Yaël Nazé

X-Ray Spectroscopy of Stars

Non-degenerate stars of essentially all spectral classes are soft X-ray sources. Their X-ray spectra have been important in constraining physical processes that heat plasma in stellar environments to temperatures exceeding one million degrees. Low-mass stars on the cooler part of the main sequence and their pre-main sequence predecessors define the dominant stellar population in the galaxy by number. Their X-ray spectra are reminiscent, in the broadest sense, of X-ray spectra from the solar corona. The Sun itself as a typical example of a main-sequence cool star has been a pivotal testbed for physical models to be applied to cool stars. X-ray emission from cool stars is indeed ascribed to magnetically trapped hot gas analogous to the solar coronal plasma, although plasma parameters such as temperature, density, and element abundances vary widely. Coronal structure, its thermal stratification and geometric extent can also be interpreted based on various spectral diagnostics. New features have been identified in pre-main sequence stars; some of these may be related to accretion shocks on the stellar surface, fluorescence on circumstellar disks due to X-ray irradiation, or shock heating in stellar outflows. Massive, hot stars clearly dominate the interaction with the galactic interstellar medium: they are the main sources of ionizing radiation, mechanical energy and chemical enrichment in galaxies. High-energy emission permits to probe some of the most important processes at work in these stars, and put constraints on their most peculiar feature: the stellar wind. Medium and high- resolution spectroscopy have shed new light on these objects as well. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of cool and hot stars through the study of X-ray spectra, in particular high-resolution spectra now available from XMM-Newton and Chandra. We address issues related to coronal structure, flares, the composition of coronal plasma, X-ray production in accretion streams and outflows, X-rays from single OB-type stars, massive binaries, magnetic hot objects and evolved WR stars.

An XMM–Newton view of the young open cluster NGC 6231 – II. The OB star population

In this second paper of the series, we pursue the analysis of the 180-ks XMM‐Newton campaign towards the young open cluster NGC 6231 and we focus on its rich OB star population. We present a literature-based census of the OB stars in the field of view with more than one hundred objects, among which 30 per cent can be associated with an X-ray source. All the O-type stars are detected in the X-ray domain as soft and reasonably strong emitters. In the 0.5‐ 10.0 keV band, their X-ray luminosities scale with their bolometric luminosities as log LX − log Lbol =− 6.912 ± 0.153. Such a scaling law holds in the soft (0.5‐1.0 keV) and intermediate (1.0‐2.5 keV) bands but breaks down in the hard band. While the two colliding wind binaries in our sample clearly deviate from this scheme, the remaining O-type objects show a very limited dispersion (40 or 20 per cent according to whether ‘cool’ dwarfs are included or not), much smaller than that obtained from previous studies. At our detection threshold and with our sample, the sole identified mechanism that produces significant modulations in the O star X-ray emission is related to wind interaction. We thus propose that the intrinsic X-ray emission of non-peculiar O-type stars can be considered as constant for a given star. In addition, the level of X-ray emission is accurately related to the star luminosity or, equivalently, to its wind properties. Among B-type stars, the detection rate is only about 25 per cent in the subtype range B0‐B4 and remains mostly uniform throughout the different subpopulations while it drops significantly at later subtypes. The associated X-ray spectra are harder than those of O-type stars. Our analysis points towards the detected emission being associated with a physical (in a multiple system) PMS companion. However, we still observe a correlation between the bolometric luminosity of the B stars and the measured X-ray luminosity. The best-fitting power law in the 0.5‐10.0 keV band yields log LX = 0.22(±0.06) log Lbol + 22.8(±2.4).

MESS (Mass-loss of Evolved StarS), a Herschel key program

MESS (Mass-loss of Evolved StarS) is a guaranteed time key program that uses the PACS and SPIRE instruments on board the Herschel space observatory to observe a representative sample of evolved stars, that include asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and post-AGB stars, planetary nebulae and red supergiants, as well as luminous blue variables, Wolf-Rayet stars and supernova remnants. In total, of order 150 objects are observed in imaging and about 50 objects inspectroscopy. This paper describes the target selection and target list, and the observing strategy. Key science projects are described, and illustrated using results obtained during Herschel’s science demonstration phase. Aperture photometry is given for the 70 AGB and post-AGB stars observed up to October 17, 2010, which constitutes the largest single uniform database of far-IR and sub-mm fluxes for late-type stars.

