Search

Adequate stellar atmosphere models are prerequisite to derive robust stellar parameters from spectroscopic analyses. I will briefly review recent results obtained with the Potdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code, which is applicable to all types of hot stars. Using multi-wavelength observations including the UV, we analyzed large samples of massive stars at various metallicities, gaining important insights on their cosmic role and the feedback to their environment. A recent extension of PoWR allows to compose the model atmosphere from two zones. A rapidly rotating star, e.g., might possess a cooler equatorial region with a slow wind, and two polar cones with higher photospheric temperature and fast wind. For two examples of rapidly rotating O-type stars, we demonstrate that such model can reproduce wind-line profiles which otherwise would stay inconsistent. Fast rotation, which prevails in particular at low metallicities, thus might bias empirically derived parameters, having implications for feedback as well as for angular-momentum losses of SN and GRB progenitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Line-driven stellar winds are ubiquitous among hot massive stars. In some cases they can become so strong, that the whole star is cloaked by an optically thick wind. The strong outflow gives rise to large emission lines, defining the class of so-called Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars. While being major players in the evolution of massive stars, the formation of heavy black holes, and the distribution of elements, the occurrence and nature of WR winds is still quite enigmatic. A promising instrument towards a better theoretical understanding are stellar atmospheres allowing for a consistent inclusion of the hydrodynamics. By coupling stellar and wind parameters and the inclusion of a detailed non-LTE radiative transfer, they allow us to go beneath the observable layers and study the onset of WR-type winds. Establishing larger sets of models, we were able to make ground-breaking progress by identifying trends with mass and metallicity that deviate significantly from present empirical descriptions. Our modelling efforts reveal a complex picture for WR-type winds with strong, non-linear dependencies. Besides covering metallicity and mass, we further identify surface hydrogen as an important ingredient to retain WR-type mass loss at lower metallicity. Here, we present a summary of recent insights on the nature and onset of WR-type winds in massive stars including the consequences for stellar evolution, remaining open questions, and current efforts to overcome them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luminous blue variables (LBVs) and B[e] supergiants (B[e]SGs) are some of the most massive stars that display extreme and puzzling behavior. Their rarity indicates that they belong to short evolutionary phases or short-lived phenomena in the post-main sequence evolution of massive stars. However, their strong mass loss and episodic mass eruptions may be crucially impacting massive star evolution. LBVs are a group of evolved massive stars that exhibit irregular variability and eruptive mass loss. Various subtypes, including S Doradus variables, giant eruptions, and pre-supernova outbursts, exist. The physical cause of the LBV phenomenon remains heavily debated. B[e]SGs have strong forbidden line emission and infrared excess from dust that are thought to arise in a circumstellar disk or torus. The formation mechanism of their disk-like structures is yet to be settled. The evolutionary phases of LBVs and B[e]SGs and their connection to other evolved massive stars are important unanswered questions in massive star evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nearby Evolved Stars Survey (NESS) is a volume-complete sample of ∼850 Galactic evolved stars within 3 kpc at (sub-)mm wavelengths, observed in the CO J  = (2–1) and (3–2) rotational lines, and the sub-mm continuum, using the James Clark Maxwell Telescope and Atacama Pathfinder Experiment. NESS consists of five tiers, based on distances and dust-production rate (DPR). We define a new metric for estimating the distances to evolved stars and compare its results to Gaia EDR3. Replicating other studies, the most-evolved, highly enshrouded objects in the Galactic Plane dominate the dust returned by our sources, and we initially estimate a total DPR of 4.7 × 10−5 M⊙ yr−1 from our sample. Our sub-mm fluxes are systematically higher and spectral indices are typically shallower than dust models typically predict. The 450/850 |$\mu$| m spectral indices are consistent with the blackbody Rayleigh–Jeans regime, suggesting a large fraction of evolved stars have unexpectedly large envelopes of cold dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strongly magnetic, rapidly rotating B-type stars with relatively weak winds form centrifugal magnetospheres (CMs), as the stellar wind becomes magnetically confined above the Kepler co-rotation radius. Approximating the magnetic field as a dipole tilted by an angle β with respect to the rotation axis, the CM plasma is concentrated in clouds at and above the Kepler radius along the intersection of the rotational and magnetic equatorial planes. Stellar rotation can bring such clouds in front of the stellar disc, leading to absorption of the order of 0.1 mag (⁠|$\sim 10 {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of continuum flux). However, some stars with prominent CMs, such as σ Ori E, show an emission bump in addition to absorption dips, which has been so far unexplained. We show that emission can occur from electron scattering towards the observer when CM clouds are projected off the stellar limb. Using the rigidly rotating magnetosphere model, modified with a centrifugal breakout density scaling, we present a model grid of photometric light curves spanning parameter space in observer inclination angle i , magnetic obliquity angle β, critical rotation fraction W , and optical depth at the Kepler radius τK. We show that τK of order unity can produce emission bumps of the magnitude ∼0.05 seen in σ Ori E. We discuss the implications for modelling the light curves of CM stars, as well as future work for applying the radiative transfer model developed here to 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations of CMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N70 is a giant superbubble (SB) produced by the stellar cluster LH 114. The dynamic of the stellar SB can be explained with hydrodynamic simulations. However, the explanation of the observed X-ray luminosity is still a matter of debate. Observations show that this kind of superbubbles exhibits X-ray luminosities of the order of 1035 erg s−1, which cannot be explained by only considering the mechanical luminosity of the stellar components. Instead, theoretical models predict luminosities one order of magnitude lower. In this work, we attempt to answer this discrepancy by including a core-collapse supernova explosion (SN) and the photons emitted by each of the stars involved. We find that a core-collapse SN, with an initial mass of 10 M⊙, can explain the missing X-ray emission, lasting approximately 1000 yr. Also, the radiation produces an enhancement of the filamentary superbubble morphology and it increases the SB radius by |$\sim 23{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| with respect to the pure hydrodynamic case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2MASS J20395358+4222505  is an obscured early B supergiant near the massive OB star association Cygnus OB2. Despite its bright infrared magnitude (K s = 5.82) it has remained largely ignored because of its dim optical magnitude (B = 16.63, V  = 13.68). In a previous paper, we classified