Be-type Stars Research Articles

The Value-added Catalog of OB Stars in LAMOST DR7

Abstract In this work, we update the catalog of OB stars based on the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope data release 7 and modify the OB stars’ selection criteria in spectral line indices’ space. The new catalog includes 37,778 spectra of 27,643 OB stars, of which 3827 OB stars are newly identified. The spectral subclasses of 27,643 OB stars are obtained using the automatic classification code MKCLASS. We find that the modified OB star selection criteria can better improve the completeness of late B-type stars by analyzing their spectral classification results given by MKCLASS. We also identify 3006 Be-type stars or candidates by examining the Balmer lines in their spectra and find that the frequency of our Be-type stars (10.9%) is consistent with previous results. The spatial distribution of OB stars indicates that they are mainly located in the Galactic disk. This new catalog of OB stars will provide valuable data for studying the structure and evolution of the Milky Way.

The Progenitors of Be-stars Paired with O-subdwarfs: The Spin-up of a Be Star at the Stage of Conservative Mass Exchange

The spinning-up of the accreting component in the process of conservative mass exchange is considered in binary systems—progenitors of systems consisting of a main sequence Be-star and an O-subdwarf. During the mass exchange, the meridional circulation transfers 80%–85% of the angular momentum that entered the accretor together with the accreted matter to the accretor surface. This angular momentum is removed from the accretor by the disk. When the mass exchange finishes, the accretor has a rotation typical of classical Be-type stars.

Owens Valley Radio Observatory monitoring of LS I +61°303 completes three cycles of the super-orbital modulation

Context. The high-mass X-ray binary LS I +61°303 is composed of a Be-type star and a compact object in an eccentric orbit. The emission from this source is variable and periodic across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio to very high-energy γ rays. The orbital period has been determined as P1 ≈ 26.5 d, and the source also features a super-orbital period with a value of Plong ≈ 4.6 years. Long-term monitoring of the binary by the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) at 15 GHz has now completed 13.8 years, which corresponds to three full cycles of the super-orbital period. This is exactly one long-term cycle more than in the previous publication about OVRO observations of this source. Aims. Our aim is to investigate the presence and the stability of periodic signals in the radio data and to test if they are in agreement with previous results. This will contribute to the understanding of the physical processes behind the non-thermal emission from this source. Methods. We performed a timing analysis of the OVRO radio light curve and made use of the generalized Lomb-Scargle periodogram. We also combined the OVRO data with the full archive of previous radio observations and computed the discrete autocorrelation function. Results. The most powerful features in the periodogram of the OVRO data are two peaks at P1 = 26.49 ± 0.05 d and P2 = 26.93 ± 0.05 d, which are well separated from each other and clearly stand out above the very low noise level. The previously detected long-term period is still present in these new radio data, and our measurement is Plong = 1698 ± 196 d. Dividing the OVRO data into three segments of equal length showed that the two periods, P1 and P2, are present in the periodogram of each of the consecutive long-term cycles. Our analysis of the full radio archive resulted in the detection of the same three periods, and the autocorrelation function showed a regular pattern, proving the continuity of the decades-spanning stability of the super-orbital modulation. In addition, we report a possible systematic modulation of the radio flux density with a timescale of approximately 40 years that has so far remained unnoticed. Conclusions. The physical model of a relativistic jet whose mass loading is modulated with the orbital period P1 and is precessing with the slightly larger period P2, giving rise to a beating with period Plong, had previously been able to reproduce the radio and gigaelectron volt emission from this source. The ongoing presence and the stability of the periodic signals imply that this model is still the most plausible explanation for the physical processes at work in this source.

