Disc-loss episode in the Be shell optical counterpart to the high-mass X-ray binary IGR J21343+4738

Abstract

The main goal of this work is to determine the properties of the optical counterpart to the INTEGRAL source IGR J21343+4738, and study its long-term optical variability. We present optical photometric BVRI and spectroscopic observations covering the wavelength band 4000-7500 A. We find that the optical counterpart to IGR J21343+4738 is a V=14.1 B1IVe shell star located at a distance of ~8.5 kpc. The Halpha line changed from an absorption dominated profile to an emission dominated profile, and then back again into absorption. In addition, fast V/R asymmetries were observed once the disc developed. Although the Balmer lines are the most strongly affected by shell absorption, we find that shell characteristics are also observed in He I lines. The optical spectral variability of IGR J21343+4738 is attributed to the formation of an equatorial disc around the Be star and the development of an enhanced density perturbation that revolves inside the disc. We have witnessed the formation and dissipation of the circumstellar disc. The strong shell profile of the Halpha and He I lines and the fact that no transition from shell phase to a pure emission phase is seen imply that we are seeing the system near edge-on.