The MiMeS Survey of Magnetism in Massive Stars

Abstract

The Magnetism in Massive Stars (MiMeS) survey represents a high precision systematic search for magnetic fields in hot, massive OB stars. To date, MiMeS Large Programs (ESPaDOnS@CFHT, Narval@TBL, HARPSpol@ESO3.6) and associated PI programs (FORS@VLT) have yielded nearly 1200 circular spectropolarimetric observations of over 350 OB stars. Within this sample, 20 stars are detected as magnetic. Follow-up observations of new detections reveals (i) a large diversity of magnetic properties, (ii) evidence for magnetic wind confinement in optical spectra of all magnetic O stars, (iii) the presence of strong, organized magnetic fields in all known Galactic Of?p stars, and (iv) a complete absence of magnetic fields in classical Be stars.