it as a highly reddened, potentially extremely luminous, early B-type supergiant. We obtained its spectrum in the U ,  B and R spectral bands during commissioning observations with the instrument MEGARA at the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS. It displays a particularly strong Hα emission for its spectral type, B1 Ia. The star seems to be in an intermediate phase between supergiant and hypergiant, a group that it will probably join in the near (astronomical) future. We observe a radial velocity difference between individual observations and determine the stellar parameters, obtaining T eff = 24 000 K and log  gc  = 2.88 ± 0.15. The rotational velocity found is large for a B supergiant, |$v$|  sin  i  = 110 ± 25 |$\rm km\, s^{-1}$|⁠. The abundance pattern is consistent with solar, with a mild C  underabundance (based on a single line). Assuming that J20395358+4222505  is at the distance of Cyg OB2, we derive the radius from infrared photometry, finding R  = 41.2 ± 4.0 R⊙, log(L /L⊙) = 5.71 ± 0.04 and a spectroscopic mass of 46.5 ± 15.0 M⊙. The clumped mass-loss rate (clumping factor 10) is very high for the spectral type, |$\dot{M}$|  = 2.4 × 10−6 M⊙ a−1. The high rotational velocity and mass-loss rate place the star at the hot side of the bi-stability jump. Together with the nearly solar CNO abundance pattern, they may also point to evolution in a binary system, J20395358+4222505  being the initial secondary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present wind models of 10 young Solar-type stars in the Hercules-Lyra association and the Coma Berenices cluster aged around ∼0.26 and ∼0.58 Gyr, respectively. Combined with five previously modelled stars in the Hyades cluster, aged ∼0.63 Gyr, we obtain a large atlas of 15 observationally based wind models. We find varied geometries, multi-armed structures in the equatorial plane, and a greater spread in quantities such as the angular momentum loss. In our models, we infer variation of a factor of ∼6 in wind angular momentum loss |$\dot{J}$| and a factor of ∼2 in wind mass-loss |$\dot{M}$| based on magnetic field geometry differences when adjusting for the unsigned surface magnetic flux. We observe a large variation factor of ∼4 in wind pressure for an Earth-like planet; we attribute this to variations in the 'magnetic inclination' of the magnetic dipole axis with respect to the stellar axis of rotation. Within our models, we observe a tight correlation between unsigned open magnetic flux and angular momentum loss. To account for possible underreporting of the observed magnetic field strength we investigate a second series of wind models where the magnetic field has been scaled by a factor of 5. This gives |$\dot{M}\propto B^{0.4}$| and |$\dot{J}\propto B^{1.0}$| as a result of pure magnetic scaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present MUSE deep integral-field unit spectroscopy of three planetary nebulae (PNe) with high-abundance discrepancy factors (ADF > 20): NGC 6778, M 1–42, and Hf 2–2. We have constructed flux maps for more than 40 emission lines, and use them to build extinction, electron temperature (T e), electron density (n e), and ionic abundances maps of a number of ionic species. The effects of the contribution of recombination to the auroral [N  ii ] and [O  ii ] lines on T e and the abundance maps of low-ionization species are evaluated using recombination diagnostics. As a result, low T e values and a downward gradient of T e are found toward the inner zones of each PN. Spatially, this nearly coincides with the increase of abundances of heavy elements measured using recombination lines in the inner regions of PNe, and strongly supports the presence of two distinct gas phases: a cold and metal-rich and a warm one with 'normal' metal content. We have simultaneously constructed, for the first time, the ADF maps of O+ and O2+ and found that they centrally peak for all three PNe under study. We show that the main issue when trying to compute realistic abundances from either ORLs or CELs is to estimate the relative contribution of each gas component to the H  i emission, and we present a method to evaluate it. It is also found that, for the studied high-ADF PNe, the amount of oxygen in the cold and warm regions is of the same order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a core-collapse supernova (SN) explodes in a binary star system, the ejecta might encounter an overdense shell, where the stellar winds of the two stars previously collided. In this work, we investigate effects of such interactions on SN light curves on time-scales from the early flash ionization signatures to approximately one year after the explosion. We construct a model of the colliding-wind shell in an orbiting binary star system and we provide an analytical expression for the shell thickness and density, which we calibrate with three-dimensional adaptive mesh refinement hydrodynamical simulations probing different ratios of wind momenta and different regimes of radiative cooling efficiency. We model the angle-dependent interaction of SN ejecta with the circumstellar medium and estimate the shock radiative efficiency with a realistic cooling function. We find that the radiated shock power exceeds typical Type IIP SN luminosity only for double red supergiant binaries with mass ratios q ≳ 0.9, wind mass-loss rates |$\dot{M}\gtrsim 10^{-4}\, \rm M_\odot \, \text{yr}^{-1}$|⁠ , and separations between about 50 and 1500 au. The required |$\dot{M}$| increases for binaries with smaller q or primaries with faster wind. We estimate that ≪1 per cent of all collapsing massive stars satisfy the conditions on binary mass ratio and separation. Recombination luminosities due to colliding wind shells are at most a factor of 10 higher than for an otherwise unperturbed constant-velocity wind, but higher densities associated with wind acceleration close to the star provide much stronger signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-mass microquasar jets, produced in an accreting compact object in orbit around a massive star, must cross a region filled with stellar wind. The combined effects of the wind and orbital motion can strongly affect the jet properties on binary scales and beyond. The study of such effects can shed light on how high-mass microquasar jets propagate and terminate in the interstellar medium. We study for the first time, using relativistic hydrodynamical simulations, the combined impact of the stellar wind and orbital motion on the properties of high-mass microquasar jets on binary scales and beyond. We have performed 3-dimensional relativistic hydrodynamic simulations, using the PLUTO code, of a microquasar scenario in which a strong weakly relativistic wind from a star interacts with a relativistic jet under the effect of the binary orbital motion. The parameters of the orbit are chosen such that the results can provide insight on the jet-wind interaction in compact systems like for instance Cyg X-1 or Cyg X-3. The wind and jet momentum rates are set to values that may be realistic for these sources and lead to moderate jet bending, which together with the close orbit and jet instabilities could trigger significant jet precession and disruption. For high-mass microquasars with orbit size a ∼ 0.1 AU, and (relativistic) jet power |$L_j\sim 10^{37}(\dot{M}_w/10^{-6}\, {\rm M}_\odot \, {\rm yr}^{-1})$|  erg s−1, where |$\dot{M}_w$| is the stellar wind mass rate, the combined effects of the stellar wind and orbital motion can induce relativistic jet disruption on scales ∼1 AU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the early phases of low-mass star formation, episodic accretion causes the ejection of high-velocity outflow bullets, which carry a fossil record of the driving protostar's