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This research examines the mass-loss rates of B-supergiants at varying metallicities, aiming to provide empirical insights into their wind behaviour.

May 6, 2026

X-Shooting ULLYSES: Massive stars at low metallicity. XV. On the metallicity dependence of B-supergiant mass-loss rates

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This research examines the mass-loss rates of B-supergiants at varying metallicities, aiming to provide empirical insights into their wind behaviour.
Analyzed UV and optical spectra from 24 SMC B stars and compared results with LMC studies.
Used the model atmosphere code fastwind and genetic algorithm Kiwi-GA for simultaneous spectral fitting.
Determined wind parameters and clumping behaviour in B stars to explore their metallicity dependence.
Identified very weak metallicity dependence in mass-loss rates of B-supergiants contrary to prescriptions that overestimate trends.
Found no bi-stability jump in the B-star regime as previously expected, indicating different wind behaviours among B stars.
Showed that around 40% of wind mass is in the medium between clumps in B-supergiants.

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Observational data reveal weak metallicity trends in B-supergiants' mass-loss rates, suggesting new empirical constraints on models.

Verhamme et al. (2026) studied this question.

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