The Wolf–Rayet star HD 192163 as a possible evolutionary progenitor of a low-mass X-ray binary

We have used 46 high-resolution echelle spectra of the Wolf-Rayet star HD 192163 taken in 2005–2009 at the Cassegrain focus of the 2-m Zeiss-2000 telescope of the Shamakha Astrophysical Observatory to study profiles of the five strongest emission lines (HeII 4859, HeII 5411, CIV 5808, HeI 5875, (HeII + Hα) 6560). We also obtained four echelle spectrograms of the Wolf-Rayet star HD 191765 for a comparative study of the NaI 5890 (D₂) and NaI 5896 (D₁) interstellar absorption lines. The echelle spectrograms were reduced using the DECH20 code. We determined the equivalent widths, radial velocities, central intensities, and half-widths of the emission lines. We detected variations in the violetwing of the (HeII + Hα) 6560 emission band (between λ ～ 6496 Å and λ ～ 6532 Å). Our statistical analysis of the radial velocities available for the (HeII + Hα) 6560 emission band reveals a peak at the ～1% level at the frequency ν = 0.195 d^?1, corresponding to the period P = 5.128^d. We also studied the NaI 5890 (D₂) and NaI 5896 (D₁) interstellar absorption lines, which are important for understanding the nature of the nebula NGC 6888, whose origin is related to HD 192163. Asymmetric profiles were found for the NaI 5890 and NaI 5896 interstellar absorption lines, interpreted as reflecting a contribution from NGC 6888 to these lines. We suggest that the detected profile variations of the (HeII + Hα) 6560 emission band and the periodic variations of its Doppler shifts (P = 5.128^d) are due to the existence of a low-mass K-M star companion to the Wolf-Rayet star. HD 192163 is a possible evolutionary progenitor of a low-mass X-ray binary.     

The rapid variability of blazars at optical wavelengths

We monitored five active galactic nuclei in the R optical band with a CCD mounted on the 1-m Zeiss-1000 telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory from April 2001 to August 2003. Three sources displayed intraday variability on several nights. Stronger variability was detected on time scales from two days to a week. The two-year light curves are presented for four of the observed objects.     

PN G068.1+11.0: A young pre-cataclysmic variable with an extremely hot primary

An analysis of spectroscopic and photometric data for the young pre-cataclysmic variable (PCV) PN G068.1+11.0, which passed through its common-envelope stage relatively recently, is presented. The spectroscopic and photometric data were obtained with the 6-m telescope and Zeiss-1000 telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. The light curves show sinusoidal brightness variations with the orbital-period time scale and brightness-variation amplitudes of Δm = 1_.^m41, 1_.^m62, and 1_.^m57 in the B, V, and R bands, respectively. The system’s spectrum exhibits weak HI (Hβ–Hδ) andHeII λλ4541, 4686, 5411 Å absorption lines during the phases of minimum brightness, as well as HI, HeII, CIII, CIV, NIII, and OII emission lines whose intensity variations are synchronized with variations of the integrated brightness of the system. The emission-line formation in the spectra can be fully explained by the effects of fluorescence of the ultraviolet light from the primary at the surface of the cool star. All the characteristics of the optical light of PN G068.1+11.0 confirm that it is a young PCV containing sdO subdwarf. The radial velocities were measured from a blend of lines of moderately light elements, CIII+NIII λ4640 Å, which is formed at the surface of the secondary due to reflection effects. The ephemeris of the system has been improved through a joint analysis of the radial-velocity curves and light curves of pre-cataclysmic variable, using modelling of the reflection effects. The fundamental parameters of PN G068.1+11.0 have been determined using two evolutionary tracks for planetary-nebula nuclei of different masses (0.7 M_⊙and 0.78M_⊙). The model spectra for the system and a comparison with the observations demonstrate the possibility of refining the components’ effective temperatures if the quality of the spectra used is improved.     

