Wolf-Rayet Star WR Research Articles

The magnetic, spectroscopic, and photometric variability of the Wolf–Rayet star WR 55

ABSTRACT Studies of magnetic fields in the most evolved massive stars, the Wolf–Rayet stars, are of special importance because they are progenitors of certain types of supernovae. The first detection of a magnetic field of the order of a few hundred gauss in the WN7 star WR 55, based on a few FORS2 low-resolution spectropolarimetric observations, was reported in 2020. In this work, we present new FORS2 observations allowing us to detect magnetic and spectroscopic variability with a period of 11.90 h. No significant frequencies were detected in TESS and ASAS-SN photometric observations. Importantly, magnetic field detections are achieved currently only in two Wolf–Rayet stars, WR 6 and WR 55, both showing the presence of corotating interacting regions.

SOFIA FEEDBACK Survey: Exploring the Dynamics of the Stellar Wind–Driven Shell of RCW 49

Abstract We unveil the stellar wind–driven shell of the luminous massive star-forming region of RCW 49 using SOFIA FEEDBACK observations of the [C ii] 158 μm line. The complementary data set of the 12CO and 13CO J = 3 → 2 transitions is observed by the APEX telescope and probes the dense gas toward RCW 49. Using the spatial and spectral resolution provided by the SOFIA and APEX telescopes, we disentangle the shell from a complex set of individual components of gas centered around RCW 49. We find that the shell of radius ∼6 pc is expanding at a velocity of 13 km s−1 toward the observer. Comparing our observed data with the ancillary data at X-ray, infrared, submillimeter, and radio wavelengths, we investigate the morphology of the region. The shell has a well-defined eastern arc, while the western side is blown open and venting plasma further into the west. Though the stellar cluster, which is ∼2 Myr old, gave rise to the shell, it only gained momentum relatively recently, as we calculate the shell’s expansion lifetime of ∼0.27 Myr, making the Wolf–Rayet star WR 20a a likely candidate responsible for the shell’s reacceleration.

XMM-Newton X-Ray Observations of the Unusual Wolf–Rayet Star WR 66

Abstract We summarize results of an XMM-Newton X-ray observation of the WN8h-type Wolf–Rayet star WR 66 which shows unusual 3.5–4.1 hr optical variations. One possible explanation is a compact companion (cc) which, if present, could give rise to luminous X-ray emission. WR 66 was marginally detected and its inferred X-ray luminosity (L x ) is orders of magnitude below that expected from wind accretion onto a neutron star, but is comparable to that of the WN8h stars WR 16 and WR 124. If luminous X-ray emission from an accreting WR+cc system is present then it is absorbed and escapes detection. Other explanations of the faintly detected X-ray emission of WN8h stars are not ruled out.

New insights into the WR nebula M1-67 with SITELLE

ABSTRACT We present a detailed study of M1-67, a well-known nebula around the population I Wolf–Rayet star WR 124 (WNh 8), based on datacubes obtained with the imaging Fourier transform spectrometer SITELLE at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. This allowed us to reconstruct detailed emission-line ratio maps that highlight clear orthogonal features from a chemical abundance point of view, a complete extinction map, as well as the electron density and temperature structures. In addition to this information, velocity maps were obtained shedding light on the bow shock structure due to the high velocity of WR124, qualified as a runaway star, which is about +190 km s−1 relative to the local interstellar medium. Interaction between the latter structure and spherical and non-spherical outburst could explain the global morphology of M1-67.

