Close Binary Stars Research Articles

An investigation of the tidally driven period changes in detached binary systems throughO–Ctime series analysis: the case of RT And and WY Cnc

Detached binary systems are subjected to a variety of physical mechanisms which are able to change their period in a continuous way and in a broad band of timescales. Assuming that these changes should be detectable in O–C diagrams in a way specified by the physical theory of the underlying mechanisms, we carry out a preliminary study in a properly selected sample of detached binaries, where no mass transfer is expected. We are primarily interested in finding traces of tidal moments in observed orbital period changes (possibly coupled with stellar wind angular momentum losses). We focus our attempts on two short-period chromospherically active binaries (RT And and WY Cnc), whose expected period changes rates are found to be close to those derived by means of time series analysis. Emphasis is also given to systems which show a remarkably constant orbital period, in disagreement with the values expected by theory. †This paper was originally due to be published in the Special Issue: Close Binary Stars in Mod...

Long gamma-ray burst progenitors: boundary conditions and binary models

The observed association of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts (LGRBs) with peculiar Type Ic supernovae gives support to Woosley‘s collapsar/hypernova model, in which the GRB is produced by the collapse of the rapidly rotating core of a massive star to a black hole. The association of LGRBs with small star-forming galaxies suggests low-metallicity to be a condition for a massive star to evolve to the collapsar stage. Both completely-mixed single star models and binary star models are possible. In binary models the progenitor of the GRB is a massive helium star with a close companion. We find that tidal synchronization during core-helium burning is reached on a short timescale (less than a few millennia). However, the strong core-envelope coupling in the subsequent evolutionary stages is likely to rule out helium stars with main-sequence companions as progenitors of hypernovae/GRBs. On the other hand, helium stars in close binaries with a neutron-star or black-hole companion can, despite the strong core-envelope coupling in the post-helium burning phase, retain sufficient core angular momentum to produce a hypernova/GRB.

The Effect of Binarity on Stellar Rotation: Beyond the Reach of Tides

We present a comparison between the rotation period distributions of solar-type single stars and primary stars in close binaries (0.1 AU ~< a ~< 5 AU) in the young (150 Myr) open cluster M35 (NGC 2168). We find that the primary stars in the close binaries rotate faster than the single stars, on average. The differences in the means and medians between the period distributions are statistically significant at the 99.9% level or higher. The faster rotation among the primary stars in close binaries is not due to tidal synchronization as tidally evolved stars are excluded from the comparison. We discuss this result in the context of different early-evolution accretion processes and star-disk interactions for single stars and stars in close binaries.

The15O(α,γ)19Ne Reaction Rate and the Stability of Thermonuclear Burning on Accreting Neutron Stars

Neutron stars in close binary star systems often accrete matter from their companion stars. Thermonuclear ignition of theaccretedmaterialintheatmosphereof theneutronstarleadstoathermonuclearexplosion,whichisobservedas an X-ray burst occurring periodically between hours and days depending on the accretion rate. The ignition conditions are characterized bya sensitive interplay between the accretion rate of the fuel supply and its depletion rate by nuclear burning in the hot CNO cycle and the rp-process. For accretion rates close to stable burning the burst ignition therefore depends critically on the hot CNO breakout reaction 15 O(�; � ) 19 Ne that regulates the flow between the hot CNO cycle and the rapid proton capture process. Until recently, the 15 O(�; � ) 19 Ne reaction rate was not known experimentally and the theoretical estimates carried significant uncertainties. In this paper we perform a parameter study of the uncertainty of this reaction rate and determine the astrophysical consequences of the first measurement of this reaction rate. Our results corroborate earlier predictions and show that theoretically burning remains unstable up to accretion rates near the Eddington limit, in contrast to astronomical observations. Subject headingg nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundances — stars: neutron — X-rays: bursts

