R. Dorda

The supergiant B[e] star LHA 115-S 18 – binary and/or luminous blue variable?

This research is partially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN) under grant AYA2010-21697-C05-01/05. The OGLE project has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Communitys Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) / ERC grant agreement no. 246678 to AU. The AAT observations have been supported by the OPTICON project (observing proposals 2011A/014 and 2012A/015), which is funded by the European Commission under the Sevent Framework Programme (FP7).

Orbital and Physical Properties of the σ Ori Aa, Ab, B Triple System

We provide a complete characterization of the astrophysical properties of the sigma Ori Aa, Ab, B hierarchical triple system and an improved set of orbital parameters for the highly eccentric sigma Ori Aa, Ab spectroscopic binary. We compiled a spectroscopic data set comprising 90 high-resolution spectra covering a total time span of 1963 days. We applied the Lehman-Filhes method for a detailed orbital analysis of the radial velocity curves and performed a combined quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the sigma Ori Aa, Ab, B system by means of the stellar atmosphere code FASTWIND. We used our own plus other available information on photometry and distance to the system for measuring the radii, luminosities, and spectroscopic masses of the three components. We also inferred evolutionary masses and stellar ages using the Bayesian code BONNSAI. The orbital analysis of the new radial velocity curves led to a very accurate orbital solution of the sigma Ori Aa, Ab pair. We provided indirect arguments indicating that sigma Ori B is a fast-rotating early B dwarf. The FASTWIND+BONNSAI analysis showed that the Aa, Ab pair contains the hottest and most massive components of the triple system while sigma Ori B is a bit cooler and less massive. The derived stellar ages of the inner pair are intriguingly younger than the one widely accepted for the sigma Orionis cluster, at 3 +/- 1 Ma. The outcome of this study will be of key importance for a precise determination of the distance to the s Orionis cluster, the interpretation of the strong X-ray emission detected for sigma Ori Aa, Ab, B, and the investigation of the formation and evolution of multiple massive stellar systems and substellar objects.

A new survey of cool supergiants in the Magellanic Clouds

In this study, we conduct a pilot program aimed at the red supergiant population of the Magellanic Clouds. We intend to extend the current known sample to the unexplored low end of the brightness distribution of these stars, building a more representative dataset with which to extrapolate their behaviour to other Galactic and extra-galactic environments. We select candidates using only near infrared photometry, and with medium resolution multi-object spectroscopy, we perform spectral classification and derive their line-of-sight velocities, confirming the nature of the candidates and their membership to the clouds. Around two hundred new RSGs have been detected, hinting at a yet to be observed large population. Using near and mid infrared photometry we study the brightness distribution of these stars, the onset of mass-loss and the effect of dust in their atmospheres. Based on this sample, new a priori classification criteria are investigated, combining mid and near infrared photometry to improve the observational efficiency of similar programs as this.

VdBH 222: a starburst cluster in the inner Milky Way

Context. It has been suggested that the compact open cluster VdBH 222 is a young massive distant object. Aims. We set out to characterise VdBH 222 using a comprehensive set of multi-wavelength observations. Methods. We obtained multi-band optical (UBVR) and near-infrared (JHKS) photometry of the cluster field, as well as multi-object and long-slit optical spectroscopy for a large sample of stars in the field. We applied classical photometric analysis, as well as more sophisticated methods using the CHORIZOS code, to determine the reddening to the cluster. We then plotted dereddened HR diagrams and determined cluster parameters via isochrone fitting. Results. We have identified a large population of luminous supergiants confirmed as cluster members via radial velocity measurements. We find nine red supergiants (plus one other candidate) and two yellow supergiants. We also identify a large population of OB stars. Ten of them are bright enough to be blue supergiants. The cluster lies behind ≈7.5 mag of extinction for the preferred value of RV = 2.9. Isochrone fitting allows for a narrow range of ages between 12 and 16 Ma. The cluster radial velocity is compatible with distances of ∼ 6a nd∼10 kpc. The shorter distance is inconsistent with the age range and Galactic structure. The longer distance implies an age ≈ 12 Ma and a location not far from the position where some Galactic models place the far end of the Galactic bar. Conclusions. VdBH 222 is a young massive cluster with a likely mass >20 000 M� . Its population of massive evolved stars is comparable to that of large associations, such as Per OB1. Its location in the inner Galaxy, presumably close to the end of the Galactic bar, adds to the increasing evidence for vigorous star formation in the inner regions of the Milky Way.

