Spectroscopic Line Modeling of the Fastest Rotating O-type Stars
Abstract

We present a spectroscopic analysis of the most rapidly rotating stars currently known, VFTS 102 ($vesini=649±52$km s−1; O9: Vnnne+) and VFTS 285 ($vesini=610±41$km s−1; O7.5: Vnnn), both members of the 30 Dor complex in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This study is based on high-resolution ultraviolet spectra from Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and optical spectra from the Very Large Telescope (VLT) X-shooter plus archival VLT GIRAFFE spectra. We utilize numerical simulations of their photospheres, rotationally distorted shape, and gravity darkening to calculate model spectral line profiles and predicted monochromatic absolute fluxes. We use a guided grid search to investigate parameters that yield best fits for the observed features and fluxes. These fits produce estimates of the physical parameters for these stars (plus a Galactic counterpart,ζOph) including the equatorial rotational velocity, inclination, radius, mass, gravity, temperature, and reddening. We find that both stars appear to be radial-velocity constant. VFTS 102 is rotating at critical velocity, has a modest He enrichment, and appears to share the motion of the nearby OB-association LH 99. These properties suggest that the star was spun up through a close binary merger. VFTS 285 is rotating at 95% of critical more »

Authors:
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Award ID(s):
Publication Date:
NSF-PAR ID:
10367590
Journal Name:
The Astrophysical Journal
Volume:
931
Issue:
1
Page Range or eLocation-ID:
Article No. 35
ISSN:
0004-637X
Publisher:
DOI PREFIX: 10.3847
National Science Foundation
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