Two-Micron All-Sky Survey J01542930+0053266: a new eclipsing M dwarf binary system

We report on Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) J01542930+0053266, a faint eclipsing system composed of two M dwarfs. The variability of this system was originally discovered during a pilot study of the 2MASS Calibration Point Source Working Data base. Additional photometry from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey yields an eight-passband light curve from which we derive an orbital period of  2.639 0157 ± 0.000 0016  d. Spectroscopic followup confirms our photometric classification of the system, which is likely composed of M0 and M1 dwarfs. Radial velocity measurements allow us to derive the masses  (M₁= 0.66 ± 0.03 M_⊙; M₂= 0.62 ± 0.03 M_⊙)  and radii  (R₁= 0.64 ± 0.08 R_⊙; R₂= 0.61 ± 0.09 R_⊙)  of the components, which are consistent with empirical mass–radius relationships for low-mass stars in binary systems. We perform Monte Carlo simulations of the light curves which allow us to uncover complicated degeneracies between the system parameters. Both stars show evidence of Hα emission, something not common in early-type M dwarfs. This suggests that binarity may influence the magnetic activity properties of low-mass stars; activity in the binary may persist long after the dynamos in their isolated counterparts have decayed, yielding a new potential foreground of flaring activity for next generation variability surveys.     

Discovery of a widely separated ultracool dwarf–white dwarf binary

We present the discovery of the widest known ultracool dwarf–white dwarf binary. This binary is the first spectroscopically confirmed widely separated system from our target sample. We have used the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) and SuperCOSMOS archives in the southern hemisphere, searching for very widely separated ultracool dwarf–white dwarf binaries, and find one common proper motion system, with a separation of 3650–5250 au at an estimated distance of 41–59 pc, making it the widest known system of this type. Spectroscopy reveals 2MASS J0030−3740 is a DA white dwarf with   T _eff= 7600 ± 100 K, log( g ) = 7.79–8.09  and   M _WD= 0.48–0.65 M_⊙  . We spectroscopically type the ultracool dwarf companion (2MASS J0030−3739) as M9 ± 1 and estimate a mass of  0.07–0.08 M_⊙,  T _eff= 2000–2400 K  and  log( g ) = 5.30–5.35  , placing it near the mass limit for brown dwarfs. We estimate the age of the system to be >1.94 Gyr (from the white dwarf cooling age and the likely length of the main-sequence lifetime of the progenitor) and suggest that this system and other such wide binaries can be used as benchmark ultracool dwarfs.     

The component masses of the cataclysmic variable V347 Puppis

We present time-resolved spectroscopy and photometry of the double-lined eclipsing cataclysmic variable V347 Pup (=LB 1800). There is evidence of irradiation on the inner hemisphere of the secondary star, which we correct for using a model to give a secondary-star radial velocity of   K _R= 198 ± 5 km s⁻¹  . The rotational velocity of the secondary star in V347 Pup is found to be   v sin  i = 131 ± 5 km s⁻¹  and the system inclination is   i = 840 ± 23  . From these parameters we obtain masses of   M ₁= 0.63 ± 0.04 M_⊙  for the white dwarf primary and   M ₂= 0.52 ± 0.06 M_⊙  for the M0.5V secondary star, giving a mass ratio of   q = 0.83 ± 0.05  . On the basis of the component masses, and the spectral type and radius of the secondary star in V347 Pup, we find tentative evidence for an evolved companion. V347 Pup shows many of the characteristics of the SW Sex stars, exhibiting single-peaked emission lines, high-velocity S-wave components and phase-offsets in the radial velocity curve. We find spiral arms in the accretion disc of V347 Pup and measure the disc radius to be close to the maximum allowed in a pressureless disc.     

