Early type stars at high galactic latitudes. I. Ten young massive B-type stars
Abstract
We present the results of quantitative spectral analyses of ten apparently normal B-type stars. These stars were found to be young massive B-type stars at distances of z=2.6 to 7.6 kpc from the galactic plane based on their positions in the (Teff, log g) diagram, normal abundance patterns and/or large projected rotational velocities. We discuss formation scenarios (runaway star scenarios versus a scenario for star formation in the halo) by comparing times-of-flight and evolutionary time scales. For all stars (except SB 357 and HS 1914+7139) both the scales are similar indicating that the stars could have formed in the galactic disk and been ejected from there soon after their birth. Derived ejection velocities range from 130 km s-1 to 440 km s-1 and may be used to constrain models for ejection mechanisms. Using new proper motion measurements we show that PHL 346, which was considered the most likely candidate for a young B-type star born in the halo, can be explained as a runaway star from the galactic plane. Based on observations obtained at the W. M. Keck Observatory, which is operated by the Californian Association for Research in Astronomy for the California Institute of Technology and the University of California. Based on observations collected at the German-Spanish Astronomical Center (DSAZ), Calar Alto, operated by the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie Heidelberg jointly with the Spanish National Commission for Astronomy. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory (ESO proposal No. 65.H-0341(A)).
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- November 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20011246
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0109472
- Bibcode:
- 2001A&A...378..907R
- Keywords:
-
- GALAXY: HALO;
- STARS: EARLY-TYPE;
- STARS: ABUNDANCES;
- STARS: KINEMATICS;
- STARS: EVOLUTION;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 11 pages, 5 eps-files, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics