Detection of spectral variability of the optical component of the IR source IRAS 20508+2011

Abstract

Our high-resolution spectral observations have revealed variability of the optical spectrum of the cool star identified with the IR source IRAS 20508+2011. We measured the equivalent widths of numerous absorption lines of neutral atoms and ions at wavelengths 4300–7930 A, along with the corresponding radial velocities. Over the four years of our observations, the radial velocity derived from photospheric absorption lines varied in the interval V r⊙ = 15–30 km/s. In the same period, the Hα profile varied from being an intense bell-shaped emission line with a small amount of core absorption to displaying two-peaked emission with a central absorption feature below the continuum level. At all but one epoch, the positions of the metallic photospheric lines were systematically shifted relative to the Hα emission: ΔV r = V r(met) − V r(Hα, emis) ≈ −23 km/s. The Na D doublet displayed a complex profile with broad (half-width ≈ 120 km/s) emission and photospheric absorption, as well as an interstellar component. We used model atmospheres to determine the physical parameters and chemical composition of the star’s atmosphere: T eff = 4800 K, log g = 1.5, ξt = 4.0 km/s. The metallicity of the star differs little from the solar value: [Fe/H]⊙ = −0.36. We detected overabundances of oxygen [O/Fe]⊙ = +1.79 (with the ratio [C/O] ≈ −0.9), and α-process elements, as well as a deficit of heavy metals. The entire set of the star’s parameters suggests that the optical component of IRAS 20508+2011 is an “O-rich” AGB star with luminosity M v ≈ −3m that is close to its evolutionary transition to the post-AGB stage.