The triple degenerate star WD 1704+481

WD 1704+481 is a visual binary in which both components are white dwarfs. We present spectra of the H α line of both stars which show that one component (WD 1704+481.2=Sanduleak B=GR 577) is a close binary with two white dwarf components. Thus, WD 1704+481 is the first known triple degenerate star. From radial velocity measurements of the close binary we find an orbital period of 0.1448 d, a mass ratio, q M _bright M _faint, of 0.70±0.03 and a difference in the gravitational redshifts of 11.5±2.3 km s⁻¹. The masses of the close pair of white dwarfs predicted by the mass ratio and gravitational redshift difference combined with theoretical cooling curves are 0.39±0.05 and 0.56±0.07 M_⊙. WD 1704+481 is therefore also likely to be the first example of a double degenerate in which the less massive white dwarf is composed of helium and the other white dwarf is composed of carbon and oxygen.     

Low- and intermediate-mass close binary evolution and the initial–final mass relation

Using Eggleton's stellar evolution code, we carry out 150 runs of Population I binary evolution calculations with the initial primary mass between 1 and 8 M_⊙, the initial mass ratio     between 1.1 and 4, and the onset of Roche lobe overflow (RLOF) at an early, middle or late Hertzsprung-gap stage. We assume that RLOF is conservative in the calculations, and find that the remnant mass of the primary may change by more than 40 per cent over the range of initial mass ratio or orbital period, for a given primary mass. This is contrary to the often-held belief that the remnant mass depends only on the progenitor mass if mass transfer begins in the Hertzsprung gap. We fit a formula, with an error less than 3.6 per cent, for the remnant (white dwarf) mass as a function of the initial mass M _1i of the primary, the initial mass ratio q _i and the radius of the primary at the onset of RLOF. We also find that a carbon–oxygen white dwarf with mass as low as 0.33 M_⊙ may be formed if the initial mass of the primary is around 2.5 M_⊙.     

BF Eridani: a cataclysmic variable with a massive white dwarf and an evolved secondary

We present high- and medium-resolution spectroscopic observations of the cataclysmic variable BF Eridani (BF Eri) during its low and bright states. The orbital period of this system was found to be 0.270881(3) d. The secondary star is clearly visible in the spectra through the absorption lines of the neutral metals Mg  i , Fe  i and Ca  i . Its spectral type was found to be K3±0.5. A radial velocity study of the secondary yielded a semi-amplitude of   K ₂= 182.5 ± 0.9 km s⁻¹  . The radial velocity semi-amplitude of the white dwarf was found to be   K ₁= 74 ± 3 km s⁻¹  from the motion of the wings of the Hα and Hβ emission lines. From these parameters, we have obtained that the secondary in BF Eri is an evolved star with a mass of  0.50–0.59 M_⊙  , whose size is about 30 per cent larger than a zero-age main-sequence single star of the same mass. We also show that BF Eri contains a massive white dwarf  ( M ₁≥ 1.2 M_⊙)  , which allows us to consider the system as a Type Ia supernova progenitor. BF Eri also shows a high γ-velocity  (γ=−94 km s⁻¹)  and substantial proper motion. With our estimation of the distance to the system  ( d ≈ 700 ± 200 pc)  , this corresponds to a space velocity of ∼350 km s⁻¹ with respect to the dynamical local standard of rest. The cumulative effect of repeated nova eruptions with asymmetric envelope ejection might explain the high space velocity of the system. We analyse the outburst behaviour of BF Eri and question the current classification of the system as a dwarf nova. We propose that BF Eri might be an old nova exhibiting 'stunted' outbursts.     

The mass ratio and the orbital parameters of the sdOB binary AA Doradus

The time sequence of 105 spectra covering one full orbital period of AA Dor has been analysed. Direct determination of   V  sin  i   for the sdOB component from 97 spectra outside of the eclipse for the lines Mg  ii 4481 Å and Si  iv 4089 Å clearly indicated a substantially smaller value than estimated before. Detailed modelling of line-profile variations for eight spectra during the eclipse for the Mg  ii 4481 Å line, combined with the out-of-eclipse fits, gave   V  sin  i = 31.8 ± 1.8 km s⁻¹  . The previous determinations of   V  sin  i   , based on the He  ii 4686 Å line, appear to be invalid because of the large natural broadening of the line. With the assumption of the solid-body, synchronous rotation of the sdOB primary, the measured values of the semi-amplitude K ₁ and   V  sin  i   lead to the mass ratio   q = 0.213 ± 0.013  which in turn gives K ₂ and thus the masses and radii of both components. The sdOB component appears to be less massive than assumed before,   M ₁= 0.25 ± 0.05 M_⊙  , but the secondary has its mass–radius parameters close to theoretically predicted for a brown dwarf,   M ₂= 0.054 ± 0.010 M_⊙  and   R ₂= 0.089 ± 0.005 R_⊙  . Our results do not agree with the recent determination of Vŭcković et al. based on a K ₂ estimate from line-profile asymmetries.     

