| Title: |
A magnetic massive star has experienced a stellar merger |
| Authors: |
Frost, A. J., Sana, H., Mahy, L., Wade, G., Barron, J., Bouquin, J. -B. Le, Mérand, A., Schneider, F. R. N., Shenar, T., Barbá, R. H., Bowman, D. M., Fabry, M., Farhang, A., Marchant, P., Morrell, N. I., Smoker, J. V. |
| Source: |
Science, 11 Apr 2024, Vol 384, Issue 6692, pp. 214-217 |
| Publication Year: |
2024 |
| Collection: |
Astrophysics |
| Subject Terms: |
Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics |
| More Details: |
Massive stars (those larger than 8 solar masses at formation) have radiative envelopes that cannot sustain a dynamo, the mechanism that produces magnetic fields in lower-mass stars. Despite this, approximately 7\% of massive stars have observed magnetic fields, the origin of which is debated. We used multi-epoch interferometric and spectroscopic observations to characterize HD 148937, a binary system of two massive stars. We found that only one star is magnetic and that it appears younger than its companion. The system properties and a surrounding bipolar nebula can be reproduced with a model in which two stars merged (in a previous triple system) to produce the magnetic massive star. Our results provide observational evidence that magnetic fields form in at least some massive stars through stellar mergers.
Comment: Full paper with supplementary materials. 59 pages, 18 figures |
| Document Type: |
Working Paper |
| DOI: |
10.1126/science.adg7700 |
| Access URL: |
http://arxiv.org/abs/2404.10167 |
| Accession Number: |
edsarx.2404.10167 |
| Database: |
arXiv |
