Orbital Radial Velocity Research Articles

Spectroscopic modeling of oscillating Algol-type stars

Aims. Based on time series of high-resolution spectra, we investigate the oEA star (i.e., Algol-type eclipsing binary with an oscillating primary component) RZ Cas to derive precise system and atmospheric parameters and search for phases of rapid mass-transfer and its effects on various system parameters at different epochs of observations. Methods. We combine a variety of methods including the KOREL program to decompose the components of the spectra and determine the orbital solution, the SynthV program to analyze the disentangled spectra by computing synthetic spectra based on atmosphere models, and the newly developed program Shellspec07_inverse to compute optimized stellar parameters from composite line profiles at all orbital phases. Results. Based on spectra taken in 2006, the RZ Cas system can be modeled accurately by assuming that only two stars are present. For spectra acquired in 2001, we obtained an improved solution by adding a light attenuating accretion annulus surrounding the primary, but were unable to model remaining structures in the O–C value distribution. The primary of RZ Cas is a normal A-type star that shows no λ Boo signatures, both components have close to solar abundance. The derived mass of the primary and the separation of the components are slightly smaller than previously assumed. The effective temperature of the primary of 8900 K, is 300 K higher than derived before. The Roche-lobe-filling secondary is assumed to have a large cool spot on its surface pointing towards the primary. We confirm the increase in the orbital period by 2 s between years 2001 and 2006, but not the previously assumed decrease in the orbital radial velocity amplitudes. Conclusions. With the new Shellspec07_inverse program, we obtained precise stellar parameters of RZ Cas. Results clearly point to the occurrence of a transient phase of rapid mass transfer of RZ Cas in 2001, while in 2006 the system was in a quiet state.

AN AGE CONSTRAINT FOR THE VERY LOW MASS STELLAR/BROWN DWARF BINARY 2MASS J03202839–0446358AB

2MASS J03202839-0446358AB is a recently identified, late-type M dwarf/T dwarf spectroscopic binary system for which both the radial velocity orbit for the primary and spectral types for both components have been determined. By combining these measurements with predictions from four different sets of evolutionary models, we determine a minimum age of 2.0 {+-} 0.3 Gyr for this system, corresponding to minimum primary and secondary masses of 0.080 M {sub sun} and 0.053 M {sub sun}, respectively. We find broad agreement in the inferred age and mass constraints between the evolutionary models, including those that incorporate atmospheric condensate grain opacity; however, we are not able to independently assess their accuracy. The inferred minimum age agrees with the kinematics and absence of magnetic activity in this system, but not the rapid rotation of its primary, further evidence of a breakdown in angular momentum evolution trends amongst the lowest luminosity stars. Assuming a maximum age of 10 Gyr, we constrain the orbital inclination of this system to i {approx}> 53{sup 0}. More precise constraints on the orbital inclination and/or component masses of 2MASS 0320-0446AB, through either measurement of the secondary radial velocity orbit (optimally in the 1.2-1.3 {mu}m band) or detection of anmore » eclipse (only 0.3% probability based on geometric constraints), would yield a bounded age estimate for this system, and the opportunity to use it as an empirical test for brown dwarf evolutionary models at late ages.« less

RADIAL VELOCITY STUDIES OF CLOSE BINARY STARS. XIV

Radial-velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to the orbital radial velocity variations are presented for ten close binary systems: TZ Boo, VW Boo, EL Boo, VZ CVn, GK Cep, RW Com, V2610 Oph, V1387 Ori, AU Ser, and FT UMa. Our spectroscopy revealed two quadruple systems, TZ Boo and V2610 Oph, while three stars showing small photometric amplitudes, EL Boo, V1387 Ori, and FT UMa, were found to be triple systems. GK Cep is close binary with a faint third component. While most of the studied eclipsing systems are contact binaries, VZ CVn and GK Cep are detached or semi-detached double-lined binaries, and EL Boo, V1387 Ori and FT UMa are close binaries of uncertain binary type. The large fraction of triple and quadruple systems found in this sample supports the hypothesis of formation of close binaries in multiple stellar systems; it also demonstrates that low photometric amplitude binaries are a fertile ground for further discoveries of multiple systems.

