Bibcode
de Mink, Selma E.; Lennon, D. J.; Sabbi, E.; Anderson, J.; Bedin, L. R.; Sohn, S.; van der Marel, R. P.; Walborn, N. R.; Bastian, N.; Bressert, E.; Crowther, P. A.; Evans, C. J.; Herrero, A.; Langer, N.; Sana, H.
Bibliographical reference
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, #151.13
Advertised on:
1
2012
Citations
2
Refereed citations
1
Description
We are undertaking an ambitious proper motion survey of massive stars in
the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud using the unique
capabilities of HST. We aim to derive the directions of motion of
massive runaway stars, searching in particular for stars which have been
ejected from the dense star cluster R136.
These stars probe the dynamical processes in the core of the cluster.
The core has been suggested as a formation site for very massive stars
exceeding the canonical upper limit of the IMF. These are possible
progenitors of intermediate-mass black holes. Furthermore, they provide
insight about the origin of massive field stars, addressing open
questions related to the poorly understood process of massive star
formation. Some may originate from disrupted binary systems and bear the
imprints of interaction with the original companion. They will end their
life far away from their birth location as core collapse supernova or
possibly even long gamma-ray bursts.
Here we discuss the first epoch of observations, presenting a 16'x13'
mosaic of the data, and initial results based on comparisons with
archival data.
SdM acknowledges the NASA Hubble Fellowship grant HST-HF-51270.01-A
awarded by STScI, operated by AURA for NASA, contract NAS 5-26555.