the difference of the two d Scuti frequencies with the highest amplitudes a coincidence that is remarkable, but not explained.
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| 5. |
- Pablo, H., et al.
(författare)
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epsilon Lupi : measuring the heartbeat of a doubly magnetic massive binary with BRITE Constellation
- 2019
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 488:1, s. 64-77
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- epsilon Lupi A is a binary system consisting of two main-sequence early B-type stars Aa and Ab in a short period, moderately eccentric orbit. The close binary pair is the only doubly magnetic massive binary currently known. Using photometric data from the BRITE Constellation we identify a modest heartbeat variation. Combining the photometry with radial velocities of both components we determine a full orbital solution including empirical masses and radii. These results are compared with stellar evolution models as well as interferometry and the differences discussed. We also find additional photometric variability at several frequencies, finding it unlikely these frequencies can be caused by tidally excited oscillations. We do, however, determine that these signals are consistent with gravity mode pulsations typical for slowly pulsating B stars. Finally we discuss how the evolution of this system will be affected by magnetism, determining that tidal interactions will still be dominant.
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| 6. |
- Zwintz, K., et al.
(författare)
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beta Cas : The first ffi Scuti star with a dynamo magnetic field
- 2020
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP SCIENCES S A. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 643
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. F-type stars are characterised by several physical processes such as different pulsation mechanisms, rotation, convection, diffusion, and magnetic fields. The rapidly rotating delta Scuti star beta Cas can be considered as a benchmark star to study the interaction of several of these effects.Aims. We investigate the pulsational and magnetic field properties of beta Cas. We also determine the star's apparent fundamental parameters and chemical abundances.Methods. Based on photometric time series obtained from three different space missions (BRITE-Constellation, SMEI, and TESS), we conduct a frequency analysis and investigate the stability of the pulsation amplitudes over four years of observations. We investigate the presence of a magnetic field and its properties using spectropolarimetric observations taken with the Narval instrument by applying the least-squares deconvolution and Zeeman-Doppler imaging techniques.Results. The star beta Cas shows only three independent p-mode frequencies down to the few ppm-level; its highest amplitude frequency is suggested to be an n=3, l=2, m=0 mode. Its magnetic field structure is quite complex and almost certainly of a dynamo origin. The atmosphere of beta Cas is slightly deficient in iron peak elements and slightly overabundant in C, O, and heavier elements.Conclusions. Atypically for delta Scuti stars, we can only detect three pulsation modes down to exceptionally low noise levels for beta Cas. The star is also one of very few delta Scuti pulsators known to date to show a measurable magnetic field and the first delta Scuti star with a dynamo magnetic field. These characteristics make beta Cas an interesting target for future studies of dynamo processes in the thin convective envelopes of F-type stars, the transition region between fossil and dynamo fields, and the interaction between pulsations and magnetic field.
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| 7. |
- Weiss, W. W., et al.
(författare)
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New BRITE-Constellation observations of the roAp star α Cir⋆
- 2020
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP SCIENCES S A. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 642
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Chemically peculiar (CP) stars with a measurable magnetic field comprise the group of mCP stars. The pulsating members define the subgroup of rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars, of which alpha Cir is the brightest member. Hence, alpha Cir allows the application of challenging techniques, such as interferometry, very high temporal and spectral resolution photometry, and spectroscopy in a wide wavelength range, that have the potential to provide unique information about the structure and evolution of a star.Aims. Based on new photometry from BRITE-Constellation, obtained with blue and red filters, and on photometry from WIRE, SMEI, and TESS we attempt to determine the surface spot structure of alpha Cir and investigate pulsation frequencies.Methods. We used photometric surface imaging and frequency analyses and Bayesian techniques in order to quantitatively compare the probability of different models.Results. BRITE-Constellation photometry obtained from 2014 to 2016 is put in the context of space photometry obtained by WIRE, SMEI, and TESS. This provides improvements in the determination of the rotation period and surface features (three spots detected and a fourth one indicated). The main pulsation frequencies indicate two consecutive radial modes and one intermediate dipolar mode. Advantages and problems of the applied Bayesian technique are discussed.
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