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Bright OB stars in the Galaxy. II. Wind variability in O supergiants as traced by Hα
We investigate the line-profile variability (lpv) of Hα for alarge sample of O-type supergiants (15 objects between O4 and O9.7), inan objective, statistically rigorous manner. We employed the TemporalVariance Spectrum (TVS) analysis, developed for the case of photosphericabsorption lines and modified by us to take into account the effects ofwind emission. By means of a comparative analysis we place constraintson the properties of this variability - quantified in terms of a meanand a newly defined fractional amplitude of deviations - as a functionof stellar and wind parameters. The results of our analysis show thatall the stars in the sample show evidence of significant lpv inHα, mostly dominated by processes in the wind. The variationsoccur between zero and 0.3 v_&infy; (i.e., below 1.5 R_star ), in goodagreement with results from similar studies. A comparison between theobservations and corresponding line-profile simulations indicates thatfor stars with intermediate wind densities the properties of theHα variability can be explained by simple models consisting ofcoherent or broken shells (blobs) uniformly distributed over the windvolume, with an intrinsic scatter in the maximum density contrast ofabout a factor of two. For stars at lower and higher wind densities, onthe other hand, we found certain inconsistencies between theobservations and our predictions, most importantly concerning the meanamplitude and the symmetry properties of the TVS. This disagreementmight be explained by the presence of coherent large-scale structures,partly confined in a volume close to the star. Interpreted in terms of avariable mass-loss rate, the observed variations of Hα indicatechanges of ±4% with respect to the mean value of dot M for starswith stronger winds and of ± 16% for stars with weaker winds. Theeffect of these variations on the corresponding wind momenta is ratherinsignificant (less than 0.16 dex), increasing only the local scatterwithout affecting the Wind Momentum Luminosity Relationship.
| A Galactic O Star Catalog
We have produced a catalog of 378 Galactic O stars with accuratespectral classifications that is complete for V<8 but includes manyfainter stars. The catalog provides cross-identifications with othersources; coordinates (obtained in most cases from Tycho-2 data);astrometric distances for 24 of the nearest stars; optical (Tycho-2,Johnson, and Strömgren) and NIR photometry; group membership,runaway character, and multiplicity information; and a Web-based versionwith links to on-line services.
| Stellar and wind parameters of Galactic O-stars. The influence of line-blocking/blanketing
We have re-analyzed the Galactic O-star sample from \citet{puls96} bymeans of line-blanketed NLTE model atmospheres in order to investigatethe influence of line-blocking/blanketing on the derived parameters. Theanalysis has been carried out by fitting the photospheric and wind linesfrom H and He. In most cases we obtained a good fit, but we have alsofound certain inconsistencies which are probably related to a stillinadequate treatment of the wind structure. These inconsistenciescomprise the line cores of Hγ and Hβ insupergiants (the synthetic profiles are too weak when the mass-loss rateis determined by matching Hα) and the ``generalizeddilution effect'' (cf. \citealt{vo89}) which is still present in He I4471 of cooler supergiants and giants.Compared to pure H/He plane-parallel models we found a decrease ineffective temperatures which is largest at earliest spectral types andfor supergiants (with a maximum shift of roughly 8000 K). This findingis explained by the fact that line-blanketed models of hot stars havephotospheric He ionization fractions similar to those from unblanketedmodels at higher Teff and higher log g. Consequently, anyline-blanketed analysis based on the He ionization equilibrium resultsin lower Teff-values along with a reduction of either log gor helium abundance (if the reduction of log g is prohibited by theBalmer line wings). Stellar radii and mass-loss rates, on the otherhand, remain more or less unaffected by line-blanketing.We have calculated ``new'' spectroscopic masses and compared them withprevious results. Although the former mass discrepancy \citep{h92}becomes significantly reduced, a systematic trend for masses below 50Msun seems to remain: The spectroscopically derived valuesare smaller than the ``evolutionary masses'' by roughly 10Msun. Additionally, a significant fraction of our samplestars stays over-abundant in He, although the actual values were foundto be lower than previously determined.Also the wind-momentum luminosity relation (WLR) changes because oflower luminosities and almost unmodified wind-momentum rates. Comparedto previous