Long baseline interferometry: a promising tool for multiplicity investigations of massive stars

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential of long baseline interferometry, specifically VLTI, as an effective method for uncovering and studying binary systems among massive stars, which are key to understanding extreme astrophysical processes.

Contribution

It introduces the use of long baseline interferometry as a novel complementary approach for multiplicity investigations of massive stars, addressing limitations of traditional spectroscopic methods.

Findings

VLTI campaign underway for massive star multiplicity

Interferometry can detect binaries missed by spectroscopy

Enhanced understanding of massive star environments

Abstract

Massive binaries are crucial laboratories that allow us to investigate processes occurring in quite extreme conditions, such as particle acceleration, high-energy emission, or even dust formation. All these processes are intimately dependent on binarity. Our understanding of the underlying physics strongly requires preliminary multiplicity studies likely to uncover still undetected binaries, and determine their orbital parameters. However, classical spectroscopic approaches sometimes fail to provide a solution to this issue. Long baseline interferometry turns out to be a promising complementary technique to address the question of the multiplicity of massive stars. A campaign has been initiated with the VLTI to take benefit of this technique.