VZ Librae: A truly unsolved quadruple system containing double close binaries

New orbital period and period variation of the W UMa-type eclipsing binary, VZ Librae, are presented. It is discovered that the orbital period of VZ Librae shows a periodic change with an amplitude of 0.0200 d and a period of 17.1 year. The cyclic period change can be explained as the light travel-time orbit of a tertiary component in the system. This is consistent with the spectroscopic results by Lu et al. [Lu, W.-X., Rucinski, S.M., Ogloza, W., 2001. AJ 122, 402] who found a faint spectroscopic companion in the system (VZ Librae B) that may be a close binary. Based on the light travel-time analysis, it is shown that the mass of the tertiary component is no less than 1.07 M ⊙, which is much larger than that ( M 3 ∼ 0.67 M ⊙) estimated by D’Angelo et al. [D’Angelo, C., van Kerkwijk, M.H., Rucinski, S.M., 2006. AJ 132, 650]. This finding, in combination with its low luminosity, indicates that the spectroscopic companion is a close binary star suggesting that VZ Librae is an unsolved quadruple system containing double close binary stars in a separation less than 7.2 AU. As in the case of V899 Herculis, it is a good astrophysical laboratory to study the formation and evolution of overcontact binaries and multiple systems.

A period study and light-curve synthesis for the Algol-type semidetached binary XX Cephei

Abstract We obtained CCD photometric observations of the Algol-type semidetached binary XX Cephei (XX Cep) during 15 nights from 2002 September 17 to 2003 February 2, and also on 2005 January 21. Except for those data taken on the last night of the concentrated observing season, the 3881 measurements were obtained over an interval of only 106 nights. From these data, four new times of minimum light were calculated. The (O− C) diagram formed from all available timings, and thus the orbital period of the system, can be partly represented as a beat effect between two cyclical variations with different periods ( yr, yr) and amplitudes (K1=0.015 d, K2=0.103 d), respectively. Both physical and non-physical interpretations of these cycles were investigated. The long-term sinusoidal variation is too long for magnetic cycling in solar-type single and close binary stars. In addition, we have studied the effect of a possible secular period variation. By analysing the residuals from our Wilson–Devinney (WD) binary model, we found small light variations with a period of 5.99 d with amplitudes growing toward longer wavelengths. We think that these oscillations may be produced by instabilities at the systemic L1 point (also occupied by the point of the cool star) and that these instabilities are, in turn, caused by non-uniform and sporadic convection. There is also a short-period oscillation of about 45 min in the WD light residuals that is attributed to accretion on to the mass-gaining primary component from a feeble gas stream originating on the cool donor star.

The Masses and Evolutionary State of the Stars in the Dwarf Nova SS Cygni

The dwarf nova SS Cygni is a close binary star consisting of a K star transferring mass to a white dwarf by way of an accretion disk. We have obtained new spectroscopic observations of SS Cyg with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). Fits of synthetic spectra for Roche-lobe-filling stars to the absorption-line spectrum of the K star yield the amplitude of the K star's radial velocity curve and the mass ratio: K_{K} = 162.5 +/- 1.0 km/s and q= M_{K} /M_{wd} = 0.685 +/- 0.015. The fits also show that the accretion disk and white dwarf contribute a fraction f = 0.535 +/- 0.075 of the total flux at 5500 angstroms. Taking the weighted average of our results with previously published results obtained using similar techniques, we find <K_{K}> = 163.7 +/- 0.7 km/s and <q> = 0.683 +/- 0.012. The orbital light curve of SS Cyg shows an ellipsoidal variation diluted by light from the disk and white dwarf. From an analysis of the ellipsoidal variations we limit the orbital inclination to the range 45 deg. <= i <= 56 deg. The derived masses of the K star and white dwarf are M_{K} = 0.55 +/- 0.13 M_sun and M_{wd} = 0.81 +/- 0.19 M_sun, where the uncertainties are dominated by systematic errors in the orbital inclination. The K star in SS Cyg is 10% to 50% larger than an unevolved star with the same mass and thus does not follow the mass-radius relation for Zero-Age Main-Sequence stars; nor does it follow the ZAMS mass/spectral-type relation. Its mass and spectral type are, however, consistent with models in which the core hydrogen has been significantly depleted.

Dmitry Yakovlevich Martynov (1906–1989) Close binary stars in modern astrophysics (22–24 May 2006)

This issue is dedicated to the proceedings of the conference held at the Sternberg Astronomical Institute (Moscow, Russia) from 22 to 24 May 2006 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of Profess...