results, the separation of the WLR as a function ofluminosity class is still present but now the WLR for giants/dwarfs isconsistent with theoretical predictions.We argue that the derived mass-loss rates of stars withHα in emission are affected by clumping in the lowerwind region. If the predictions from different and independenttheoretical simulations (\citealt {Vink00, Paul03, puls03a}) that theWLR should be independent of luminosity class were correct, a typicalclumping factor <ρ2>/<ρ>2 ≈5 should be derived by ``unifying'' the different WLRs.Based upon observations obtained at the INT and the European SouthernObservatory, La Silla, Chile. The INT is operated on the island of LaPalma by the ING in the Spanish Observatorio de El Roque de losMuchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias.Appendix A in only available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.org
| Bright OB stars in the Galaxy. I. Mass-loss and wind-momentum rates of O-type stars: A pure H\alpha analysis accounting for line-blanketing
We study mass-loss and wind momentum rates of 29 Galactic O-type starswith luminosity classes I, III and V by means of a pure H\alpha profileanalysis and investigate to what extent the results compare to thoseoriginating from a state-of-the-art, complete spectral analysis. Ourinvestigation relies on the approximate method developed by\citet{Puls96} which we have modified to account for the effects ofline-blanketing. Effective temperatures and gravities needed to obtainquantitative results from such a simplified approach have been derivedby means of calibrations based on most recent spectroscopic NLTEanalyses and models of Galactic stars by \citet{Repo03} and\citet{Martins02}. Comparing (i) the derived wind-densities to thosedetermined by \citet{Repo03} for eleven stars in common and (ii) theWind-momentum Luminosity Relationship (WLR) for our sample stars tothose derived by other investigations, we conclude that our approximateapproach is actually able to provide consistent results. Additionally,we studied the consequences of ``fine tuning'' some of the direct andindirect parameters entering the WLR, especially by accounting fordifferent possible values of stellar reddening and distances. Combiningour data set with the corresponding data provided by \citet{Herrero02}and \citet{Repo03} we finally study the WLR for the largest sample ofGalactic O-type stars gathered so far, including an elaborate errortreatment. The established disagreement between the theoreticalpredictions and the ``observed'' WLRs being a function of luminosityclass is suggested to be a result of wind clumping. Different strategiesto check this hypothesis are discussed, particularly by comparing theH\alpha mass-loss rates with the ones derived from radio observations.
| On the Absolute Magnitudes of the O Stars
The conclusion published in 1992 by Garmany & Stencel from a studyof northern OB associations, that the absolute magnitudes of the O starsshow ``a large scatter ... intrinsic to the classification system,'' iscritically examined. It is found that the differences between theirderived absolute magnitudes of O stars and this author's 1973calibration exhibit large systematic effects in several associations,ranging from -0.74 to +1.02 mag with substantially smaller dispersions.Of course, when these results are combined, the scatter equals the fullrange of the systematic effects. To investigate the possibility ofdistance errors, the Garmany & Stencel B0-B2.5 stars in the sameassociations are subjected to the same analysis. The results for the Bstars show no significant systematic differences, eliminating errors inthe association distances derived by Garmany & Stencel from the Bstars as the source of the differences found for the O stars. It isnoteworthy that the dispersions in the absolute magnitudes of the Bstars within a given association are similar to or larger than those ofthe O stars. An examination of the distribution on the sky of the starsshows that the O and B stars in the discrepant associations aregenerally not colocated; such was already known to be the case for theimportant Perseus OB1 association. It is suggested that despite theirefforts to improve them, significant problems remain with theassociation memberships adopted by Garmany & Stencel; the relativelysmall dispersions of the O star absolute magnitudes even in thediscrepant cases indicate that they belong to different, usually moredistant associations near the lines of sight to the B associations withwhich they have been mistakenly connected. Several individual cases ofunrecognized multiple systems and classification errors are also foundin the Garmany & Stencel sample. It is concluded that the scatter inthe absolute magnitudes of the O stars is not as large as found byGarmany & Stencel, and not larger than that of the B stars.
