Supergiant Research Articles

An Exceptional Dimming Event for a Massive, Cool Supergiant in M51

We present the discovery of an exceptional dimming event in a cool supergiant star in the Local Volume spiral M51. The star, dubbed M51-DS1, was found as part of a Hubble Space Telescope (HST) search for failed supernovae (SNe). The supergiant, which is plausibly associated with a very young (≲6 Myr) stellar population, showed clear variability (amplitude ΔF814W ≈ 0.7 mag) in numerous HST images obtained between 1995 and 2016, before suddenly dimming by >2 mag in F814W sometime between late 2017 and mid-2019. In follow-up data from 2021, the star rebrightened, ruling out a failed supernova. Prior to its near-disappearance, the star was luminous and red (M F814W ≲ − 7.6 mag, F606W − F814W = 1.9–2.2 mag). Modeling of the pre-dimming spectral energy distribution of the star favors a highly reddened, very luminous (–5.7) star with T eff ≈ 3700–4700 K, indicative of a cool yellow or post-red supergiant (RSG) with an initial mass of ≈26–40 M ⊙. However, the local interstellar extinction and circumstellar extinction are uncertain, and could be lower: the near-IR colors are consistent with an RSG, which would be cooler (T eff ≲ 3700 K) and slightly less luminous (–5.3), giving an inferred initial mass of ≈19–22 M ⊙. In either case, the dimming may be explained by a rare episode of enhanced mass loss that temporarily obscures the star, potentially a more extreme counterpart to the 2019–2020 “Great Dimming” of Betelgeuse. Given the emerging evidence that massive evolved stars commonly exhibit variability that can mimic a disappearing star, our work highlights a substantial challenge in identifying true failed SNe.

Low luminosity Type II supernovae – IV. SN 2020cxd and SN 2021aai, at the edges of the sub-luminous supernovae class

ABSTRACT Photometric and spectroscopic data for two Low Luminosity Type IIP Supernovae (LL SNe IIP) 2020cxd and 2021aai are presented. SN 2020cxd was discovered 2 d after explosion at an absolute magnitude of Mr = −14.02 ± 0.21 mag, subsequently settling on a plateau which lasts for ∼120 d. Through the luminosity of the late light curve tail, we infer a synthesized 56Ni mass of (1.8 ± 0.5) × 10−3 M⊙. During the early evolutionary phases, optical spectra show a blue continuum ($T\, \gt $8000 K) with broad Balmer lines displaying a P Cygni profile, while at later phases, Ca ii, Fe ii, Sc ii, and Ba ii lines dominate the spectra. Hydrodynamical modelling of the observables yields $R\, \simeq$ 575 R⊙ for the progenitor star, with Mej = 7.5 M⊙ and $E\, \simeq$ 0.097 foe emitted during the explosion. This low-energy event originating from a low-mass progenitor star is compatible with both the explosion of a red supergiant (RSG) star and with an Electron Capture Supernova arising from a super asymptotic giant branch star. SN 2021aai reaches a maximum luminosity of Mr = −16.57 ± 0.23 mag (correcting for AV = 1.92 mag), at the end of its remarkably long plateau (∼140 d). The estimated 56Ni mass is (1.4 ± 0.5) × 10−2 M⊙. The expansion velocities are compatible with those of other LL SNe IIP (few 103 km s−1). The physical parameters obtained through hydrodynamical modelling are $R\, \simeq$ 575 R⊙, Mej = 15.5 M⊙, and E = 0.4 foe. SN 2021aai is therefore interpreted as the explosion of an RSG, with properties that bridge the class of LL SNe IIP with standard SN IIP events.

