CHARA/MIRC Interferometry of red supergiants: diameters, effective temperatures, and surface features

L. Kiss, J. D. Monnier, Timothy R. Bedding, Peter G Tuthill, Ming Zhao, M. J. Ireland, T. A. Ten Brummelaar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We have obtained H-band interferometric observations of three galactic red supergiant stars using the MIRC instrument on the CHARA array. The targets include AZ Cyg, a field RSG, and two members of the Per OB1 association, RS Per and T Per. We find evidence of departures from circular symmetry in all cases, which can be modelled with the presence of hotspots. This is the first detection of these features in the H-band. The measured mean diameters and the spectral energy distributions were combined to determine effective temperatures. The results give further support to the recently derived hotter temperature scale of red supergiant stars by Levesque et al. (2005), which has been invoked to reconcile the empirically determined physical parameters and stellar evolutionary theories. We see a possible correlation between spottedness and mid-IR emission of the circumstellar dust, suggesting a connection between mass loss and the mechanism that generates the spots.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHot and cool
Subtitle of host publicationbridging gaps in massive-star evolution
EditorsClaus Leitherer, Philip D Bennett, Pat W Morris, Jacco T VanLoon
Place of PublicationSan Francisco, CA
PublisherASTRONOMICAL SOC PACIFIC
Pages140-145
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781583817308
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventWorkshop on Hot and Cool: Bridging Gaps in Massive-Star Evolution - Pasadena, Canada
Duration: 10 Nov 200812 Nov 2008

Publication series

NameAstronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series
PublisherASTRONOMICAL SOC PACIFIC
Volume425

Conference

ConferenceWorkshop on Hot and Cool: Bridging Gaps in Massive-Star Evolution
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityPasadena
Period10/11/0812/11/08

Keywords

  • LONG SECONDARY PERIODS
  • CONVECTION
  • STARS
  • BETELGEUSE
  • MODELS
  • SCALE

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