accretion history. We present 44 SPH simulations of |$1\, {{\mathrm{M}}}_{\odot }$| cores, covering a wide range of initial conditions, and follow the cores for five free-fall times. Individual protostars are represented by sink particles, and the sink particles launch episodic outflows using a sub-grid model. The Optics algorithm is used to identify individual episodic bullets within the outflows. The parameters of the overall outflow and the individual bullets are then used to estimate the age and energetics of the outflow, and the accretion events that triggered it, and to evaluate how reliable these estimates are, if observational uncertainties and selection effects (like inclination) are neglected. Of the commonly used methods for estimating outflow ages, it appears that those based on the length and speed of advance of the lobe are the most reliable in the early phases of evolution, and those based on the width of the outflow cavity and the speed of advance are most reliable during the later phases. We describe a new method that is almost as accurate as these methods, and reliable throughout the evolution. In addition, we show how the accretion history of the protostar can be accurately reconstructed from the dynamics of the bullets if each lobe contains at least two bullets. The outflows entrain about 10 times more mass than originally ejected by the protostar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the linear growth and non-linear saturation of the 'acoustic Resonant Drag Instability' (RDI) when the dust grains, which drive the instability, have a wide, continuous spectrum of different sizes. This physics is generally applicable to dusty winds driven by radiation pressure, such as occurs around red-giant stars, star-forming regions, or active galactic nuclei. Depending on the physical size of the grains compared to the wavelength of the radiation field that drives the wind, two qualitatively different regimes emerge. In the case of grains that are larger than the radiation's wavelength – termed the constant-drift regime – the grain's equilibrium drift velocity through the gas is approximately independent of grain size, leading to strong correlations between differently sized grains that persist well into the saturated non-linear turbulence. For grains that are smaller than the radiation's wavelength – termed the non-constant-drift regime – the linear instability grows more slowly than the single-grain-size RDI and only the larger grains exhibit RDI-like behaviour in the saturated state. A detailed study of grain clumping and grain–grain collisions shows that outflows in the constant-drift regime may be effective sites for grain growth through collisions, with large collision rates but low collision velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their large impact on stellar and galactic evolution, the properties of outflows from red supergiants are not well characterized. We used the Onsala 20m telescope to perform a spectral survey at 3 and 4 mm (68–116  GHz) of the red supergiant NML Cyg, alongside the yellow hypergiant IRC + 10420. Our observations of NML Cyg were combined with complementary archival data to enable a search for signatures of morphological complexity in the circumstellar environment, using emission lines from 15 molecular species. The recovered parameters imply the presence of three distinct, coherent, and persistent components, comprised of blue-shifted and red-shifted components, in addition to an underlying outflow centred at the stellar systemic velocity. Furthermore, to reproduce 12CO emission with 3D radiative transfer models required a spherical outflow with three superposed conical outflows, one towards and one away from the observer, and one in the plane of the sky. These components are higher in density than the spherical outflow by up to an order of magnitude. We hence propose that NML Cyg's circumstellar environment consists of a small number of high-density large-scale coherent outflows embedded in a spherical wind. This would make the mass-loss history similar to that of VY CMa, and distinct from μ Cep, where the outflow contains many randomly distributed smaller clumps. A possible correlation between stellar properties, outflow structures, and content is critical in understanding the evolution of massive stars and their environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a multiwavelength characterization of the planetary nebula (PN) NGC 6905 and its [Wolf–Rayet]-type ([WR]) central star (CSPN) HD 193949. Our Nordic Optical Telescope Alhambra Faint Object Spectrograph and Camera (ALFOSC) spectra and images unveil in unprecedented detail the high-ionization structure of NGC 6905. The high-quality spectra of HD 193949 allowed us to detect more than 20 WR features including the characteristic O-bump, blue bump, and red bump, which suggests a spectral type no later than a [WO2]-subtype. Moreover we detect the Ne  vii and Ne  viii broad emission lines, rendering HD 193949 yet another CSPN with T eff ≲ 150 kK exhibiting such stellar emission lines. We studied the physical properties (T e and n e) and chemical abundances of different regions within NGC 6905 including its low-ionization clumps; abundances are found to be homogeneous. We used the PoWR stellar atmosphere code to model the spectrum of HD 193949, which is afterwards used in a photoionization model performed with cloudy that reproduces the nebular and dust properties for a total mass in the 0.31–0.47 M⊙ range and a mass of C-rich dust of ∼2 × 10−3 M⊙. Adopting a current stellar mass of 0.6 M⊙, our model suggests an initial mass ∼1 M⊙ for HD 193949, consistent with the observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ALMA observations of the high-mass star-forming region G10.34-0.14 reveal the existence of three massive hot cores. The most massive of these cores, core S1, exhibits both high and low-velocity jet/outflow in the CO, SiO, and CH3OH. It is associated with water and Class I methanol masers. The core N shows a low-velocity CO outflow and is associated with an Extended Green Object, along with Class I and II methanol masers. The characteristics of the outflows and masers in these two cores suggest they are in different stage of evolution and varying physical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of fund investors' prior beliefs on flow-performance relationships. Nonmonotonic inflow- and outflow-performance relationships, with a monotonic relationship in net flows, suggest that more investors exhibit return-chasing behaviour but that some investors behave in a strongly biased manner; these phenomena exist in high-risk funds with extreme performance. With regard to investors' prior beliefs in market efficiency to the fund performance, inflows and outflows have a monotonic relationship with performance. From these findings, the nonmonotonic relationship can be explained by the biased behaviour resulting from the lack of beliefs in market efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strong X-ray irradiation from young solar-type stars may play a crucial role in the thermodynamics and chemistry of circumstellar discs, driving their evolution in the last stages of disc dispersal as well as shaping the atmospheres of newborn planets. In this paper, we study the influence of stellar mass on circumstellar disc mass-loss rates due to X-ray irradiation, extending our previous study of the mass-loss rate's dependence on the X-ray luminosity and spectrum hardness. We focus on stars with masses between 0.1 and 1 M⊙, which are the main target of current and future missions to find potentially habitable planets. We find a linear relationship between the mass-loss rates and the stellar masses when changing the X-ray luminosity accordingly with the