| New periodic variables from the Hipparcos epoch photometry
Two selection statistics are used to extract new candidate periodicvariables from the epoch photometry of the Hipparcos catalogue. Theprimary selection criterion is a signal-to-noise ratio. The dependenceof this statistic on the number of observations is calibrated usingabout 30000 randomly permuted Hipparcos data sets. A significance levelof 0.1 per cent is used to extract a first batch of candidate variables.The second criterion requires that the optimal frequency be unaffectedif the data are de-trended by low-order polynomials. We find 2675 newcandidate periodic variables, of which the majority (2082) are from theHipparcos`unsolved' variables. Potential problems with theinterpretation of the data (e.g. aliasing) are discussed.
| Catalogue of Apparent Diameters and Absolute Radii of Stars (CADARS) - Third edition - Comments and statistics
The Catalogue, available at the Centre de Données Stellaires deStrasbourg, consists of 13 573 records concerning the results obtainedfrom different methods for 7778 stars, reported in the literature. Thefollowing data are listed for each star: identifications, apparentmagnitude, spectral type, apparent diameter in arcsec, absolute radiusin solar units, method of determination, reference, remarks. Commentsand statistics obtained from CADARS are given. The Catalogue isavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcar?J/A+A/367/521
| Fundamental parameters of Galactic luminous OB stars. V. The effect of microturbulence
We study the effect of microturbulence in the line formationcalculations of H and He lines, in the parameter range typical for O andearly B stars. We are specially interested in its effect on thedetermination of stellar parameters: Teff, log g andspecially on the He abundance. We first analyze the behaviour of H andHe model lines between 4 000 and 5 000 Äwith microturbulence andfind that for O stars only He I lines and He Ii lambda 4686 are sensiblyaffected by microturbulence, and that models with lower gravities, theones suitable for supergiants, are more sensitive to it. Using a testprocedure we show that the expected changes in Teff, log gand Helium abundance due to the inclusion of microturbulence in theanalysis, are small. We analyze five stars (two late, one intermediateand two early O stars) using microturbulence velocities of 0 and 15kms-1 and confirm the result of the previous test. Theparameters obtained for 15 kms-1 differ from the ones at 0kms-1 within the limits of the standard error box of ouranalysis. Only later types reduce their He abundance, by 0.02 in epsilon. Comparing with values in the literature we find that the range of ourchanges agree with previous results. In some cases other effects can addto microturbulence, and further reduce the He abundance up to 0.04. Thequality of the line fits only improves for He I lambda 4471, but not tothe extent of completely solving the so-called dilution effect.Therefore our conclusion is that microturbulence is affecting thederivation of stellar parameters, but its effect is comparable to theadopted uncertainties. Thus it can reduce moderate He overabundances andsolve line fit quality differences, but it cannot explain by itselflarge He overabundances in O stars. The INT is operated on the island ofLa Palma by the RGO in the Spanish Obervatorio de El Roque de losMuchachos of the Instituto de Astrof\'\i sica de Canarias.
| UBV beta Database for Case-Hamburg Northern and Southern Luminous Stars
A database of photoelectric UBV beta photometry for stars listed in theCase-Hamburg northern and southern Milky Way luminous stars surveys hasbeen compiled from the original research literature. Consisting of over16,000 observations of some 7300 stars from over 500 sources, thisdatabase constitutes the most complete compilation of such photometryavailable for intrinsically luminous stars around the Galactic plane.Over 5000 stars listed in the Case-Hamburg surveys still lackfundamental photometric data.
| On the wind momentum problem of O-type stars in the galaxy
We have examined the wind momentum problem of O-type stars in theGalaxy. It is shown that the discrepancy between theoretical andempirical mass loss rates and terminal velocities can be reversed byusing recently updated values of force multiplier parameters. With thesenew values, the momentum problem found by former investigators isreversed so that there now appears to be more than enough radiationforce in order to accelerate the stellar winds of a sample of GalacticO-type stars.
| The Lyman-Continuum Fluxes and Stellar Parameters of O and Early B-Type Stars
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1996ApJ...460..914V&db_key=AST
| O-star mass-loss and wind momentum rates in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds Observations and theoretical predictions.
