High-velocity Stars Research Articles

A high-velocity star recently ejected by an intermediate-mass black hole in M15

A high-velocity star recently ejected by an intermediate-mass black hole in M15

Analysis of Gaia DR3 Data of Selected High Galactic Latitude Hα Emission Stars

Gaia DR3 data of 52 high galactic latitude Hα emission stars selected from the paper of Stephenson are analyzed. Ten new variable stars and eight new high velocity stars have been found. Details of six post-AGB stars and several other interesting stars are discussed. Many of the stars presented in this paper have Gaia DR3 light curves and spectra. A detailed study of these 52 stars is needed to derive their chemical composition and to further understand their binarity, circumstellar matter and evolutionary status. The astrophysical parameters from the Gaia DR3 data reveal several hot (OBA) and several F and G-type stars in this sample. Some of them are metal-poor stars.

Searching for magnetar binaries disrupted by core-collapse supernovae

ABSTRACT Core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are considered the primary magnetar formation channel, with 15 magnetars associated with supernova remnants (SNRs). A large fraction of these should occur in massive stellar binaries that are disrupted by the explosion, meaning that $\sim 45~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of magnetars should be nearby high-velocity stars. Here, we conduct a multiwavelength search for unbound stars, magnetar binaries, and SNR shells using public optical (uvgrizy bands), infrared (J, H, K, and Ks bands), and radio (888 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 3 GHz) catalogues. We use Monte Carlo analyses of candidates to estimate the probability of association with a given magnetar based on their proximity, distance, proper motion, and magnitude. In addition to recovering a proposed magnetar binary, a proposed unbound binary, and 13 of 15 magnetar SNRs, we identify two new candidate unbound systems: an OB star from the Gaia catalogue we associate with SGR J1822.3−1606, and an X-ray pulsar we associate with 3XMM J185246.6 + 003317. Using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation that assumes all magnetars descend from CCSNe, we constrain the fraction of magnetars with unbound companions to $5\lesssim f_u \lesssim 24~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, which disagrees with neutron star population synthesis results. Alternate formation channels are unlikely to wholly account for the lack of unbound binaries as this would require $31\lesssim f_{nc} \lesssim 66~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of magnetars to descend from such channels. Our results support a high fraction ($48\lesssim f_m \lesssim 86~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) of pre-CCSN mergers, which can amplify fossil magnetic fields to preferentially form magnetars.

Escape from a rotating barred galaxy

We study the dynamics in the outer regions of a rotating barred galaxy and in particular, we observe the escape of a test particle from the gravitational potential of the galaxy. The acceleration mechanism of the test particle is a close encounter with one of the ends of the bar with the right relative phase of the position of the bar. This is a possible mechanism for the creation of high-velocity stars, i.e. stars with an energy sufficient to escape from the galaxy. Our results suggest that good candidates for high-velocity stars accelerated by this mechanism are the old low-mass high-velocity stars moving close to the disc. We will encounter the asymptotic dynamics which leads naturally to the study of a type of Poincaré map which can be reinterpreted as a scattering map. Thereby an iterated scattering map enters the picture in a quite natural form. The present work is a supplement to previous work on the dynamics in the inner region of the same model.

On stellar migration from Andromeda to the Milky Way

ABSTRACT Recent Gaia observations suggest that some hypervelocity stars (HVSs) might originate from outside the Galaxy. We ask whether these HVSs could come from as far as Andromeda. Therefore, we simulate HVSs originating in Andromeda with initial conditions based on attributes of high-velocity stars measured in the Milky Way and a simple model for the gravitational potential of Andromeda and the Milky Way. We evaluate the validity of this scenario based on the simulation results. While we expect that the vast majority of HVSs in our Galaxy will originate here, we expect the number of stars present from Andromeda at any one time to be between 12 and 3910, depending upon model assumptions. Further, we analyse the properties of HVSs that are able to reach the Milky Way. We discuss whether they could be detected experimentally based on recent constraints set on the ejection rate of HVSs from the Milky Way centre.

