A strict test of stellar evolution models: The absolute dimensions of the massive benchmark eclipsing binary V578 Mon

We determine the absolute dimensions of the eclipsing binary V578 Mon, a detached system of two early B-type stars (B0V + B1V, P = 2.40848 days) in the star-forming region NGC 2244 of the Rosette Nebula. From the light curve analysis of 40 yr of photometry and the analysis of HERMES spectra, we find radii of 5.41 ± 0.04 R<inf>⊙</inf> and 4.29 ± 0.05 R <inf>⊙</inf>, and temperatures of 30,000 ± 500 K and 25,750 ± 435 K, respectively. We find that our disentangled component spectra for V578 Mon agree well with previous spectral disentangling from the literature. We also reconfirm the previous spectroscopic orbit of V578 Mon finding that masses of 14.54 ± 0.08 M<inf>⊙</inf> and 10.29 ± 0.06 M <inf>⊙</inf> are fully compatible with the new analysis. We compare the absolute dimensions to the rotating models of the Geneva and Utrecht groups and the models of the Granada group. We find that all three sets of models marginally reproduce the absolute dimensions of both stars with a common age within the uncertainty for gravity-effective temperature isochrones. However, there are some apparent age discrepancies for the corresponding mass-radius isochrones. Models with larger convective overshoot, >0.35, worked best. Combined with our previously determined apsidal motion of deg cycle -1, we compute the internal structure constants (tidal Love number) for the Newtonian and general relativistic contribution to the apsidal motion as log k <inf>2</inf> = -1.975 ± 0.017 and log k <inf>2</inf> = -3.412 ± 0.018, respectively. We find the relativistic contribution to the apsidal motion to be small, <4%. We find that the prediction of log k <inf>2</inf>, theo = -2.005 ± 0.025 of the Granada models fully agrees with our observed log k <inf>2</inf>. © 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..