Red supergiant stars in binary systems II. Confirmation of B-type companions of red supergiants in the Small Magellanic Cloud using Hubble ultra-violet spectroscopy

Summary

The study uses Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spectroscopy to confirm the presence of B-type companions to red supergiant (RSG) stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The analysis of 16 RSGs reveals that all have B-type companions, with stellar parameters determined through model fitting.

Highlights

• The study confirms the presence of B-type companions to RSG stars in the SMC using HST spectroscopy.
• The analysis reveals that all 16 RSGs have B-type companions.
• Stellar parameters of the companions are determined through model fitting.
• The study uses a combination of HST and UVIT data to analyze the RSGs.
• The results provide insights into the properties of RSG binary systems.
• The study highlights the importance of UV spectroscopy in characterizing hot companions.
• The findings have implications for understanding the evolution of massive stars.

Key Insights

• The study demonstrates the power of HST spectroscopy in confirming the presence of B-type companions to RSG stars in the SMC, providing valuable insights into the properties of these binary systems.
• The analysis reveals that the stellar parameters of the companions are consistent with those expected for main-sequence B-type stars, suggesting that these systems are likely to be binary in nature.
• The use of a combination of HST and UVIT data allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the RSGs and their companions, highlighting the importance of multi-wavelength observations in characterizing these systems.
• The study highlights the importance of UV spectroscopy in characterizing hot companions, which is crucial for understanding the evolution of massive stars.
• The findings have implications for understanding the evolution of massive stars, particularly in the context of binary systems, where interactions between the companions can significantly impact their evolution.
• The study provides a valuable dataset for future studies of RSG binary systems, allowing for further exploration of the properties and evolution of these systems.
• The results demonstrate the need for further studies of RSG binary systems, particularly in the context of the SMC, where the metallicity and star formation history may impact the properties and evolution of these systems.

Mindmap

Citation

Patrick, L. R., Lennon, D. J., Schootemeijer, A., Bianchi, L., Negueruela, I., Langer, N., Thilker, D., & Dorda, R. (2024). Red supergiant stars in binary systems II. Confirmation of B-type companions of red supergiants in the Small Magellanic Cloud using Hubble ultra-violet spectroscopy (Version 1). arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.2412.18554