scholarly journals Gamma-ray burst progenitors and the population of rotating Wolf–Rayet stars

Author(s):  
Jorick S. Vink

In our quest for gamma-ray burst (GRB) progenitors, it is relevant to consider the progenitor evolution of normal supernovae (SNe). This is largely dominated by mass loss. We discuss the mass-loss rate for very massive stars up to 300 M ⊙ . These objects are in close proximity to the Eddington Γ limit. We describe the new concept of the transitional mass-loss rate, enabling us to calibrate wind mass loss. This allows us to consider the occurrence of pair-instability SNe in the local Universe. We also discuss luminous blue variables and their link to luminous SNe. Finally, we address the polarization properties of Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars, measuring their wind asphericities. We argue to have found a group of rotating WR stars that fulfil the required criteria to make long-duration GRBs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (3) ◽  
pp. 3938-3946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim M Bestenlehner

ABSTRACT Mass loss through stellar winds plays a dominant role in the evolution of massive stars. In particular, the mass-loss rates of very massive stars ($\gt 100\, M_{\odot}$) are highly uncertain. Such stars display Wolf–Rayet spectral morphologies (WNh), whilst on the main sequence. Metal-poor very massive stars are progenitors of gamma-ray bursts and pair instability supernovae. In this study, we extended the widely used stellar wind theory by Castor, Abbott & Klein from the optically thin (O star) to the optically thick main-sequence (WNh) wind regime. In particular, we modify the mass-loss rate formula in a way that we are able to explain the empirical mass-loss dependence on the Eddington parameter (Γe). The new mass-loss recipe is suitable for incorporation into current stellar evolution models for massive and very massive stars. It makes verifiable predictions, namely how the mass-loss rate scales with metallicity and at which Eddington parameter the transition from optically thin O star to optically thick WNh star winds occurs. In the case of the star cluster R136 in the Large Magellanic Cloud we find in the optically thin wind regime $\dot{M} \propto \Gamma _{\rm e}^{3}$, while in the optically thick wind regime $\dot{M} \propto 1/ (1 - \Gamma _{\rm e})^{3.5}$. The transition from optically thin to optically thick winds occurs at Γe, trans ≈ 0.47. The transition mass-loss rate is $\log \dot{M}~(\mathrm{M}_{\odot } \, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}) \approx -4.76 \pm 0.18$, which is in line with the prediction by Vink & Gräfener assuming a volume filling factor of $f_{\rm V} = 0.23_{-0.15}^{+0.40}$.


1991 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 281-288
Author(s):  
M.J. Barlow

The future use of space-borne IR spectroscopy to determine the ionization structure and abundances in the outer winds of WR stars is described. A mass loss rate of 1.7×10-5 M⊙ yr–1 has been derived from 10 μm photometry of the WO2 star Sanduleak 5 (WR 142). The He/H number ratios in the winds of P Cyg and AG Car have been derived from a recombination line analysis of their 1-4 μm spectra and mass loss rates of 2.2×10-5 M⊙ yr–1 and 3.7×10-5 M⊙ yr–1 have been respectively derived for them.


1991 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 480-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Leitherer ◽  
Norbert Langer

The structure and evolution of massive stars is significantly influenced by effects of chemical composition in a low-metallicity environment (as compared to the solar neighbourhood, SN), such as the Magellanic Clouds. A fundamental ingredient in evolutionary models is the stellar mass-loss rate M. Lower metal content decreases the mass-loss rates derived theoretically, which in turn affects the stellar evolution models. On the other hand, different evolutionary models predict different stellar parameters (especially L), which again influence M so that an iterative procedure is required to achieve self-consistency.


1981 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 265-270
Author(s):  
L.R. Yungelson ◽  
A.G. Massevitch ◽  
A.V. Tutukov

It is shown that mass loss by stellar wind with rates observed in O, B-stars cannot change qualitatively their evolution in the core hydrogen-burning stage. The effects, that are usually attributed to the mass loss, can be explained by other causes: e.g., duplicity or enlarged chemically homogeneous stellar cores.The significance of mass loss by stellar wind for the evolution of massive stars was studied extensively by numerous authors (see e.g. Chiosi et al. (1979) and references therein). However, the problem is unclear as yet. There does not exist any satisfactory theory of mass loss by stars. Therefore one is usually forced to assume that mass loss rate depends on some input parameters.


