VFTS 16

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VFTS 16

Image of VFTS 16
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Dorado
Right ascension 05h 37m 8.87s[1]
Declination −69° 7′ 20.35″
Characteristics
Evolutionary stage Blue supergiant
Spectral type O2IIIf*[2]
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)190.3[3] km/s
Proper motion (μ) RA: 1.313 mas/yr
Dec.: 0.508 mas/yr
Distance170,000[4] ly
Details[5]
Mass100 M☉
Temperature50,600 K
Age0.7±0.1 Myr
Other designations
VFTS 16, 2MASS J05370888-6907203[6]
Database references
SIMBADdata

VFTS 16 (also known as 30 Dor 016), is a massive O-type star located in the Tarantula Nebula (30 Doradus) within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Identified as part of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS), it is one of the most massive known stars, with an estimated mass of approximately 100 solar masses (M⊙). VFTS 16 is a confirmed runaway star, ejected from the young massive cluster R136 early in its lifetime, and is currently situated in a low-density region approximately 120 parsecs (in projection) from its origin. Another massive O-type star, VFTS 72, is found to be a runaway star. [7][8][9][10][11][12]

Observation

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VFTS 16 was cataloged during the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey, which studied massive stars in the 30 Doradus region. Its runaway status was confirmed using Gaia DR2 astrometric data, which demonstrated significant proper motion consistent with ejection from R136.[13][14]

Charecterstics

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VFTS 16 is classified as an O2 III(f)* star. The (f*) designation indicates emission features in its spectrum, characteristic of hot, massive stars with strong stellar winds.[15]

VFTS 16 was likely ejected via the dynamical ejection scenario (DES) involving interactions with other massive stars or binaries in R136.[16][17]