Some observational properties of the Herbig Be Star AS 310

The results of spectral and photometric studies of Herbig Be-type star AS 310 have been presented. Photometric observations in the BVRcIc bands performed in 2016–2021 showed that the amplitude of the seasonal brightness variations of the star changes smoothly in different years and reaches a maximum of approximately around ΔV ∼ 0.6 mag in 2018. The star is more often in a weak state of radiation, but from time to time an increase in its brightness is observed. With a decrease in brightness in the V-band, the star’s radiation in the blue color increases, while in the red part of the spectrum, it decreases. Searches for periodicity in the light variations did not reveal definite periods of variability. The emission components observed in the hydrogen and forbidden nitrogen lines are rather formed in the nebula where the star itself is immersed. The spectrum contains strong lines of neutral helium, without any signs of emission components. The spectral class corresponds to the combined spectrum of B3–5 V + B1.5–2 V.

Nitrogen abundances of the Be-type stars in 30 Doradus

ABSTRACT A sub-set of the 67 Be-type stars observed in 30 Doradus during the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS) campaign have been analysed to estimate atmospheric parameters and chemical compositions, in particular their nitrogen abundance. Reliable results were found for 23 targets comprising the largest Large Magellanic Cloud sample currently available. The nitrogen abundance estimates have been compared with predictions from evolutionary models for rapidly rotating single stars (or non-interacting multiple systems) and for interacting binaries. The observations appear to be incompatible with all the targets having a single star evolutionary history. The results agree better with a binary evolutionary history with at least 30 per cent of the VFTS sample having apparently evolved by this pathway. These conclusions are consistent with a previous analysis of the ve sin i-estimates for this Be-type sample.

Galactic runaway O and Be stars found usingGaiaDR3

Context.A relevant fraction of massive stars are runaway stars. These stars move with a significant peculiar velocity with respect to their environment.Aims.We aim to discover and characterize the population of massive and early-type runaway stars in the GOSC and BeSS catalogs usingGaiaDR3 astrometric data.Methods.We present a two-dimensional method in the velocity space to discover runaway stars as those that deviate significantly from the velocity distribution of field stars. Field stars are considered to follow the Galactic rotation curve.Results.We found 106 O runaway stars, 42 of which were not previously identified as runaways. We found 69 Be runaway stars, 47 of which were not previously identified as runaways. The dispersion of runaway stars is a few times higher inZandbthan that of field stars. This is explained by the ejections they underwent when they became runaways. The percentage of runaways is 25.4% for O-type stars, and it is 5.2% for Be-type stars. In addition, we conducted simulations in three dimensions for our catalogs. They revealed that these percentages could increase to ∼30% and ∼6.7%, respectively. Our runaway stars include seven X-ray binaries and one gamma-ray binary. Moreover, we obtain velocity dispersions of ∼5 km s−1perpendicular to the Galactic plane for O- and Be-type field stars. These values increase in the Galactic plane to ∼7 km s−1for O-type stars due to uncertainties and to ∼9 km s−1for Be-type stars due to Galactic velocity diffusion.Conclusions.The excellentGaiaDR3 astrometric data have allowed us to identify a significant number of O-type and Be-type runaways in the GOSC and BeSS catalogs. The higher percentages and higher velocities found for O-type compared to Be-type runaways underline that the dynamical ejection scenario is more likely than the binary supernova scenario. Our results open the door to identifying new high-energy systems among our runaways by conducting detailed studies.

A TESS search for donor-star pulsations in high-mass X-ray binaries

ABSTRACT Ground-based optical photometry of the counterparts of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) has revealed the presence of periodic modulations on time-scales of ∼0.3–0.5 d. More recent space-based observations (CoRoT and TESS) of OB and Be stars have shown that pulsations caused by p and g modes are common in early-type stars. We have therefore undertaken a systematic search for variability in the optical counterparts of 23 HMXBs (mostly neutron star systems, but including one black hole, Cyg X-1) using TESS data primarily in 2 min cadence mode. After removing the orbital period modulation in four systems, we find that all 23 sources show evidence for quasi-periodic variability on periods shorter than ∼1 d. We compare their power spectra with those from observations of other OB- and Be-type stars. In two systems, V725 Tau and HD 249179 (which may not be an HMXB), we find evidence for an outburst, the former being simultaneous with an X-ray flare. We search for changes in the power spectra over the outburst duration and compare them with outbursts seen in other Be systems.

