Abstract
We present a spectroscopic analysis of an extremely rapidly rotating late O-type star, VFTS102, observed during a spectroscopic survey of 30 Doradus. VFTS102 has a projected rotational velocity larger than 500 km s(-1) and probably as large as 600 km s-1; as such it would appear to be the most rapidly rotating massive star currently identified. Its radial velocity differs by 40 kms(-1) from the mean for 30 Doradus, suggesting that it is a runaway. VFTS102 lies 12 pc from the X-ray pulsar PSR J0537-6910 in the tail of its X-ray diffuse emission. We suggest that these objects originated from a binary system with the rotational and radial velocities of VFTS102 resulting from mass transfer from the progenitor of PSR J0537-691 and the supernova explosion, respectively.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | L22 |
Pages (from-to) | 22-27 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal Letters |
Volume | 743 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 10 Dec 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Space and Planetary Science
- Astronomy and Astrophysics