Spectroscopic studies of southern-hemisphere Cepheids: Six objects in Centaurus (V Cen, V737 Cen) and Sagittarius (BB Sgr, W Sgr, X Sgr, Y Sgr)

This paper is the next one in the series of our works aimed at determining the atmospheric parameters and chemical composition of southern-hemisphere Cepheids. We present the results of our study for six bright Cepheids: V Cen, V737 Cen, BB Sgr, W Sgr, X Sgr, and Y Sgr. We have analyzed 14 high-resolution spectra taken with the 1.9-m telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory. In addition to determining the chemical composition and atmospheric parameters, we point out and discuss several features in the spectra of individual Cepheids. In particular,we have detected emission in the cores of the Hβ and Hα lines forWSgr near its maximum light, while X Sgr shows the splitting of metal absorption lines into individual components without any change of the hydrogen lines. These peculiarities can be explained by different manifestations of shock waves in the Cepheid atmospheres and by the presence of circumstellar envelopes around X Sgr and W Sgr. The chemical composition has been estimated for V737 Cen, BB Sgr, and X Sgr for the first time. On the whole, our abundance estimates for α-elements, iron-peak elements, and r- and s-process elements are close to the solar ones for all objects, carbon is underabundant, the oxygen abundance is nearly solar, the “odd” elements, Na and Al, are overabundant (except X Sgr), magnesium is underabundant for V Cen and X Sgr and overabundant for the remaining objects. Such a chemical composition is typical of yellow supergiants after the first dredge-up. Keywords: Cepheids, spectra, atmospheric parameters, chemical composition.     

Optical Spectroscopy of V4334 Sgr: 1996–2000

Due to a combination of rapid expansion and changes in chemical composition, the optical spectrum of V4334 Sgr changed rapidly between discovery in 1996 Februaryand extinction during 1999. As one of the most rapidly evolving stars ever observed, optical spectroscopy must answer a range of important questions.The development of the optical spectrum and its implications are discussedthrough a review of published literature. A previously unpublished sequence of spectra from near discovery through 1996 demonstrates the thermal evolution of V4334 Sgr, while detailed analysis of an unpublished echelle spectrumobtained in 1996 May raises questions about the model atmospheres used to date.As a result, requirements for future models of the atmosphere of V4334 Sgr are analysed. The future evolution of V4334 Sgr and the dispersion of its dustycocoon are briefly discussed.     

On nova Scorpii 2007 N.1 (V1280 Sco)

We present the results of our photometric and spectroscopic observations of Nova Sco 2007 N.1 (V1280 Sco). The photometric data was represented by a single data point in the light curve since the observation was carried out only for one night. The spectra cover two different phases of the object’s evolution during the outburst, i.e. pre-maximum and post-maximum. Measurements of the P-Cygni profile on Na I ‘D’ line (5889 Å) was derived as the velocity of shell expansion, yielding 1567.43±174.14 km s^?1. We conclude that V1280 Sco is a fast Fe II-type nova.     

The spectroscopic evolution of V5584 Sgr (Nova Sgr 2009 No. 4)

We have secured optical spectroscopy of the nova V5584 Sgr at the Loiano Observatory, Italy, during the post outburst decline. V5584 Sgr showed the presence of nebular lines. We have estimated the decline time by two magnitudes, 27 days, the absolute magnitude at maximum, −7.2 to −7.7, the white dwarf mass, 0.8 to 0.9 M _⊙, the distance, 5.8 to 7.1 kpc.     

Modeling the Dust Shell of V4334 Sgr

The central star V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object) of the planetary nebula PN G010.4+04.4 underwent in 1995–1996 the rare event of a very late helium flash.It is only one of two such events during the era of modern astronomy (the other event was V605 Aql = Nova Aql 1919). All other prominentobjects of that type originate from events several thousands of years ago (e.g. A30, A78). Hence, only snapshots can be modeled for those objects.V4334 Sgr allows for the first time a dynamic consideration of the formation of the dust shell from the beginning.We present here a model which is able to describe the complete photometric behaviorof the object, including the fine structure dips of the optical light curve during the first two years of the mass loss and the dust formation.     

