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A magnetic massive star has experienced a stellar merger

Massive stars (those ≥8 solar masses at formation) have radiative envelopes that cannot sustain a dynamo, the mechanism that produces magnetic fields in lower-mass stars. Despite this, approximately 7% of massive stars have observed magnetic fields, the origin of which is debated. We used multi-epoc...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Frost, Abigail (Author) , Sana, H. (Author) , Mahy, L. (Author) , Wade, G. (Author) , Barron, J. (Author) , Le Bouquin, J.-B. (Author) , Mérand, A. (Author) , Schneider, Fabian (Author) , Shenar, T. (Author) , Barbá, R. H. (Author) , Bowman, D. M. (Author) , Fabry, M. (Author) , Farhang, A. (Author) , Marchant, P. (Author) , Morrell, N. I. (Author) , Smoker, J. V. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: April 12, 2024
In: Science
Year: 2024, Volume: 384, Issue: 6692, Pages: 214-217
ISSN:1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.adg7700
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adg7700
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg7700
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Author Notes:A.J. Frost, H. Sana, L. Mahy, G. Wade, J. Barron, J.-B. Le Bouquin, A. Mérand, F.R.N. Schneider, T. Shenar, R.H. Barbá, D.M. Bowman, M. Fabry, A. Farhang, P. Marchant, N.I. Morrell, J.V. Smoker
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Summary:Massive stars (those ≥8 solar masses at formation) have radiative envelopes that cannot sustain a dynamo, the mechanism that produces magnetic fields in lower-mass stars. Despite this, approximately 7% of massive stars have observed magnetic fields, the origin of which is debated. We used multi-epoch interferometric and spectroscopic observations to characterize HD 148937, a binary system of two massive stars. We found that only one star is magnetic and that it appears younger than its companion. The system properties and a surrounding bipolar nebula can be reproduced with a model in which two stars merged (in a previous triple system) to produce the magnetic massive star. Our results provide observational evidence that magnetic fields form in at least some massive stars through stellar mergers.
Item Description:Gesehen am 25.02.2025
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.adg7700

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