Significance

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VFTS 16 is a critical case study for understanding the formation, evolution, and ejection mechanisms of very massive stars (>100 M⊙). Its high mass and runaway status provide constraints on stellar dynamics in dense clusters and the upper mass limit for stars. The star’s properties, including its weak nitrogen enrichment and lack of significant helium enrichment, suggest a relatively unevolved state despite its dynamical history.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Compass/Scale Image of 30 Dor Runaway Star - NASA Science". 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  2. ^ "Simbad - Object view". simbad.cds.unistra.fr. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  3. ^ "Simbad - Object view". simbad.cds.unistra.fr. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  4. ^ "Compass/Scale Image of 30 Dor Runaway Star - NASA Science". 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  5. ^ Lennon, D. J.; Evans, C. J.; Marel, R. P. van der; Anderson, J.; Platais, I.; Herrero, A.; Mink, S. E. de; Sana, H.; Sabbi, E.; Bedin, L. R.; Crowther, P. A.; Langer, N.; Lerate, M. Ramos; Pino, A. del; Renzo, M. (2018-11-01). "Gaia DR2 reveals a very massive runaway star ejected from R136". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 619: A78. arXiv:1805.08277. Bibcode:2018A&A...619A..78L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201833465. ISSN 0004-6361.
  6. ^ "Simbad - Object view". simbad.cds.unistra.fr. Retrieved 2025-10-08.
  7. ^ "Hubble Catches Heavyweight Runaway Star Speeding from 30 Doradus - NASA Science". 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  8. ^ "Compass/Scale Image of 30 Dor Runaway Star - NASA Science". 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  9. ^ Evans, C. J.; Walborn, N. R.; Crowther, P. A.; Hénault-Brunet, V.; Massa, D.; Taylor, W. D.; Howarth, I. D.; Sana, H.; Lennon, D. J.; van Loon, J. Th. (2010-06-01). "A Massive Runaway Star from 30 Doradus". The Astrophysical Journal. 715 (2): L74 – L79. arXiv:1004.5402. Bibcode:2010ApJ...715L..74E. doi:10.1088/2041-8205/715/2/L74. ISSN 2041-8205.
  10. ^ [ned.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/Sept19/Crowther/paper.pdf]
  11. ^ Evans, C. J.; Taylor, W. D.; Henault-Brunet, V.; Sana, H.; Koter, A. de; Simon-Diaz, S.; Carraro, G.; Bagnoli, T.; Bastian, N. (2011-04-28), "The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey", Astronomy & Astrophysics, 530: A108, arXiv:1103.5386, doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201116782
  12. ^ Lennon, D. J.; Evans, C. J.; Marel, R. P. van der; Anderson, J.; Platais, I.; Herrero, A.; Mink, S. E. de; Sana, H.; Sabbi, E.; Bedin, L. R.; Crowther, P. A.; Langer, N.; Lerate, M. Ramos; Pino, A. del; Renzo, M. (2018-11-01). "Gaia DR2 reveals a very massive runaway star ejected from R136". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 619: A78. arXiv:1805.08277. Bibcode:2018A&A...619A..78L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201833465. ISSN 0004-6361.
  13. ^ Lennon, D. J.; Evans, C. J.; Marel, R. P. van der; Anderson, J.; Platais, I.; Herrero, A.; Mink, S. E. de; Sana, H.; Sabbi, E.; Bedin, L. R.; Crowther, P. A.; Langer, N.; Lerate, M. Ramos; Pino, A. del; Renzo, M. (2018-11-01). "Gaia DR2 reveals a very massive runaway star ejected from R136". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 619: A78. arXiv:1805.08277. Bibcode:2018A&A...619A..78L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201833465. ISSN 0004-6361.
  14. ^ Gvaramadze, Vasilii V.; Gualandris, Alessia (2011-01-01). "Very massive runaway stars from three-body encounters: Very massive runaway stars" (PDF). Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 410 (1): 304–312. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.17446.x. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  15. ^ Lennon, D. J.; Evans, C. J.; Marel, R. P. van der; Anderson, J.; Platais, I.; Herrero, A.; Mink, S. E. de; Sana, H.; Sabbi, E.; Bedin, L. R.; Crowther, P. A.; Langer, N.; Lerate, M. Ramos; Pino, A. del; Renzo, M. (2018-11-01). "Gaia DR2 reveals a very massive runaway star ejected from R136". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 619: A78. arXiv:1805.08277. Bibcode:2018A&A...619A..78L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201833465. ISSN 0004-6361.
  16. ^ Lennon, D. J.; Evans, C. J.; Marel, R. P. van der; Anderson, J.; Platais, I.; Herrero, A.; Mink, S. E. de; Sana, H.; Sabbi, E.; Bedin, L. R.; Crowther, P. A.; Langer, N.; Lerate, M. Ramos; Pino, A. del; Renzo, M. (2018-11-01). "Gaia DR2 reveals a very massive runaway star ejected from R136". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 619: A78. arXiv:1805.08277. Bibcode:2018A&A...619A..78L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201833465. ISSN 0004-6361.
  17. ^ Hawcroft, C.; Mahy, L.; Sana, H.; Sundqvist, J. O.; Abdul-Masih, M.; Brands, S. A.; Decin, L.; Koter, A. de; Puls, J. (2024-10-01). "Empirical mass-loss rates and clumping properties of O-type stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 690: A126. arXiv:2407.06775. Bibcode:2024A&A...690A.126H. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202348478. ISSN 0004-6361.
  18. ^ Lennon, D. J.; Evans, C. J.; Marel, R. P. van der; Anderson, J.; Platais, I.; Herrero, A.; Mink, S. E. de; Sana, H.; Sabbi, E.; Bedin, L. R.; Crowther, P. A.; Langer, N.; Lerate, M. Ramos; Pino, A. del; Renzo, M. (2018-11-01). "Gaia DR2 reveals a very massive runaway star ejected from R136". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 619: A78. arXiv:1805.08277. Bibcode:2018A&A...619A..78L. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201833465. ISSN 0004-6361.