V1327 Aquilae: A New RR Lyrae variable with an extremely high radial velocity

We have carried out photometry and spectroscopy of the star V1327 Aql (R = 16 ^m ) as part of our program of observations of poorly studied cataclysmic variables using the 1.5-m optical Russian—Turkish telescope (RTT-150, Turkey) and the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences. After analyzing our photometry, we have re-classified the variable as an RR Lyrae star. Our BV R photometry during 10 nights reveals brightness variations with the period 12^h49^m, with the B, V, and R amplitudes being 1.36 ^m , 1.13 ^m , and 1.11 ^m , respectively. We derived the first estimates of the star’s atmospheric parameters from our moderate-resolution spectra: T _eff = 6280 K, log g = 3.3, [M/H] = ?1.05. The extremely high radial velocity of the star’s motion (V _R = ?470 km/s) and the star’s large distances to the Galactic center (13.1 kpc) and disk (4.2 kpc) testify to a probable extragalactic origin of this object.     

The origin of the photometric and spectral variability of RW Aur

We have studied the relationships between the brightness, color, and emission-line profiles for the classical T Tauri star RW Aur, which displays an intense emission spectrum and signs of accretion and outflow. Spectral and photometric observations carried out from 1995 to 1999 have been analyzed in the framework of magnetospheric accretion concept, where the brightness of the star depends on the level of the non-photospheric continuum (veiling), which, in turn, depends on the accretion rate. We found that (1) the equivalent widths and profiles of broad emission lines vary independently of the brightness of the star, the brightness and color variations are due primarily to absorption in dust clouds formed by the disk wind; (2) at times when the accretion in the line of sight becomes stronger, all broad emission lines are weakened substantially due to the asymmetry of the magnetosphere and screening of the radiating region; (3) the periodic variations of the U-B and B-V color indices are due to the variable contribution of broad emission lines in the photometric bands; (4) the veiling of the photospheric spectrum is not correlated with either the brightness of the star or the intensity of the accretion components.     

The accretion activity of the Ae Herbig star CQ Tau

Results of spectral observations of the isolated Ae Herbig star CQ Tau obtained in 1995–1998 in the H_α line and near the sodium resonance doublet are presented, together with simultaneous photometric monitoring of the star. CQ Tau is a member of the family of young UX Ori stars with nonperiodic Algol-like brightness decreases. The star is surrounded by an accretion disk, in which its emission-line spectrum and part of its absorption-line spectrum are formed. The strong variability of the H_α, D NaI, and HeI 5876 Å lines testifies that the gaseous disk is appreciably inhomogeneous in both the radial and azimuthal directions. This inhomogeneity probably results from uneven feeding by the circumstellar material from the peripheral regions of the circumstellar disk. Over the four years of observations, we observed the star in deep minima three times (ΔV～2). On these nights, an increase in the H_α equivalent width followed the decrease in radiation flux. In the two deepest minima, the normally two-component line profile had only a single component with a nearly symmetrical profile. This behavior of the H_α line is in good agreement with the results of numerical modeling of Algol-like minima and can be used to estimate the parameters of the dust clouds eclipsing the star and inner accretion disk. These estimates suggest that the circumstellar dust clouds can approach very close to the star and be sublimated there.     

The eclipsing binary HS hercules: Photometric elements and the evolutionary stages of its components

We used a photoelectric photometer designed by V.M. Lyutyi and the Zeiss-600 telescope of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute’s Crimean Observatory to acquire precise UBV brightness measurements (σ _obs ^V ～ 0.007^m) for the eclipsing binary system HS Her in 1984–1991. These measurements continue the homogeneous series of observations of this star commenced in 1969 by D.Ya. Martynov using the same equipment. Our detailed analysis of this homogeneous 22-year series of photoelectric observations has yielded a self-consistent set of physical and geometric parameters of the binary, and enabled us to establish the evolutionary stages of its components. The systems’s primary, M ₁ = 5 M _⊙, is at the beginning of its main-sequence evolution, whereas its secondary, M ₂ = 1.6 M _⊙, has not yet reached the main sequence. The binary’s age is estimated to be t = (17 ± 3) × 10⁶ years.     