Highly evolved close binary systems

The basic properties of highly evolved close binary systems are described. In these systems the first mass exchange between the components is completed and peculiar objects are formed: Wolf–Rayet stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. The observational characteristics of these systems are in agreement with the modern theory of evolution of close binary systems. Investigation of these systems is very important for astrophysics and fundamental physics. In particular, 20 black-hole candidates of stellar masses have been discovered up to now in highly evolved close binaries. A catalogue of highly evolved close binary stars is described as well as its new electronic version, work on which is in progress at the Sternberg Astronomical Institute.

Tidal Dissipation in Rotating Solar‐Type Stars

We calculate the excitation and dissipation of low-frequency tidal oscillations in uniformly rotating solar-type stars. For tidal frequencies smaller than twice the spin frequency, inertial waves are excited in the convective envelope and are dissipated by turbulent viscosity. Enhanced dissipation occurs over the entire frequency range rather than in a series of very narrow resonant peaks, and is relatively insensitive to the effective viscosity. Hough waves are excited at the base of the convective zone and propagate into the radiative interior. We calculate the associated dissipation rate under the assumption that they do not reflect coherently from the center of the star. Tidal dissipation in a model based on the present Sun is significantly enhanced through the inclusion of the Coriolis force but may still fall short of that required to explain the circularization of close binary stars. However, the dependence of the results on the spin frequency, tidal frequency, and stellar model indicate that a more detailed evolutionary study including inertial and Hough waves is required. We also discuss the case of higher tidal frequencies appropriate to stars with very close planetary companions. The survival of even the closest hot Jupiters can be plausibly explained provided that the Hough waves they generate are not damped at the center of the star. We argue that this is the case because the tide excited by a hot Jupiter in the present Sun would marginally fail to achieve nonlinearity. As conditions at the center of the star evolve, nonlinearity may set in at a critical age, resulting in a relatively rapid inspiral of the hot Jupiter.

Runaway Massive Binaries and Cluster Ejection Scenarios

The production of runaway massive binaries offers key insights into the evolution of close binary stars and open clusters. The stars HD 14633 and HD 15137 are rare examples of such runaway systems, and in this work we investigate the mechanism by which they were ejected from their parent open cluster, NGC 654. We discuss observational characteristics that can be used to distinguish supernova ejected systems from those ejected by dynamical interactions, and we present the results of a new radio pulsar search of these systems as well as estimates of their predicted X-ray flux assuming that each binary contains a compact object. Since neither pulsars nor X-ray emission are observed in these systems, we cannot conclude that these binaries contain compact companions. We also consider whether they may have been ejected by dynamical interactions in the dense environment where they formed, and our simulations of four-body interactions suggest that a dynamical origin is possible but unlikely. We recommend further X-ray observations that will conclusively identify whether HD 14633 or HD 15137 contain neutron stars.

The implications of close binary stars for star-disk interactions

AbstractThe presence of close (≲ 0.1 AU) stellar companions must greatly alter the circumstellar environment of classical T Tauri stars, including severe truncation if not elimination of circumstellar disks. It is thus remarkable how little impact the presence of a close companion has on our observable diagnostics for accretion and outflow. Emission line shapes, degrees of continuum veiling, and spectral energy distributions are all indistinguishable between single classical T Tauri stars and classical T Tauri close binaries. Some of the most classical T Tauri stars that laid the foundation for our single-star accretion-disk paradigm have turned out to have close companions. Periodicities in spectral signatures are suggestive of the presence of accretion flows from circumbinary disks to the circumstellar regions; the subsequent flow of material through the circumstellar region to the stellar surface in the presence of a stellar magnetosphere is unstudied. Observations of stellar rotation distributions in close binaries suggest that inner disk regions may act to regulate stellar angular momentum.