A new, very fast approximate method is presented to determine mass-lossrates of O-stars from Halpha_ line profiles. The method usesH and HeII departure coefficients from unified model atmospheresparametrized in a simple way as function of wind velocity together withphotospheric NLTE line profiles as the inner boundary condition for anumerically exact radiative transfer solution to derive a windcontaminated Halpha_-profile. The method is also applied toHgamma_ to determine stellar gravities corrected for windemission. A detailed analytical discussion of Halpha_ lineformation in O-star winds is given and it is demonstrated that formervery simple approaches considering only optically thin wind emissionlead to significant systematic errors. Scaling relations and generalizedcurves of growth are presented that connect mass-loss rate, terminalvelocity, stellar parameters and Halpha_ equivalent width.The method is applied to samples of O-stars in the Galaxy, LMC and SMCand mass-loss rates are derived from Halpha_ in combinationwith terminal velocities measured from IUE and HST spectra. The resultsreveal that a tight empirical relation exists between the radiusmodified stellar wind momentum rate˙(M)vinfinity_R_*_^0.5^ and the stellar luminosity. Thevariations of this relationship between the Galaxy, LMC and SMC areexplained in terms of different abundances. Furthermore, for almost allobjects with dense winds (mostly supergiants), the commonly usedvelocity field exponent β could be derived, indicating a typicalvalue of β=~1. A comparison with the improved theory of radiationdriven winds (as presented recently by Pauldrach et al. 1994) shows thatthe observed wind momentum-luminosity relationship can be understoodqualitatively in terms of the theory. However, there exist significantsystematic discrepancies as a function of effective temperature,luminosity class and wind performance numberη=˙(M)vinfinity_c/L. We stress that thesediscrepancies would not have been detected with previous simplifiedHalpha_ -approaches. The deficiencies of the theory arediscussed and suggestions for future improvements are made.
| Vitesses radiales. Catalogue WEB: Wilson Evans Batten. Subtittle: Radial velocities: The Wilson-Evans-Batten catalogue.
We give a common version of the two catalogues of Mean Radial Velocitiesby Wilson (1963) and Evans (1978) to which we have added the catalogueof spectroscopic binary systems (Batten et al. 1989). For each star,when possible, we give: 1) an acronym to enter SIMBAD (Set ofIdentifications Measurements and Bibliography for Astronomical Data) ofthe CDS (Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg). 2) the numberHIC of the HIPPARCOS catalogue (Turon 1992). 3) the CCDM number(Catalogue des Composantes des etoiles Doubles et Multiples) byDommanget & Nys (1994). For the cluster stars, a precise study hasbeen done, on the identificator numbers. Numerous remarks point out theproblems we have had to deal with.
| Fundamental parameters of galactic luminous OB stars. II. A spectroscopic analysis of HDE 226868 and the mass of Cygnus X-1.