Unraveling the Nature of the Deeply Embedded Wolf–Rayet Star WR 121a

Abstract An X-ray study of the deeply embedded Wolf–Rayet star WR 121a has been carried out using long-term (spanning over ∼12 yr) archival observations from Chandra and XMM-Newton. For the first time, a periodic variation of 4.1 days has been detected in the X-ray light curve of WR 121a. No companion is seen in a merged and exposure-corrected Chandra X-ray image of WR 121a, as found in other previous observations in the J band. The X-ray spectrum of WR 121a is well explained by a thermal plasma emission model with temperatures of 0.98 ± 0.34 keV and 3.55 ± 0.69 keV for the cool and hot components, respectively, and nonsolar abundances. The present study indicates that WR 121a is an X-ray-bright massive binary with an X-ray luminosity of ∼1034 erg s−1, which can be explained by active wind collision between its components. Phase-locked modulations have been seen in the flux variation of WR 121a where the flux increases by a factor of ∼1.6 from minimum to maximum in the 0.3–10.0 keV energy band. These variations could be caused by the wind collision region being eclipsed by the secondary star in a binary orbit. The winds of both components of WR 121a appear to be radiative. Radiative inhibition and radiative braking are the most likely processes that are severely affecting the wind collision in this short-period massive binary system.

Investigating the origin of the spectral line profiles of the Hot Wolf–Rayet Star WR 2

The hot WN star WR2 (HD6327) has been claimed to have many singular characteristics. To explain its unusually rounded and relatively weak emission line profiles, it has been proposed that WR2 is rotating close to break-up with a magnetically confined wind. Alternatively, the line profiles could be explained by the dilution of WR2's spectrum by that of a companion. In this paper, we present a study of WR2 using near-infrared AO imaging and optical spectroscopy and polarimetry. Our spectra reveal the presence of weak photospheric absorption lines from a ~B2.5-4V companion, which however contributes only ~5-10% to the total light, suggesting that the companion is a background object. Therefore, its flux cannot be causing any significant dilution of the WR star's emission lines. The absence of intrinsic linear continuum polarization from WR2 does not support the proposed fast rotation. Our Stokes V spectrum was not of sufficient quality to test the presence of a moderately strong organized magnetic field but our new modelling indicates that to confine the wind the putative magnetic field must be significantly stronger than was previously suggested sufficiently strong as to make its presence implausible.

Chandra Observations of the Massive Star-forming Region Onsala 2

Abstract Previous radio and infrared observations have revealed an obscured region of high-mass star formation in Cygnus known as Onsala 2 (ON2). Within this region lies the optically revealed young stellar cluster Berkeley 87, which contains several OB stars and the rare oxygen-type Wolf–Rayet star WR 142. Previous radio studies of ON2 have also discovered masers and several H ii regions excited by embedded OB stars. Radio and Gaia parallaxes have now shown that the H ii regions are more distant than Berkeley 87. We summarize two Chandra X-ray observations of ON2, which detected more than 300 X-ray sources. Several optically identified stars in Berkeley 87 were detected, including massive OB stars and WR 142, the latter being a faint hard source whose X-ray emission likely arises in hot thermal plasma. Intense X-ray emission was detected near the compact H ii regions G75.77+0.34 and G75.84+0.40, consisting of numerous point sources and diffuse emission. Heavily absorbed X-ray sources and their near-IR counterparts that may be associated with the exciting OB stars of the H ii regions are identified. Shocked winds from embedded massive stars offer a plausible explanation of the diffuse emission. Young stellar object candidates in the ON2 region are identified using near-IR colors, but surprisingly few counterparts of X-ray sources have near-IR excesses typical of classical T Tauri stars.

Polarization light curve modelling of corotating interaction regions in the wind of the Wolf–Rayet star WR 6