stellar mass. This linear increase is observed also when the X-ray luminosity is kept fixed because of the lower disc aspect ratio which allows the X-ray irradiation to reach larger radii. We provide new analytical relations for the mass-loss rates and profiles of photoevaporative winds as a function of the stellar mass that can be used in disc and planet population synthesis models. Our photoevaporative models correctly predict the observed trend of inner-disc lifetime as a function of stellar mass with an increased steepness for stars smaller than 0.3 M⊙, indicating that X-ray photoevaporation is a good candidate to explain the observed disc dispersal process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filaments play an important role in star formation, but the formation process of filaments themselves is still unclear. The high-mass star-forming clump G286.21+0.17 (G286 for short) that contains an 'L' type filament was thought to undergo global collapse. Our high-resolution ALMA band 3 observations resolve the gas kinematics of G286 and reveal two sub-clumps with very different velocities inside it. We find that the 'blue profile' (an indicator of gas infall) of HCO+ lines in single dish observations of G286 is actually caused by gas emission from the two sub-clumps rather than gas infall. We advise great caution in interpreting gas kinematics (e.g. infall) from line profiles towards distant massive clumps in single dish observations. Energetic outflows are identified in G286 but the outflows are not strong enough to drive expansion of the two sub-clumps. The two parts of the 'L' type filament ('NW–SE' and 'NE–SW' filaments) show prominent velocity gradients perpendicular to their major axes, indicating that they are likely formed due to large-scale compression flows. We argue that the large-scale compression flows could be induced by the expansion of nearby giant H  ii regions. The 'NW–SE' and 'NE–SW' filaments seem to be in collision, and a large amount of gas has been accumulated in the junction region where the most massive core G286c1 forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining numerical simulations and analytical modelling, we investigate whether close binary systems form by the effect of magnetic braking. Using magnetohydrodynamics simulations, we calculate the cloud evolution with a sink, for which we do not resolve the binary system or binary orbital motion to realize long-term time integration. Then, we analytically estimate the binary separation using the accreted mass and angular momentum obtained from the simulation. In unmagnetized clouds, wide binary systems with separations of >100 au form, in which the binary separation continues to increase during the main accretion phase. In contrast, close binary systems with separations of <100 au can form in magnetized clouds. Since the efficiency of magnetic braking strongly depends on both the strength and configuration of the magnetic field, they also affect the formation conditions of a close binary. In addition, the protostellar outflow has a negative impact on close binary formation, especially when the rotation axis of the prestellar cloud is aligned with the global magnetic field. The outflow interrupts the accretion of gas with small angular momentum, which is expelled from the cloud, while gas with large angular momentum preferentially falls from the side of the outflow on to the binary system and widens the binary separation. This study shows that a cloud with a magnetic field that is not parallel to the rotation axis is a favourable environment for the formation of close binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics simulations, the driving of protostellar jets is investigated in different star-forming cores with the parameters of magnetic field strength and mass accretion rate. Powerful high-velocity jets appear in strongly magnetized clouds when the mass accretion rate on to the protostellar system is lower than |$\dot{M} \lesssim 10^{-4}\, {\rm M}_\odot$|  yr−1. On the other hand, even at this mass accretion rate range, no jets appear for magnetic fields of prestellar clouds as weak as μ0 ≳ 5–10, where μ0 is the mass-to-flux ratio normalized by the critical value (2π G 1/2)−1. For |$\dot{M}\gtrsim 10^{-4}\, {\rm M}_\odot$|  yr−1, although jets usually appear just after protostar formation independent of the magnetic field strength, they soon weaken and finally disappear. Thus, they cannot help drive the low-velocity outflow when there is no low-velocity flow just before protostar formation. As a result, no significant mass ejection occurs during the early mass accretion phase either when the prestellar cloud is weaky magnetized or when the mass accretion rate is very high. Thus, protostars formed in such environments would trace different evolutionary paths from the normal star formation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the long-term evolution of the spin period of the high-mass X-ray binary pulsar Vela X-1 over a period of 46 yr. Our analysis indicates nearly periodic variations in the spin period of the pulsar on time-scales of about 5.9 yr. There is suggestion of an overall spin-down behaviour of the pulsar though it is noticed that the source appears to stay near its equilibrium period 283.4 s since MJD 51000, with rather erratic spin-up/spin-down episodes around this value. Our study suggests nearly cyclic turnover in the spin behaviour of the pulsar from spin-up to spin-down regimes on time-scales of about 17–19 yr. To our knowledge, this is the first report of periodic variation in the spin behaviour of a wind-fed accreting pulsar. We also observe erratic episodes of spin-up and spin-down behaviour on relatively shorter time-scales that is a well-known archetype of this wind-fed X-ray pulsar. We investigate whether nearly periodic long-term spin period changes in the pulsar can be explained by using known mechanisms of torque reversals in the accretion powered neutron stars. It appears that changes in the accretion environment of the pulsar using current ideas can probably lead to long-term spin period changes in this X-ray pulsar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stellar winds are one of several ways that massive stars can affect the star formation process on local and galactic scales. In this paper, we investigate the numerical resolution needed to inflate an energy-driven stellar wind bubble in an external medium. We find that the radius of the wind injection region, r inj, must be below a maximum value, r inj,max, in order for a bubble to be produced, but must be significantly below this value if the bubble properties are to closely agree with analytical predictions. The final bubble momentum is within 25 per cent of the value from a higher resolution reference model if χ = r inj/ r inj,max = 0.1. Our work has significance for the amount of radial momentum that a wind-blown bubble can impart to the ambient medium in simulations, and thus on the relative importance of stellar wind feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young solar-type stars are known to be strong X-ray emitters and their X-ray spectra have been widely studied. X-rays from the central star may play a crucial role in the thermodynamics and chemistry of the circumstellar material as well as in the atmospheric evolution of young planets. In this paper, we present model spectra based on spectral parameters derived from the observations of young stars in the Orion nebula cluster from the Chandra Orion Ultradeep Project (COUP). The spectra are then used to calculate new photoevaporation prescriptions that can be used in disc and planet population synthesis models. Our models clearly show that disc wind mass loss rates are controlled by the stellar luminosity in the