Red supergiant stars in binary systems. I. Identification and characterisation in the small magellanic cloud from the UVIT ultraviolet imaging survey

Abstract We aim to identify and characterise binary systems containing red supergiant (RSG) stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using a newly available ultraviolet (UV) point source catalogue obtained using the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board AstroSat. We select a sample of 560 SMC RSGs based on photometric and spectroscopic observations at optical wavelengths and cross-match this with the far-UV point source catalogue using the UVIT F172M filter, finding 88 matches down to mF172M = 20.3 ABmag, which we interpret as hot companions to the RSGs. Stellar parameters (luminosities, effective temperatures and masses) for both components in all 88 binary systems are determined and we find mass distributions in the ranges 6.1 < M/M⊙ < 22.3 for RSGs and 3.7 <M/M⊙ < 15.6 for their companions. The most massive RSG binary system in the SMC has a combined mass of 32 ± 4 M⊙, with a mass ratio (q) of 0.92. By simulating observing biases, we find an intrinsic multipliciy fraction of $18.8\, \pm \, 1.5\, {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for mass ratios in the range 0.3 < q < 1.0 and orbital periods approximately in the range $3 < \log P [\rm days] < 8$. By comparing our results with those of a similar mass on the main-sequence, we determine the fraction of single stars to be ∼20 per cent and argue that the orbital period distribution declines rapidly beyond log P ∼ 3.5. We study the mass-ratio distribution of RSG binary systems and find that a uniform distribution best describes the data below 14 M⊙. Above 15 M⊙, we find a lack of high mass-ratio systems.

A Common Envelope Jets Supernova (CEJSN) Impostor Scenario for Fast Blue Optical Transients

Abstract I propose a new scenario, the polar common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN) impostor scenario, to account for AT2018cow-like fast blue optical transients (FBOTs). The polar CEJSN impostor scenario evolves through four main phases. (1) A red supergiant (RSG) star expands to tidally interact with a neutron star (NS) companion (or a black hole). The interaction increases the RSG mass loss rate to form a circumstellar matter (CSM) halo to r ≃ 0.1 pc. (2) Shortly before the onset of a common envelope evolution (CEE) and about a year before explosion the NS accretes mass from the RSG envelope and launches jets that inflate two opposite lobes in the CSM within ≈100 au. (3) The NS-RSG system enters a CEE phase during which the system ejects most of the envelope mass in a dense equatorial outflow. (4) At the termination of the CEE the leftover envelope forms a circumbinary disk around the NS-core system. The NS accretes mass from the circumbinary disk and launches energetic jets that, when colliding with the fronts of the CSM lobes, power an FBOT event. The low mass of the jets-lobes interaction zones and their large distance, of about 100 au, from the center account for the fast transient. In the future the core collapses to form a second NS. In the far future the two NSs might merge. I suggest that FBOTs and similar fast transients are CEJSN impostors which compose a large fraction of the progenitors of NS-NS merger binaries.

ATOMIUM: ALMA tracing the origins of molecules in dust forming oxygen rich M-type stars

This overview paper presentsATOMIUM, a Large Programme in Cycle 6 with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The goal ofATOMIUMis to understand the dynamics and the gas phase and dust formation chemistry in the winds of evolved asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and red supergiant (RSG) stars. A more general aim is to identify chemical processes applicable to other astrophysical environments. Seventeen oxygen-rich AGB and RSG stars spanning a range in (circum)stellar parameters and evolutionary phases were observed in a homogeneous observing strategy allowing for an unambiguous comparison. Data were obtained between 213.83 and 269.71 GHz at high (∼0″​​.025–0″​​.050), medium (∼0″​​.13–0″​​.24), and low (∼1″) angular resolution. The sensitivity per ∼1.3 km s−1channel was 1.5–5 mJy beam−1, and the line-free channels were used to image the millimetre wave continuum. Our primary molecules for studying the gas dynamics and dust formation are CO, SiO, AlO, AlOH, TiO, TiO2, and HCN; secondary molecules include SO, SO2, SiS, CS, H2O, and NaCl. The scientific motivation, survey design, sample properties, data reduction, and an overview of the data products are described. In addition, we highlight one scientific result – the wind kinematics of theATOMIUMsources. Our analysis suggests that theATOMIUMsources often have a slow wind acceleration, and a fraction of the gas reaches a velocity which can be up to a factor of two times larger than previously reported terminal velocities assuming isotropic expansion. Moreover, the wind kinematic profiles establish that the radial velocity described by the momentum equation for a spherical wind structure cannot capture the complexity of the velocity field. In fifteen sources, some molecular transitions other than12COv = 0J = 2 − 1 reach a higher outflow velocity, with a spatial emission zone that is often greater than 30 stellar radii, but much less than the extent of CO. We propose that a binary interaction with a (sub)stellar companion may (partly) explain the non-monotonic behaviour of the projected velocity field. TheATOMIUMdata hence provide a crucial benchmark for the wind dynamics of evolved stars in single and binary star models.