Fast brightness variations of blazars in the radio and optical

We present coordinated synchronous observations of Active Galactic Nuclei in the radio and optical, aimed at searching for fast (intraday) flux variations and possible correlations in the flux variations in different wavebands. Our observations were performed with the 22-m radio telescope of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory at 22.2 and 36.8 GHz and the Zeiss-1000 reflector of the Special Astrophysical Observatory in the R filter, using a CCD photometer. We performed five observing runs of 7–10 nights each in 2004–2006. We obtained radio and optical light curves for the variable extragalactic radio sources DA 55, 1633+382, 2134+004, 2145+067, and 2251+158. We detected short-duration flares of DA 55 and 2134+004 in the R band with variations of 0.2 ^m within about 15 minutes. The other sources did not show any considerable flux variations. The radio flux variations of DA 55 and 2134+004 reached 1.5 Jy in about 15 minutes, and those of 2145+067 reached 2 Jy in 2 hours. We observed chaotic flux variations in 2251+158, by 2–2.5 Jy in half an hour. We detected no correlation between the radiation in the optical and radio.     

Spectral variability of the STAR 55 Cyg B3 Ia

We study the variability of the Hα and Hβ lines in the spectrum of 55 Cyg based on observations carried out in 2010 on the 2-m telescope of the Shamakhy Observatory of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. These observations were carried out at the Cassegrain focus of the telescope. The spectral resolution is close to 15 000. The Hα emission and absorption components disappeared on some nights. This may be associated with asphericity of the stellar wind. A more complete explanation requires additional observations.     

Kinematic structure of the atmosphere and envelope of the post-AGB star HD 56126

We present a detailed analysis of the optical spectrum of the post-AGB star HD 56126 (IRAS 07134+1005) based on observations made with the echelle spectrographs of the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory with resolutions of R = 25 000 and 60 000 at 4012-8790 Å. The profiles of strong lines (HI; FeII, YII, BaII absorption lines, etc.) formed in the expanding atmosphere at the base of the stellar wind display complex and variable shapes. To study the kinematics of the atmosphere, the velocities of individual features in these profiles must be measured. Differential line shifts of up to ΔV _r = 15–30 km/s have been detected from the lines of metals and molecular fetures. The stellar atmosphere simultaneously contains both expanding layers and layers falling onto the star. A comparison of the data for different times demonstrates that both the radial velocity and the overall velocity pattern are variable. The position of the molecular spectrum is stable, implying stability of the expansion velocity of the circumstellar envelope around HD 56126 detected in observations in the C₂ and NaI lines.     

Spectroscopic monitoring of V1357 Cyg = Cyg X-1 in 2002–2004

We discuss the results of optical spectroscopic monitoring of Cyg X-1 = HDE 226868/V1357 Cyg in 2002–2004. Our spectroscopy was carried out at the Terskol Observatory (Kabarda-Balkaria, Russia; the resolving power was R = 45 000 and 13 000) and at the Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO, Korea, R = 30 000 and 44 000). Each spectrum covers most of the optical range. We obtained a total of 75 echelle spectra on 33 nights, during both “soft” and “hard” X-ray states of Cyg X-1. We study the influence of the X-rays on spectral-line profiles using RXTE/ASM X-ray data. We find that the X-ray flare of June 13, 2003 resulted in strong variations of the emission profiles of the H_α and Hellλ4686 Å lines within a night. This behavior is due to variations of the ionization state of the gas in the system. We also analyzed line-profile variations with orbital phase. A spectral atlas of Cyg X-1 was created, and the lines it contains identified. A total of 172 stellar lines and blends belonging to 12 chemical elements (H, He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Al, Si, S, Fe, Zn) were identified. The spectral classification of HDE 226868 as an ON star is confirmed.     

