Astronomía
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Browsing Astronomía by Author "Barbá-Suarez, Rodolfo Héctor, Supervisión de tesis"
Binary systems for the determination of high-precision absolute stellar parameters The Young Massive Detached Binaries catalog
(2025-03-14) Martín-Ravelo, Pablo; Arias-Stampalia , Julia Inés , Supervisión de tesis; Gamen , Roberto , Supervisión de tesis; Barbá-Suarez, Rodolfo Héctor, Supervisión de tesis
Massive stars play a fundamental role in the chemical and dynamical evolution of galaxies. However,
many uncertainties remain regarding their formation, internal structure, and evolutionary pathways. One of the major challenges in understanding massive star evolution is the discrepancy between masses derived from binary dynamics and those predicted by stellar evolution models. Addressing this issue requires highly precise absolute parameter determinations, which detached eclipsing binaries provide by allowing direct, model-independent measurements of stellar masses and radii. This PhD thesis aims to address the former and other key challenges in the field of massive star research by identifying and characterizing young massive eclipsing binaries suitable for precise absolute parameter determinations. A key result of this work is the Young Massive Detached Binary (YMDB) catalog, a resource designed to provide high-quality light curves and spectral classifications for detached systems with spectral types
ranging from O9 to B1. By constructing this catalog, this thesis establishes a robust observational framework for confronting theoretical models with empirical data. To construct this catalog, we performed a photometric analysis of 87 young massive stars in detached eclipsing systems using TESS light curves processed through a custom pipeline. This analysis involved determining the amplitude of magnitude variations, orbital periods, times of minima, eccentricities, and the presence of apsidal motion and heartbeat phenomena. A thorough literature review was conducted to obtain MK spectral classifications, and our own spectral classification was performed for 19 systems where previous classifications were unavailable or inconclusive. The analysis identified 20 previously unreported binary systems, with 13 newly recognized as variable stars. Among the 87 stars examined, 30 are confirmed as YMDB members, and 25 are candidates pending spectral classification. The exclusion of the remaining 32 stars is attributed to unsuitable spectral types or their non-detached binary nature. Notable findings include the
identification of new light curve classifications, eccentricities in 13 systems, and heartbeat phenomena in several targets. This thesis establishes the foundation for improving our understanding of massive stars by identifying and characterizing high-quality candidates for absolute parameter determination. Through photometric analysis, spectroscopic assessment, and a thorough literature review, the YMDB catalog refines a sample of 30 well-suited detached binary systems for future mass and radius determinations. This curated dataset provides a robust observational basis for testing stellar evolution models, ultimately enabling future studies to compare dynamical and evolutionary masses. These results represent a crucial first step toward refining evolutionary tracks and improving our knowledge of the internal structure and fate of massive stars.