Stellar population astrophysics (SPA) with the TNG

Context. The Perseus complex in the outer disk of the Galaxy hosts a number of clusters and associations of young stars. Gaia is providing a detailed characterization of their kinematic structure and evolutionary properties. Aims. Within the SPA Large Program at the TNG, we secured HARPS-N and GIANO-B high-resolution optical and near-infrared (NIR) spectra of the young red supergiant (RSG) stars in the Perseus complex in order to obtain accurate radial velocities, stellar parameters, and detailed chemical abundances. Methods. We used spectral synthesis to best fit hundreds of atomic and molecular lines in the spectra of the observed 27 RSGs. We obtained accurate estimates of the stellar temperature, gravity, micro- and macroturbulence velocities, and chemical abundances for 25 different elements. We also measured the 12C/13C abundance ratio. Results. Our combined optical and NIR chemical study provides homogeneous half-solar iron with a low dispersion, about solar-scaled abundance ratios for the iron-peak, alpha-, and other light elements, and a low enhancement of Na, K, and neutron-capture elements. This is consistent with the thin-disk chemistry traced by older stellar populations at a similar galactocentric distance of about 10 kpc. We inferred an enhancement of N and a depletion of C and of the 12C/13C isotopic abundance ratio that are consistent with mixing processes in the stellar interiors during the RSG evolution.

Common Envelope Jet Supernova r-process Yields Can Reproduce [Eu/Fe] Abundance Evolution in the Galaxy

Abstract We use a numerical Galactic chemical evolution model and find that the common envelope jet supernova (CEJSN) r-process scenario can account for both the very early average ratio of europium to iron and its evolution at later times in the the Milky Way. In the CEJSN scenario a neutron star (NS) spirals in inside a red supergiant (RSG) star all the way to the core and destroys it. According to this scenario r-process isotopes are nucleosynthesized inside neutron-rich jets that the accretion disk around the NS launches inside the core. The merger of an NS with an RSG core already takes place in the very young Galaxy. We conclude that CEJSNe can be a major contributor to r-process nucleosynthesis.

The first days of Type II-P core collapse supernovae in the gamma-ray range

ABSTRACT Type II-P supernovæ (SNe), the most common core-collapse SNe type, result from the explosions of red supergiant stars. Their detection in the radio domain testifies of the presence of relativistic electrons, and shows that they are potentially efficient energetic particle accelerators. If hadrons can also be accelerated, these energetic particles are expected to interact with the surrounding medium to produce a gamma-ray signal even in the multi–TeV range. The intensity of this signal depends on various factors, but an essential one is the density of the circumstellar medium. Such a signal should however be limited by electron–positron pair production arising from the interaction of the gamma-ray photons with optical photons emitted by the supernova photosphere, which can potentially degrade the gamma-ray signal by over ten orders of magnitude in the first days/weeks following the explosion. We calculate the gamma-gamma opacity from a detailed modelling of the time evolution of the forward shock and supernova photosphere, taking a full account of the non-isotropy of the photon interactions. We discuss the time-dependent gamma-ray TeV emission from Type II-P SNe as a function of the stellar progenitor radius and mass-loss rate, as well as the explosion energy and mass of the ejected material. We evaluate the detectability of the SNe with the next generation of Cherenkov telescopes. We find that, while most extragalactic events may be undetectable, Type II-P SNe exploding in our Galaxy or in the Magellanic Clouds should be detected by gamma-ray observatories such as the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array.