Spectral type, temperature, and evolutionary stage in cool supergiants

In recent years, temperature scales in cool supergiants (CSGs) have been disputed, and the possibility that spectral types (SpTs) do not depend primarily on temperature has been raised. We explore the relations between different observed parameters and the capability of deriving accurate intrinsic stellar parameters from them through the analysis of the largest spectroscopic sample of CSGs to date from SMC and LMC. We explore possible correlations between different observational parameters, also making use of near- and mid-infrared colours and literature on photometric variability. Direct comparison between the behaviour of atomic lines (Fe I, Ti I, and Ca II) in the observed spectra and synthetic atmospheric models provides compelling evidence that effective temperature is the prime underlying variable driving the SpT sequence in CSGs. However, there is a clear correlation between SpT and luminosity, with later ones tending to correspond to more luminous stars with heavier mass loss. The population of CSGs in the SMC is characterised by a higher degree of spectral variability, early spectral types (centred on type K1) and low mass-loss rates (at least as measured by dust-sensitive mid-infrared colours). The population in the LMC displays less spectroscopic variability and later spectral types. The distribution of spectral types is not single-peaked. Instead, the brightest CSGs have a significantly different distribution from less luminous objects, presenting mostly M subtypes (centred on M2), and increasing mass-loss rates for later types. In conclusion, the observed properties of CSGs in the SMC and the LMC cannot be described correctly by standard evolutionary models. The very strong correlation between spectral type and bolometric luminosity, supported by all data from the Milky Way, cannot be reproduced at all by current evolutionary tracks.

The population of M-type supergiants in the starburst cluster Stephenson 2

The open cluster Stephenson 2 contains the largest collection of red supergiants known in the Galaxy, and at present is the second most massive young cluster known in the Milky Way. We have obtained multi-epoch, intermediate-resolution spectra around the Ca ii triplet for more than 30 red supergiants in Stephenson 2 and its surroundings. We find a clear separation between a majority of RSGs having spectral types M0-M2 and the brightest members in the NIR, which have very late spectral types and show strong evidence for heavy mass loss. The distribution of spectral types is similar to that of RSGs in other clusters, such as NGC 7419, or associations, like Per OB1. The cluster data strongly support the idea that heavy mass loss and maser emission is preferentially associated with late-M spectral types, suggesting that they represent an evolutionary phase.

Confirmation of six Be X-ray binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud

This paper is based on ESO data from 079.D−0371 and 088.D−0352. The AAT observations have been supported by the OPTICON project (observing proposals 2011A/014 and 2012/A015), which is funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). VAM acknowledges financial support from the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant 93405) and the World Universities Network. RD, AM and IN from the University of Alicante acknowledge support from the Spanish Government Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad under grant AYA2015-68012-C2-2-P (MINECO/FEDER). ESB acknowledges support from a Claude Leon Foundation fellowship and from the Marie Curie Actions of the European Commission (FP7-COFUND). The OGLE project has received funding from the National Science Centre, Poland, grant MAESTRO 2014/14/A/ST9/00121 to AU.

Characterisation of red supergiants in the Gaia spectral range

This research is partially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Mineco) under grants AYA2012-39364-C02-02, AYA2015-68012-C2-2-P (MINECO/FEDER), and FPI BES-2011-049345. The work reported in this publication has been partially supported by the European Science Foundation (ESF), in the framework of the GREAT Research Networking Programme.

A long-period Cepheid variable in the starburst cluster VdBH222

Context. Galactic starburst clusters play a twin role in astrophysics, serving as laboratories for the study of stellar physics and also delineating the structure and recent star formation history of the Milky Way. Aims. In order to exploit these opportunities we have undertaken a spectroscopic survey of the red supergiant dominated young massive clusters thought to be present at both near and far ends of the Galactic Bar. Methods. Specifically, multi-epoch observations were employed to identify and investigate stellar variability and its potential role in initiating mass loss amongst the cool super-/hypergiant populations of these aggregates. Results. Significant spectroscopic variability suggestive of radial pulsations was found for the yellow supergiant VdBH 222 #505. Follow-up photometric investigations revealed modulation with a period of ∼23.325 d; both timescale and pulsational profile are consistent with a Cepheid classification. Conclusions. #505 is one of the longest period Galactic cluster Cepheids identified to date and hence of considerable use in constraining the bright end of the period/luminosity relation at solar metallicities. In conjunction with extant photometry we infer a distance of ∼6 kpc for VdBH222 and an age of ∼20 Myr. This results in a moderate reduction in both the integrated cluster mass (∼2 × 10 4 M� ) and the initial masses of the evolved cluster members (∼10 M� ). As such VdBH222 becomes an excellent test-bed for studying the properties of some of the lowest mass stars observed to undergo type-II supernovae. Moreover, the distance is in tension with a location of VdBH 222 at the far end of the Galactic Bar. Instead a birthsite in the near 3 kpc arm is suggested; providing compelling evidence of extensive recent star formation in a region of the inner Milky Way which has hitherto been thought to be devoid of such activity.

The red supergiant population in the Perseus arm

This research is partially supported by the Spanish Government Ministerio de Economia y Competitivad (MINECO/FEDER) under grant AYA2015-68012-C2-2-P.