soft (⁠|$100\, \mathrm{eV}$| to |$1\, \mathrm{keV}$|⁠) X-ray band. New analytical relations are provided for the mass loss rates and profiles of photoevaporative winds as a function of the luminosity in the soft X-ray band. The agreement between observed and predicted transition disc statistics moderately improved using the new spectra, but the observed population of strongly accreting large cavity discs can still not be reproduced by these models. Furthermore, our models predict a population of non-accreting transition discs that are not observed. This highlights the importance of considering the depletion of millimetre-sized dust grains from the outer disc, which is a likely reason why such discs have not been detected yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comprehensive analysis of the compact planetary nebula M 2-31 investigating its spectral properties, spatio-kinematical structure, and chemical composition using Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) Multi-Espectrógrafo en GTC de Alta Resolución para Astronomía (MEGARA) integral field spectroscopic observations and Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) Alhambra Faint Object Spectrograph and Camera (ALFOSC) medium-resolution spectra and narrow-band images. The GTC MEGARA high-dispersion observations have remarkable tomographic capabilities, producing an unprecedented view of the morphology and kinematics of M 2-31 that discloses a fast spectroscopic bipolar outflow along position angles 50○ and 230○, an extended shell, and a toroidal structure or waist surrounding the central star perpendicularly aligned with the fast outflows. These observations also show that the C  ii emission is confined in the central region and enclosed by the [N  ii ] emission. This is the first time that the spatial segregation revealed by a two-dimensional map of the C  ii line implies the presence of multiple plasma components. The deep NOT ALFOSC observations allowed us to detect broad Wolf–Rayet (WR) features from the central star of M 2-31, including previously undetected broad O  vi lines that suggest a reclassification as a [WO4]-type star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first instalment of a deep imaging catalogue containing 58 True, Likely, and Possible extended PNe detected with the Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric H α Survey (IPHAS). The three narrow-band filters in the emission lines of H α, [N  ii ] λ6584 Å, and [O  iii ] λ5007 Å used for this purpose allowed us to improve our description of the morphology and dimensions of the nebulae. In some cases even the nature of the source has been reassessed. We were then able to unveil new macro- and micro-structures, which will without a doubt contribute to a more accurate analysis of these PNe. It has been also possible to perform a primary classification of the targets based on their ionization level. A Deep Learning classification tool has also been tested. We expect that all the PNe from the IPHAS catalogue of new extended planetary nebulae will ultimately be part of this deep H α, [N  ii ], and [O  iii ] imaging catalogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a simple model in which the bullets that produce the 'Orion fingers' (ejected by the BN/KL object) are interpreted as protoplanets or low-mass protostars in orbit around a high-mass star that has a supernova explosion. As the remnant of the SN explosion has only a small fraction of the mass of the pre-supernova star, the orbiting objects then move away in free trajectories, preserving their orbital velocity at the time of release. We show that a system of objects arranged in approximately coplanar orbits results in trajectories with morphological and kinematical characteristics resembling the Orion fingers. We show that, under the assumption of constant velocity motions, the positions of the observed heads of the fingers can be used to reconstruct the properties of the orbital structure from which they originated, resulting in a compact disc with an outer radius of ∼2.4 au. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a characterization of the dust in the Wolf–Rayet (WR) nebula RCW 58 around the WN8h star WR 40 using archival infrared (IR) observations from WISE and Herschel and radio observations from ATCA. We selected two clumps, free from contamination from material along the line of sight and located towards southern regions in RCW 58, as representative of the general properties of this WR nebula. Their optical, IR, and radio properties are then modelled using the photoionization code cloudy , which calculates a self-consistent spatial distribution of dust and gas properties. Two populations of dust grains are required to model the IR SED: a population of small grains with sizes 0.002–0.01  |$\mu$| m, which is found throughout the clumps, and a population of large grains, with sizes up to 0.9  |$\mu$| m, located further from the star. Moreover, the clumps have very high dust-to-gas ratios, which present a challenge for their origin. Our model supports the hypothesis that RCW 58 is distributed in a ring-like structure rather than a shell, and we estimate a mass of ∼2.5 M⊙. This suggests that the mass of the progenitor of WR 40 was about |$\approx 40^{+2}_{-3}$|  M⊙. The ring morphology, low nebular mass, large dust grain size, and high dust-to-gas ratio lead us to propose that RCW 58 has formed through a common envelope channel, similar to what has been proposed for M 1-67. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) processes – namely Ohmic resistivity, ambipolar diffusion, and the Hall effect – modify the early stages of the star formation process and the surrounding environment. Collectively, they have been shown to promote disc formation and promote or hinder outflows. But which non-ideal process has the greatest impact? Using three-dimensional smoothed particle radiation non-ideal MHD simulations, we model the gravitational collapse of a rotating, magnetized cloud through the first hydrostatic core phase to shortly after the formation of the stellar core. We investigate the impact of each process individually and collectively. Including any non-ideal process decreases the maximum magnetic field strength by at least an order of magnitude during the first core phase compared to using ideal MHD, and promotes the formation of a magnetic wall. When the magnetic field and rotation vectors are anti-aligned and the Hall effect is included, rotationally supported discs of r ≳ 20  au form; when only the Hall effect is included and the vectors are aligned, a counter-rotating pseudo-disc forms that is not rotationally supported. Rotationally supported discs of r ≲ 4  au form if only Ohmic resistivity or ambipolar diffusion are included. The Hall effect suppresses first core outflows when the vectors are anti-aligned and suppresses stellar core outflows independent of alignment. Ohmic resistivity and ambipolar diffusion each promote first core outflows and delay the launching of stellar core outflows. Although each non-ideal process influences star formation, these results suggest that the Hall effect has the greatest influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the detection of X-ray pulses from ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in 2014, neutron stars have been considered as their central objects. However, it remains unclear how neutron stars can be brighter than the Eddington luminosity, and no unified view exists on the magnetic field of neutron stars and the degree of beaming. Recent observations suggest that some X-ray pulsating ULXs have Be-type donors, and some of them occupy the same region as Be-type high-mass X-ray binaries (Be-HMXBs) on the Corbet diagram, which reveals the relation between spin