We present a spectroscopic analysis of the O9.7 Iab star HDE 226868,which is the optical counterpart of Cygnus X-1. We use this extremesupergiant to test the differences in the stellar parameters derivedusing plane parallel hydrostatic model atmospheres and sphericalnon-hydrostatic models ("Unified Model"). We find that the difference issignificant, but smaller than it is needed to explain the mass andhelium discrepancy between the theories of stellar atmospheres andevolution. We also find that the dilution effect of HeI 4471 is not dueonly to the presence of a strong wind. We use the derived atmosphericparameters to show that Cygnus X-1 has to be a black hole (provided itis a single compact object) in a way that is independent of the distanceto the system and assumptions about the mass-luminosity relation of thevisible star. We also derive a probable mass for Cygnus X-1.
| Evolution of initially mixed massive main sequence stars
The main sequence evolution of massive stars is calculated under theassumption that an unspecified mixing process were able to keep themodels homogeneous during some fraction of the core hydrogen burningphase. The mixing could be due to rotation. The results are used todiscuss discrepancies in stellar parameters between recent spectralanalyses of OB stars and standard stellar evolution theory. The observedsurface helium abundances serve as input to determine the duration ofthe mixing. It is shown that mixing on the main sequence alone cannotexpain the derived values. although the agreement becomes much betterwhen using the tracks presented here.
| Galactic OB associations in the northern Milky Way Galaxy. I - Longitudes 55 deg to 150 deg
The literature on all OB associations was reviewed, and their IRAS pointsource content was studied, between galactic longitude 55 and 150 deg.Only one third of the 24 associations listed by Ruprecht et al. (1981)have been the subject of individual studies designed to identify thebrightest stars. Distances to all of these were recomputed using themethod of cluster fitting of the B main sequence stars, which makes itpoossible to reexamine the absolute magnitude calibration of the Ostars, as well as for the red supergiant candidate stars. Also examinedwas the composite HR diagram for these associations. Associations withthe best defined main sequences, which also tend to contain very youngclusters, referred to here as OB clusters, have extremely few evolved Band A or red supergiants. Associations with poorly defined mainsequences and few OB clusters have many more evolved stars. They alsoshow an effect in the upper HR diagram referred to as a ledge byFitzpatrick and Garmany (1990) in similar data for the Large MagellanicCloud. It is suggested that the differences in the associations are notjust observational selection effects but represent real differences inage and formation history.
| Intrinsic parameters of galactic luminous OB stars
We present the results of a spectroscopic analysis of 25 galacticluminous OB stars. The gravities are in general lower than previouslyassumed, especially for giants. The helium abundances are also higherthan normal in many cases. Using data from the spectroscopic analysis,radii, luminosities and masses are derived. The observed wind terminalvelocities are used with the analytic approximation for the theory ofradiatively driven winds (Kudritzki et al., 1989) to obtain masses andmass loss rates. The masses derived from the spectroscopic analysis andthose derived independently from the wind theory agree, except for asmall difference attributed to deficiencies in the physics of the modelatmospheres used. A comparison with evolutionary tracks indicates that(1) evolution theory cannot explain the observed helium abundancepattern and that (2) the masses derived from the spectroscopic analysis(or the wind theory) are systematically lower than those derived fromevolutionary calculations.
| Distribution and motions of OB stars in the direction of H and KHI Perseus.
Not Available
| Quantitative spectroscopy of hot stars
A review on the quantitative spectroscopy (QS) of hot stars ispresented, with particular attention given to the study of photospheres,optically thin winds, unified model atmospheres, and stars withoptically thick winds. It is concluded that the results presented heredemonstrate the reliability of Qs as a unique source of accurate valuesof the global parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, andelemental abundances) of hot stars.
| The upper main sequence of OB associations. II - The single-lined O stars: Spectral classification of northern stars and lines of C and N
The properties of the stars close to the upper main sequence of OBassociations are studied in order to provide constraints on the theoryof evolution of massive stars. The spectral classification of northernsingle-lined O stars, most of them belonging to the associations CygOB1, Per OB1 and Cas OB6, is presented. The classification is performedaccording to Conti's classification scheme for O stars, amended byMathys (1988). The behavior of the C and N lines of the stars isstudied, in order to determine whether CNO-processed material is visibleat their surface. Three new ON stars have been discovered: BD + 36 deg4063 (O9.71), HD 13268 (O8V), and HD 110360 (O7V).