Light curves and spectra for theoretical models of high-velocity red-giant star collisions

High-velocity stellar collisions driven by a supermassive black hole (BH) or BH-driven disruptive collisions in dense, nuclear clusters can rival the energetics of supergiant star explosions following the gravitational collapse of their iron core. Starting from a sample of red-giant star collisions simulated with the hydrodynamics code AREPO, we generated photometric and spectroscopic observables using the nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium time-dependent radiative transfer code CMFGEN. Collisions from more extended giants or more violent collisions (with higher velocities or smaller impact parameters) yield bolometric luminosities on the order of 1043 erg s−1 at 1 d, evolving on a timescale of a week to a bright plateau at ∼1041 erg s−1 before plunging precipitously after 20–40 d at the end of the optically thick phase. This luminosity falls primarily in the UV in the first few days, thus when it is at its maximum, and shifts to the optical thereafter. Collisions at lower velocities or from less extended stars produce ejecta that are fainter but can remain optically thick for up to 40 d if they have a low expansion rate. This collision debris shows a similar spectral evolution as that observed or modeled for Type II supernovae from blue-supergiant star explosions, differing only in the more rapid transition to the nebular phase. Such BH-driven disruptive collisions should be detectable by high-cadence surveys in the UV such as ULTRASAT.

Thirty Bright High Velocity B, A, and F Stars that may have Late-type Companions

I found thirty high velocity stars that have large V − K values compared to standard stars of similar spectral types indicating the possible presence of late-type companion stars. All these thirty stars are relatively bright nearby stars with accurate Gaia DR3 parallaxes and radial velocities. There is hardly any relevant literature on these stars. There are 18 high galactic latitude stars in this sample. In order to further understand their chemical composition, evolutionary status, binary companions and how these stars acquired high radial velocities high resolution spectroscopy, radial velocity and photometric monitoring studies are very much needed.

ω Centauri: a MUSE discovery of a counter-rotating core

ABSTRACT ω Centauri is considered the most massive globular cluster of the Milky Way and likely the former nuclear star cluster of a Galaxy accreted by the Milky Way. It is speculated to contain an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) from several dynamical models. However, uncertainties regarding the location of the cluster centre or the retention of stellar remnants limit the robustness of the IMBH detections reported so far. In this paper, we derive and study the stellar kinematics from the highest-resolution spectroscopic data yet, using the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) in the narrow field mode and wide field mode. Our exceptional data near the centre reveal for the first time that stars within the inner 20 arcsec (∼0.5 pc) counter-rotate relative to the bulk rotation of the cluster. Using this data set, we measure the rotation and line-of-sight velocity dispersion profile out to 120 arcsec with different centres proposed in the literature. We find that the velocity dispersion profiles using different centres match well with those previously published. Based on the counter–rotation, we determine a kinematic centre and look for any signs of an IMBH using the high-velocity stars close to the centre. We do not find any significant outliers >60 km s−1 within the central 20 arcsec, consistent with no IMBH being present at the centre of ω Centauri. A detailed analysis of Jeans’ modelling of the putative IMBH will be presented in the next paper of the series.

The Origin of High-velocity Stars Considering the Impact of the Large Magellanic Cloud

Utilizing astrometric parameters sourced from Gaia Data Release 3 and radial velocities obtained from various spectroscopic surveys, we identify 519 high-velocity stars (HiVels) with a total velocity in the Galactocentric rest frame greater than 70% of their local escape velocity under the Gala MilkyWayPotential. Our analysis reveals that the majority of these HiVels are metal-poor late-type giants, and we show nine HiVels that are unbound candidates to the Galaxy with escape probabilities of 50%. To investigate the origins of these HiVels, we classify them into four categories and consider the impact of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) potential on their backward-integration trajectories. Specifically, we find that one of the HiVels can track back to the Galactic center, and three HiVels may originate from the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Sgr dSph). Furthermore, some HiVels appear to be ejected from the Galactic disk, while others formed within the Milky Way or have an extragalactic origin. Given that the LMC has a significant impact on the orbits of Sgr dSph, we examine the reported HiVels that originate from the Sgr dSph, with a few of them passing within the half-light radius of the Sgr dSph.