Discovery of a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron line in the X-ray pulsar Swift J1808.4−1754 and identification of an optical companion

ABSTRACT In this work, the temporal and spectral properties of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar Swift J1808.4−1754 were investigated in the 0.8–79 keV energy range based on the data from the NuSTAR and Swift observatories collected during the 2014 outburst. Strong pulsations with a period of 909.73 ± 0.03 s were detected in the source light curve, with the pulsed fraction demonstrating a non-monotonic dependence on the energy with a local minimum around 17–22 keV. Phase lags in one of the pulse profile components, reaching the maximal value approximately at the same energy, were discovered. The pulse phase-averaged spectrum of the source has a power-law shape with an exponential cutoff at high energies, which is typical of X-ray pulsars. Pulse phase-resolved spectroscopy revealed the presence of a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron absorption line at ∼21 keV, allowing us to estimate the neutron star magnetic field of 2.4 × 1012 G. This makes Swift J1808.4−1754 a member of very small family of X-ray pulsars with a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron line in a narrow phase range. The data from the Nordic Optical Telescope allowed us to study the properties of the infrared companion in the system and to conclude that most probably it is a Be-type star located at a distance of 5–8 kpc.

Properties of the Be-type stars in 30 Doradus

ABSTRACTThe evolutionary status of Be-type stars remains unclear, with both single-star and binary pathways having been proposed. Here, VFTS spectroscopy of 73 Be-type stars, in the spectral-type range, B0–B3, is analysed to estimate projected rotational velocities, radial velocities, and stellar parameters. They are found to be rotating faster than the corresponding VFTS B-type sample but simulations imply that their projected rotational velocities are inconsistent with them all rotating at near critical velocities. The de-convolution of the projected rotational velocities estimates leads to a mean rotational velocity estimate of 320–350 km s−1, approximately 100 km s−1 larger than that for the corresponding B-type sample. There is a dearth of targets with rotational velocities less than 0.4 of the critical velocity, with a broad distribution reaching up to critical rotation. Our best estimate for the mean or median of the rotational velocity is 0.68 of the critical velocity. Rapidly rotating B-type stars are more numerous than their Be-type counterparts, whilst the observed frequency of Be-type stars identified as binary systems is significantly lower than that for normal B-type stars, consistent with their respective radial-velocity dispersions. The semi-amplitudes for the Be-type binaries are also smaller. Similar results are found for a Small Magellanic Cloud Be-type sample centred on NGC 346 with no significant differences being found between the two samples. These results are compared with the predictions of single and binary stellar evolutionary models for Be-type stars. Assuming that a single mechanism dominated the production of classical Be-type stars, our comparison would favour a binary evolutionary history.

Suzaku and NuSTAR X-ray spectroscopy of γ Cassiopeiae and HD 110432

Abstract γ Cas and its dozen analogs comprise a small but distinct class of X-ray sources. They are early Be-type stars with an exceptionally hard thermal X-ray emission. The X-ray production mechanism has been under intense debate. Two competing ideas are (i) the magnetic activities in the Be star and its disk, and (ii) the mass accretion onto the unidentified white dwarf (WD). We adopt the latter as a working hypothesis and apply physical models developed to describe the X-ray spectra of classical WD binaries containing a late-type companion. Models of non-magnetic and magnetic accreting WDs were applied to γ Cas and its brightest analog HD 110432 using the Suzaku and NuSTAR data. The spectra were fitted by the two models, including the Fe fluorescence and the Compton reflection in a consistent geometry. The derived physical parameters are in a reasonable range in comparison to their classical WD binary counterparts. Additional pieces of evidence in the X-ray spectra—partial covering, Fe L lines, Fe i fluorescence—were not conclusive enough to classify these two sources into a subclass of accreting WD binaries. We discuss further observations, especially long-term temporal behaviors, which are important to elucidate the nature of these sources, if indeed they host accreting WDs.