VZ CVn: a close binary system with γ Doradus-like variations

Abstract We present new photometric two-colour observations of the double-lined close binary star VZ CVn. Combining two data sets obtained in 1971–72 and in 2006, the physical parameters of both components were derived. After removing the light variations due to the eclipses and proximity effects, a periodic variation in the more massive component with a dominant period of 1.068 76 d could be detected in the first photometric data set. In accordance with its position on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram and both its pulsation period and pulsation constant of 0.62 d, the primary component of VZ CVn should be an excellent γ Doradus candidate. The less massive secondary component seems to have smaller radius with respect to its mass. Both components appear to have lower luminosities with respect to their masses; hence, their radiative properties seem to be different. The evolutionary status of the components is also discussed.

Radial Velocity Studies of Close Binary Stars. XII.

Radial velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to the orbital radial velocity variations are presented for 10 close binary systems: OO Aql, CC Com, V345 Gem, XY Leo, AM Leo, V1010 Oph, V2612 Oph, XX Sex, W UMa, and XY UMa. Most of these binaries have been observed spectroscopically before, but our data are of higher quality and consistency than in the previous studies. While most of the studied eclipsing pairs are contact binaries, V1010 Oph is probably a detached or semidetached double-lined binary, and XY UMa is a detached, chromospherically active system whose broadening functions clearly show well-defined and localized dark spots on the primary component. A particularly interesting case is XY Leo, which is a member of visually unresolved quadruple system composed of a contact binary and a detached, noneclipsing, active binary with an 0.805 day orbital period. V345 Gem and AM Leo are known members of visual binaries. We found faint visual companions at about 2''-3'' from XX Sex and XY UMa.

Binary star progenitors of long gamma-ray bursts

Context: The collapsar model for long gamma-ray bursts requires a rapidly rotating Wolf-Rayet star as progenitor. Aims: We test the idea of producing rapidly rotating Wolf-Rayet stars in massive close binaries through mass accretion and consecutive quasi-chemically homogeneous evolution - the latter had previously been shown to provide collapsars below a certain metallicity threshold. Methods: We use a 1D hydrodynamic binary evolution code to simulate the evolution of a 16+15 Mo binary model with an initial orbital period of 5 days and SMC metallicity (Z=0.004). Internal differential rotation, rotationally induced mixing and magnetic fields are included in both components, as well as non-conservative mass and angular momentum transfer, and tidal spin-orbit coupling. Results: The considered binary system undergoes early Case B mass transfer. The mass donor becomes a helium star and dies as a type Ib/c supernova. The mass gainer is spun-up, and internal magnetic fields efficiently transport accreted angular momentum into the stellar core. The orbital widening prevents subsequent tidal synchronization, and the mass gainer rejuvenates and evolves quasi-chemically homogeneously thereafter. The mass donor explodes 7 Myr before the collapse of the mass gainer. Assuming the binary to be broken-up by the supernova kick, the potential gamma-ray burst progenitor would become a runaway star with a space velocity of 27 km s-1, traveling about 200 pc during its remaining lifetime. Conclusions: .The binary channel presented here does not, as such, provide a new physical model for collapsar production, as the resulting stellar models are almost identical to quasi-chemically homogeneously evolving rapidly rotating single stars. However, it may provide a means for massive stars to obtain the required high rotation rates. Moreover, it suggests that a possibly large fraction of long gamma-ray bursts occurs in runaway stars.

Habitable Planet Formation in Binary Planetary Systems

Recent radial velocity observations have indicated that Jovian-type planets can exist in moderately close binary star systems. Numerical simulations of the dynamical stability of terrestrial-class planets in such environments have shown that, in addition to their giant planets, these systems can also harbor Earth-like objects. In this paper, we study the late stage of terrestrial planet formation in such binary-planetary systems, and present the results of the simulations of the formation of Earth-like bodies in their habitable zones. We consider a circumprimary disk of Moon- to Mars-sized objects and numerically integrate the orbits of these bodies at the presence of the Jovian-type planet of the system and for different values of the mass, semimajor axis, and orbital eccentricity of the secondary star. Results indicate that, Earth-like objects, with substantial amounts of water, can form in the habitable zone of the primary star. Simulations also indicate that, by transferring angular momentum from the secondary star to protoplanetary objects, the giant planet of the system plays a key role in the radial mixing of these bodies and the water contents of the final terrestrial planets. We will discuss the results of our simulation and show that the formation of habitable planets in binary-planetary systems is more probable in binaries with moderate to large perihelia.