New candidate hypervelocity red clump stars in the inner Galactic bulge

ABSTRACT We search for high-velocity stars in the inner region of the Galactic bulge using a selected sample of red clump stars. Some of those stars might be considered hypervelocity stars (HVSs). Even though the HVSs ejection relies on an interaction with the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the centre of the Galaxy, there are no confirmed detections of HVSs in the inner region of our Galaxy. With the detection of HVSs, ejection mechanism models can be constrained by exploring the stellar dynamics in the Galactic centre through a recent stellar interaction with the SMBH. Based on a previously developed methodology by our group, we searched with a sample of preliminary data from version 2 of the Vista Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) Infrared Astrometric Catalogue (VIRAC2) and Gaia DR3 data, including accurate optical and near-infrared proper motions. This search resulted in a sample of 46 stars with transverse velocities larger than the local escape velocity within the Galactic bulge, of which four are prime candidate HVSs with high-proper motions consistent with being ejections from the Galactic centre. Adding to that, we studied a sample of reddened stars without a Gaia DR3 counterpart and found 481 stars with transverse velocities larger than the local escape velocity, from which 65 stars have proper motions pointing out of the Galactic centre and are candidate HVSs. In total, we found 69 candidate HVSs pointing away from the Galactic centre with transverse velocities larger than the local escape velocity.

Kinematic structure of the stellar population of the solar neighborhood by Gaia DR3

The data of modern catalogs allow us to consider in detail the issue of the spatial velocity distribution. The stars in the solar vicinity make it possible to avoid errors and draw detailed conclusions about their kinematics. For a corrected study, we took a sample of stars from the Gaia DR3 within 300 pc. This area contains a number of star clusters and streams. It was found that in the circumscribed vicinity the direction of the stars is divided into several vast concentrations, the apex of motion of which lies in the direction of the motion of the Sun and in the direction of motion of the Ursa Major group, which in turn is divided into two separate groups in direction in space. In addition, a group of stars is considered, which, according to their kinematic characteristics, most likely belong to a halo or bulge. High-velocity stars are also considered under the assumption of their nature.

Identification of birth places of high-velocity stars: CepOB2 association

We have searched high-velocity stars (runaway, walk-away, pulsars, HMXBs and LMXBs), which could have, most probably, originated in the complex CepOB2 association, i.e. in the cores (small clusters or multiple stellar systems) of it. With the trace-back motion study of them we found at least two pairs consisting of a runaway star and pulsar, which were within stellar groups in the Cep OB2 association ∼ 1.5-5.5 Myr ago.

Characterization of high-velocity stars in the S-PLUS internal fourth data release

ABSTRACT In general, the atypical high velocity of some stars in the Galaxy can only be explained by invoking acceleration mechanisms related to extreme astrophysical events in the Milky Way. Using astrometric data from Gaia and the photometric information in 12 filters of the S-PLUS, we performed a kinematic, dynamical, and chemical analysis of 64 stars with Galactocentric velocities higher than 400 $\mathrm{km\, s}^{-1}$. All the stars are gravitationally bound to the Galaxy and exhibit halo kinematics. Some of the stars could be remnants of structures such as the Sequoia and the Gaia-Sausage/Enceladus. Supported by orbital and chemical analysis, we identified Gaia DR3 5401875170994688896 as a star likely to be originated at the centre of the Galaxy. Application of a machine learning technique to the S-PLUS photometric data allows us to obtain very good estimates of magnesium abundances for this sample of high-velocity stars.