Stars on the Verge: Analyses of the Complex Light Variations of the Hyper-luminous Red Supergiant VY Canis Majoris: On the Nature of the Star’s “Great Dimming” Episodes

Abstract VY Canis Majoris (VY CMa) is one of the largest, most luminous red supergiant (RSG) stars in the Galaxy. This huge oxygen-rich RSG may be on the verge of becoming a bright core-collapse Type-II supernova. Over the 20th century, VY CMa has been undergoing episodic large quasi-periodic light variations. It has experienced two “great dimming” episodes during ∼1920–1950 and ∼1985–1995. During these, the star underwent large (1–2.5 mag) quasi-periodic light variations with dominant periods ranging between ∼1415 and 1565 days. In addition to experiencing large quasi-periodic light variations, VY CMa became fainter by 1.0–1.5 mag during the 1920–1950 episode. There is evidence that the star’s brightness decreased from ∼6.5–7.0 to ∼8.0–8.5 mag from 1850 to after 1900. These long-term dimming events may arise from dust formation from previously expelled gas. The light variations and the “dimmings” of VY CMa far surpass the recent “great dimming” of Betelgeuse.

Determination of wind-fed model parameters of neutron stars in high-mass X-ray binaries

Abstract We have studied several neutron star high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) with super-giant (SG) companions using a wind-fed binary model associated with the magnetic field. By using the concept of torque balance, the magnetic field parameter determines the mass accretion rate. This would help us to consider the relationship between wind velocity and mass-loss rate. These parameters significantly improve our understanding of the accretion mechanism. The wind velocity is critical in determining the X-ray features. This can be used to identify the ejection process and the stochastic variations in their accretion regimes. However, even in systems with a long orbital period, an accretion disk can be created when the wind velocity is slow. This will allow the HMXB of both types, SG and Be, to be better characterised by deriving accurate properties from these binaries. In addition, we have performed segmentation in the parameter space of donors intended for several SG-HMXB listed in our sample set. The parameter space can be categorised into five regimes, depending on the possibility of disk formation associated with accretion from the stellar wind. This can give a quantitative clarification of the observed variability and the properties of these objects. For most of the systems, we show that the derived system parameters are consistent with the assumption that the system is emitting X-rays through direct accretion. However, there are some sources (LMC X-4, Cen X-3 and OAO1657-415) that are not in the direct accretion regime, although they share similar donor parameters. This may indicate that these systems are transitioning from a normal wind accretion phase to partial RLOF regimes.

СПЕКТРАЛЬНИЙ МОНІТОРИНГ ДОВГОПЕРІОДИЧНОЇ СИСТЕМИ EPSILON AURIGAE ЗА ПЕРІОД 2008–2010 рр.

The results of spectral observations of eclipsing binary system Epsilon Aurigae are presented. Observations were carried out using the coude echelle spectrograph on 2-m telescope Zeiss-2000 at the Terskol Peak Observatory with spectral resolution R = 45000. Epsilon Aurigae is long periodic eclipsing binary system that consists of F0 supergiant star as first companion and huge gas dust disk as second companion. The uniqueness of this system is that eclipses of star by a gas-dust disk occur with 27.1 years period and continues two years. Presented spectral observations Epsilon Aurigaе were carried out in period May 2008 – May 2009 outside eclipse, December 2009 at the beginning of eclipse and March 2010 within eclipse. Based on the results of observations, an analysis of the variability for Hα line was made and some other spectral lines at the pre-eclipse and eclipse stages. Long-term variations of Hα line profiles were detected

Simulating the Outcome of a Binary Neutron Star Merger in a Common Envelope Jets Supernova