The intriguing WN4b star WR6 has been known to display epoch-dependent spectroscopic, photometric and polarimetric variability for several decades. In this paper, we set out to verify if a simplified analytical model in which Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) threading an otherwise spherical wind is able to reproduce the many broadband continuum light curves from the literature with a reasonable set of parameters. We modified the optically thin model we developed in Ignace, St-Louis & Proulx-Giraldeau (2015) to approximately account for multiple scattering and used it to fit 13 separate datasets of this star. By including two CIRs in the wind, we obtained reasonable fits for all datasets with coherent values for the inclination of the rotation axis ($i_0=166^{\circ}$) and for its orientation in the plane of the sky, although in the latter case we obtained two equally acceptable values ($\psi=63^{\circ}$ and $\psi=152^{\circ}$) from the polarimetry. Additional line profile variation simulations using the Sobolev approximation for the line transfer allowed us to eliminate the $\psi=152^{\circ}$ solution. With the adopted configuration ($i_0=166^{\circ}$ and $\psi=63^{\circ}$), we were able to reproduce all datasets relatively well with two CIRs located near the stellar equator and always separated by $\sim 90^{\circ}$ in longitude. The epoch-dependency comes from the fact that these CIRs migrate along the surface of the star. Density contrasts smaller than a factor of two and large opening angles for the CIR ($\beta \geq 35^{\circ}$) were found to best reproduce the type of spectroscopic variability reported in the literature.

Herschelobservations of the nebula M1-67 around the Wolf-Rayet star WR 124

Infrared Herschel imaging and spectroscopic observations of the nebula M1-67 around the Wolf-Rayet star WR 124 have been obtained along with optical imaging observations. The infrared images reveal a clumpy dusty nebula that extends up to 1 pc. The comparison with the optical images shows that the ionized gas nebula coincides with the dust nebula, the dust and the gas being mixed together. A photodissociation region is revealed from the infrared spectroscopic analysis. The analysis of the infrared spectrum of the nebula, where forbidden emission lines of ionized elements were detected, showed that the nebula consists of mildly processed material with the calculated abundance number ratios being N/O = 1.0 +/- 0.5 and C/O = 0.46 +/- 0.27. Based on a radiative transfer model, the dust mass of the nebula was estimated to be 0.22 Msun with a population of large grains being necessary to reproduce the observations. The comparison of the mass-loss rate and the abundance ratios to theoretical models of stellar evolution led to the conclusion that the nebular ejection took place during a RSG/YSG evolutionary phase of a central star with an initial mass of 32 Msun.

Analysis of the WN star WR 102c, its WR nebula, and the associated cluster of massive stars in the Sickle Nebula

The massive Wolf-Rayet type star WR 102c is located near the Quintuplet Cluster - one of the three massive star clusters in the Galactic Center region. Previous studies indicated that WR 102c may have a dusty circumstellar nebula and is among the main ionizing sources of the Sickle Nebula associated with the Quintuplet cluster. We obtained observations with the ESO's VLT integral field spectrograph SINFONI in the K-band, extracted the stellar spectra, and analyzed them by means of stellar atmosphere models. Our new analysis supersedes the results reported for WR 102c previously. We significantly revise down its bolometric luminosity and hydrogen content. We detect four early OB type stars close to WR 102c. These stars have radial velocities similar to that of WR 102c. We suggest that together with WR 102c these stars belong to a distinct star cluster with a total mass of about 1000 M_sun. We identify a new WR nebula around WR 102c in the SINFONI map of the diffuse Br$\gamma$ emission and in the HST's Pa$\alpha$ images. The Br$\gamma$ line at different locations is not significantly broadened and similar to the width of nebular emission elsewhere in the H II region around WR 102c. The massive star WR 102c located in the Galactic Center region resides in a star cluster containing further early type stars. The stellar parameters of WR 102c are typical for hydrogen-free WN6 stars. We newly identify a nebula surrounding WR 102c that has a morphology similar to other nebulae around hydrogen-free WR stars, and propose that the formation of this nebula is linked to interaction of the fast stellar wind with the matter ejected at previous evolutionary stage of WR 102c.

