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ABSTRACT The time evolution of angular momentum and surface rotation of massive stars are strongly influenced by fossil magnetic fields via magnetic braking. We present a new module containing a simple, comprehensive implementation of such a field at the surface of a massive star within the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (mesa) software instrument. We test two limiting scenarios for magnetic braking: distributing the angular momentum loss throughout the star in the first case, and restricting the angular momentum loss to a surface reservoir in the second case. We perform a systematic investigation of the rotational evolution using a grid of OB star models with surface magnetic fields (M⋆ = 5–60 M⊙, Ω/Ωcrit = 0.2–1.0, Bp = 1–20 kG). We then employ a representative grid of B-type star models (M⋆ = 5, 10, 15 M⊙, Ω/Ωcrit = 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, Bp = 1, 3, 10, 30 kG) to compare to the results of a recent self-consistent analysis of the sample of known magnetic B-type stars. We infer that magnetic massive stars arrive at the zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) with a range of rotation rates, rather than with one common value. In particular, some stars are required to have close-to-critical rotation at the ZAMS. However, magnetic braking yields surface rotation rates converging to a common low value, making it difficult to infer the initial rotation rates of evolved, slowly rotating stars.
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Modelling magnetically channeled winds in 3D – I. Isothermal simulations of a magnetic O supergiant
ABSTRACT In this paper we present the first set of 3D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations performed with the riemann geomesh code. We study the dynamics of the magnetically channeled winds of magnetic massive stars in full three dimensions using a code that is uniquely suited to spherical problems. Specifically, we perform isothermal simulations of a smooth wind on a rotating star with a tilted, initially dipolar field. We compare the mass-loss, angular momentum loss, and magnetospheric dynamics of a template star (with the properties that are reminiscent of the O4 supergiant ζ Pup) over a range of rotation rates, magnetic field strengths, and magnetic tilt angles. The simulations are run up to a quasi-steady state and the results are observed to be consistent with the existing literature, showing the episodic centrifugal breakout events of the mass outflow, confined by the magnetic field loops that form the closed magnetosphere of the star. The catalogued results provide perspective on how angular-momentum loss varies for different configurations of rotation rate, magnetic field strength, and large magnetic tilt angles. In agreement with previous 2D MHD studies, we find that high magnetic confinement reduces the overall mass-loss rate, and higher rotation increases the mass-loss rate. This and future studies will be used to estimate the angular-momentum evolution, spin-down time, and mass-loss evolution of magnetic massive stars as a function of magnetic field strength, rotation rate, and dipole tilt.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2009776
- PAR ID:
- 10369005
- Publisher / Repository:
- Oxford University Press
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Volume:
- 515
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 0035-8711
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- p. 237-255
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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