| The interstellar 217 NM band - A third catalogue of equivalent widths
A catalog of equivalent widths of the 217 nm interstellar absorptionband as well as other parameters characterizing the extinction curve inthe ultraviolet has been compiled for 790 O and B stars. A relativelytight correlation between the equivalent width of the 217 nm band andE(B-V) indicates that the absorber of this band is connected with thepopulation of larger interstellar grains responsible for the visualextinction. The parameter characterizing the amount of extinction in thefar UV is only weakly correlated with E(B-V), a result in accord withthe assumption that a second population of very small grains causes therapid increase of the far-UV extinction.
| Catalog of O-B stars observed with Tokyo Meridian Circle
A catalog of the O-B stars, selected from 'Blaauw-Parenago' list andRubin's catalog, has been compiled on the FK4 system by the observationsmade with Gautier 8-inch Meridian Circle at the Tokyo AstronomicalObservatory during the period, 1971 to 1979. It contains 1059 stars andwas compiled for the future establishment of high precision propermotions of O-B stars.
| A catalog of ultraviolet interstellar extinction excesses for 1415 stars
Ultraviolet interstellar extinction excesses are presented for 1415stars with spectral types B7 and earlier. The excesses with respect to Vare derived from Astronomical Netherlands Satellite (ANS) 5-channel UVphotometry at central wavelengths of approximately 1550, 1800, 2500, and3300 A. A measure of the excess extinction in the 2200-A extinction bumpis also given. The data are valuable for investigating the systematicsof peculiar interstellar extinction and for studying the character of UVinterstellar extinction in the general direction of stars for which theextinction-curve shape is unknown.
| Meridian observations made with the Carlsberg Automatic Meridian Circle at Brorfelde (Copenhagen University Observatory) 1981-1982
The 7-inch transit circle instrument with which the present position andmagnitude catalog for 1577 stars with visual magnitudes greater than11.0 was obtained had been equipped with a photoelectric moving slitmicrometer and a minicomputer to control the entire observationalprocess. Positions are reduced relative to the FK4 system for each nightover the whole meridian rather than the usual narrow zones. Thepositions of the FK4 stars used in the least squares solution are alsogiven in the catalog.
| Kinematic properties of supergiants in the Perseus spiral arm
Analysis of the space motions of supergiants in the Perseus arm regionindicates that the stellar peculiar-velocity field has a large-scalenonuniformity probably resulting both from the presence of sizablegroups of young stars and from systematic motions in the arm aspredicted by density-wave theory. Proper motions are tabulated for 78stars.
| The initial mass function for massive stars
A machine readable catalog of over 750 galactic O stars with publishedphotometry, spectral types, and luminosity classes has been compiled.The catalog is probably complete to a distance of about 2.5 kpc. Fromthis volume-limited data, the initial mass function (IMF) for stars moremassive than 20 solar masses has been derived. This IMF differs fromthat of Miller and Scalo (1979) and of Lequeux (1979), in havingproportionately more O type stars and not as steep a fall-off in numberof stars with increasing mass. Dividing the sample into stars inside andoutside the solar circle, a substantial difference in the IMF of themost massive stars is found. There are proportionally more toward thegalactic center. This gradient in the IMF may be related to the observedspace density of Wolf-Rayet stars, which are descendants of O typestars.
| Studies of luminous stars in nearby galaxies. I. Supergiants and O stars in the Milky Way.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1978ApJS...38..309H&db_key=AST
| The OBn and OBc stars.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1976ApJ...205..419W&db_key=AST
| A catalogue of galactic O stars. The ionization of the low density interstellar medium by runaway stars.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1974RMxAA...1..211C&db_key=AST
| The space distribution of the O stars in the solar neighborhood.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1973AJ.....78.1067W&db_key=AST
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Cassiopeia |
| Right ascension: | 03h00m29.72s |
| Declination: | +62°43'19.1" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 8.398 |
| Distance: | 1612.903 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | 4.5 |
| Proper motion Dec: | 3.9 |
| B-T magnitude: | 8.815 |
| V-T magnitude: | 8.433 |
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