A new massive double-lined spectroscopic binary system: The Wolf-Rayet star WR 68a

Double-lined spectroscopic binary systems, containing a Wolf-Rayet and a massive O-type star, are key objects for the study of massive star evolution because these kinds of systems allow the determination of fundamental astrophysical parameters of their components. We have performed spectroscopic observations of the star WR 68a as part of a dedicated monitoring program of WR stars to discover new binary systems. We identified spectral lines of the two components of the system and disentangled the spectra. We measured the radial velocities in the separated spectra and determined the orbital solution. We discovered that WR 68a is a double- lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 5.2207 days, very small or null eccentricity, and inclination ranging between 75 and 85 deg. We classified the binary components as WN6 and O5.5-6. The WN star is less massive than the O-type star with minimum masses of 15 +/- 5 Msun and 30 +/- 4 Msun , respectively. The equivalent width of the He II {\lambda}4686 emission line shows variations with the orbital phase, presenting a minimum when the WN star is in front of the system. The light curve constructed from available photometric data presents minima in both conjunctions of the system

The infrared and molecular environment surrounding the Wolf-Rayet star WR 130

We present a study of the molecular CO gas and mid/far infrared radiation arising from the environment surrounding the Wolf-Rayet (W-R) star 130. We use the multi-wavelength data to analyze the properties of the dense gas and dust, and its possible spatial correlation with that of Young Stellar Objects (YSOs). We use CO J=1-0 data from the FCRAO survey as tracer of the molecular gas, and mid/far infrared data from the recent WISE and Herschel space surveys to study the dust continuum radiation and to identify a population of associated candidate YSOs. The spatial distribution of the molecular gas shows a ring-like structure very similar to that observed in the HI gas, and over the same velocity interval. The relative spatial distribution of the HI and CO components is consistent with a photo-dissociation region. We have identified and characterized four main and distinct molecular clouds that create this structure. Cold dust is coincident with the dense gas shown in the CO measurements. We have found several cYSOs that lie along the regions with the highest gas column density, and suggest that they are spatially correlated with the shell. These are indicative of regions of star formation induced by the strong wind and ionization of the WR star.

On the diffuse X-ray emission from the Wolf–Rayet bubble NGC 2359

A recent XMM-Newton observation (Zhekov 2014) has revealed diffuse X-ray emission inside the nebula NGC 2359 around the Wolf-Rayet star WR 7. Taking advantage of an improved point-source rejection and background subtraction, and a detailed comparison of optical and X-ray morphology, we have reanalyzed these X-ray observations. Our analysis reveals diffuse X-ray emission from a blowout and the presence of emission at energies from 1.0 to 2.0 keV. The X-ray emission from NGC 2359 can be described by an optically-thin plasma emission model, but contrary to previous analysis, we find that the chemical abundances of this plasma are similar to those of the optical nebula, with no magnesium enhancement, and that two components at temperatures T_1=2x10^6 K and T_2=5.7x10^7 K are required. The estimated X-ray luminosity in the 0.3 - 2.0 keV energy range is L_X=2x10^33 erg s^-1. The averaged rms electron density of the X-ray-emitting gas (n_e \lesssim 0.6 cm^-3) reinforces the idea of mixing of material from the outer nebula into the hot bubble.

THEXMM-NEWTON/EPIC X-RAY LIGHT CURVE ANALYSIS OF WR 6

We obtained four pointings of over 100 ks each of the well-studied Wolf-Rayet star WR 6 with the XMM-Newton satellite. With a first paper emphasizing the results of spectral analysis, this follow-up highlights the X-ray variability clearly detected in all four pointings. However, phased light curves fail to confirm obvious cyclic behavior on the well-established 3.766 d period widely found at longer wavelengths. The data are of such quality that we were able to conduct a search for "event clustering" in the arrival times of X-ray photons. However, we fail to detect any such clustering. One possibility is that X-rays are generated in a stationary shock structure. In this context we favor a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) and present a phenomenological model for X-rays from a CIR structure. We show that a CIR has the potential to account simultaneously for the X-ray variability and constraints provided by the spectral analysis. Ultimately, the viability of the CIR model will require both intermittent long-term X-ray monitoring of WR 6 and better physical models of CIR X-ray production at large radii in stellar winds.