RADIAL VELOCITY STUDIES OF CLOSE BINARY STARS. XV

Radial velocity (RV) measurements and sine curve fits to the orbital RV variations are presented for the last eight close binary systems analyzed in the same way as in the previous papers of this series: QX And, DY Cet, MR Del, HI Dra, DD Mon, V868 Mon, ER Ori, and Y Sex. For another seven systems (TT Cet, AA Cet, CW Lyn, V563 Lyr, CW Sge, LV Vir, and MW Vir), phase coverage is insufficient to provide reliable orbits but RVs of individual components were measured. Observations of a few complicated systems observed throughout the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) close binary program are also presented; among them is an especially interesting multiple system V857 Her which—in addition to the contact binary—very probably contains one or more subdwarf components of much earlier spectral type. All suspected binaries which were found to be most probably pulsating stars are briefly discussed in terms of mean RVs and projected rotation velocities (vsin i) as well as spectral-type estimates. In two of them, CU CVn and V752 Mon, the broadening functions show a clear presence of nonradial pulsations. The previously missing spectral types for Paper I are given here in addition to such estimates for most of the program stars of this paper.

RADIAL VELOCITY STUDIES OF CLOSE BINARY STARS. XIII

Radial-velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to the orbital radial velocity variations are presented for ten close binary systems: EG Cep,V1191 Cyg, V1003 Her, BD+7_3142, V357 Peg, V407 Peg, V1123 Tau, V1128 Tau, HH UMa, and PY Vir. While most of the studied eclipsing systems are contact binaries, EG Cep is a detached or a semi-detached double-lined binary and V1003 Her is a close binary of an uncertain type seen at a very low inclination angle. We discovered two previously unknown triple systems, BD+7_3142 and PY Vir, both with late spectral-type (K2V) binaries. Of interest is the low-mass ratio (q = 0.106) close binary V1191 Cyg showing an extremely fast period increase; the system has a very short period for its spectral type and shows a W-type light curve, a feature rather unexpected for such a low mass-ratio system.

Determination of the mass of the neutron star in SMC X-1, LMC X-4, and Cen X-3 with VLT/UVES

We present the results of a spectroscopic monitoring campaign of the OB-star companions to the eclipsing X-ray pulsars SMC X-1, LMC X-4 and Cen X-3. High-resolution optical spectra obtained with UVES on the ESO Very Large Telescope are used to determine the radial-velocity orbit of the OB (super)giants with high precision. The excellent quality of the spectra provides the opportunity to measure the radial-velocity curve based on individual lines, and to study the effect of possible distortions of the line profiles due to e.g. X-ray heating on the derived radial-velocity amplitude. Several spectral lines show intrinsic variations with orbital phase. The magnitude of these variations depends on line strength, and thus provides a criterion to select lines that do not suffer from distortions. The undistorted lines show a larger radial-velocity amplitude than the distorted lines, consistent with model predictions. Application of our line-selection criteria results in a mean radial-velocity amplitude K(Opt) of 20.2 +/- 1.1, 35.1 +/- 1.5, and 27.5 +/- 2.3 km/s (1 sigma errors), for the OB companion to SMC X-1, LMC X-4 and Cen X-3, respectively. Adding information on the projected rotational velocity of the OB companion (derived from our spectra), the duration of X-ray eclipse and orbital parameters of the X-ray pulsar (obtained from literature), we arrive at a neutron star mass of 1.06^{+0.11}_{-0.10}, 1.25^{+0.11}_{-0.10} and 1.34^{+0.16}_{-0.14} M{sun} for SMC X-1, LMC X-4 and Cen X-3, respectively. The mass of SMC X-1 is near the minimum mass (~1 M{sun}) expected for a neutron star produced in a supernova. We discuss the implications of the measured mass distribution on the neutron-star formation mechanism, in relation to the evolutionary history of the massive binaries.