2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S252) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorick S. Vink

AbstractWe discuss the role of mass loss for the evolution of the most massive stars, highlighting the role of the predicted bi-stability jump that might be relevant for the evolution of rotational velocities during or just after the main sequence. This mechanism is also proposed as an explanation for the mass-loss variations seen in the winds from Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs). These might be relevant for the quasi-sinusoidal modulations seen in a number of recent transitional supernovae (SNe), as well as for the double-throughed absorption profile recently discovered in the Hα line of SN 2005gj. Finally, we discuss the role of metallicity via the Z-dependent character of their winds, during both the initial and final (Wolf-Rayet) phases of evolution, with implications for the angular momentum evolution of the progenitor stars of long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).


1989 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
André Maeder

AbstractVarious evolutionary sequences leading to LBV are examined. The sequence O-Of-LBV-WR-SN is well supported by the models; some LBV with relatively lower luminosity may turn into OH/IR sources. The overall duration of the LBV phase depends mainly on the average mass loss rate; for <Ṁ> = 10−3M⊙y−1, it lasts about 104y.Very massive stars undergo, when they reach logTeff= 3.9, strong departure from hydrostatic equilibrium due to supra-Eddington luminosities at some depth in the outer layers. This results in heavy mass loss, as the growth rate of the instability is very fast. We suggest that the amount of mass ejected in a shell episode is mainly determined by the mass of such a layer that its thermal adjustment timescale is within an order of magnitude of the stellar dynamical timescale. Simulations of B-light curves due to shell ejections by LBV are performed and some sensitive properties are identified.


2011 ◽  
Vol 741 (1) ◽  
pp. L8 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Tramper ◽  
H. Sana ◽  
A. de Koter ◽  
L. Kaper

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S267) ◽  
pp. 336-336
Author(s):  
Sergiy Silich ◽  
Guillermo Tenorio-Tagle ◽  
Filiberto Hueyotl-Zahuantitla ◽  
Jan Palouš ◽  
Richard Wünsch

We claim that in the starburst environment there is no accretion of the ISM onto the BH and thus, in such cases, the BH luminosity is regulated by the mass-loss rate from massive stars in the star forming region. We calculate the accretion rate and show that it is usually small during the superwind stage and grows at the post-starburst stage, when the matter reinserted by intermediate–mass stars remains gravitationally bound and fuels the central BH.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S279) ◽  
pp. 427-428
Author(s):  
Takashi Yoshida ◽  
Hideyuki Umeda

AbstractWe investigate the evolution of very massive stars with Z = 0.2 Z⊙ to constrain the progenitor of the extremely luminous Type Ic SN 2007bi. In order to reproduce the 56Ni amount produced in SN 2007bi, the range of the stellar mass at the zero-age main-sequence is expected to be 515 - 575M⊙ for pair-instability supernova and 110 - 280M⊙ for core-collapse supernova. Uncertainty in the mass loss rate affects the mass range appropriate for the explosion of SN 2007bi. A core-collapse supernova of a WO star evolved from a 110 M⊙ star produces sufficient radioactive 56Ni to reproduce the light curve of SN 2007bi.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S279) ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
Jorick S. Vink

AbstractThe fate of massive stars up to 300M⊙ is highly uncertain. Do these objects produce pair-instability explosions, or normal Type Ic supernovae? In order to address these questions, we need to know their mass-loss rates during their lives. Here we present mass-loss predictions for very massive stars (VMS) in the range of 60-300M⊙. We use a novel method that simultaneously predicts the wind terminal velocities v∞ and mass-loss rate Ṁ as a function of the stellar parameters: (i) luminosity/mass Γ, (ii) metallicity Z, and (iii) effective temperature Teff. Using our results, we evaluate the likely outcomes for the most massive stars.


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