Spectroscopic and photometric observations of the eclipsing star UV Leo

High-resolution spectroscopic observations around the Hα line and BVRI photometry of the eclipsing short-period RS CVn star UV Leo are presented. The simultaneous light-curve solution and radial velocity-curve solution led to the following values of the global parameters of the binary: temperatures   T ₁= 6000 ± 100 K  and   T ₂= 5970 ± 20 K  ; masses   M ₁= 0.976 ± 0.067 M_⊙  and   M ₂= 0.931 ± 0.052 M_⊙  ; separation   a = 3.716 ± 0.048 R_⊙  ; orbital inclination     ; radii   R ₁= 1.115 ± 0.052 R_⊙  and   R ₂= 1.078 ± 0.051 R_⊙  ; equatorial velocities   V ₁= 98.8 ± 2.3 km s⁻¹  and   V ₂= 89.6 ± 2.7 km s⁻¹  . These results lead to the conclusion that the two components of UV Leo are slightly oversized for their masses and lie within the main-sequence band on the mass–radius diagram, close to the isochrone 9 × 10¹⁰ yr.     

Optical spectroscopy of the quiescent counterpart to EXO 0748−676

We present phase resolved optical spectroscopy and X-ray timing of the neutron star X-ray binary EXO 0748−676 after the source returned to quiescence in the autumn of 2008. The X-ray light curve displays eclipses consistent in orbital period, orbital phase and duration with the predictions and measurements before the return to quiescence. Hα and He  i emission lines are present in the optical spectra and show the signature of the orbit of the binary companion, placing a lower limit on the radial velocity semi-amplitude of   K ₂ > 405 km s⁻¹  . Both the flux in the continuum and the emission lines show orbital modulations, indicating that we observe the hemisphere of the binary companion that is being irradiated by the neutron star. Effects due to this irradiation preclude a direct measurement of the radial velocity semi-amplitude of the binary companion; in fact, no stellar absorption lines are seen in the spectrum. Nevertheless, our observations place a stringent lower limit on the neutron star mass of   M ₁ > 1.27 M_⊙  . For the canonical neutron star mass of   M ₁= 1.4 M_⊙  , the mass ratio is constrained to  0.075 < q < 0.105  .     

The mass of the neutron star in the binary millisecond pulsar PSR J 1012 + 5307

We have measured the radial velocity variation of the white dwarf secondary in the binary system containing the millisecond pulsar PSR J 1012 + 5307. Combined with the orbital parameters of the radio pulsar, we infer a mass ratio q (≡ M ₁/ M ₂) = 10.5 ± 0.5. Our optical spectroscopy has also allowed us to determine the mass of the white dwarf companion by fitting the spectrum to a grid of DA model atmospheres: we estimate M ₂ = 0.16 ± 0.02 M⊙, and hence the mass of the neutron star is 1.64 ± 0.22 M⊙, where the error is dominated by that of M ₂. The orbital inclination is 52 ± 4°. For an initial neutron star mass of ∼ 1.4 M⊙, only a few tenths of a solar mass at most has been successfully accreted over the lifetime of the progenitor low-mass X-ray binary. If the initial mass of the secondary was ∼ 1 M⊙, our result suggests that the mass transfer may have been non-conservative.     