and orbital periods. This suggests that at least some ULXs are special cases of Be-HMXBs. In this study, we use the framework of mass accretion models for Be-HMXBs to investigate the conditions under which neutron stars achieve mass accretion rates beyond the Eddington limit and become observable as ULXs. We show that a Be-HMXB may become a ULX if the magnetic field of the neutron star and the density of the Be disc meet certain conditions. We also show that, although a stronger magnetic field increases the brightness of a neutron star ULX with a Be donor, its brightness cannot exceed the Eddington limit by a more than a factor of ≈50. Finally, we propose a scenario whereby some normal Be-HMXBs may evolve into ULXs as the donor evolves into a giant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to reproduce the formation of the fast polar wind and viscous disk outflow from Be stars in a unified physical picture. Numerical modeling of the plasma outflow from fast rotating stars was performed taking into account the acceleration of the plasma due to scattering of the radiation of the star in lines of plasma ions and excitation of the hydrodynamic turbulence in the outflow. The fast polar wind naturally arises in this picture with an expected flow rate. For the first time, it is shown that a disk-like outflow with a relatively high level of turbulence is formed at the equator of fast rotating stars emitting radiation-driven wind. However, the level of turbulent viscosity is well below the level necessary for the formation of a Keplerian disk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn) are a relatively infrequently observed subclass of SNe whose photometric and spectroscopic properties are varied. A common thread among SNe IIn is the complex multiple-component hydrogen Balmer lines. Owing to the heterogeneity of SNe IIn, online data bases contain some outdated, erroneous, or even contradictory classifications. SN IIn classification is further complicated by SN 'impostors' and contamination from underlying H  ii regions. We have compiled a catalogue of systematically classified nearby (redshift z < 0.02) SNe IIn using the Open Supernova Catalogue (OSC). We present spectral classifications for 115 objects previously classified as SNe IIn. Our classification is based on results obtained by fitting multiple Gaussians to the H α profiles. We compare classifications reported by the OSC and Transient Name Server (TNS) along with the best matched templates from snid. We find that 28 objects have been misclassified as SNe IIn. TNS and OSC can be unreliable; they disagree on the classifications of 51 of the objects and contain a number of erroneous classifications. Furthermore, OSC and TNS hold misclassifications for 34 and 12 (respectively) of the transients we classify as SNe IIn. In total, we classify 87 SNe IIn. We highlight the importance of ensuring that online data bases remain up to date when new or even contemporaneous data become available. Our work shows the great range of spectral properties and features that SNe IIn exhibit, which may be linked to multiple progenitor channels and environment diversity. We set out a classification scheme for SNe IIn based on the H α profile that is not greatly affected by the inhomogeneity of SNe IIn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent large-scale spectropolarimetric surveys have established that a small but significant percentage of massive stars host stable, surface dipolar magnetic fields with strengths on the order of kG. These fields channel the dense, radiatively driven stellar wind into circumstellar magnetospheres, whose density and velocity structure can be probed using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy of wind-sensitive resonance lines. Coupled with appropriate magnetosphere models, UV spectroscopy provides a valuable way to investigate the wind–field interaction, and can yield quantitative estimates of the wind parameters of magnetic massive stars. We report a systematic investigation of the formation of UV resonance lines in slowly rotating magnetic massive stars with dynamical magnetospheres. We pair the analytic dynamical magnetosphere (ADM) formalism with a simplified radiative transfer technique to produce synthetic UV line profiles. Using a grid of models, we examine the effect of magnetosphere size, the line strength parameter, and the cooling parameter on the structure and modulation of the line profile. We find that magnetic massive stars uniquely exhibit redshifted absorption at most viewing angles and magnetosphere sizes, and that significant changes to the shape and variation of the line profile with varying line strengths can be explained by examining the individual wind components described in the ADM formalism. Finally, we show that the cooling parameter has a negligible effect on the line profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supernova (SN) PTF11iqb was initially classified as a Type IIn event caught very early after explosion. It showed narrowWolf-Rayet (WR) spectral features on day 2 (as in SN 1998S and SN 2013cu), but the narrow emission weakened quickly and the spectrum morphed to resemble Types II-L and II-P. At late times, Ha exhibited a complex, multipeaked profile reminiscent of SN 1998S. In terms of spectroscopic evolution, we find that PTF11iqb was a near twin of SN 1998S, although with somewhat weaker interaction with circumstellar material (CSM) at early times, and stronger interaction at late times. We interpret the spectral changes as caused by early interaction with asymmetric CSM that is quickly (by day 20) enveloped by the expanding SN ejecta photosphere, but then revealed again after the end of the plateau when the photosphere recedes. The light curve can be matched with a simple model for CSM interaction (with a mass-loss rate of roughly 10-4 M⊙ yr-1) added to the light curve of a normal SN II-P. The underlying plateau requires a progenitor with an extended hydrogen envelope like a red supergiant at the moment of explosion, consistent with the slow wind speed ( < 80 km s-1) inferred from narrow Ha emission. The cool supergiant progenitor is significant because PTF11iqb showed WR features in its early spectrum - meaning that the presence of such WR features does not necessarily indicate a WR-like progenitor. Overall, PTF11iqb bridges SNe IIn with weaker pre-SN mass-loss seen in SNe II-L and II-P, implying a continuum between these types.

AX J1745.6-2901 is a high-inclination (eclipsing) neutron star Low Mass X-rayBinary (LMXB) located less than ~1.5 arcmin from Sgr A*. Ongoing monitoringcampaigns have targeted Sgr A* frequently and these observations also cover AXJ1745.6-2901. We present here an X-ray analysis of AX J1745.6-2901 using alarge dataset of 38 XMM-Newton observations, including eleven which caught AXJ1745.6-2901 in outburst. Fe K absorption is clearly seen when AX J1745.6-2901is in the soft state, but disappears during the hard state. The variability ofthese absorption features does not appear to be due to changes in the ionizingcontinuum. The small Kalpha/Kbeta ratio of the equivalent widths of the Fe xxvand Fe xxvi lines suggests that the column densities and turbulent velocitiesof the absorbing ionised plasma are in excess of N_H ~ 10^23 cm^-2 and v_turb>~ 500 km s^-1. These findings strongly support a connection between the wind(Fe K absorber) and the accretion state of the binary. These results revealstrong similarities between AX J1745.6-2901 and the eclipsing neutron starLMXB, EXO 0748-676, as well as with high-inclination black hole binaries, wherewinds (traced by the same Fe K absorption features) are observed only duringthe accretion-disc-dominated soft states, and disappear during the hard statescharacterised by jet emission.