Abstract We simulate the influence of the energy that the merger process of two neutron stars (NSs) releases inside a red supergiant (RSG) star on the RSG envelope inner to the merger location. In the triple-star common envelope evolution (CEE) that we consider, a tight binary system of two NSs spiraling in inside an RSG envelope and because of mass accretion and dynamical friction, the two NSs merge. We deposit merger-explosion energies of 3 × 1050 and 1051 erg at distances of 25 and 50 R ⊙ from the center of the RSG, and with the three-dimensional hydrodynamical code FLASH we follow the evolution of the RSG envelope in inner regions. For the parameters we explore, we find that more than 90% of the RSG envelope mass inward of the merger site stays bound to the RSG. NSs that experience CEE are likely to accrete RSG envelope mass through an accretion disk that launches jets. These jets power a luminous transient event, a common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN). The merger process adds to the CEJSN energy. Our finding implies that the interaction of the merger product, a massive NS or a BH, with the envelope can continue to release more energy, both by further inspiraling and by mass accretion by the merger product. Massive RSG envelopes can force the merger product to spiral into the core of the RSG, leading to an even more energetic CEJSN.

Possible Detection of X-Ray Emitting Circumstellar Material in the Synchrotron-dominated Supernova Remnant RX J1713.7−3946

Abstract We report on a discovery of an X-ray emitting circumstellar material (CSM) knot inside the synchrotron dominant supernova remnant RX J1713.7−3946. This knot was previously thought to be a Wolf–Rayet star (WR 85), but we realized that it is in fact ∼40″ away from WR 85, indicating no relation to WR 85. We performed high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) on board XMM-Newton. The RGS spectrum clearly resolves a number of emission lines, such as N Lyα, O Lyα, Fe xviii, Ne x, Mg xi, and Si xiii. The spectrum can be well represented by an absorbed thermal-emission model with a temperature of k B T e = 0.65 ± 0.02 keV. The elemental abundances are obtained to be N / H = 3.5 ± 0.8 N / H ⊙ , O / H = 0.5 ± 0.1 O / H ⊙ , Ne / H = 0.9 ± 0.1 Ne / H ⊙ , Mg / H = 1.0 ± 0.1 Mg / H ⊙ , Si / H = 1.0 ± 0.2 Si / H ⊙ , and Fe / H = 1.3 ± 0.1 Fe / H ⊙ . The enhanced N abundance with others being about the solar values allows us to infer that this knot is CSM ejected when the progenitor star evolved into a red supergiant. The abundance ratio of N to O is obtained to be N / O = 6.8 − 2.1 + 2.5 N / O ⊙ . By comparing this to those in outer layers of red supergiant stars expected from stellar evolution simulations, we estimate the initial mass of the progenitor star to be 15 M ⊙ ≲ M ≲ 20 M ⊙.

Spin-orbit misalignment from triple-star common envelope evolution

Abstract I study a triple star common envelope evolution (CEE) of a tight binary system that is spiraling-in inside a giant envelope and launches jets that spin-up the envelope with an angular momentum component perpendicular to the orbital angular momentum of the triple star system. This occurs when the orbital plane of the tight binary system and that of the triple star system are inclined to each other, so the jets are not along the triple star orbital angular momentum. The merger of the tight binary stars also tilts the envelope spin direction. If the giant is a red supergiant (RSG) star that later collapses to form a black hole (BH) the BH final spin is misaligned with the orbital angular momentum. Therefore, CEE of neutron star (NS) or BH tight binaries with each other or with one main sequence star (MSS) inside the envelope of an RSG, where the jets power a common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN) event, might end with a NS/BH-NS/BH close binary system with spin-orbit misalignment. Such binaries can later merge to be gravitational waves sources. I list five triple star scenarios that might lead to spin-orbit misalignments of NS/BH-NS/BH binary systems, two of which predict that the two spins be parallel to each other. In the case of a tight binary system of two MSSs inside an asymptotic giant branch star the outcome is an additional non-spherical component to the mass loss with the formation of a ‘messy’ planetary nebula.