Reducing orbital eccentricity in binary black hole simulations

Binary black hole simulations starting from quasi-circular (i.e., zero radial velocity) initial data have orbits with small but nonzero orbital eccentricities. In this paper, the quasi-equilibrium initial-data method is extended to allow nonzero radial velocities to be specified in binary black hole initial data. New low-eccentricity initial data are obtained by adjusting the orbital frequency and radial velocities to minimize the orbital eccentricity, and the resulting (∼5 orbit) evolutions are compared with those of quasi-circular initial data. Evolutions of the quasi-circular data clearly show eccentric orbits, with eccentricity that decays over time. The precise decay rate depends on the definition of eccentricity; if defined in terms of variations in the orbital frequency, the decay rate agrees well with the prediction of Peters (1964 Phys. Rev. 136 1224–32). The gravitational waveforms, which contain ∼8 cycles in the dominant l = m = 2 mode, are largely unaffected by the eccentricity of the quasi-circular initial data. The overlap between the dominant mode in the quasi-circular evolution and the same mode in the low-eccentricity evolution is about 0.99.

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.

WASP-1b and WASP-2b: two new transiting exoplanets detected with SuperWASP and SOPHIE

We have detected low-amplitude radial-velocity variations in two stars, USNO-B1.0 1219–0005465 (GSC 02265–00107 = WASP–1) and USNO-B1.0 0964–0543604 (GSC 00522–01199 = WASP–2). Both stars were identified as being likely host stars of transiting exoplanets in the 2004 SuperWASP wide-field transit survey. Using the newly commissioned radial-velocity spectrograph SOPHIE at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence, we found that both objects exhibit reflex orbital radial-velocity variations with amplitudes characteristic of planetary-mass companions and in-phase with the photometric orbits. Line-bisector studies rule out faint blended binaries as the cause of either the radial-velocity variations or the transits. We perform preliminary spectral analyses of the host stars, which together with their radial-velocity variations and fits to the transit light curves yield estimates of the planetary masses and radii. WASP-1b and WASP-2b have orbital periods of 2.52 and 2.15 d, respectively. Given mass estimates for their F7V and K1V primaries, we derive planet masses 0.80–0.98 and 0.81–0.95 times that of Jupiter, respectively. WASP-1b appears to have an inflated radius of at least 1.33 RJup, whereas WASP-2b has a radius in the range 0.65–1.26 RJup.

Polaris: Mass and Multiplicity

AbstractPolaris, the nearest and brightest classical Cepheid, is a member of at least a triple system. It has a wide (18″) physical companion, the F-type dwarf Polaris B. Polaris itself is a single-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of ∼30 years (Kamper 1996). By combining Hipparcos measurements of the instantaneous proper motion with long-term measurements and the Kamper radial-velocity orbit, Wielen et al (2000) have predicted the astrometric orbit of the close companion. Using the Hubble Space Telescope and the Advanced Camera for Surveys' High-Resolution Channel with an ultraviolet (F220W) filter, we have now directly detected the close companion. Based on the Wielen et al orbit, the Hipparcos parallax, and our measurement of the separation (0″.176 ± 0″.002), we find a preliminary mass of 5.0 ± 1.5 M⊙ for the Cepheid and 1.38 ± 0.61 M⊙ for the close companion. These values will be refined by additional HST observations scheduled for the next 3 years.We have also obtained a Chandra ACIS-I image of the Polaris field. Two distant companions C and D are not X-rays sources and hence are not young enough to be physical companions of the Cepheid. There is one additional stellar X-ray source in the field, located 253″ from Polaris A, which is a possible companion. Further investigation of such a distant companion is valuable to confirm the full extent of the system.

Radial Velocity Studies of Close Binary Stars. XI.