Hot stars observed by XMM-Newton I. The catalog and the properties of OB stars ⋆

Aims. Following the advent of increasingly sensitive X-ray observatories, deep observations of early-type stars became possible. However, the results for only a few objects or clusters have until now been reported and there has been no large survey comparable to that based upon the ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS). Methods. A limited survey of X-ray sources, consisting of all public XMM-Newton observations (2XMMi) and slew survey data (XMMSL1), is now available. The X-ray counterparts to hot, massive stars have been searched for in these catalogs. Results. About 300 OB stars were detected with XMM-Newton. Half of them were bright enough for a spectral analysis to be possible, and we make available the detailed spectral properties that were derived. The X-ray spectra of O stars are represented well by low (<1keV) temperature components and seem to indicate that an absorption column is present in addition to the interstellar c ontribution. The X-ray fluxes are well correlated with the bolometric fluxe s, with a scatter comparable to that of the RASS studies and thus larger than found previously with XMM-Newton for some individual clusters. These results contrast with t hose of B stars that exhibit a large scatter in the LX− LBOL relation, no additional absorption being found, and the fits indicate a plasma at higher temperatures. Variability (either within one exposure or between multiple exposures) was also investigated whenever possible: short-term variations are far more rare than long-term ones (the former affects a few percent of the sample, while the latter concerns between one third and two thirds of the sources). Conclusions. This paper presents the results of the first high-sensitivit y investigation of the overall high-energy properties of a s izable sample of hot stars.

The massive star binary fraction in young open clusters – I. NGC 6231 revisited

We present the results of a long-term high-resolution spectroscopy campaign on the O-type stars in NGC 6231. We revise the spectral classification and multiplicity of these objects and we constrain the fundamental properties of the O-star population. Almost three quarters of the O-type stars in the cluster are members of a binary system. The minimum binary fraction is 0.63, with half the O-type binaries having an orbital period of the order of a few days. The eccentricities of all the short-period binaries are revised downward, and henceforth match a normal period‐eccentricity distribution. The mass ratio distribution shows a large preference for O + OB binaries, ruling out the possibility that, in NGC 6231, the companion of an O-type star is randomly drawn from a standard initial mass function. Obtained from a complete and homogeneous population of O-type stars, our conclusions provide interesting observational constraints to be confronted with the formation and early evolution theories of O-stars.

WR 20a: A massive cornerstone binary system comprising two extreme early-type stars

We analyse spectroscopic observations of WR 20a revealing that this star is a massive early-type binary system with a most probable orbital period of ∼3.675 days. Our spectra indicate that both components are most likely of WN6ha or O3If ∗ /WN6ha spectral type. The orbital solution for a period of 3.675 days yields extremely large minimum masses of 70.7 ± 4.0 and 68.8± 3.8 Mfor the two stars. These properties make WR 20a a cornerstone system for the study of massive star evolution.

The MiMeS survey of magnetism in massive stars: introduction and overview

The Magnetism in Massive Stars (MiMeS) survey represents a highprecision systematic search for magnetic fields in hot, massive OB stars. To date, MiMeS Large Programs (ESPaDOnS@CFHT, Narval@TBL, HARPSpol@ESO3.6) and associated PI programs (FORS@VLT) have yielded nearly 1200 circular spectropolarimetric observations of over 350 OB stars. Within this sample, 20 stars are detected as magnetic. Follow-up observations of new detections reveals (i) a large diversity of magnetic properties, (ii) ubiquitous evidence for magnetic wind confinement in optical spectra of all magnetic O stars, and (iii) the presence of strong, organized magnetic fields in all known Galactic Of?p stars, and iv) a complete absence of magnetic fields in classical Be stars.

