Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Empirical Properties of Very Massive Stars

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Very Massive Stars in the Local Universe

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 412))

Abstract

In this chapter we present the properties of the most massive stars known by the end of 2013. We start with a summary of historical claims for stars with masses in excess of several hundreds, even thousands of solar masses. We then describe how we determine masses for single stars. We focus on the estimates of luminosities and on the related uncertainties. We also highlight the limitations of evolutionary models used to convert luminosities into masses. The most luminous single stars in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds are subsequently presented. The uncertainties on their mass determinations are described. Finally, we present binary stars. After recalling some basics of binary analysis, we present the most massive binary systems and the estimates of their dynamical masses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    For masses above 120 M\(_{\odot }\), we simply linearly extrapolate the luminosities and initial masses from the grid of Meynet and Maeder (2003), taking the 85 and 120 M\(_{\odot }\) tracks as reference to estimate the dependence of mass on luminosity.

References

  • Barniske, A., Oskinova, L. M., & Hamann, W.-R. (2008). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 486, 971.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bastian, N., Saglia, R. P., Goudfrooij, P., et al. (2006). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 448, 881.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bessell, M. S., Castelli, F., & Plez, B. (1998). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 333, 231.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bestenlehner, J. M., Vink, J. S., Gräfener, G., et al. (2011). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 530, L14.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonanos, A. Z., Stanek, K. Z., Udalski, A., et al. (2004). Astrophysical Journal Letters, 611, L33.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bouret, J.-C., Lanz, T., & Hillier, D. J. (2005). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 438, 301.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bouret, J.-C., Lanz, T., Martins, F., et al. (2013). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 555, A1.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bromm, V., Coppi, P. S., & Larson, R. B. (1999). Astrophysical Journal Letters, 527, L5.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Brott, I., de Mink, S. E., Cantiello, M., et al. (2011). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 530, A115.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Burkholder, V., Massey, P., & Morrell, N. (1997). Astrophysical Journal, 490, 328.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, M. A., Evans, C. J., Mackey, A. D., et al. (2010). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 405, 421.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Cassinelli, J. P., Mathis, J. S., & Savage, B. D. (1981). Science, 212, 1497.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Castor, J. I., Abbott, D. C., & Klein, R. I. (1975). Astrophysical Journal, 195, 157.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chené, A.-N., Borissova, J., Bonatto, C., et al. (2013). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 549, A98.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Cotera, A. S., Erickson, E. F., Colgan, S. W. J., et al. (1996). Astrophysical Journal, 461, 750.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Crowther, P. A., & Dessart, L. (1998). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 296, 622.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Crowther, P. A., Schnurr, O., Hirschi, R., et al. (2010). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 408, 731.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • de Koter, A., Heap, S. R., Hubeny, I. (1997). Astrophysical Journal, 477, 792.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • De Marchi, G., Paresce, F., Panagia, N., et al. (2011). Astrophysical Journal, 739, 27.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenhauer, F., Genzel, R., Alexander, T., et al. (2005). Astrophysical Journal, 628, 246.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ekström, S., Georgy, C., Eggenberger, P., et al. (2012). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 537, A146.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Espinoza, P., Selman, F. J., & Melnick, J. (2009). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 501, 563.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Feitzinger, J. V., Schlosser, W., Schmidt-Kaler, T., & Winkler, C. (1980). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 84, 50.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Figer, D. F. (2005). Nature, 434, 192.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Figer, D. F., Kim, S. S., Morris, M., et al. (1999). Astrophysical Journal, 525, 750.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Figer, D. F., MacKenty, J. W., Robberto, M., et al. (2006). Astrophysical Journal, 643, 1166.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Figer, D. F., Najarro, F., Gilmore, D., et al. (2002). Astrophysical Journal, 581, 258.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Figer, D. F., Najarro, F., Morris, M., et al. (1998). Astrophysical Journal, 506, 384.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzpatrick, E. L., & Savage, B. D. (1984). Astrophysical Journal, 279, 578.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Fullerton, A. W., Massa, D. L., Prinja, R. K. (2006). Astrophysical Journal, 637, 1025.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gillessen, S., Eisenhauer, F., Trippe, S., et al. (2009). Astrophysical Journal, 692, 1075.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gräfener, G., Vink, J. S., de Koter, A., & Langer, N. (2011). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 535, A56.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamann, W.-R., & Gräfener, G. (2004). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 427, 697.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamann, W.-R., Gräfener, G., Liermann, A. (2006). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 457, 1015.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Herrero, A., Kudritzki, R. P., Vilchez, J. M., et al. (1992). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 261, 209.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Heydari-Malayeri, M., & Hutsemekers, D. (1991). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 243, 401.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Heydari-Malayeri, M., Remy, M., & Magain, P. (1988). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 201, L41.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Heydari-Malayeri, M., Remy, M., Magain, P. (1989). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 222, 41.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hillier, D. J., & Miller, D. L. (1998). Astrophysical Journal, 496, 407.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hosokawa, T., Omukai, K., Yoshida, N., & Yorke, H. W. (2011). Science, 334, 1250.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Howarth, I. D. (1983). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 203, 301.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, R. M. (1983). Astrophysical Journal, 269, 335.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, R. M., & Davidson, K. (1994). Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 106, 1025.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, D. A., Shaya, E. J., Holtzman, J. A., et al. (1995). Astrophysical Journal, 448, 179

