Runaway Stars as Possible Sources of the Elliptical Ring Structures in NGC 7538
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
18-5-2020
Abstract
Two large, elliptical ring structures have been identified in the high-mass star-forming region NGC 7538. Both of the rings have a mass of ∼500 solar masses. The origin of these ring structures is unknown, making this an exceptional case as we normally would see a high mass star or stellar remnant driving a ring’s expansion. We investigate the possibility that a runaway O- or B-type star may have originated in or passed through the region and created either one, or both of the ring structures via stellar winds. In testing this hypothesis, we identify one candidate star that may have formed the northern ring. This star, BD +61 2408, is a B3e star with a mass of ∼8 solar masses, and a surface temperature of ∼20,000 K. Its position, motion, timescale, and spectral type are all consistent with the star being a candidate for having formed the northern ring structure in NGC 7538. College of the Sciences Presentation Award Winner.
Recommended Citation
Fenske, Josie, "Runaway Stars as Possible Sources of the Elliptical Ring Structures in NGC 7538" (2020). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 80.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2020/COTS/80
Department/Program
Physics
Additional Mentoring Department
https://cwu.studentopportunitycenter.com/2020/04/runaway-stars-as-possible-sources-of-the-elliptical-ring-structures-in-ngc-7538/
Runaway Stars as Possible Sources of the Elliptical Ring Structures in NGC 7538
Ellensburg
Two large, elliptical ring structures have been identified in the high-mass star-forming region NGC 7538. Both of the rings have a mass of ∼500 solar masses. The origin of these ring structures is unknown, making this an exceptional case as we normally would see a high mass star or stellar remnant driving a ring’s expansion. We investigate the possibility that a runaway O- or B-type star may have originated in or passed through the region and created either one, or both of the ring structures via stellar winds. In testing this hypothesis, we identify one candidate star that may have formed the northern ring. This star, BD +61 2408, is a B3e star with a mass of ∼8 solar masses, and a surface temperature of ∼20,000 K. Its position, motion, timescale, and spectral type are all consistent with the star being a candidate for having formed the northern ring structure in NGC 7538. College of the Sciences Presentation Award Winner.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2020/COTS/80
Faculty Mentor(s)
Cassandra Fallscheer