5 yr of BRITE-Constellation photometry of the luminous blue variable P Cygni: properties of the stochastic low-frequency variability

ABSTRACT Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs) are massive stars that are likely to be a transitionary phase between O stars and hydrogen-free classical Wolf–Rayet stars. The variability of these stars has been an area of study for both professional and amateur astronomers for more than a century. In this paper, we present 5 yr of precision photometry of the classical LBV P Cygni taken with the BRITE-Constellation nanosatellites. We have analyzed these data with Fourier analysis to search for periodicities that could elucidate the drivers of variability for these stars. These data show some long-time-scale variability over the course of all six calendar years of observations, but the frequencies needed to reproduce the individual light curves are not consistent from 1 yr to the next. These results likely show that there is no periodic phenomenon present for P Cygni, meaning that the variability is largely stochastic. We interpret the data as being caused by internal gravity waves similar to those seen in other massive stars, with P Cygni exhibiting a larger amplitude and lower characteristic frequency than the main-sequence or blue supergiant stars previously studied. These results show evidence that LBVs may be an extrapolation of the blue supergiants, which have previously been shown to be an extension of main-sequence stars in the context of the stochastic low-frequency photometric variability.

HD 144941: the most extreme helium-strong star

Since its discovery about 50 yr ago, HD 144941 has generally been classified as a peculiar member of the extreme helium (EHe) supergiant stars, a very rare class of low-mass hydrogen-deficient stars. We report the detection of a strong longitudinal magnetic field based on spectropolarimetry with FORS2 on the ESO VLT with surface-averaged longitudinal field strengths as large as −9 kG. This is further constrained by the detection of Zeeman splitting of spectral lines to a field strength of at least 15 kG, explaining the recent finding of surface spots for this star. The quantitative analysis of the stellar atmosphere based on a hybrid non-local thermodynamic equilibrium approach and new optical spectra yields an effective temperature of 22 000 ± 500 K, a logarithmic surface gravity of 4.20 ± 0.10, and a surface helium fraction of 0.950 ± 0.002 by number. While the metal abundances are about a factor of 10 sub-solar in absolute number, the metal-to-hydrogen ratios are typical of massive early-type stars, indicating that helium fallback in a weak, fractionated stellar wind in the presence of a magnetic field took place – the canonical mechanism for the formation of the helium-strong phenomenon. Both the spectroscopic and the Gaia EDR3 parallax imply HD 144941 to be a luminous massive star. Kinematically, we argue that HD 144941 has reached its high Galactic latitude as a runaway star. We conclude that instead of being a comparatively high-gravity low-mass EHe star, HD 144941 is by far the most extreme member of the magnetic massive helium-strong stars, with almost all atmospheric hydrogen substituted by helium.

New Hydrodynamic Solutions for Line-driven Winds of Hot Massive Stars Using the Lambert W-function

Abstract Hot massive stars present strong stellar winds that are driven by absorption, scattering, and reemission of photons by the ions of the atmosphere (line-driven winds). A better comprehension of this phenomenon, and a more accurate calculation of hydrodynamics and radiative acceleration, is Required to reduce the number of free parameters in spectral fitting and to determine accurate wind parameters such as mass-loss rates and velocity profiles. We use the non-LTE model-atmosphere code CMFGEN to numerically solve the radiative transfer equation in the stellar atmosphere and to calculate the radiative acceleration g rad(r). Under the assumption that the radiative acceleration depends only on the radial coordinate, we solve analytically the equation of motion by means of the Lambert W-function. An iterative procedure between the solution of the radiative transfer and the equation of motion is executed in order to obtain a final self-consistent velocity field that is no longer based on any β-law. We apply the Lambert-procedure to three O supergiant stars (ζ Puppis, HD 165763, and α Cam) and discuss the Lambert solutions for the velocity profiles. It is found that, even without recalculation of the mass-loss rate, the Lambert-procedure allows the calculation of consistent velocity profiles that reduce the number of free parameters when a spectral fitting using CMFGEN is performed. Synthetic spectra calculated from our Lambert solutions show significant differences compared to the initial β-law CMFGEN models. The results indicate the importance of consistent velocity profile calculation in the CMFGEN code and its use in a fitting procedure and interpretation of observed spectra.

