Macroclumping as solution of the discrepancy between H<i>α</i>and P v mass loss diagnostics for O-type stars

Abstract

Context. Recent studies of O-type stars have demonstrated that discrepant mass-loss rates are obtained when different diagnostic methods are employed. Fitting the unsaturated UV resonance lines (e.g., P v) gives drastically lower values than obtained from the Hα emission. Wind inhomogeneity (so-called “clumping”) may be the main cause of this discrepancy.