Interactions in massive binary stars as seen by interferometry

TL;DR

This paper discusses how optical long-baseline interferometry can be used to study interactions in massive binary stars, revealing the influence of companions on their circumstellar environments.

Contribution

It demonstrates the application of interferometry to investigate the role of binarity in the activity and environment of massive stars.

Findings

Interferometry reveals complex circumstellar structures influenced by companions.

Binarity may significantly contribute to the activity of massive stars.

The technique enhances understanding of stellar interactions in massive systems.

Abstract

With the advent of large-collecting-area instruments, the number of objects that can be reached by optical long-baseline interferometry is steadily increasing. We present here a few results on massive binary stars, showing the interest of using this technique for studying the insight of interactions in these systems. Indeed, many massive stars with extended environments host, or are suspected to host, companion stars. These companions could have an important role in shaping the circumstellar environment of the system. These examples provide a view in which binarity could be an ingredient, among many others, for the activity of these stars.