Radial-velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to the orbital radial velocity variations are presented for ten close binary systems: DU Boo, ET Boo, TX Cnc, V1073 Cyg, HL Dra, AK Her, VW LMi, V566 Oph, TV UMi and AG Vir. By this contribution, the DDO program has reached the point of 100 published radial velocity orbits. The radial velocities have been determined using an improved fitting technique which uses rotational profiles to approximate individual peaks in broadening functions. Three systems, ET Boo, VW LMi and TV UMi, were found to be quadruple while AG Vir appears to be a spectroscopic triple. ET Boo, a member of a close visual binary with $P_{vis} = 113$ years, was previously known to be a multiple system, but we show that the second component is actually a close, non-eclipsing binary. The new observations enabled us to determine the spectroscopic orbits of the companion, non-eclipsing pairs in ET Boo and VW LMi. The particularly interesting case is VW LMi, where the period of the mutual revolution of the two spectroscopic binaries is only 355 days. While most of the studied eclipsing pairs are contact binaries, ET Boo is composed of two double-lined detached binaries and HL Dra is single-lined detached or semi-detached system. Five systems of this group were observed spectroscopically before: TX Cnc, V1073 Cyg, AK Her (as a single-lined binary), V566 Oph, AG Vir, but our new data are of much higher quality than the previous studies.

The long period intermediate polar 1RXS J154814.5-452845

We present the first time resolved medium resolution optical spectroscopy of the recently identified peculiar Intermediate Polar (IP) 1RXS J154814.5-452845, which allows us to precisely determine the binary orbital period ( ± 0.03 h) and the white dwarf spin period ( ± 0.06 s). This system is then the third just outside the purported ~6–10 h IP orbital period gap and the fifth of the small group of long period IPs, which has a relatively high degree of asynchronism. From the presence of weak red absorption features, we identify the secondary star with a spectral type K2 ± 2 V, which appears to have evolved on the nuclear timescale. From the orbital radial velocities of emission and the red absorption lines a mass ratio ± 0.12 is found. The masses of the components are estimated to be and and the binary inclination . A distance between 540–840 pc is estimated. At this distance, the presence of peculiar absorption features surrounding Balmer emissions cannot be due to the contribution of the white dwarf photosphere and their spin modulation suggests an origin in the magnetically confined accretion flow. The white dwarf is also not accreting at a particularly high rate ( ), for its orbital period. The spin-to-orbit period ratio = 0.02 and the low mass accretion rate suggest that this system is far from spin equilibrium. The magnetic moment of the accreting white dwarf is found to be 1032 G cm3, indicating a low magnetic field system.

Physical parameters of the O6.5V+B1V eclipsing binary system LS 1135

The 'All Sky Automated Survey' (ASAS) photometric observations of LS 1135, an O-type single-lined binary (SB1) system with an orbital period of 2.7 d, show that the system is also eclipsing. This prompted us to re-examine the spectra used in the previously published spectroscopic orbit. Our new analysis of the spectra obtained near quadratures, reveals the presence of faint lines of the secondary component. We present for the first time a double-lined radial velocity orbit and values of physical parameters of this binary system. These values were obtained by analysing the ASAS photometry jointly with the radial velocities of both components by performing a numerical model of this binary based on the Wilson-Devinney method. We obtained an orbital inclination i ∼ 68°5. With this value of the inclination, we deduced masses M 1 ∼ 30 ± 1 M ⊙ and M 2 ∼ 9 ± 1 M ⊙ , and radii R 1 ∼ 12 ± 1 R ⊙ and R 2 ∼ 5 ± 1 R ⊙ for primary and secondary components, respectively. Both the components are well inside their respective Roche lobes. Fixing the T eff of the primary to the value corresponding to its spectral type (06.5V), the T eff obtained for the secondary component corresponds approximately to a spectral type of B1V. The mass ratio M 2 /M 1 ∼ 0.3 is among the lowest known values for spectroscopic binaries with O-type components.

Radial Velocity Studies of Close Binary Stars. X.