Photometric study of an SX Phoenicis variable in the galactic halo

We have studied the relatively recently discovered object 2-7-0122, with a V magnitude of 17 ^m , and have confirmed that it is an SX Phe variable star. Our photometry at the 1.8 m telescope of the Boyhunsan Observatory and the 1.0 m telescope of the Mount Lemon Observatory has enabled us to refine the photometric elements and to perform a frequency analysis of the light curve. We demonstrate the presence of two close frequencies, f ₁ = 24.6539 cycles/day and f ₂ = 24.8173 cycles/day, one of them possibly non-radial, and of several combinational frequencies. The star’s metallicity is at least two orders of magnitude lower than that of the Sun, making the star the most metal-poor SX Phe object in the Galactic field. We confirm variability of another star in the field of view, and have determined its light elements and its possible variability type (RRc).     

Photometric period and rotational brightness modulation of V833 Tau

Photometric data covering 1994–2009, obtained at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory or retrieved from the ASAS and SuperWASP catalogs, were used to analyze the brightness variations of the rapidly rotating star V833 Tau, whose activity level is close to saturation. Combined with previously published results, these data represent for the first time all stages in the development of the star’s 19- year activity cycle. The photometric period and rotational-modulation amplitude for different epochs are determined, and the qualitative pattern of the spots is considered. The photometric period is close to the orbital period, but always exceeds it, indicating that surface inhomogeneities are located far from the equatorial plane. With the high spottedness of the star, reaching 28% at the cycle maximum, the rotationalmodulation amplitude is 0.05?0.1 ^m , and increases during the growth and decline phases of the 19-year cycle. The rotational modulation is due to spots with higher latitudes than in the case of the Sun, and concentrating on active longitudes.     

PG 1316+678: A young pre-cataclysmic binary with weak reflection effects

The PG 1316+678 star is classified as a pre-cataclysmic binary, as is evidenced by its photometric and spectroscopic observations. Its orbital period is determined to be P _orb = 3.3803^d, which coincides with the photometric period. The intensities of the emission HI and HeI lines are shown to vary synchronously with the brightness of the object (Δm _V = 0.065 ^m , Δm _R = 0.08 ^m ). These variations arise as the UV radiation from the DAO white dwarf is reflected from the surface of the cold companion. The parameters of the binary are estimated and the time of its evolution after the common-envelope phase is determined to be t ≈ 240 000 years. Thus, PG 1316+678 is a young pre-cataclysmic NN Ser variable with the smallest known photometric reflection effect.     

BV RI observations of the radio source S5 0716+71

Photometric observations of the radio source S5 0716+714 were obtained in BV RI filters from January 20, 1998 to January 9, 2001 with Zeiss-600 and Zeiss-1000 telescopes of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The light curves in all the bands are synchronous, providing evidence for the real variability of the object in timescales, from hundreds of days to 5–10 min. No time shift between events in the adjacent filters was detected. The variability spectrum at frequencies of 0.003–100 d^?1 (3.5 × 10^?8–1.1 × 10^?3 Hz) is close to that of a flicker noise. The optical spectral index α (S ～ v ^α) varies from ?1.59 at the minimum to ?1.13 at the maximum brightness. Measurements of linear polarization in BV R carried out on April 12–13, 2000 confirmed a high degree of polarization and rapid fluctuations of the polarization in a timescale of 15–30 min, whose amplitude decreases at red wavelengths. All the optical properties of the source, its compactness, the absence of spectral lines, the high degree of polarization, and very rapid fluctuations of the brightness, polarization, and spectral index, suggest a synchrotron origin for optical radiation. It may be that we are observing the radiation from a group of very compact bodies (～10^?10 arcsec) at various stages of their evolution.     

