Searching for weak or complex magnetic fields in polarized spectra of Rigel

• Published in: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
• Main Authors: Shultz, Matthew, Wade, Gregg A., Neiner, Coralie, Manset, Nadine, Petit, Véronique, Grunhut, Jason H., Guinan, Edward, Hanes, David A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2010
• Subjects: Astronomy and Astrophysics; Space and Planetary Science; Rigel; narval
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1743921311010398; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1743921311010398

Abstract Seventy-eight high-resolution Stokes V, Q and U spectra of the B8Iae supergiant Rigel were obtained with the ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at CFHT and its clone NARVAL at TBL in the context of the Magnetism in Massive Stars (MiMeS) Large Program, in order to scrutinize this core-collapse supernova progenitor for evidence of weak and/or complex magnetic fields. In this paper we describe the reduction and analysis of the data, the constraints obtained on any photospheric magnetic field, and the variability of photospheric and wind lines.