The photometric variability of the WC9-type Wolf-Rayet star WR 103

We discuss a collection of archival multi-colour photometric data of the variable WC9-type Wolf-Rayet star WR 103 = HD 164270 observed over a time interval of eleven years. The photometric systems used are Walraven VBLUW, Bessel UBV and Stromgren uvby. The purpose is to search for periodicity and to disentangle continuum and line emission variations. The star turns out to be stochastically variable in all time intervals under consideration. The time scale of the variations hovers between a few hours to a few days. The continuum light amplitude varies from ∼ 0.m1 in the visual to ∼ 0.m2 in the UV. Emission-line variations at the level of 1–5 % percent are detectable in all pass bands, but are largest in the Stromgren b and Walraven V filters, due to the prominent presence of the Ciii emission lines (blended with a much weaker Oii line) at 4650 and 5696 A emission lines, respectively. The relative large light amplitude of WR 103 resembles that of WN8-type stars; a possible link between the two is discussed. Stellar (multi-mode) pulsations are likely the cause of the photometric variability. We also discuss the exceptional status of WR 103 within the class of WC9-type stars which are almost photometrically stable. A striking phenomenon observed for the first time in WR 103: a three days lasting flux enhancement of the Ciii line by at least 10 % was observed in August 1998. Such strong spectroscopic flare-like events are very seldom observed in WR stars. So far, the one of WR 103 had the longest duration ever observed.

Spectral and photometric studies of the Wolf-Rayet star WR 134 = HD 191765

The results of spectral and photometric observations of the Wolf-Rayet star WR 134 = HD 191765 performed at the N. Tusi Shamakha Astrophysical Observatory (ShAO) of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan in 2006–2010 are presented. The spectral observations were carried out at the ShAO Zeiss-2000 telescope with an echelle spectrometer. Thirty-four echelle spectrograms of WR 134 were obtained. Profiles of the five strongest emission lines were analyzed: HeII 4859, HeII 5411, CIV 5808, HeI 5875, and (HeII+Hα) 6560. Various parameters of these emission lines are determined: their equivalent widths, radial velocities, central intensities, and half-widths. Only the radial velocity was found to be variable. Variability of the shapes of all emission-line profiles was found, but the largest changes are observed for the (HeII+Hα) 6560 emission band. Photometric observations were carried out at the ShAO Zeiss-600 telescope using an Alta U-47 CCD array (1024 × 1024 pixels) in the V filter of the photometric UBV system. Photometric observations were carried out on 18 nights, with from 100 to 300 measurements made during each night. The mean V magnitudes of WR 134 and a control star were determined for each night. Variability of WR 134 was detected, both within a night and during the entire observation period. The exposure time varied from 1 to 6 s on different nights. A statistical analysis of the mean magnitudes indicated that this series contains a peak at a frequency of ν = 0.530 day−1, corresponding to the period P = 1.887d. This period is interpreted as the manifestation binarity for this star. It is suggested that the secondary component of the system may be a low-mass optical K-M star.

WR 38/38a and the ratio of total-to-selective extinction in Carina

A reanalysis of the (seemingly very distant) open cluster Shorlin 1, the group of stars associated with WR 38 and WR 38a, is made on the basis of existing UBV and JHKs observations for cluster members. The 2MASS observations, in particular, imply a mean cluster reddening of E(B-V)=1.45+-0.07 and a distance of 2.94+-0.12 kpc. The reddening agrees with the UBV results provided that the local reddening slope is described by E(U-B)/E(B-V)=0.64+-0.01, but the distance estimates in the 2MASS and UBV systems agree only if the ratio of total-to-selective extinction for the associated dust is R=Av/E(B-V)=4.0+-0.1. Both results are similar to what has been obtained for adjacent clusters in the Eta Carinae region by similar analyses, which suggests that `anomalous' dust extinction is widespread through the region, particularly for groups reddened by relatively nearby dust. Dust associated with the Eta Carinae complex itself appears to exhibit more `normal' qualities. The results have direct implications for the interpretation of distances to optical spiral arm indicators for the Galaxy at l=287-291 degrees, in particular the Carina arm here is probably little more than ~2 kpc distant, rather than 2.5-3 kpc distant as implied in previous studies. Newly-derived intrinsic parameters for the two cluster Wolf-Rayet stars WR 38 (WC4) and WR 38a (WN5) are in good agreement with what is found for other WR stars in Galactic open clusters, which was not the case previously.

