Bibcode
Langer, N.; Markov, H.; Herrero, A.; Simón-Díaz, S.; Puls, J.; Markova, N.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 562, id.A37, 13 pp.
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2
2014
Journal
Citations
35
Refereed citations
30
Description
Context. Rotation is of key importance for the evolution of massive
star, including their fate as supernovae or gamma-ray bursts. However,
the rotational velocities of OB stars are difficult to determine.
Aims: Based on our own data for 31 Galactic O stars and incorporating
similar data for 86 OB supergiants from the literature, we aim at
investigating the properties of rotational and extra line-broadening as
a function of stellar parameters and at testing model predictions about
the evolution of stellar rotation. Methods: Fundamental stellar
parameters were determined by means of the code FASTWIND. Projected
rotational and extra broadening velocities, vsini and
ΘRT, originate from a combined Fourier transform and
the goodness-of-fit method. Model calculations published previously were
used to estimate the initial evolutionary masses,
Mevolinit. Results: The sample O stars with
Mevolinit ≳ 50 M⊙ rotate with
less that 26% of their break-up velocity, and they also lack slow
rotators (vsini ≲ 50 km s-1). For the more massive stars
(Mevolinit ≥ 35 M⊙) on the
hotter side of the bi-stability jump, the observed and predicted
rotational rates agree quite well; for those on the cooler side of the
jump, the measured velocties are systematically higher than the
predicted ones. In general, the derived ΘRT values
decrease toward cooler Teff, whilst for later evolutionary
phases they appear, at the same vsini, higher for high-mass stars than
for low-mass ones. None of the sample stars shows ΘRT
≥ 110 km s-1. For the majority of the more massive stars,
extra broadening either dominates or is in strong competition with
rotation. Conclusions: For OB stars of solar metallicity, extra
broadening is important and has to be accounted for in the analysis.
When appearing at or close to the zero-age main sequence, most of the
single and more massive stars rotate slower than previously thought.
Model predictions for the evolution of rotation in hot massive stars may
need to be updated.
Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for
Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile, under programme
ID 072.D-0196.
Related projects
The IACOB project: A new Era in the Study of Galactic OB Stars
IACOB is an ambitious long-term project whose main scientific goal is to provide an unprecedented empirical overview of the main physical properties of Galactic massive O- and B-type stars which can be used as definitive anchor point for our theories of stellar atmospheres, winds, interiors and evolution of massive stars
Sergio
Simón Díaz