The evolution of nova V5558 Sgr during the decline stage

We report the spectroscopic follow-up of the nova V5558 Sgr carried out in 2008 and 2009 at the Loiano Observatory, Italy, during the decline stage, as a part of an ongoing monitoring campaign. The spectra suggest that V5558 Sgr has entered the nebular stage, as shown by the presence of high ionization lines, and confirm that it is very similar to the slow nova V723 Cas, as previously suggested. We have estimated the decline time by three magnitudes, 170 ± 2 days, typical of slow novae. We have revised the estimation of the absolute magnitude at maximum (?6.3 to ?5.9) and the distance (1.3–1.6 kpc) of V5558 Sgr, in agreement with previous results. The revised white dwarf mass (0.58–0.63 M_⊙) confirms that V5558 Sgr is a critical system whose mass is close to the lower limit to trigger the nova outburst.     

Optical photometry of V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object)

The optical photometric evolution of the final helium flash object V4334 Sgr from 1994 to 2001 is described. The rise to optical maximum (1994–1996) is characterized by a continuous increase of colour indices, indicating a slowly expanding, cooling pseudo-photosphere. This photosphere became stationary in 1997. In the following years, the object underwent brightnessdeclines of increasing strength, which are similar in character to the `reddeclines' of RCB stars. The fading of V4334 Sgr is more dramatic than anybrightness decline of an RCB star: at present, only 10^-5 of the visual light reaches the observer. Most short-wavelength radiation is absorbed by a dust envelopethat completely surrounds the star, and is re-radiated in the infrared. The sparse optical data of 2000–2001 show that the obscuration has not increased in strength any more. The light curve of V4334 Sgr is similar to that of the final helium flash object V605 Aql which erupted in 1919.     

A reanalysis of the data of three classical cepheids: V381 Cen,V500 Sco,and SV Vel

Using the recently developed CORS method, applied to the photometric data of Walravenet al. (1964), we have determined improved radii for the three classical cepheids V381 Cen, V500 Sco, and SV Vel. These new determinations are in good agreement with theoretical computations for the center of the instability strip (Cogan, 1978). Some peculiar parameters are also computed, from the analysis of photometric data.     

Cyclical period changes in the dwarf novae V2051 Oph and V4140 Sgr

We report on the identification of cyclical changes in the orbital period of the eclipsing dwarf novae V2051 Ophiuchi and V4140 Sagittarii. We used sets of white dwarf mid-eclipse timings to construct observed-minus-calculated diagrams covering, respectively, 25 and 16 yr of observations. The V2051 Oph data present cyclical variations that can be fitted by a linear plus sinusoidal function with period of  22 ± 2 yr  and amplitude of  17 ± 3 s  . The statistical significance of this period by an F-test is larger than 99.9 per cent. The V4140 Sgr data present cyclical variations of similar amplitude and period of  6.9 ± 0.3 yr  which are statistically significant at the 99.7 per cent level. We derive upper limits for secular period changes of     and     for V2051 Oph and V4140 Sgr, respectively.
We have combined our results with those in the literature to construct a diagram of the amplitude versus period of the modulation for a sample of 11 eclipsing cataclysmic variables (CVs). If the cyclical period changes are the consequence of a solar-type magnetic activity cycle in the secondary star, then magnetic activity is a widespread phenomenon in CVs, being equally common among long- and short-period systems. This gives independent evidence that the magnetic field (and activity) of the secondary stars of CVs do not disappear when they become fully convective. We also find that the fractional cycle period changes of the short-period CVs are systematically smaller than those of the long-period CVs.     

Modeling of atmospheres and spectral energy distributions of R CrB and V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object)

Procedures and results of computations of model atmospheres andspectral energy distributions of R CrB, V4334 Sgr and relatedobjects are discussed. The sequence of SEDs computed for a gridof model atmospheres with 4000 < T_eff < 7000, 0 < logg < 1 provides a unique possibility to analyze the temporalchanges of physical parameters of V 4334 Sgr and related objectsin the framework of a self-consistent approach.     

V4745 Sgr – a nova above the period gap and an intermediate polar candidate

A period analysis of CCD unfiltered photometry of V4745 Sgr (Nova Sgr 2003 #1) performed during 23 nights in the years 2003–2005 is presented. The photometric data are modulated with a period of  0.20 782 ± 0.00 003 d (4.98 768 ± 0.00 072 h)  . Following the shape of the phased light curve and the presence of the periodicity in all data sets with no apparent change in its value, we interpret this periodicity as orbital in nature and this is consistent with a cataclysmic variable above the period gap. We found a probable short-term periodicity of  0.017 238 ± 0.000 037 d (24.82 272 ± 0.05 328 min)  which we interpret as the probable spin period of the white dwarf or the beat period between the orbital and spin period. Therefore, we propose that nova V4745 Sgr should be classified as an intermediate polar candidate, supporting the proposed link between transition-oscillation novae and intermediate polars. The mass–period relation for cataclysmic variables yields a secondary mass of about  0.52 ± 0.05 M_⊙  .     

