Journal article
Correlated X-Ray and Optical Variability in the O-type Supergiant ζ Puppis
The Astrophysical journal, Vol.906(2), 89
01/01/2021
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/abca3a
Abstract
Analysis of the recent long exposure Chandra X-ray observation of the early-type O star ζ Pup shows clear variability with a period previously reported in optical photometric studies. These 813 ks of HETGS observations taken over a roughly one-year time span have two signals of periodic variability: (1) a high-significance period of 1.7820 0.0008 day, and (2) a marginal detection of periodic behavior close to either 5 days or 6 days. A BRITE-Constellation nanosatellite optical photometric monitoring (using near-contemporaneous observations to the Chandra data) confirms a 1.78060 0.00088 day period for this star. The optical period coincides with the new Chandra period within their error ranges, demonstrating a link between these two wave bands and providing a powerful lever for probing the photosphere-wind connection in this star. The phase lag of the X-ray maximum relative to the optical maximum is ∼ φ = 0.45, but consideration of secondary maxima in both data sets indicates possibly two "hot" spots on the star with an X-ray phase lag of φ = 0.1 each. The details of this periodic variation of the X-rays are probed by displaying a phased and trailed X-ray spectrum and by constructing phased light curves for wavelength bands within the HETGS spectral coverage (ranging down to bands encompassing groups of emission lines). We propose that the 1.78 day period is the stellar rotation period and explore how stellar bright spots and associated corotating interaction regions (CIRs) could explain the modulation of this star's optical and X-ray output and their phase difference.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Correlated X-Ray and Optical Variability in the O-type Supergiant ζ Puppis
- Creators
- Joy S Nichols - Center for Astrophysics Harvard & SmithsonianYaël Nazé - University of LiègeDavid P Huenemoerder - Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyAnthony F. J Moffat - Centre for Research in Astrophysics of QuébecNathan A Miller - University of Wisconsin–Eau ClaireJennifer Lauer - Center for Astrophysics Harvard & SmithsonianRichard Ignace - East Tennessee State UniversityKen Gayley - University of IowaTahina Ramiaramanantsoa - Arizona State UniversityLidia Oskinova - University of PotsdamWolf-Rainer Hamann - University of PotsdamNoel D Richardson - Embry–Riddle Aeronautical UniversityWayne L Waldron - Eureka ScientificMatthew Dahmer - Northrop Grumman
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Astrophysical journal, Vol.906(2), 89
- Publisher
- The American Astronomical Society
- DOI
- 10.3847/1538-4357/abca3a
- ISSN
- 0004-637X
- eISSN
- 1538-4357
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- 16619126 / SI Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) (https://doi.org/10.13039/100009207)
- Alternative title
- Correlated X-Ray and Optical Variability in the O-type Supergiant ζ Puppis
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984429044702771
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