Most Massive Stars in the Local Universe

在这里，斯坦内克博士和他的合作者将对本星系中质量最大的恒星进行系统的研究，方法是在银河系、本星系群，甚至是本星系群以外的一些星系中，通过探测和观测黯淡的双星来探测和观测它们。该战略包括通过光度可变性调查发现日食双星，从中选择最亮的候选恒星，从而选择最大的候选恒星进行光谱跟踪。目标是在这些日食双星中找到并测量最大质量恒星的准确参数，特别是在附近重元素丰度高和低的星系中。研究人员已经开始监测几个年轻的银河系星团，并获得局部群星系(LMC、SMC、M31和M33)中明亮的食双星的后续光谱。这项研究计划有望为在不同环境中发现的数十颗大质量恒星提供准确的基本参数(特别是质量和半径)，并将提供数据，用于测试恒星大气模型、风模型、单星和双星的恒星演化模型作为组成的函数，以及恒星质量上限的理论预测。此外，它还将提供早期类型的接触双星和双星分数的统计数据，从而约束大质量恒星形成模型，并洞察通过失控的双星OB恒星而形成的疏散星团的演化。作为副产品，还将发现许多新的变星。最后，研究质量最大的恒星将使人们对高质量X射线双星、核心坍塌超新星、超新星和伽马射线爆发之间的联系以及第三族恒星的祖先有了新的见解。拟议中的工作的很大一部分将由一名研究生和一名博士后研究人员完成，在尖端科学研究方面提供广泛的培训。该项目的成果将通过发表在同行评议的期刊、会议记录、大众媒体和网络上广泛传播。所有收集的数据和结果将通过公共WWW网站免费提供，以便为该领域的其他工作人员以及天文学教育工作者提供完全访问这些遗留质量的数据的机会。

Here Dr. Stanek and collaborators will undertake a systematic study of the most massive stars in the Local Universe, by detecting and observing them in eclipsing binaries in the Milky Way, in Local Group galaxies, and even in some galaxies beyond the Local Group. The strategy involves discovering eclipsing binaries via photometric variability surveys, from which the brightest and thus most massive candidates are selected for spectroscopic follow-up. The goal is to find and measure accurate parameters of the most massive stars in these eclipsing binaries, especially those in nearby galaxies with both high and low abundances of heavy elements. The investigators have already begun monitoring several young Galactic clusters and obtaining follow up spectroscopy of bright eclipsing binaries in Local Group galaxies (LMC, SMC, M31, and M33).The research program is expected to yield accurate fundamental parameters (notably masses and radii) for dozens of massive stars discovered in a variety of environments, and will provide data with which to test stellar atmosphere models, wind models, stellar evolution models for both single and binary stars as a function of composition and the theoretical predictions on the upper limit of the stellar mass. Additionally, it will provide statistics on early-type contact binaries and the binary fraction, thus constraining massive star formation models, and insight into the evolution of open clusters via runaway OB stars that are binaries. As a side product, many new variable stars will also be discovered. Finally, studying the most massive stars will allow new insights into the progenitors of high-mass X-ray binaries, core-collapse supernovae, the connection between supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, and Population III stars.A significant part of the proposed work will be carried out by a graduate student and a postdoctoral researcher, providing extensive training in cutting-edge scientific research. Results from this project will be broadly disseminated by publication in peer reviewed journals, conference proceedings, the popular press and the Web. All the gathered data and results will be freely available via a public WWW site, as to provide other workers in this field, as well as astronomy educators, with full access to these legacy-quality data.