We study the gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow light curves produced by an off-axis jet in a stratified circumburst medium and summarize the temporal indices of the coasting phase, the deceleration phase, the Newtonian phase, and the deep Newtonian phase for various viewing angles and power-law indices of medium density. Generally, the afterglow light curves of off-axis GRBs in the homogeneous interstellar medium have a steep rise arising due to jet deceleration. In the stratified medium, the flux rises is more shallow but peaks earlier for the same viewing angle due to faster deceleration of the jet running into the denser stratified medium, compared with the case of the interstellar medium (ISM). Observations of off-axis bursts will possibly increase over the coming years due to the arrival of the multi-messenger era and the forthcoming surveys in multiple bands. The temporal indices of off-axis afterglows derived in the paper will provide a reference for comparison with the observations and can diagnose the circumburst environment. The numerical code calculating the afterglow light curve also can be used to fit the multi-wavelength light curves.

Computer modeling of the outflow from Be stars is performed. In our approach, processes of turbulence excitation and turbulent viscosity are added to the conventional model of the radiation driven winds. The objective of our study is to reproduce from the first principles the main features of the outflow from Be stars: a fast polar wind and a slow viscous Keplerian disk at the equator. At sub-critical velocity of rotation up to 0.999 of the critical velocity, our model reproduces the formation of the fast polar wind together with a slow highly turbulent outflow at the equatorial region. This outflow, however, does not reassemble a Keplerian disk. We link this to the absence of the angular moment transfer from the star to the disk. This process provides an increase of the angular momentum of the disk matter with radius. We consider a star with super critical rotation as the simplest way to supply the angular momentum to the disk. In this case, the star surface has a higher azimuthal speed than the matter at the inner edge of the disk. The angular momentum transfer becomes unavoidable. Already at rotation velocity 0.5% above the critical one, a quasi Keplerian disk at the equator is formed with size ∼10 stellar radius. At rotation 1% higher than the critical speed, the disk reaches ∼15 stellar radius. The main conclusion following from our work is that the conventional model of the radiation driven winds is able to reproduce the main features of the outflow from Be stars provided that the process of turbulence excitation and a process of angular momentum supply of the disk from the central source are added in to this model.

Nuclear regions of galaxies apparently play a disproportionately large role in regulating their formation and evolution. How this regulation works, however, remains very uncertain. Here we review a few recent X-ray studies of our Galactic center and the inner bulge region of our major neighboring galaxy, M31, and focusing on addressing such questions as: Why are the majority of supermassive black holes (e.g., Sgr A*) so faint? What regulates the Galactic nuclear environment? Furthermore, what impact does a recent active galactic nucleus have on the ionization state of surrounding gas? These studies have provided new insight into how various relevant high-energy phenomena and processes interplay with extreme galactic nuclear environments and affect global galactic ecosystems.

We study the evolution of six exoplanetary systems with the stellar evolutionary code Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (mesa) and conclude that they will likely spin-up the envelope of their parent stars on the red giant branch (RGB) or later on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) to the degree that the mass-loss process might become non-spherical. We choose six observed exoplanetary systems where the semimajor axis is |$a_i \simeq 1\small{-}2 {~\rm au}$|⁠ , and use the binary mode of mesa to follow the evolution of the systems. In four systems, the star engulfs the planet on the RGB, and in two systems on the AGB, and the systems enter a common envelope evolution (CEE). In two systems where the exoplanet masses are M p ≃ 10 M J, where M J is Jupiter mass, the planet spins up the envelope to about |$10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of the break-up velocity. Such envelopes are likely to have significant non-spherical mass-loss geometry. In the other four systems where M p ≃ M J the planet spins up the envelope to values of |$1{-}2 {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of break-up velocity. Magnetic activity in the envelope that influences dust formation might lead to a small departure from spherical mass-loss even in these cases. In the two cases of CEE on the AGB, the planet deposits energy to the envelope that amounts to |${\gt}10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of the envelope binding energy. We expect this to cause a non-spherical mass-loss that will shape an elliptical planetary nebula in each case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models are useful in studies of magnetized winds and non-linear Alfvén waves in solar and stellar atmospheres. We demonstrate that a condition often used in these models for the determination of a nearly vertical magnetic field is applicable to a radial field instead. A general divergence-free condition in curvilinear coordinates is self-consistently derived and used to obtain the correct condition for the variation of a nearly vertical magnetic field. The obtained general divergence-free condition along with the transfield equation completes the set of MHD equations in curvilinear coordinates for axisymmetric motions and could be useful in studies of magnetized stellar winds and non-linear Alfvén waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since neutrinos can escape from dense regions without being deflected, they are promising candidates to study the new physics at the sources that produce them. With the increasing development of more sensitive detectors in the coming years, we will infer several intrinsic properties from incident neutrinos. In particular, we centralize our study in those produced by thermal processes in short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs) and their interactions within the central engine's anisotropic medium. On the one hand, we consider baryonic winds produced with a strong magnetic contribution, and on the other hand, we treat only neutrino-driven winds. First, we obtain the effective neutrino potential considering both baryonic density profiles around the central engine. Then, we get the three-flavour oscillation probabilities in this medium to finally calculate the expected neutrino ratios. We find a stronger angular dependence on the expected neutrino ratios, which, incidentally, contrast from the expected theoretical ratios without considering the winds' additional contribution. The joint analysis of this observable, together with the sGRB ejected jet angle, might lead to an effective mechanism to discriminate between the involved merger progenitors (black hole-neutron star (BH-NS) or neutron-star neutron-star(NS-NS)), acting as an additional detection channel to gravitational waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Star-forming regions have been proposed as potential Galactic cosmic ray accelerators for decades. Cosmic ray acceleration can be probed through observations of gamma-rays produced in inelastic proton–proton collisions at GeV and TeV energies. In this paper, we analyse more than 11 yr of Fermi –LAT data from the direction of Westerlund 2, one of the most massive and best-studied star-forming regions in our Galaxy. In particular, we investigate the characteristics of the bright pulsar PSR J1023–5746 that dominates the gamma-ray emission below a few GeV