NEW CONSTRAINTS ON THE ORIGIN OF THE SHORT-TERM CYCLICAL VARIABILITY OF THE WOLF-RAYET STAR WR 46

The Wolf-Rayet star WR 46 is known to exhibit a very complex variability pattern on relatively short time scales of a few hours. Periodic but intermittent radial velocity shifts of optical lines as well as multiple photometric periods have been found in the past. Non-radial pulsations, rapid rotational modulation or the presence of a putative low-mass companion have been proposed to explain the short-term behaviour. In an effort to unveil its true nature, we observed WR 46 with FUSE (Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer) over several short-term variability cycles. We found significant variations on a time scale of ~8 hours in the far-ultraviolet (FUV) continuum, in the blue edge of the absorption trough of the OVI {\lambda}{\lambda}1032, 1038 doublet P Cygni profile and in the SVI {\lambda}{\lambda}933, 944 P Cygni absorption profile. We complemented these observations with X-ray and UV light-curves and an X-ray spectrum from archival XMM-Newton (X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission - Newton Space Telescope) data. The X-ray and UV light-curves show variations on a time scale similar to the variability found in the FUV. We discuss our results in the context of the different scenarios suggested to explain the short-term variability of this object and reiterate that non-radial pulsations is the most likely to occur.

A 10-h period revealed in optical spectra of the highly variable WN8 Wolf-Rayet star WR 123

Aims. What is the origin of the large-amplitude variability in Wolf-Rayet WN8 stars in general and WR123 in particular? A dedicated spectroscopic campaign targets the ten-hour period previously found in the high-precision photometric data obtained by the MOST satellite. Methods. In June-August 2003 we obtained a series of high signal-to-noise, mid-resolution spectra from several sites in the {\lambda}{\lambda} 4000 - 6940 A^{\circ} domain. We also followed the star with occasional broadband (Johnson V) photometry. The acquired spectroscopy allowed a detailed study of spectral variability on timescales from \sim 5 minutes to months. Results. We find that all observed spectral lines of a given chemical element tend to show similar variations and that there is a good correlation between the lines of different elements, without any significant time delays, save the strong absorption components of the Hei lines, which tend to vary differently from the emission parts. We find a single sustained periodicity, P \sim 9.8 h, which is likely related to the relatively stable pulsations found in MOST photometry obtained one year later. In addition, seemingly stochastic, large-amplitude variations are also seen in all spectral lines on timescales of several hours to several days.

XMM-NEWTON OBSERVATIONS REVEAL VERY HIGH X-RAY LUMINOSITY FROM THE CARBON-RICH WOLF-RAYET STAR WR 48a

We present XMM-Newton observations of the dusty Wolf-Rayet star WR 48a. This is the first detection of this object in X-rays. The XMM-Newton EPIC spectra are heavily absorbed and the presence of numerous strong emission lines indicates a thermal origin of the WR 48a X-ray emission, with dominant temperature components at kT_cool approx. 1 keV and kT_hot approx. 3~keV, the hotter component dominating the observed flux. No significant X-ray variability was detected on time scales < 1 day. Although the distance to WR 48a is uncertain, if it is physically associated with the open clusters Danks 1 and 2 at d ~ 4 kpc, then the resultant X-ray luminosity L_X ~ 10^(35) ergs/s makes it the most X-ray luminous Wolf-Rayet star in the Galaxy detected so far, after the black-hole candidate Cyg X-3. We assume the following scenarios as the most likely explanation for the X-ray properties of WR 48a: (1) colliding stellar winds in a wide WR+O binary system, or in a hierarchical triple system with non-degenerate stellar components; (2) accretion shocks from the WR 48a wind onto a close companion (possibly a neutron star). More specific information about WR48a and its wind properties will be needed to distinguish between the above possibilities.