Merged binary white dwarf evolution: rapidly accreting carbon–oxygen white dwarfs and the progeny of extreme helium stars

We have examined the evolution of merged low-mass double white dwarfs that become luminous helium stars. We have approximated the merging process by the rapid accretion of matter, consisting mostly of helium, on to a carbon–oxygen (CO) white dwarf. After a certain mass is accumulated, a helium shell flash occurs, the radius and luminosity increase and the star becomes a yellow giant. Mass accretion is stopped artificially when the total mass reaches a pre-determined value. When the mass above the helium-burning shell becomes small enough, the star evolves blueward almost horizontally in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. The theoretical models for the merger of a 0.6-M_⊙ CO white dwarf with a 0.3-M_⊙ He white dwarf agree very well with the observed locations of extreme helium stars in the  log  T _eff–log  g   diagram, with their observed rates of blueward evolution, and with luminosities and masses obtained from their pulsations. Together with predicted merger rates for  CO+He  white dwarf pairs, the evolutionary time-scales are roughly consistent with the observed numbers of extreme helium stars. Predicted surface carbon and oxygen abundances can be consistent with the observed values if carbon and oxygen produced in the helium shell during a previous asymptotic giant branch phase are assumed to exist in the helium zone of the initial CO white dwarfs. These results establish the  CO+He  white dwarf merger as the best, if not only, viable model for the creation of extreme helium stars and, by association, the majority of R Coronae Borealis stars.     

Spectroscopic solution of the star QX Cas

High-resolution spectroscopic observations around the Hα line of the binary star QX Cas covering the whole orbital period are presented. Our radial velocity solution, the first ever determined, requires an eccentric orbit with the following orbital parameters: eccentricity,   e = 0.22 ± 0.01  ; longitude of periastron,  ω= 45°± 5°  ; semi-amplitudes of the radial velocity curves of the primary and secondary stars,   K ₁ sin  i = 125.8 ± 0.9 km s⁻¹  and   K ₂ sin  i = 144.8 ± 1.1 km s⁻¹  ; gamma velocity,   V ₀= 65.1 ± 0.5 km s⁻¹  ; and mass ratio,   q = 0.869 ± 0.013  . The corresponding lower limits of the masses of the components and their separation are         , and   a sin  i = 31.34 ± 0.48 R_⊙  .     

HST and ground-based eclipse observations of V2051 Ophiuchi: binary parameters

We report on high-speed eclipse photometry of the dwarf nova V2051 Oph while it was in a low brightness state, at B  ≃ 16.2 mag. In comparison with the average IUE spectra, the ultraviolet continuum and emission lines appear reduced by factors of, respectively, ≃ 4 and ≃ 5. Flickering activity is mostly suppressed and the light curve shows the eclipse of a compact white dwarf at the disc centre which contributes ≃ 60 per cent of the total light at 3900–4300 Å. We use measurements of contact phases in the eclipse light curve to derive the binary geometry and to estimate masses and relevant dimensions. We find a mass ratio of q  = 0.19 ± 0.03 and an inclination of i  = 83 ± 2°. The masses of the component stars are M ₁ = 0.78 ± 0.06 M⊙ and M ₂ = 0.15 ± 0.03 M⊙. Our photometric model predicts K ₁ = 83 ± 12 km s⁻¹ and K ₂ = 436 ± 11 km s⁻¹. The predicted value of K₁ is in accordance with the velocity amplitude obtained from the emission lines after a correction for asymmetric line emission in the disc is made. The secondary of V2051 Oph is significantly more massive than the secondaries of the other ultrashort period dwarf novae. V2051 Oph is probably a relatively young system, with a secondary star that has not had enough time to evolve out of thermal equilibrium.     

Orbital solution and fundamental parameters of σ Scorpii

The first orbital solution for the spectroscopic pair in the multiple star system σ Scorpii, determined from measurements with the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer, is presented. The primary component is of β Cephei variable type and has been one of the most intensively studied examples of its class. The orbital solution, when combined with radial velocity results found in the literature, yields a distance of  174⁺²³₋₁₈ pc  , which is consistent with, but more accurate than the Hipparcos value. For the primary component we determine  18.4 ± 5.4 M_⊙, −4.12 ± 0.34 mag  and  12.7 ± 1.8 R_⊙  for the mass, absolute visual magnitude and radius, respectively. A B1 dwarf spectral type and luminosity class for the secondary is proposed from the mass determination of  11.9 ± 3.1 M_⊙  and the estimated system age of 10 Myr.     