Observations of late-type variable stars in the water vapor radio line. The long-period variable R cassiopeia

Observations of circumstellar maser emission from the long-period variable R Cas in the 1.35-cm water-vapor line are reported. The observations were carried out on the 22-m radio telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory in 1980–2003 (JD=2444409–2452724). Over the 23 years of observations, strong flares in the H₂O line profile were recorded in 1982 (with a peak flux density up to 400 Jy) and 1986–1989 (up to 750 Jy). Subsequently, from 1990 to March 2003, the H₂O line flux was usually below the detection threshold of the radio telescope (<5–10 Jy). Episodic small increases of the emission with peak flux densities of 20–60 Jy were observed. The variations of the H₂O line flux F are correlated with variations in the visual brightness of the star. The phase delay Δ_γ of the F variations relative to the optical light curve of R Cas ranged from 0.2–0.3P during the observations (P=430.46^d is the star's period). A model for the variability of the H₂O maser in R Cas is discussed. If the variations are due to periodic impacts by shock waves driven by the stellar pulsations, the time for the shock to travel from the photosphere to the inner boundary of the H₂O-masing shell may reach 2–4P. The flares could be due to transient episodes of enhanced mass loss by the star or to the propagation of an exceptionally strong shock from the stellar surface.     

Line-profile microvariability in OB-star spectra: the Supergiant λ Cep (O6If(n))

We observed the bright O6If(n) supergiant λ Cep in 1997 with the 6-m optical telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory and in 2007 with the 1.8-m telescope of the Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (South Korea). A total of 90 spectra of the star were acquired, with good time resolution (10 minutes), signal-to-noise ratios 150–300, and spectral resolutions of 45 000–60 000. We detected line-profile variations of H, HeI, and HeII lines. It is suggested that the detected variations are due to non-radial photospheric pulsations and the star’s rotation (rotational profile modulation).     

Photometric activity of the Herbig Be star MWC 297 over 25 years

The photometric behavior of the hot, young Herbig Be starMWC 297 on various time scales is studied using published data, as well as new observations. The series of photometric observations covers about 25 years. Over this time, the star showed low-amplitude (ΔV ≈ 0.3 ^m ) irregular variabilitymodulated by large-scale cyclic variabilitywith an amplitude close to 0.2 ^m and a period (or quasi-period) of 5.4±0.1 yr. A detailed seasonal analysis of the data shows that the light curve of MWC 297 displays two types of photometric features: low-amplitude Algol-like fading with an amplitude close to 0.2 ^m and low-amplitude flares resembling the flares of UV Ceti stars, but being more powerful and having longer durations. The variations of the stellar brightness are accompanied by variations of the B-V and V -R colors: when the brightness decreases, B-V decreases, while V -R increases (the star reddens). The reddening law is close to the standard interstellar reddening law. Although the character of the brightness variability ofMWC 297 resembles the photometric activity of UX Ori type stars, which is due to variations of their circumstellar extinction, its scale is very far from the scales observed for UX Ori stars. It is difficult to reconcile the level of photometric activity with the idea that MWC 297 is observed through its own gas-dust disk viewed almost edge-on, as has been suggested in several studies.     

Photopolarimetric activity of the Ae Herbig star SV Cep

We present the results of simultaneous UBVRI photometric and polarimetric observations of the Ae Herbig star SV Cep made in 1987–1998. Over these 11 years, only a single deep (ΔV>1^m) brightness minimum was observed. Near this minimum, the brightness decrease was accompanied by an increase of the linear polarization, as is typical of young UX Ori stars. The photometric observations of SV Cep indicate reversals of the color tracks in brightness minima, as is common for stars of this type, as well as variations of the slopes of the color tracks during and after minima. This provides evidence that the circumstellar dust clouds screening the star differ in their sizes and masses, and also in the optical properties of their dust particles. A Fourier analysis of the brightness variations of SV Cep (including data from the literature) confirms the presence of previously suspected activity cycles with periods P ₁=4000^d and P ₂=670^d The polarimetric observations indicate that, along with the inverse correlation between the degree of linear polarization and brightness, the polarization parameters vary on characteristic time scales of 4000 and 1000 days. This suggests the existence of large-scale inhomogeneities in the circumstellar dust disk rotating about the star.