Detecting outliers and learning complex structures with large spectroscopic surveys – a case study with APOGEE stars

In this work we apply and expand on a recently introduced outlier detection algorithm that is based on an unsupervised random forest. We use the algorithm to calculate a similarity measure for stellar spectra from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE). We show that the similarity measure traces non-trivial physical properties and contains information about complex structures in the data. We use it for visualization and clustering of the dataset, and discuss its ability to find groups of highly similar objects, including spectroscopic twins. Using the similarity matrix to search the dataset for objects allows us to find objects that are impossible to find using their best fitting model parameters. This includes extreme objects for which the models fail, and rare objects that are outside the scope of the model. We use the similarity measure to detect outliers in the dataset, and find a number of previously unknown Be-type stars, spectroscopic binaries, carbon rich stars, young stars, and a few that we cannot interpret. Our work further demonstrates the potential for scientific discovery when combining machine learning methods with modern survey data.

Dissecting the Extended Main Sequence Turn-off of the Young Star Cluster NGC 1850

We use the Wide Field Camera 3 onboard the Hubble Space Telescope to obtain deep, high-resolution photometry of the young (~ 100 Myr) star cluster NGC1850 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We analyze the cluster colour-magnitude diagram (CMD) and find that it hosts an extended main sequence turn-off (MSTO) and a double MS. We demonstrate that these features cannot be due to photometric errors, field star contamination, or differential reddening. From a comparison with theoretical models and Monte Carlo simulations, we show that a coeval stellar population featuring a distribution of stellar rotation rates can reproduce the MS split quite well. However, it cannot reproduce the observed MSTO region, which is significantly wider than the simulated ones. Exploiting narrow-band Halpha imaging, we find that the MSTO hosts a population of Halpha-emitting stars which are interpreted as rapidly rotating Be-type stars. We explore the possibility that the discrepancy between the observed MSTO morphology and that of the simulated simple stellar population (SSP) is caused by the fraction of these objects that are highly reddened, but we rule out this hypothesis. We demonstrate that the global CMD morphology is well-reproduced by a combination of SSPs that cover an age range of ~ 35 Myr as well as a wide variety of rotation rates. We derive the cluster mass and escape velocity and use dynamical evolution models to predict their evolution starting at an age of 10 Myr. We discuss these results and their implications in the context of the extended MSTO phenomenon.

A propelling neutron star in the enigmatic Be-star γ Cassiopeia

Abstract The enigmatic X-ray emission from the bright optical star, γ Cassiopeia, is a long-standing problem. γ Cas is known to be a binary system consisting of a Be-type star and a low-mass (M ∼ 1 M⊙) companion of unknown nature orbiting in the Be-disk plane. Here we apply the quasi-spherical accretion theory onto a compact magnetized star and show that if the low-mass companion of γ Cas is a fast spinning neutron star, the key observational signatures of γ Cas are remarkably well reproduced. Direct accretion onto this fast rotating neutron star is impeded by the propeller mechanism. In this case, around the neutron star magnetosphere a hot shell is formed that emits thermal X-rays in qualitative and quantitative agreement with observed properties of the X-ray emission from γ Cas. We suggest that γ Cas and its analogs constitute a new subclass of Be-type X-ray binaries hosting rapidly rotating neutron stars formed in supernova explosions with small kicks. The subsequent evolutionary stage of γ Cas and its analogs should be the X Per-type binaries comprising low-luminosity slowly rotating X-ray pulsars. The model explains the enigmatic X-ray emission from γ Cas, and also establishes evolutionary connections between various types of rotating magnetized neutron stars in Be-binaries.