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Krumholz, M. R., Klein, R. I., McKee, C. F., Offner, S. S. R., & Cunningham, A. J. (2009). Science, 323, 754.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kudritzki, R. P., Cabanne, M. L., Husfeld, D., et al. (1989). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 226, 235.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kudritzki, R.-P., Hummer, D. G., Pauldrach, A. W. A., et al. (1992). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 257, 655.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lanz, T., & Hubeny, I. (2003). Astrophysical Journal Supplement, 146, 417.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lutz, D. (1999). In P. Cox & M. Kessler (Eds.), ESA special publication (Vol. 427, p. 623). The universe as seen by ISO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahy, L., Martins, F., Machado, C., Donati, J.-F., Bouret, J.-C. (2011). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 533, A9.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Martayan, C., Blomme, R., Le Bouquin, J.-B., et al. (2011). In C. Neiner, G. Wade, G. Meynet, & G. Peters, (Eds.), IAU symposium (Vol. 272, pp. 616–617). IAU Symposium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martins, F., Hillier, D. J., Paumard, T., et al. (2008). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 478, 219.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, F., & Palacios, A. (2013). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 560, A16.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, F., & Plez, B. (2006). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 457, 637.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, F., Schaerer, D., Hillier, D. J. (2005). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 436, 1049.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, B. D., Gies, D. R., Hartkopf, W. I., et al. (1998). Astronomical Journal, 115, 821.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Massey, P., & Hunter, D. A. (1998). Astrophysical Journal, 493, 180.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Massey, P., Morrell, N. I., Neugent, K. F., et al. (2012). Astrophysical Journal, 748, 96.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mauron, N., & Josselin, E. (2011). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 526, A156.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mengel, S., Lehnert, M. D., Thatte, N., Genzel, R. (2002). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 383, 137.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Meynet, G., & Maeder, A. (2000). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 361, 101.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Meynet, G., & Maeder, A. (2003). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 404, 975.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Meynet, G., & Maeder, A. (2005). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 429, 581.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Meynet, G., Maeder, A., Schaller, G., Schaerer, D., Charbonnel, C. (1994). Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement, 103, 97.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Moffat, A. F. J. (1989). Astrophysical Journal, 347, 373.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Moffat, A. F. J. & Niemela, V. S. (1984). Astrophysical Journal, 284, 631.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Moffat, A. F. J., Poitras, V., Marchenko, S. V., et al. (2004). Astronomical Journal, 128, 2854.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mokiem, M. R., de Koter, A., Evans, C. J., et al. (2007). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 465, 1003.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Moneti, A., Stolovy, S., Blommaert, J. A. D. L., Figer, D. F., Najarro, F. (2001). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 366, 106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Najarro, F., Figer, D. F., Hillier, D. J., Geballe, T. R., Kudritzki, R. P. (2009). Astrophysical Journal, 691, 1816.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishiyama, S., Tamura, M., Hatano, H., et al. (2009). Astrophysical Journal, 696, 1407.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Oey, M. S., & Clarke, C. J. (2005). Astrophysical Journal Letters, 620, L43.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Puls, J., Urbaneja, M. A., Venero, R., et al. (2005). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 435, 669.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rauw, G., Crowther, P. A., De Becker, M., et al. (2005). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 432, 985.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rauw, G., De Becker, M., Nazé, Y., et al. (2004). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 420, L9.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rieke, G. H., & Lebofsky, M. J. (1985). Astrophysical Journal, 288, 618.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rivero González, J. G., Puls, J., Massey, P., Najarro, F. (2012). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 543, A95.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sana, H., van Boeckel, T., Tramper, F., et al. (2013). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 432, L26.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Schnurr, O., Casoli, J., Chené, A.-N., Moffat, A. F. J., St-Louis, N. (2008). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 389, L38.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Schnurr, O., Chené, A.-N., Casoli, J., Moffat, A. F. J., & St-Louis, N. (2009). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 397, 2049.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Seaton, M. J. (1979). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 187, 73.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Stolte, A., Grebel, E. K., Brandner, W., & Figer, D. F. (2002). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 394, 459.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Utrobin, V. P. (1984). Astrophysics and Space Science, 98, 115.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vacca, W. D., Garmany, C. D., & Shull, J. M. (1996). Astrophysical Journal, 460, 914.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Weidner, C., & Kroupa, P. (2004). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 348, 187.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Weidner, C., & Kroupa, P. (2006). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 365, 1333.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Weidner, C., Kroupa, P., & Bonnell, I. A. D. (2010). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 401, 275.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Weidner, C., & Vink, J. S. (2010). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 524, A98.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Weigelt, G., & Baier, G. (1985). Astronomy and Astrophysics, 150, L18.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Yusof, N., Hirschi, R., Meynet, G., et al. (2013). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 433, 1114.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Paul Crowther for discussions on the mass determination of the R136 stars.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. LUPM, Université Montpellier 2, CNRS, Place Eugène Bataillon, F-34095, Montpellier, France

    Fabrice Martins

Authors
  1. Fabrice Martins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fabrice Martins .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Senior Research Astronomer, Armagh Observatory, Armagh, Ireland

    Jorick S. Vink

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Martins, F. (2015). Empirical Properties of Very Massive Stars. In: Vink, J. (eds) Very Massive Stars in the Local Universe. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 412. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09596-7_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation