A combined HST and XMM-Newton campaign for the magnetic O9.7 V star HD 54879: towards constraining the weak-wind problem of massive stars

Context: HD 54879 (O9.7 V) is one of a dozen O-stars for which an organized atmospheric magnetic field has been detected. To gain insights into the interplay between atmospheres, winds, and magnetic fields of massive stars, we acquired UV and X-ray data of HD 54879 using the Hubble Space Telescope and the XMM-Newton satellite. In addition, 35 optical amateur spectra were secured to study the variability of HD 54879. A multiwavelength (X-ray to optical) spectral analysis is performed using the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code and the xspec software. Results: The photospheric parameters are typical for an O9.7 V star. The microturbulent, macroturbulent, and projected rotational velocities are lower than previously suggested (<4 km/s). An initial mass of 16$,M_odot$ and an age of 5 Myr are inferred from evolutionary tracks. We derive a mean X-ray emitting temperature of $log T_{rm X} = 6.7,$[K] and an X-ray luminosity of $log L_text{X} = 32,$[erg/s]. Short- and long-scale variability is seen in the H-alpha line, but only a very long period of $P approx 5,$yr could be estimated. Assessing the circumstellar density of HD 54879 using UV spectra, we can roughly estimate the mass-loss rate HD 54879 would have in the absence of a magnetic field as $log dot{M}_{B=0}approx -9.0,[{M_odot}/{rm yr}]$. The magnetic field traps the stellar wind up to the Alfven radius > $12,R_odot$, implying that its true mass-loss rate is $log dot{M}< -10.2,[{M_odot}/{rm yr}]$. Hence, density enhancements around magnetic stars can be exploited to estimate mass-loss rates of non-magnetic stars of similar spectral types, essential for resolving the weak wind problem. Conclusions: Our study confirms that strongly magnetized stars lose little or no mass, and supplies important constraints on the weak-wind problem of massive main sequence stars.