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A magnetic massive star has experienced a stellar merger

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Dominic BowmanORCiD

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Abstract

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.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Frost AJ, Sana H, Mahy L, Wade G, Barron J, Le Bouquin J-B, Merand A, Schneider FRN, Shenar T, Barba RH, Bowman DM, Fabry M, Farhang A, Marchant P, Morrell NI, Smoker JV

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Science

Year: 2024

Volume: 384

Issue: 6692

Pages: 214-217

Print publication date: 12/04/2024

Online publication date: 11/04/2024

Acceptance date: 12/03/2024

ISSN (print): 0036-8075

ISSN (electronic): 1095-9203

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science

URL: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adg7700

DOI: 10.1126/science.adg7700

PubMed id: 38603482

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