Independent signs of lower mass-loss rates for O-type stars

  • I discuss observational evidence – independent of the direct spectral diagnostics of stellar winds themselves – suggesting that mass-loss rates for O stars need to be revised downward by roughly a factor of three or more, in line with recent observed mass-loss rates for clumped winds. These independent constraints include the large observed mass-loss rates in LBV eruptions, the large masses of evolved massive stars like LBVs and WNH stars, WR stars in lower metallicity environments, observed rotation rates of massive stars at different metallicity, supernovae that seem to defy expectations of high mass-loss rates in stellar evolution, and other clues. I pay particular attention to the role of feedback that would result from higher mass-loss rates, driving the star to the Eddington limit too soon, and therefore making higher rates appear highly implausible. Some of these arguments by themselves may have more than one interpretation, but together they paint a consistent picture that steady line-driven winds of O-type stars have lowerI discuss observational evidence – independent of the direct spectral diagnostics of stellar winds themselves – suggesting that mass-loss rates for O stars need to be revised downward by roughly a factor of three or more, in line with recent observed mass-loss rates for clumped winds. These independent constraints include the large observed mass-loss rates in LBV eruptions, the large masses of evolved massive stars like LBVs and WNH stars, WR stars in lower metallicity environments, observed rotation rates of massive stars at different metallicity, supernovae that seem to defy expectations of high mass-loss rates in stellar evolution, and other clues. I pay particular attention to the role of feedback that would result from higher mass-loss rates, driving the star to the Eddington limit too soon, and therefore making higher rates appear highly implausible. Some of these arguments by themselves may have more than one interpretation, but together they paint a consistent picture that steady line-driven winds of O-type stars have lower mass-loss rates and are significantly clumped.show moreshow less

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Author details:Nathan Smith
URN:urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-17659
Publication type:Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Publication year:2007
Publishing institution:Universität Potsdam
Release date:2008/04/25
RVK - Regensburg classification:US 1999.07
Organizational units:Extern / Extern
DDC classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 52 Astronomie / 520 Astronomie und zugeordnete Wissenschaften
Collection(s):Universität Potsdam / Tagungsbände/Proceedings (nicht fortlaufend) / Clumping in hot-star winds: International Workshop, Potsdam, Germany, 18. - 22. June 2007
Universität Potsdam / Tagungsbände/Proceedings (nicht fortlaufend) / Clumping in hot-star winds: International Workshop, Potsdam, Germany, 18. - 22. June 2007 / Talks and Discussions (in alphabetical order)
Universität Potsdam / Tagungsbände/Proceedings (nicht fortlaufend) / Clumping in hot-star winds: International Workshop, Potsdam, Germany, 18. - 22. June 2007 / Talks and Discussions (organized by sections) / Spectroscopy and mass loss diagnostic: observations
License (German):License LogoKeine öffentliche Lizenz: Unter Urheberrechtsschutz
External remark:
The complete edition of the proceedings "Clumping in hot-star winds" is available:
urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-13981
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