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Register a new userTau Sco: discovery of the clones
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The B0.2 V magnetic star tau Sco stands out from the larger population of massive magnetic OB stars due to its high X-ray activity and remarkable wind, apparently related to its peculiar magnetic field - a field which is far more complex than the mostly-dipolar fields usually observed in magnetic OB stars. tau Sco is therefore a puzzling outlier in the larger picture of stellar magnetism - a star that still defies interpretation in terms of a physically coherent model. Recently, two early B-type stars were discovered as tau Sco analogues, identified by the striking similarity of their UV spectra to that of tau Sco, which was - until now - unique among OB stars. We present the recent detection of their magnetic fields by the MiMeS collaboration, reinforcing the connection between the presence of a magnetic field and wind anomalies (Petit et al. 2010). We will also present ongoing observational efforts undertaken to establish the precise magnetic topology, in order to provide additional constrains for existing models attempting to reproduce the unique wind structure of tau Sco-like stars.
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The B0.2 V magnetic star tau Sco stands out from the larger population of massive magnetic OB stars due to its remarkable, superionized wind, apparently related to its peculiar magnetic field - a field which is far more complex than the mostly-dipolar fields usually observed in magnetic OB stars. tau Sco is therefore a puzzling outlier in the larger picture of stellar magnetism - a star that still defies interpretation in terms of a physically coherent model. Recently, two early B-type stars were discovered as tau Sco analogues, identified by the striking similarity of their UV spectra to that of tau Sco, which was - until now - unique among OB stars. We present the recent detection of their magnetic fields by the MiMeS collaboration, reinforcing the connection between the presence of a magnetic field and a superionized wind. We will also present ongoing observational efforts undertaken to establish the precise magnetic topology, in order to provide additional constrains for existing models attempting to reproduce the unique wind structure of tau Sco-like stars.
The B0.2 V magnetic star tau Sco stands out from the larger population of massive OB stars due to its high X-ray activity, peculiar wind diagnostics and highly complex magnetic field. This paper presents the discovery of the first two tau Sco analogues - HD 66665 and HD 63425, identified by the striking similarity of their UV spectra to that of tau Sco. ESPaDOnS spectropolarimetric observations were secured by the Magnetism in Massive Stars CFHT Large Program, in order to characterize the stellar and magnetic properties of these stars. CMFGEN modelling of optical ESPaDOnS spectra and archived IUE UV spectra showed that these stars have stellar parameters similar to those of tau Sco. A magnetic field of similar surface strength is found on both stars, reinforcing the connection between the presence of a magnetic field and wind peculiarities. However, additional phase-resolved observations will be required in order to assess the potential complexity of the magnetic fields, and verify if the wind anomalies are linked to this property.
The B0.2 V magnetic star tau Sco stands out from the larger population of massive OB stars due to its high X-ray activity, peculiar wind diagnostics and complex magnetic field. Recently, Petit et al. 2011 presented the discovery of the first two tau Sco analogues -- HD 66665 and HD 63425, identified by the striking similarity of their UV spectra to that of tau Sco. ESPaDOnS and Narval spectropolarimetric observations were obtained by the Magnetism in Massive Stars CFHT and TBL Large Programs, in order to characterize the stellar and magnetic properties of these stars. A magnetic field of similar surface strength was found on both stars, reinforcing the connection between the presence of a magnetic field and wind peculiarities. We present additional phase-resolved observations secured by the MiMeS collaboration for HD 66665 in order to measure its magnetic geometry, and correlate that geometry with diagnostics of mass-loss.
$tau$ Sco, a well-studied magnetic B-type star in the Upper Sco association, has a number of surprising characteristics. It rotates very slowly and shows nitrogen excess. Its surface magnetic field is much more complex than a purely dipolar configuration which is unusual for a magnetic massive star. We employ the CMFGEN radiative transfer code to determine the fundamental parameters and surface CNO and helium abundances. Then, we employ MESA and GENEC stellar evolution models accounting for the effects of surface magnetic fields. To reconcile $tau$ Scos properties with single-star models, an increase is necessary in the efficiency of rotational mixing by a factor of 3 to 10 and in the efficiency of magnetic braking by a factor of 10. The spin down could be explained by assuming a magnetic field decay scenario. However, the simultaneous chemical enrichment challenges the single-star scenario. Previous works indeed suggested a stellar merger origin for $tau$ Sco. However, the merger scenario also faces similar challenges as our magnetic single-star models to explain $tau$ Scos simultaneous slow rotation and nitrogen excess. In conclusion, the single-star channel seems less likely and versatile to explain these discrepancies, while the merger scenario and other potential binary-evolution channels still require further assessment as to whether they may self-consistently explain the observables of $tau$ Sco.
As part of our on-going survey we have carried out high-contrast imaging with VLT/SPHERE/IRDIS to obtain polarized and total intensity images of the young ($11^{+16}_{-7}$Myr old) K3IV star Wray 15-788 within the Lower Centaurus Crux subgroup of Sco-Cen. For the total intensity images, we remove the stellar halo by an approach based on reference star differential imaging in combination with principal component analysis. Both total intensity and polarimetric data resolve a disk around Wray 15-788. Modeling of the stellar spectral energy distribution suggests that this is a protoplanetary disk at a transition stage. We detect a bright, outer ring at a projected separation of $sim$370mas ($approx$56au), hints for inner substructures at $sim$170mas ($approx$28au) and a gap in between. Only within a position angle range of $60^circ<varphi<240^circ$, we are confident at 5$sigma$ level to detect actual scattered light flux from the outer ring of the disk; the remaining part is indistinguishable from background noise. For the detected part of the outer ring we determine a disk inclination of $i$=21$^circpm$6$^circ$ and a position angle of $varphi$=76$^circpm$16$^circ$. Furthermore, we find that Wray 15-788 is part of a binary system with the A2V star HD 98363 at a separation of $sim$50 ($approx$6900au). The detection of only half of the outer ring might be due to shadowing by a misaligned inner disk. A potential substellar companion can cause the misalignment of the inner structures and can be responsible for clearing the detected gap from scattering material. We can not, however, rule out the possibility of a non-detection due to our limited signal to noise ratio, combined with brightness azimuthal asymmetry. From our data, we can exclude companions more massive than 10$M_mathrm{jup}$ within the gap at a separation of $sim$230mas ($approx$35au).
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