Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T17:00:38.665Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Massive star abundances in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2016

Stephen J. Smartt*
Affiliation:
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OHA, UK

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The use of photospheric abundances in OB-type main-sequence stars and A and B-type supergiants as probes of rotation and evolutionary status is reviewed. The abundances of CNO and boron can be compared quantitatively with stellar evolutionary calculations. In particular the abundance ratios of N/O and N/C can be derived in blue supergiants to determine if they are consistent with the stars having gone through a red supergiant phase and dredge-up of core material to the surface. The results from several different studies are reviewed and compared. For blue supergiant stars in the mass-range 5-80 M the situation appears consistent — there is no evidence for stars of any mass having undergone blue-loops in the HR diagram. The stellar samples show significant signs of having N enriched atmospheres, and the quantitative values are consistent with stellar evolutionary calculations which invoke turbulent diffusive mixing while massive stars are on the main-sequence. Results on the interesting blue supergiant Sher 25 are presented, and linked to Sk-69°202; the B3Ia progenitor of SN 1987A. A spectacular ejection nebula surrounds Sher 25, much like that which was ejected by Sk–69°202 during its final stages of evolution. Both of these were thought to have been formed during a mass-loss event when the stars were in the red supergiant phase. The CNO abundances derived in Sher 25 suggest the nebula was ejected during the blue supergiant phase, and that rotation can explain the N-enrichment found in the stellar photosphere.

Type
Part 1. Atmospheres of Massive Stars
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2003 

References

Brandner, W., Grebel, E.K., Chu, Y.H., Weis, K. 1997a, ApJ (Letters) 475, L45.Google Scholar
Brandner, W., Chu, Y.H., Eisenhauer, F., et al. 1997b, ApJ (Letters) 489, L153.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Daflon, S., Cunha, K., Butler, K., Smith, V. 2001, ApJ 563, 325.Google Scholar
Fransson, C., Cassatella, A., Gilmozzi, R., et al. 1989, ApJ 336, 429.Google Scholar
Grevesse, N., Sauval, A.J. 1998, in: Frölich, C., Huber, M.C.E., Solanki, S. K. & von Steiger, R. (eds.), Solar Composition and its Evolution - From Core to Corona, Space Sci. Reviews 85, 161.Google Scholar
Lamers, H, Nota, A., Panagia, N., Smith, L.J., Langer, N. 2001, ApJ 551, 764.Google Scholar
Langer, N., Maeder, A. 1995, A&A 295, 685.Google Scholar
McErlean, N.D., Lennon, D.J. & Dufton, P.L. 1999, A&A 349, 55.Google Scholar
Meynet, G., Maeder, A., Schaller, G., et al. 1994, A&AS 103, 97.Google Scholar
Rolleston, W.R.J., Smartt, S.J., Dufton, P.L., Ryans, R.S.I. 2000, A&A 363, 537.Google Scholar
Smartt, S.J., Dufton, P.L., Rolleston, W.R.J. 1996, A&A 305, 164.Google Scholar
Smartt, S.J., Rolleston, W.R.J. 1997, ApJ (Letters) 481, L47.Google Scholar
Smartt, S.J., Lennon, D.J., Kudritzki, R.-P., et al. 2002, A&A 391, 979.Google Scholar
Venn, K.A. 1995, ApJ 449, 839.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Villamariz, M.R., Herrero, A., Becker, S.R., Butler, K. 2002, A&A 388, 940.Google Scholar
Walborn, N.R., Prevot, M.L., Prevot, L., et al. 1989 A&A 219, 229.Google Scholar