Magnetic fields, winds and X-rays of massive stars in the Orion nebula cluster
Abstract
In some massive stars, magnetic fields are thought to confine the outflowing radiatively-driven wind. Although theoretical models and MHD simulations are able to illustrate the dynamics of such a magnetized wind, the impact of this wind-field interaction on the observable properties of a magnetic star - X-ray emission, photometric and spectral variability - is still unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between magnetism, stellar winds and X-ray emission of OB stars, by providing empirical observations and confronting theory. In conjunction with the COUP survey of the Orion Nebula Cluster, we carried out spectropolarimatric ESPaDOnS observations to determine the magnetic properties of massive OB stars of this cluster.
- Publication:
-
Active OB Stars: Structure, Evolution, Mass Loss, and Critical Limits
- Pub Date:
- July 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S1743921311010374
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1010.2244
- Bibcode:
- 2011IAUS..272..208P
- Keywords:
-
- stars: early-type;
- stars: magnetic fields;
- X-rays: stars;
- techniques: polarimetric;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Proceedings of IAUS272: Active OB stars