The spectrum of the very massive binary system WR20a (WN6ha + WN6ha): Fundamental parameters and wind interactions

We analyse the optical spectrum of the very massive binary system WR 20a (WN6ha + WN6ha). The most prominent emission lines, Hα and He  λ 4686, display strong phase-locked profile variability. From the variations of their equivalent widths and from a tomographic analysis, we find that part of the line emission probably arises in a wind interaction region between the stars. Our analysis of the optical spectrum of WR 20a indicates a reddening of AV � 6.0 mag and a distance of ∼7.9 kpc, suggesting that the star actually belongs to the open cluster Westerlund 2. The location of the system at ∼1.1 pc from the cluster core could indicate that WR 20a was gently ejected from the core via dynamical interactions. Using a non-LTE model atmosphere code, we derive the fundamental parameters of each component: Teff = 43 000 ± 2000 K, log Lbol/L� � 6.0, u M = 8.5 × 10 −6 Myr −1 (assuming a clumped wind with a volume filling factor f = 0.1). Nitrogen is enhanced in the atmospheres of the components of WR 20a, while carbon is definitely depleted. Finally, the position of the binary components in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram suggests that they are core hydrogen burning stars in a pre-LBV stage and their current atmospheric chemical composition probably results from rotational mixing that might be enhanced in a close binary compared to as ingle star of same age.

Early-type stars in the core of the young open cluster Westerlund 2 ⋆⋆⋆

Aims. The properties of the early-type stars in the core of the Westerlund 2 cluster are examined in order to establish a link bet ween the cluster and the very massive Wolf-Rayet binary WR 20a as well as the Hii complex RCW 49. Methods. Photometric monitoring as well as spectroscopic observations of Westerlund 2 are used to search for light variability and to establish the spectral types of the early-type stars in the c luster core. Results. The first light curves of the eclipsing binary WR 20a in B and V filters are analysed and a distance of 8 kpc is inferred. Three additional eclipsing binaries, which are probable late O or early B-type cluster members, are discovered, but none of the known early O-type stars in the cluster displays significant photometri c variability above 1% at the 1-σ level. The twelve brightest O-type stars are found to have spectral types between O3 and O6.5, significant ly earlier than previously thought. Conclusions. The distance of the early-type stars in Westerlund 2 is established to be in excellent agreement with the distance of WR 20a, indicating that WR 20a actually belongs to the cluster. Our best estimate of the cluster distance thus amounts to 8.0± 1.4 kpc. Despite the earlier spectral types, the currently known population of early-type stars in Westerlund 2 does not provide enough ionizing photons to account for the radio emission of the RCW 49 complex. This suggests that there might still exist a number of embedded early O-stars in RCW 49.

New findings on the prototypical Of?p stars

Aims. In recent years several in-depth investigations of the three prototypical Of?p stars were undertaken. These multiwavelength studies revealed the peculiar properties of these objects (in the X-rays as well as in the optical): magnetic fields, periodic line profile variations, recurrent photometric changes. However, many questions remain unsolved. Methods. To clarify some of the properties of the Of?p stars, we have continued their monitoring. A new xmm-Newton observation and two new optical datasets were obtained. Results. Additional information about the prototypical Of?p trio has been found. HD 108 has now reached its quiescent, minimumemission state for the first time in 50–60 yr. The echelle spectra of HD 148937 confirm the presence of the 7d variations in the Balmer lines and reveal similar periodic variations (though of lower amplitudes) in the He i λ 5876 and He ii λ 4686 lines, underlining its similarities with the other two prototypical Of?p stars. The new xmm-Newton observation of HD 191612 was taken at the same phase in the line modulation cycle, but at a different orbital phase from previous data. It clearly shows that the X-ray emission of HD 191612 is modulated by the 538d period and not by the orbital period of 1542d – it is thus not of colliding-wind origin. The phenomenon responsible for the optical changes appears also at work in the high-energy domain. There are problems however: our MHD simulations of the wind magnetic confinement predict both a harder X-ray flux of a much larger strength than what is observed (the modelled differential emission measure peaks at 30–40 MK, whereas the observed one peaks at 2 MK) and narrow lines (hot gas moving with velocities of 100–200 km s −1 , whereas the observed full width at half maximum is ∼2000 km s −1 ).