The massive binary population of the starburst cluster Westerlund 1

TL;DR

This study reports initial findings from a long-term radial velocity survey of massive binary stars in Westerlund 1, analyzing four systems to understand their properties and evolutionary implications.

Contribution

It provides new observational data on massive binaries in Westerlund 1, highlighting the diversity and evolutionary status of these systems.

Findings

Four massive binary systems analyzed: W239, W13, W43a, W3003.

Initial results suggest diverse evolutionary stages among the binaries.

Implications for the evolution of massive stars in dense clusters.

Abstract

We present initial results from a long-baseline radial velocity survey for massive binaries in the cluster Westerlund 1. Four systems are examined: the dust-producing WC binary W239, the double-lined eclipsing binary W13, and the single-lined B0 supergiants W43a and W3003. Finally, the evolutionary implications for the population of massive stars in Westerlund 1 are discussed.