THE TRANSIENT ACCRETING X-RAY PULSAR XTE J1946+274: STABILITY OF X-RAY PROPERTIES AT LOW FLUX AND UPDATED ORBITAL SOLUTION

We present a timing and spectral analysis of the X-ray pulsar XTE J1946+274 observed with Suzaku during an outburst decline in 2010 October and compare with previous results. XTE J1946+274 is a transient X-ray binary consisting of a Be-type star and a neutron star with a 15.75 s pulse period in a 172 d orbit with 2-3 outbursts per orbit during phases of activity. We improve the orbital solution using data from multiple instruments. The X-ray spectrum can be described by an absorbed Fermi-Dirac cutoff power law model along with a narrow Fe K line at 6.4 keV and a weak Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Feature (CRSF) at ~35 keV. The Suzaku data are consistent with the previously observed continuum flux versus iron line flux correlation expected from fluorescence emission along the line of sight. However, the observed iron line flux is slightly higher, indicating the possibility of a higher iron abundance or the presence of non-uniform material. We argue that the source most likely has only been observed in the subcritical (non-radiation dominated) state since its pulse profile is stable over all observed luminosities and the energy of the CRSF is approximately the same at the highest (~$5 \times 10^{37} $erg s$^{-1}$) and lowest (~$5 \times 10^{36} $erg s$^{-1}$) observed 3-60 keV luminosities.

Radio emission from the Be/black hole binary MWC 656

Context. MWC 656 is the recently discovered first binary system case composed of a Be-type star and an accreting black hole. Its low X-ray luminosity indicates that the system is in a quiescent X-ray state. Aims. The aim of our investigation is to establish if the MWC 656 system has detectable radio emission and if the radio characteristics are consistent with those of quiescent black hole systems. Methods. We used three archived VLA data sets, one hour each, at 3 GHz and seven new VLA observations, two hours each, at 10 GHz to produce very high sensitivity images, down to $\sim$1$\,\mu$Jy. Results. We detected the source twice in the new observations: in the first VLA run, at periastron passage, with a flux density of 14.2$\,\pm\,$2.9 $\mu$Jy and by combining all together the other six VLA runs, with a flux density of $3.7 \pm 1.4$ $\mu$Jy. The resulting combined map of the archived observations has the sensitivity of $1 \sigma = 6.6\, \mu Jy$ but no radio emission is there detected. Conclusions. The radio and X-ray luminosities agree with the behaviour of accreting binary black holes in the hard and quiescent state. In particular, MWC 656 in the $L_X$, $L_R$ plane occupies the same region as A0620$-$00 and XTE J1118+480, the faintest known black holes up to now.

A Be-type star with a black-hole companion

Stellar-mass black holes have all been discovered through X-ray emission, which arises from the accretion of gas from their binary companions (this gas is either stripped from low-mass stars or supplied as winds from massive ones). Binary evolution models also predict the existence of black holes accreting from the equatorial envelope of rapidly spinning Be-type stars (stars of the Be type are hot blue irregular variables showing characteristic spectral emission lines of hydrogen). Of the approximately 80 Be X-ray binaries known in the Galaxy, however, only pulsating neutron stars have been found as companions. A black hole was formally allowed as a solution for the companion to the Be star MWC 656 (ref. 5; also known as HD 215227), although that conclusion was based on a single radial velocity curve of the Be star, a mistaken spectral classification and rough estimates of the inclination angle. Here we report observations of an accretion disk line mirroring the orbit of MWC 656. This, together with an improved radial velocity curve of the Be star through fitting sharp Fe II profiles from the equatorial disk, and a refined Be classification (to that of a B1.5-B2 III star), indicates that a black hole of 3.8 to 6.9 solar masses orbits MWC 656, the candidate counterpart of the γ-ray source AGL J2241+4454 (refs 5, 6). The black hole is X-ray quiescent and fed by a radiatively inefficient accretion flow giving a luminosity less than 1.6 × 10(-7) times the Eddington luminosity. This implies that Be binaries with black-hole companions are difficult to detect in conventional X-ray surveys.