V4633 Sgr – a probable second asynchronous polar classical nova

Photometric observations of V4633 Sgr (Nova Sagittarii 1998) during 1998–2005 reveal the presence of a stable photometric periodicity at   P ₁= 180.8 min  which is probably the orbital period of the underlying binary system. A second period was present in the light curve of the object for 6 yr. Shortly after the nova eruption it was measured as   P ₂= 185.6 min  . It has decreased monotonically in the following few years reaching the value   P ₂= 183.9 min  in 2003. In 2004 it was no longer detectable. We suggest that the second periodicity is the spin of the magnetic white dwarf of this system that rotates nearly synchronously with the orbital revolution. According to our interpretation, the post-eruption evolution of Nova V4633 Sgr follows a track similar to the one taken by V1500 Cyg (Nova Cygni 1975) after that nova eruption, on a somewhat longer time-scale. The asynchronism is probably the result of the nova outburst that led to a considerable expansion of the white dwarf's photosphere. The increase in the moment of inertia of the star was associated with a corresponding decrease in its spin rate. Our observations have followed the spinning-up of the white dwarf resulting from the contraction of its outer envelope as the star is slowly returning to its pre-outburst state. It is thus the second known asynchronous polar classical nova.     

Light-Time Effect in the Eclipsing Binaries GO Cyg, GW Cep, AR Aur and V505 Sgr

Orbital period changes of the eclipsing binaries GO Cyg and GW Cep are explained by the light-time effect for the first time. New minima of the eclipsing binary AR Aur improve the predicted light-time orbit. The light-time orbit with the quadratic ephemeris of the binary matches the new observations of V505 Sgr better than the linear one. As the light-time effect fits in corresponding O − C diagrams of all four systems have been reaching extreme values, the observations of minima times in forthcoming years are highly desirable.     

Absolute parameters of the Algol binary V505 Sgr from infrared JK light curves

We present the first light curves of V505 Sgr in the infrared (IR) J and K bands. The light curves are analysed with a code based on Roche geometry and stellar model atmosphere fluxes in order to determine a new set of stellar and orbital parameters. From the visual–IR photometry we find no evidence of IR excess in the system. We study the effect of the non-synchronous rotation of the primary star in the light and radial velocity curves. The distance of the system is estimated as  112 ± 4 pc  , in close agreement with the Hipparcos parallax.     

In between β Lyrae and Algol: The Case Of V356 Sgr

The eclipsing binary system V356 Sgr is of considerable interest, since it is probably at the very end of its mass transfer phase, i.e. between β Lyrae and Algol. Hence, the binary provides an opportunity to directly examine the exposed core of a star for signatures of nuclear burning, and to test stellar evolution models. The system is composed of an early B star accreting matter from a Roche-lobe filling A2 II star. Recently, with progress in the UV spectral region, significant revision of previous values for absolute parameters has been made. Therefore, we find it justified and important to present a new photometric solution. Our model is compared to an early disk model, and is discussed in the framework of mass transfer processes in this binary system.     

SAKURAI'S object (V4334 Sgr); The evolution of a final helium flash star

Sakurai's object(V4334 Sgr) in all likelihood is a star undergoing a final helium flash.Since its discovery in 1996 observers have been trying to keep up a monitoring of the amazingly fast changes of its stellar properties;changes occuring on time scales of a few weeks or months. By enabling us to follow the evolution of one object in `real time' it relieves us of the need to painstakingly assemble a consistent understanding from different objects, at the various stages of evolution that they have reached from differing starting conditions.Sakurai's object thereby offers a unique opportunity to study an important but short-lived aspect of regular stellar evolution, the final helium flash.     