Search and identification of high-velocity stars by dynamical ejection and supernovae from multiple stars

Search and identification of high-velocity stars by dynamical ejection and supernovae from multiple stars

On the Origins of Extreme Velocity Stars as Revealed by Large-scale Galactic Surveys

We assemble a large sample of 12,784 high-velocity stars with total velocity V GSR ≥ 300 km s−1, selected from RAVE DR5, SDSS DR12, LAMOST DR8, APOGEE DR16, GALAH DR2, and Gaia EDR3. In this sample, 52 are marginally hypervelocity star (HVS) candidates that have V GSR exceeding their local escape velocities within 2σ confidence levels, 40 of which are discovered for the first time. All of the candidates are metal-poor, late-type halo stars, which are significantly different from the previously identified HVSs, which are largely massive early-type stars, discovered by extreme radial velocity. This finding suggests that our newly identified HVS candidates are ejected by different mechanisms from the previous population. To investigate their origins, for 547 extreme velocity stars with V GSR ≥ 0.8V esc, we reconstruct their backward-integrated trajectories in the Galactic potential. According to the orbital analysis, no candidates are found to be definitely ejected from the Galactic-center (GC), while eight metal-poor extreme velocity stars are found to have a closest distance to the GC within 1 kpc. Intriguingly, 15 extreme velocity stars (including 2 HVS candidates) are found to have experienced close encounters with the Sagittarius dSph, suggesting that they originated from this dSph. This hypothesis is supported by an analysis of the [α/Fe]–[Fe/H] diagram. From a preliminary analysis of all of the 547 extreme velocity stars, we propose a general picture–star ejection from Galactic subsystems such as dwarf galaxies and globular clusters can be an important channel to produce extreme velocity stars or even HVSs, particularly the metal-poor late-type halo population.

High-velocity CP2 stars in the Galactic halo

Context. The second subclass of chemically peculiar stars, the CP2 stars, are early-type stars exhibiting anomalous abundances with variable line strengths possibly also accompanied by photometric variability that typically belong to the Galactic disk. However, a small fraction of these objects were recently found to be located far from the Galactic plane and are thought to belong to the Galactic halo, which is unexpected for this class of objects. Aims. Our study investigates the halo membership of the proposed halo CP2 star candidates based on their velocities and Galactic orbits, to determine their points of origin. In addition, we searched for further halo CP2 star candidates using an as-yet-unpublished sample of CP stars. Methods. Our analysis relied on the astrometry from the early third Gaia data release and radial velocities based on the spectroscopy from LAMOST and SDSS, which was also employed in spectral classification. The light variability of the confirmed CP2 stars in our sample was analyzed using data from the ZTF and ATLAS surveys. Results. After filtering our initial sample using kinematic and spectroscopic criteria, we identified six CP2 stars with kinematical properties consistent with a halo membership. The orbits of these stars are in agreement with an origin in the Galactic disk where they were probably ejected through dynamical interactions or in the binary supernova scenario, making them the first runaway CP2 stars known.

An elusive dark central mass in the globular cluster M4

ABSTRACT Recent studies of nearby globular clusters have discovered excess dark mass in their cores, apparently in an extended distribution, and simulations indicate that this mass is composed mostly of white dwarfs (respectively stellar-mass black holes) in clusters that are core collapsed (respectively with a flatter core). We perform mass-anisotropy modelling of the closest globular cluster, M4, with intermediate slope for the inner stellar density. We use proper motion data from Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) and from observations by the Hubble Space Telescope. We extract the mass profile employing Bayesian Jeans modelling, and check our fits with realistic mock data. Our analyses return isotropic motions in the cluster core and tangential motions (β ≈ −0.4 ± 0.1) in the outskirts. We also robustly measure a dark central mass of roughly $800\pm 300 \, \rm M_\odot$ , but it is not possible to distinguish between a point-like source, such as an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH), and a dark population of stellar remnants of extent ${\approx} 0.016\, {\rm pc} \simeq 3300\, {\rm au}$ . However, when removing a high-velocity star from the cluster centre, the same mass excess is found, but more extended (${\sim} 0.034\, {\rm pc} \approx 7000\, {\rm au}$ ). We use Monte Carlo N-body models of M4 to interpret the second outcome, and find that our excess mass is not sufficiently extended to be confidently associated with a dark population of remnants. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of these two scenarios (i.e. IMBH versus remnants), and propose new observations that could help to better grasp the complex dynamics in M4’s core.

