Interferometry of Massive Stars: Multiplicity, Magnetism, and Stellar Winds

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in optical interferometry that have enabled detailed observations of massive stars, revealing their multiplicity, magnetic fields, and wind structures at unprecedented resolutions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of how interferometry has improved understanding of massive star properties and phenomena.

Findings

Interferometry enables direct measurement of stellar wind structures.

It allows precise determination of orbital parameters in massive star systems.

Interferometric techniques have advanced the study of stellar magnetism.

Abstract

After decades of efforts, optical long-baseline interferometry has become a mainstream observational technique in terms of operation robustness and user friendliness. Interferometry has opened a new observational window, enabling (sub)au-scale resolution of massive stars and direct measurements of orbital parameters, wind structures, and magnetic phenomena. This paper reviews recent advances in interferometric studies of massive stars, focusing on multiplicity, magnetism, and stellar winds.