Radial velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to orbital velocity variations are presented for the ninth set of 10 close binary systems: V395 And, HS Aqr, V449 Aur, FP Boo, SW Lac, KS Peg, IW Per, V592 Per, TU UMi, and FO Vir. The first three are very close, possibly detached, early-type binaries, and all three require further investigation. Particularly interesting is V395 And, whose spectral type is as early as B7/8 for a 0.685 day orbit binary. KS Peg and IW Per are single-line binaries, with the former probably hosting a very low mass star. We have detected a low-mass secondary in an important semidetached system, FO Vir, at q = 0.125 ± 0.005. The contact binary FP Boo is also a very small mass ratio system, q = 0.106 ± 0.005. The other contact binaries in this group are V592 Per, TU UMi, and the well-known SW Lac. V592 Per and TU UMi have bright tertiary companions; for these binaries, and for V395 And, we used a novel technique of arranging the broadening functions into a two-dimensional image in phase. The case of TU UMi turned out to be intractable even using this approach, and we have not been able to derive a firm radial velocity orbit for this binary. Three systems of this group were observed spectroscopically before: HS Aqr, SW Lac, and KS Peg.

Doppler follow-up of OGLE planetary transit candidates in Carina

We present the results of our high-resolution spectroscopic follow-up of 42 planetary transit candidates in Carina from the OGLE survey. This follow-up has already allowed the discovery of three new transiting exoplanets, OGLE-TR-111, 113 and 132. Here we analyse the data for the remaining 39 candidates. The radial velocity data show that most of them are eclipsing binaries, in very varied configurations. Precise radial velocity orbits were derived for 15 binaries, revealing 9 transits of small stars (generally M-dwarfs) in front of F-G dwarfs, 1 grazing equal-mass eclipsing binary, 4 triple and 1 quadruple systems. A further 14 systems appear binary, but the exact orbit is uncertain or was not determined. 2 objects do not show any radial velocity variations in phase with the transit signal, and 6 do not possess spectral lines strong enough for a reliable cross-correlation function to be measured. Among these last two categories, up to 6 objects are suspected false positives of the photometric transit detection. 2 objects are unsolved cases that deserve further observations. Our study illustrates the wide variety of cases that can mimic photometric planetary transits, and the importance of spectroscopic follow-up. Multi-fiber capacities and an optimized follow-up strategy, which we present here, can help deal with the high number of candidates that are likely to be found in the near future. An important by-product of this study is the determination of exact masses and radii for five very low-mass stars, including two at the very edge of the stellar domain, OGLE-TR-106 () and OGLE-TR-122 (). The radius of these objects is consistent with theoretical expectations. Two further objects, OGLE-TR-123 and OGLE-TR-129, may harbour transiting companions near the brown-dwarf/stellar limit (), whose confirmation requires further high-resolution spectroscopic monitoring. No transiting massive planets () were detected, confirming the rarity of such systems at short period as indicated by Doppler surveys. No light (), large () planets were found either, indicating that “hot Saturns” generally have smaller radii than hot Jupiters. Three short period binaries with a M-dwarf companion show definite orbital eccentricities, with periods ranging from 5.3 to 9.2 days. This confirms theoretical indications that orbital circularisation in close binaries is less efficient for smaller companion masses. We also discuss the implications of our results for the statistical interpretation of the OGLE planetary transit survey in Carina in terms of planet frequency and detection efficiency. We find that the actual transit detection threshold is considerably higher than expected from simple estimates, and very strongly favours the detection of planets with periods shorter than about 2 days. The apparent contradition between the results of the OGLE transit survey and Doppler surveys can be resolved when this detection bias is taken into account.

Massive Binaries in the Magellanic Clouds

We present results of our ongoing observing program on search and studies of massive stars (O and WR type) in binary systems in our neighbor galaxies, the Magellanic Clouds. Radial velocity orbits are presented for two new binaries, one in the Small Magellanic Cloud and another in the Large Magellanic Cloud, and improved orbits for previously known systems. We compare orbital parameters of selected binaries containing O and WR type components. We also discuss the present status of knowledge for massive binary stars in the Magellanic Clouds and the problems encountered in their orbital studies such as stellar winds the ubiquitous tendency to be born in multiple systems.