J-PLUS: characterization of high-velocity stars in the second data release

ABSTRACT High-velocity stars in the Milky Way are related to extreme astrophysical phenomena. In this work, we characterize 28 stars with Galactocentric velocities higher than 400 $\mathrm{km\, s^{-1}}$ observed in the Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey Data Release 2 (J-PLUS DR2) survey. We combine J-PLUS photometry with astrometric data from the Gaia DR3 catalogue to analyse the kinematics, dynamics, and fundamental stellar parameters of these stars. Our results indicate that most of the 28 stars have typical behaviour and properties of halo stars, and some of them could be related to the disk population. Some of the halo stars may belong to known structures that originated from mergers of other systems with the Milky Way.

The Lockman-SpReSO project

Context. Extragalactic surveys are a key tool for better understanding the evolution of galaxies. Both deep and wide-field surveys serve to provide a clearer emerging picture of the physical processes that take place in and around galaxies, and to identify which of these processes are the most important in shaping the properties of galaxies. Aims. The Lockman Spectroscopic Redshift Survey using Osiris (Lockman-SpReSO) aims to provide one of the most complete optical spectroscopic follow-ups of the far-infrared (FIR) sources detected by the Herschel Space Observatory in the Lockman Hole (LH) field. The optical spectroscopic study of the FIR-selected galaxies supplies valuable information about the relation between fundamental FIR and optical parameters, including extinction, star formation rate, and gas metallicity. In this article, we introduce and provide an in-depth description of the Lockman-SpReSO project and of its early results. Methods. We selected FIR sources from Herschel observations of the central 24 arcmin ×24 arcmin of the LH field with an optical counterpart up to 24.5 RC(AB). The sample comprises 956 Herschel FIR sources, plus 188 additional interesting objects in the field. These are point X-ray sources, cataclysmic variable star candidates, high-velocity halo star candidates, radio sources, very red quasi-stellar objects, and optical counterparts of sub-millimetre galaxies. The faint component of the catalogue (RC(AB) ≥ 20) was observed using the OSIRIS instrument on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias in multi-object spectroscopy (MOS) mode. The bright component was observed using two multi-fibre spectrographs: the AF2-WYFFOS at the William Herschel Telescope and the HYDRA instrument at the WYIN telescope. Results. From an input catalogue of 1144 sources, we measured a secure spectroscopic redshift in the range 0.03 ≲ z ≲ 4.96 for 357 sources with at least two identified spectral lines. In addition, for 99 sources that show only one emission or absorption line, a spectroscopic redshift was postulated based on the line and object properties, and photometric redshift. In both cases, properties of emission and absorption lines were measured. Furthermore, to characterize the sample in more depth with determined spectroscopic redshifts, spectral energy distribution (SED) fits were performed using the CIGALE software. The IR luminosity and the stellar mass estimations for the sample are also presented as a preliminary description.

Disks of Stars in the Galactic Center Triggered by Tidal Disruption Events

In addition to a supermassive black hole (SMBH), the central parsec of the Milky Way hosts over 100 massive, high-velocity young stars whose existence, and organization of a subset of them in one, or possibly two, misaligned disks, is puzzling. Due to a combination of low medium density and strong tidal forces in the vicinity of Sgr A*, stars are not expected to form. Here we propose a novel scenario for their in situ formation: a jetted tidal disruption event (TDE) from an older wandering star triggers an episode of positive feedback of star formation in the plane perpendicular to the jet, as demonstrated via numerical simulations in the context of jet-induced feedback in galactic outflows. An overpressured cocoon surrounding the jet shock-compresses clumps to densities high enough to resist the SMBH tidal field. The TDE rate of 10−5–10−4 yr−1 per galaxy, out of which a few percent of events are jetted, implies a jetted TDE event per galaxy to occur every few million years. This timescale is interestingly of the same order of the age of the disk stars. The mass function predicted by our mechanism is top heavy. Additionally, since TDEs are isotropic, our model predicts a random orientation for the disk of stars with respect to the plane of the galaxy and, due to the relatively high TDE rate, can account for multiple disks of stars with uncorrelated orientations.