Massa, Derck;
Prinja, Raman K;
(2022)
Wind line variability and intrinsic errors in observational mass loss rates.
arXiv.org: Ithaca (NY), USA.
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Abstract
UV wind line variability in OB stars appears to be universal. We review the evidence that the variability is due to large, dense, optically thick structures rooted in or near the photosphere. Using repeated bservations and a simple model we translate observed profile variations into optical depth variations and, consequently, variations in measured mass loss rates. Although global rates may be stable, measured rates vary. Consequently, profile variations infer how mass loss rates determined from UV wind lines vary. These variations quantify the intrinsic error inherent in any mass loss rate derived from a single observation. These derived rates can differ by factors of 3 or more. Our results also imply that rates from non-simultaneous observations (such as UV and ground based data) need not agree. Finally, we use our results to examine the nature of the structures responsible for the variability.
| Type: | Working / discussion paper |
|---|---|
| Title: | Wind line variability and intrinsic errors in observational mass loss rates |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2207.14384 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © The Author 2023. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Physics and Astronomy UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10153148 |
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