The nearest star of spectral type O3: a component of the multiple system HD 150136

From radial velocities determined in high signal-to-noise digital spectra, we report the discovery that the brightest component of the binary system HD 150136 is of spectral type O3. We also present the first double-lined orbital solution for this binary. Our radial velocities confirm the previously published spectroscopic orbital period of 2.6 days. He II absorptions appear double at quadratures, but single lines of N V and N IV visible in our spectra define a radial velocity orbit of higher semi-amplitude for the primary component than do the He II lines. From our orbital analysis, we obtain minimum masses for the binary components of 27 and 18$\modot$. The neutral He absorptions apparently do not follow the orbital motion of any of the binary components, thus they most probably arise in a third star in the system.

Massive spectroscopic binaries in the Magellanic Clouds

We present results of our ongoing observing program on search and studies of massive stars (O type) in binary systems in our neighbour galaxies, the Magellanic Clouds. Radial velocity orbits are presented for two new binaries, one in the Small Magellanic Cloud and another in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

The eclipsing binary star RZ Cas

In a first report on the results of a multi-site campaign in 2001 of photometric and spectroscopic observations of the active semi-detached Algol-type system RZ Cas, we concentrate on the radial velocity (RV) variations. Using weak absorption lines we obtain an improved orbital solution for both components. In the orbital RV curve we observe a strong, asymmetric rotation effect. For the first time we detect rapid spectroscopic multi-mode pulsations in an Algol system. Whereas the photometrically observed oscillations were dominated by monoperiodic pulsations at frequency 64.19 c d - 1 until the year 2000, we find in 2001 a multiperiodic behaviour with two dominant frequencies of f 1 = 56.600 c d - 1 and f 2 = 64.189 c d - 1 . Both modes show amplitude variations over the orbital phase with a a minimum at orbital phases Φ = 0.6-0.8 and a maximum just after the primary minimum (f 2 ) and at Φ 0.25 (f 1 ). The different shape of amplitude modulation of the f 1 and f 2 modes points to different (l, m) mode structures. The modulation itself can be explained by assuming a variable extinction due to gas streams and an inhomogeneous accretion annulus that weakens the light from different regions of the primary depending on its orbital position. This assumption is well supported by the gas density distribution obtained in preliminary hydrodynamic simulations. We found strong variations and cycle-to-cycle variable shapes of the orbital RV-curves of Balmer lines that have maximum magnitude in the Ha line indicating a strong variability of mass-transfer rates and a non-stationary circumbinary envelope.

The mass of the neutron star in Vela X-1 and tidally induced non-radial oscillations in GP Vel

We report new radial velocity observations of GP Vel / HD 77581, the optical companion to the eclipsing X-ray pulsar Vela X-1. Using data spanning more than two complete orbits of the system, we detect evidence for tidally induced non-radial oscillations on the surface of GP Vel, apparent as peaks in the power spectrum of the residuals to the radial velocity curve fit. By removing the effect of these oscillations (to first order) and binning the radial velocities, we have determined the semi-amplitude of the radial velocity curve of GP Vel to be km s-1. Given the accurately measured semi-amplitude of the pulsar's orbit, the mass ratio of the system is . We are able to set upper and lower limits on the masses of the component stars as follows. Assuming GP Vel fills its Roche lobe then the inclination angle of the system, i, is . In this case we obtain the masses of the two stars as for the neutron star and for GP Vel. Conversely, assuming the inclination angle is , the ratio of the radius of GP Vel to the radius of its Roche lobe is and the masses of the two stars are and . A range of solutions between these two sets of limits is also possible, corresponding to other combinations of i and β. In addition, we note that if the zero phase of the radial velocity curve is allowed as a free parameter, rather than constrained by the X-ray ephemeris, a significantly improved fit is obtained with an amplitude of km s-1 and a phase shift of in true anomaly. The apparent shift in the zero phase of the radial velocity curve may indicate the presence of an additional radial velocity component at the orbital period. This may be another manifestation of the tidally induced non-radial oscillations and provides an additional source of uncertainty in the determination of the orbital radial velocity amplitude.