Orbital period investigations of two short-period early-type overcontact binaries BH Cen and V701 Sco in two extremely young galactic clusters IC 2944 and NGC 6383

Both V701 Sco and BH Cen are two early-type short-period overcontact systems (P = 0.^d762 and P = 0.^d792, respectively). V701 Sco is a member of the young galactic cluster NGC 6383, while BH Cen is a component of a younger galactic cluster IC 2944 where star formation is in process. They provide good opportunity to understand the formation and evolution of binary stars. In the present paper, orbital period changes of the two binaries are investigated. It is discovered that the orbital period of BH Cen shows a long-term increase with a rate of dP/dt = +1.70(±0.39) × 10⁻⁷ days/year while it undergoes a cyclic oscillation with a period of 44.6 years and an amplitude of A₃ = 0.^d0216. For V701 Sco, its O-C curve reveals a periodic change with a period of 41.2 years and amplitude of A₃ = 0.^d0158. The mass ratio of BH Cen is 0.84, but V701 Sco contains twin B1-1.5V type stars with a mass ratio of unit. The continuous period increase of BH Cen is caused by the mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one at a rate of dM₂/dt = 3.5 × 10⁻⁶ days/year.The cyclic period changes of both systems can be plausibly explained as the results of light-travel time effects suggesting that they are triple systems. The astrophysical parameters of the unseen tertiary components in the two systems have been determined. We think that the invisible tertiary components in both binaries played an important role in the formations and evolutions of the overcontact configurations by bringing angular momentum out from the central systems. For BH Cen, this process created the initial short period and will support its evolution into an overcontact configuration via a Case A mass transfer within the life time of the extremely young cluster IC 2944. For V701 Sco, two identical zero-age main-sequence components in an overcontact configuration suggest that it may have been formed by fission, possibly by the fission of the third body. The fact that no long-term continuous period variations were found for V701 Sco may suggest that an overcontact binary with the mass ratio of unity can be in an equilibrium revealing that the original configuration of the binary was overcontact as is its present state. It has been reported that faint stars in the two extremely young clusters are relatively scare. From the present study, it is shown that faint stars in young clusters are usually formed as companions of OB stars (including binaries). It is very difficult to detect them because of their low luminosity when compared with the more luminous OB stars.     

V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object): The Distance Problem

The central star V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object) of the planetary nebula PN G010.4+04.4 underwent in 1995–1996 the rare event of a very late helium flash. It represents only one out of two such events during the era of modern astronomy (the other event was V605 Aql = Nova Aql 1919). All the other prominent objects of that type originate from events occurring several thousands of years ago (e.g. A30, A78). Thus it is of special interest for stellar evolution theory to model the detailed observations obtained during the last four years. Those models depend essentially on basic stellar parameters like effective temperature, surface gravity and stellar radius. Most of them depend strongly on the assumed distance to the object. Some models may give some constraints on this parameter, but most of them depend on the assumption as input parameter. Hence to determine a reliable distance is of considerable significance. This should be obtained through models that give us lower and upper boundaries, or through means which are independent of models. The detailed review, by using every kind of determination available up to now, leads to a Galactic foreground extinction of E _B–V =0^m75 ±0.05 and a distance of D = 2.0_-0.6 ^+1.0 kpc.     

The born-again (very late thermal pulse) scenario revisited: the mass of the remnants and implications for V4334 Sgr

We present 1D numerical simulations of the very late thermal pulse (VLTP) scenario for a wide range of remnant masses. We show that by taking into account the different possible remnant masses, the observed evolution of V4334 Sgr (a.k.a. Sakurai's object) can be reproduced within the standard 1D mixing length theory (MLT) stellar evolutionary models without the inclusion of any ad hoc reduced mixing efficiency. Our simulations hint at a consistent picture with present observations of V4334 Sgr. From energetics, and within the standard MLT approach, we show that low-mass remnants  ( M ≲ 0.6 M_⊙)  are expected to behave markedly differently from higher mass remnants  ( M ≳ 0.6 M_⊙)  in the sense that the latter remnants are not expected to expand significantly as a result of the violent H-burning that takes place during the VLTP. We also assess the discrepancy in the born-again times obtained by different authors by comparing the energy that can be liberated by H-burning during the VLTP event.     

Time variations of hard X-rays from Sco X-1

Simultaneous hard X-ray and optical observations of Sco X-1 were carried out on 1971 May 1 at Hyderabad, India, when Sco X-1 was optically bright. The X-ray intensity observed by balloon-borne counter telescopes increased in coincidence with optical enhancements, while the plasma temperature derived by fitting the X-ray spectrum in the energy range 20–40 keV to the thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum did not appreciably change over the whole period of observation.