at the position of Westerlund 2 and the underlying extended source FGES J1023.3–5747. The analysis results in a clear identification of FGES J1023.3–5747 as the GeV counterpart of the TeV source HESS J1023-575, through its morphological and spectral properties. This identification provides new clues about the origin of the HESS J1023-575 gamma-ray emission, favouring a hadronic origin of the emission, powered by Westerlund 2, rather than a leptonic origin related to either the pulsar wind nebula associated with PSR J1023–5746 or the cluster itself. This result indirectly supports the hypothesis that star-forming regions can contribute to the cosmic ray sea observed in our Galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stellar wind from low-mass stars affects the evolution of the whole stellar system in various ways. To better describe its quantitative contributions, we need to understand the theoretical aspects of stellar wind formation. Here, we present an overview of the theoretical models of stellar wind. The classical thermally-driven wind model fails in reproducing the anti-correlation between the coronal temperature and wind speed observed in the solar wind, thus needs modification with magnetic-energy injection. Specifically, energy input by Alfvén wave is likely to be important. Indeed, a number of solar-wind observations are well reproduced by the Alfvén-wave models, although it could be risky to directly apply the Alfvén-wave models to general low-mass stars. For a better description of stellar wind from low-mass stars with a variety of activity levels, the hybrid model would be better, in which we consider the effect of flux emergence as well as Alfvén wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass loss plays a key role in the evolution of massive stars and their environment. High mass-loss events are traced by complex circumstellar ejecta and intricate line profiles across the upper Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for massive stars in different evolutionary stages. The basic physics of radiation-driven stellar wind for hot stars is well understood. However, the driving mechanisms and related instabilities for their enhanced mass-loss episodes and the driving mechanisms for the mass loss of cool stars are still debated. In this review, the mass-loss characteristics and the possible mechanisms will be surveyed for an observational set of prominent massive stellar populations that experience outflows, strong stellar winds, and periods of enhanced and eruptive mass loss; massive young stellar objects, OB-type stars, red supergiants, warm hypergiants, luminous blue variables, and Wolf-Rayet stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectral observations in the Ly- α line have shown that atmospheric escape is variable and for the exoplanet HD189733b, the atmospheric evaporation goes from undetected to enhanced evaporation in a 1.5 years interval. To understand the temporal variation in the atmospheric escape, we investigate the effect of flares, winds, and CMEs on the atmosphere of hot Jupiter HD189733b using 3D self-consistent radiation hydrodynamic simulations. We consider four cases: first, the quiescent phase including stellar wind; secondly, a flare; thirdly, a CME; and fourthly, a flare followed by a CME. We find that the flare alone increases the atmospheric escape rate by only 25%, while the CME leads to a factor of 4 increments, in comparison to the quiescent case. We also find that the flare alone cannot explain the observed high blue-shifted velocities seen in the Ly- α. The CME, however, leads to an increase in the velocity of escaping atmospheres, enhancing the blue-shifted transit depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the regime of hot stars, winds were not seen as a common thing until the era of UV astronomy. Since we have access to the UV wavelength range, it has become clear that winds are not an exotic phenomenon limited to some special objects, but actually ubiquitous among hot and massive stars. The opacities due to spectral lines are the decisive ingredient that allows hot, massive stars to launch powerful winds. While the fundamental principles of these so-called line-driven winds have been realized decades ago, their proper quantitative prediction is still a major challenge today. Established theoretical and empirical descriptions have allowed us to make major progress on all astrophysical scales. However, we are now reaching their limitations as we still lack various fundamental insights on the nature of hot star winds, thereby hampering us from drawing deeper conclusions, not least when dealing with stellar or sub-stellar companions. This has spawned a new generation of researchers searching for answers with a yet unprecedented level of detail in observational and new theoretical approaches. In these proceedings, the fundamental principles of driving hot star winds will be briefly reviewed. Starting from the classical CAK theory and its extensions, over Monte Carlo and recent comoving-frame-based simulations, the different methods to describe and model the acceleration of hot star winds will be introduced. The review continues with briefly discussing instabilities as well as qualitative and quantitative insights for OB- and Wolf-Rayet-star winds. Moreover, the challenges of companions and their impact on radiation-driven winds are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent abrupt changes of CW Leonis may indicate that we are witnessing the moment that the central carbon star is evolving off the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) and entering into the pre-planetary nebula (PPN) phase. The recent appearance of a red compact peak at the predicted stellar position is possibly an unveiling event of the star, and the radial beams emerging from the stellar position resemble the feature of the PPN Egg Nebula. The increase of light curve over two decades is also extraordinary, and it is possibly related to the phase transition. Decadal-period variations are further found in the residuals of light curves, in the relative brightness of radial beams, and in the extended halo brightness distribution. Further monitoring of the recent dramatic and decadal-scale changes of this most well-known carbon star CW Leonis at the tip of AGB is still highly essential, and will help us gain a more concrete understanding on the conditions for transition between the late stellar evolutionary phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. In this work, we implemented a hydrodynamical solution for fast rotating stars, which leaves high values of mass-loss rates and low terminal velocities of the wind. This 1D density distribution adopts a viscosity mimicking parameter which simulates a quasi-Keplerian motion. Then, it is converted to a volumetric density considering vertical hydrostatic equilibrium using a power-law scale height, as usual in viscous decretion disk models. We calculate the theoretical hydrogen emission lines and the spectral energy distribution utilizing the radiative transfer code HDUST. Our disk-wind structures are in agreement with viscous decretions disk models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The winds of hot, massive stars are variable from processes happening on both large and small spatial scales. A particular case of such wind variability is 'discrete-absorption components' (DACs) that manifest themselves as outward moving density features in UV resonance line spectra. Such DACs are believed to be caused by large-scale spiral-shaped density structures in the stellar wind. We consider novel 3-D radiation-hydrodynamic models of rotating hot star winds and study the emergence of co-rotating spiral structures due to a local (pseudo-)magnetic spot on the stellar surface. Subsequently, the hydrodynamic models are used to retrieve DAC spectral signatures in synthetic UV spectra created from a 3-D short-characteristics radiative transfer code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]