A Spectroscopic Study of Field and Runaway OB Stars

Identifying binaries among runaway O- and B-type stars offers valuable insight into the evolution of open clusters and close binary stars. Here we present a spectroscopic investigation of 12 known or suspected binaries among field and runaway OB stars. We find new orbital solutions for five single-lined spectroscopic binaries (HD 1976, HD 14633, HD 15137, HD 37737, and HD 52533), and we classify two stars thought to be binaries (HD 30614 and HD 188001) as single stars. In addition, we reinvestigate their runaway status using our new radial velocity data with the UCAC2 proper-motion catalogs. Seven stars in our study appear to have been ejected from their birthplaces, and at least three of these runaways are spectroscopic binaries and are of great interest for future study.

Identification of phase-independent spectral lines in close binary V455 CYG: I. Telluric lines

Spectroscopic observations of close binary star V455 Cygni reveal many lines that originate in interstellar and circumstellar medium and the atmo?sphere of the Earth; we found over two hundred such spectral features, and in this paper we present the list of telluric lines we identified through comparison with HITRAN database of molecular lines. The lines that remain unidentified or show peculiar behavior will be discussed in the second part of the paper. .

The role of stellar envelope convection in gravity-darkening and its relation to observational data

We study the role of convection in the surface heat flow of low mass stellar envelopes with the aid of Paczynski’s public domain program program GOB. This role is important, for example, for the analysis of light curves of close binary stars. We have considered atmospheric models for a range of masses similar to the components of contact or near-contact binaries between 0.4 and 1.1 M ⊙ and examined the effects of changing luminosity, surface temperature and mixing length for stars of given mass. Our presentation includes checks of the modeling against published standard stellar envelopes. A slight program modification allowed gravity darkening coefficients for selected models to be calculated directly. If the procedure proposed by Lucy is followed, similar values of the index β (∼0.06–0.1) are obtained for a fairly wide range of masses, luminosities and effective temperatures of cool stars. There also appears no strong dependence on the mixing-length parameter α. There are, however, physical differences between the conditions that apply to this derivation of the index and those of a photosphere distorted by rotation and tides, but having net dynamical stability. Thus, the dependency of T e on g was argued to come from the ratio of partial derivatives of the adiabatic constant K for the layer where convection starts; but a subconvective equipotential surface, where K would be constant, cannot coincide with such a layer. The adopted procedure is therefore inappropriate, and would involve different heat transfer regimes in different radial directions (say, polar or equatorial). A corresponding evaluation for the layer in which the convective flux becomes maximal shows less sensitivity to T e. The corresponding index is then much closer to, or even greater than, the von Zeipel value. Other arguments are also considered, including those of Anderson and Shu [Anderson, L., Shu, F.H., 1977. ApJ 214, 798] about the independence of the convective flux to local gravity, as well as the role of superphotospheric circulation effects, which could reduce the gravity darkening index to less than its subphotospheric value. Observational evaluations of gravity darkening for close binary systems, in general, are still inconclusive, due to the strong correlation between β and other parameters characterizing the light curve shape, particularly in the scale photometric ‘ellipticity’ effects. It is possible that very precise light curves that may be obtained in the future will allow this situation to be improved. The general surface distribution of emergent flux in the far infra-red of Jupiter may be a pointer in the direction of future studies of the subject.

Radial Velocity Studies of Southern Close Binary Stars. II. Spring/Summer Systems

Radial velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to the orbital velocity variations are presented for 14 close binary stars, S Ant, TT Cet, TW Cet, AA Cet, RW Dor, UX Eri, YY Eri, BV Eri, CT Eri, SZ Hor, AD Phe, TY Pup, HI Pup, and TZ Pyx. All are double-lined binaries, and all except the last one are contact binaries. The orbital data must be considered preliminary because of the relatively small number of observations (6-12), a circumstance that is partly compensated by the good definition of the broadening functions used for the radial velocity determinations.