Kinematic model inversions of hot star recurrent DAC data - tests against dynamical CIR models

Abstract

The Discrete Absorption Components (DACs) commonly observed in the ultraviolet lines of hot stars have previously been modelled by dynamical simulations of Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) in their line-driven stellar winds. Here we apply the kinematic DAC inversion method of Brown et al. to the hydrodynamical CIR models and test the reliability of the results obtained. We conclude that the inversion method is able to recover valuable information on the velocity structure of the mean wind and to trace movement of velocity plateaux in the hydrodynamical data, though the recovered density profile of the stream is correct only very near to the stellar surface.