Lobel, A.

published in Massive Stars: From alpha to Omega, pp. 43 (2013)

Abstract: The fast increase of multi-CPU/core computing power over the last decade has dramatically advanced our understanding of the structuring mechanisms in the winds of the most massive stars. I present an overview of research results obtained with the Wind3D radiative transfer code that reveal intricate internal wind structures on both large and intermediate length-scales. Hydrodynamic models computed with Zeus3D of the so-called ``co-rotating interaction (wind) regions'' correctly fit Discrete Absorption Components observed in UV P Cygni-type wind lines of many massive hot stars. Recent 3-D radiative transfer modeling research with Wind3D shows that the enigmatic Rotational Modulations observed in wind lines of blue supergiants (such as J Puppis; HD 64760) are caused by a remarkably regular pattern of radial density enhancements that protrude almost linearly into the equatorial wind. I discuss very recent advanced hydrodynamical simulations of these radiatively-driven winds and demonstrate that the linearly shaped radial wind pattern is caused by mechanical wave action at the base of the wind, which can result from non-radial stellar pulsations.

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