Blue supergiant progenitor models of type II supernovae

We show that within all the uncertainties that govern the process of Roche-lobe overflow in case Br-type massive binaries, it cannot be excluded that a significant fraction of them merge and become single stars. We demonstrate that at least some of them will spend most of their core helium-burning phase as hydrogen-rich blue stars, populating the massive blue supergiant region and/or the massive Be-type star population. The evolutionary simulations lead us to suspect that these mergers will explode as luminous blue hydrogen-rich stars, and it is tempting to link them to at least some superluminous supernovae.

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey

Aims: Projected rotational velocities (\vsini) have been estimated for 334 targets in the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula survey that do not manifest significant radial velocity variations and are not supergiants. They have spectral types from approximately O9.5 to B3. The estimates have been analysed to infer the underlying rotational velocity distribution, which is critical for understanding the evolution of massive stars. Methods: Projected rotational velocities were deduced from the Fourier transforms of spectral lines, with upper limits also being obtained from profile fitting. For the narrower lined stars, metal and non-diffuse helium lines were adopted, and for the broader lined stars, both non-diffuse and diffuse helium lines; the estimates obtained using the different sets of lines are in good agreement. The uncertainty in the mean estimates is typically 4% for most targets. The iterative deconvolution procedure of Lucy has been used to deduce the probability density distribution of the rotational velocities. Results: Projected rotational velocities range up to approximately 450 \kms and show a bi-modal structure. This is also present in the inferred rotational velocity distribution with 25% of the sample having $0\leq$\ve$\leq$100\,\kms and the high velocity component having \ve$\sim 250$\,\kms. There is no evidence from the spatial and radial velocity distributions of the two components that they represent either field and cluster populations or different episodes of star formation. Be-type stars have also been identified. Conclusions: The bi-modal rotational velocity distribution in our sample resembles that found for late-B and early-A type stars. While magnetic braking appears to be a possible mechanism for producing the low-velocity component, we can not rule out alternative explanations.

The VLT-FLAMES survey of massive stars: Nitrogen abundances for Be-type stars in the Magellanic Clouds

Aims. We compare the predictions of evolutionary models for early-type stars with atmospheric parameters, projected rotational velocities and nitrogen abundances estimated for a sample of Be-type stars. Our targets are located in 4 fields centred on the Large Magellanic Cloud cluster: NGC 2004 and the N 11 region as well as the Small Magellanic Cloud clusters: NGC 330 and NGC 346. Methods. Atmospheric parameters and photospheric abundances have been determined using the non-LTE atmosphere code tlusty. Effective temperature estimates were deduced using three different methodologies depending on the spectral features observed; in general they were found to yield consistent estimates. Gravities were deduced from Balmer line profiles and microturbulences from the Si iii spectrum. Additionally the contributions of continuum emission from circumstellar discs were estimated. Given its importance in constraining stellar evolutionary models, nitrogen abundances (or upper limits) were deduced for all the stars analysed. Results. Our nitrogen abundances are inconsistent with those predicted for targets spending most of their main sequence life rotating near to the critical velocity. This is consistent with the results we obtain from modelling the inferred rotational velocity distribution of our sample and of other investigators. We consider a number of possibilities to explain the nitrogen abundances and rotational velocities of our Be-type sample.

Where do Be stars stand in the picture of rotational mixing?

AbstractAtmospheric parameters and photospheric abundances have been estimated for 60 Be-type stars located in 4 fields over the Magellanic Clouds. Particular attention has been given to the absolute nitrogen abundances to test theories of rotational mixing, an important factor in the evolutionary status of B-type stars, Hunter et al. (2008). The analysis used the non-LTE atmospheric code TLUSTY and required the implementation of a procedure to compensate for possible contamination due to the presence of a circumstellar disc. Through comparison with evolutionary models of fast rotating B-type stars and projected rotational velocity distributions our results support the theory that Be-type stars are typically faster rotators than B stars, but the measured nitrogen enhancements appear to be significantly less than expected for Be stars rotating with velocities greater than 70% of their critical velocity