Simulating highly eccentric common envelope jet supernova impostors

ABSTRACT We conduct three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of eccentric common envelope jet supernova (CEJSN) impostors, i.e. a neutron star that crosses through the envelope of a red supergiant star on a highly eccentric orbit and launches jets as it accretes mass from the envelope. Because of numerical limitations, we apply a simple prescription where we inject the assumed jets’ power into two opposite conical regions inside the envelope. We find the outflow morphology to be very complicated, clumpy, and non-spherical, having a large-scale symmetry only about the equatorial plane. The outflow morphology can substantially differ between simulations that differ by their jets’ power. We estimate by simple means the light curve to be very bumpy, to have a rise time of one to a few months, and to slowly decay in about a year to several years. These eccentric CEJSN impostors will be classified as ‘gap’ objects, i.e. having a luminosity between those of classical novae and typical supernovae (termed also ILOTs for intermediate luminosity optical transients). We strengthen a previous conclusion that CEJSN impostors might account for some peculiar ILOTs, in particular those that might repeat over time-scales of months to years.

Resolving the Circumstellar Environment of the Galactic B[e] Supergiant Star MWC 137.II. Nebular Kinematics and Stellar Variability*

Abstract The Galactic B[e] supergiant MWC 137 is surrounded by a large-scale optical nebula. To shed light on the physical conditions and kinematics of the nebula, we analyze the optical forbidden emission lines [N ii] λ λ 6548,6583 and [S ii] λ λ 6716,6731 in long-slit spectra taken with ALFOSC at the Nordic Optical Telescope. The radial velocities display a complex behavior but, in general, the northern nebular features are predominantly approaching while the southern ones are mostly receding. The electron density shows strong variations across the nebula with values spreading from about zero to ∼800 cm−3. Higher densities are found closer to MWC 137 and in regions of intense emission, whereas in regions with high radial velocities the density decreases significantly. We also observe the entire nebula in the two [S ii] lines with the scanning Fabry–Perot interferometer attached to the 6 m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. These data reveal a new bow-shaped feature at P.A. = 225°–245° and a distance 80″ from MWC 137. A new Hα image has been taken with the Danish 1.54 m telescope on La Silla. No expansion or changes in the nebular morphology appear within 18.1 yr. We derive a mass of 37 − 5 + 9 M ☉ and an age of 4.7 ± 0.8 Myr for MWC 137. Furthermore, we detect a period of 1.93 d in the time series photometry collected with the TESS satellite, which could suggest stellar pulsations. Other, low-frequency variability is seen as well. Whether these signals are caused by internal gravity waves in the early-type star or by variability in the wind and circumstellar matter currently cannot be distinguished.

Massive young stellar objects in the Local Group irregular galaxy NGC 6822 identified using machine learning

ABSTRACT We present a supervised machine learning methodology to classify stellar populations in the Local Group dwarf-irregular galaxy NGC 6822. Near-IR colours (J − H, H − K, and J − K), K-band magnitudes and far-IR surface brightness (at 70 and 160 $\mu$m) measured from Spitzer and Herschel images are the features used to train a Probabilistic Random Forest (PRF) classifier. Point-sources are classified into eight target classes: young stellar objects (YSOs), oxygen- and carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch stars, red giant branch and red supergiant stars, active galactic nuclei, massive main-sequence stars, and Galactic foreground stars. The PRF identifies sources with an accuracy of ∼ 90 per cent across all target classes rising to ∼96 per cent for YSOs. We confirm the nature of 125 out of 277 literature YSO candidates with sufficient feature information, and identify 199 new YSOs and candidates. Whilst these are mostly located in known star-forming regions, we have also identified new star formation sites. These YSOs have mass estimates between ∼15 and 50 M⊙, representing the most massive YSO population in NGC 6822. Another 82 out of 277 literature candidates are definitively classified as non-YSOs by the PRF analysis. We characterize the star formation environment by comparing the spatial distribution of YSOs to those of gas and dust using archival images. We also explore the potential of using (unsupervised) t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding maps for the identification of the same stellar population classified by the PRF.