The mass of the white dwarf in the old nova BT Mon

We present spectrophotometry of the eclipsing old nova BT Mon (Nova Mon 1939). By detecting weak absorption features from the secondary star, we find its radial velocity semi-amplitude to be K _R = 205 ± 5 km s⁻¹ and its rotational velocity to be v  sin  i  = 138 ± 5 km s⁻¹. We also measure the radial velocity semi-amplitude of the primary star to be K _R = 170 ± 10 km s⁻¹. From these parameters we obtain a mass of 1.04 ± 0.06 M⊙ for the white dwarf primary star and a mass of 0.87 ⊙ 0.06 M⊙ for the G8 V secondary star. The inclination of the system is found to be 82^°_.2 ± 32^°_.2 and we estimate that the system lies at a distance of 1700 ± 300 pc. The high mass of the white dwarf and our finding that BT Mon was probably a fast nova together constitute a new piece of evidence in favour of the thermonuclear runaway model of classical nova outbursts. The emission lines are single-peaked throughout the orbital cycle, showing absorption around phase 0.5, high-velocity S-wave components and large phase offsets in their radial velocity curves. In each of these respects, BT Mon is similar to the SW Sex stars. We also find quasi-periodic flaring in the trailed spectra, which makes BT Mon a candidate intermediate polar.     

A near-infrared spectroscopic search for very-low-mass cool companions to notable DA white dwarfs

We have undertaken a detailed near-infrared spectroscopic analysis of eight notable white dwarfs, predominantly of southern declination. In each case the spectrum failed to reveal compelling evidence for the presence of a spatially unresolved, cool, late-type companion. Therefore, we have placed an approximate limit on the spectral type of a putative companion to each degenerate. From these limits we conclude that if GD659, GD50, GD71 or WD2359−434 possesses an unresolved companion then most probably it is substellar in nature  ( M < 0.072 M_⊙)  . Furthermore, any spatially unresolved late-type companion to RE J0457−280, RE J0623−374, RE J0723−274 or RE J2214−491 most likely has   M < 0.082 M_⊙  . These results imply that if weak accretion from a nearby late-type companion is the cause of the unusual photospheric composition observed in a number of these degenerates then the companions are of very low mass, beyond the detection thresholds of this study. Furthermore, these results do not contradict a previously noted deficit of very-low-mass stellar and brown dwarf companions to main sequence F, G, K and early-M type primaries ( a ≲ 1000 au).     

The ages and colours of cool helium-core white dwarf stars

The purpose of this work is to explore the evolution of helium-core white dwarf stars in a self-consistent way with the predictions of detailed non-grey model atmospheres and element diffusion. To this end, we consider helium-core white dwarf models with stellar masses of 0.406, 0.360, 0.327, 0.292, 0.242, 0.196 and 0.169 M_⊙ and follow their evolution from the end of mass-loss episodes, during their pre-white dwarf evolution, down to very low surface luminosities.
We find that when the effective temperature decreases below 4000 K, the emergent spectrum of these stars becomes bluer within time-scales of astrophysical interest. In particular, we analyse the evolution of our models in the colour–colour and in the colour–magnitude diagrams and find that helium-core white dwarfs with masses ranging from ∼0.18 to 0.3 M_⊙ can reach the turn-off in their colours and become blue again within cooling times much less than 15 Gyr and then remain brighter than M _V ≈16.5 . In view of these results, many low-mass helium white dwarfs could have had enough time to evolve to the domain of collision-induced absorption from molecular hydrogen, showing blue colours.     

Cooling curves and initial models for low-mass white dwarfs (<0.25 M⊙) with helium cores

We present a detailed calculation of the evolution of low-mass (<0.25 M_⊙) helium white dwarfs. These white dwarfs (the optical companions to binary millisecond pulsars) are formed via long-term, low-mass binary evolution. After detachment from the Roche lobe, the hot helium cores have a rather thick hydrogen layer with mass between 0.01 and 0.06 M_⊙. As a result of mixing between the core and outer envelope, the surface hydrogen content ( X _surf) is 0.5–0.35 , depending on the initial value of the heavy element Z and the initial secondary mass. We found that the majority of our computed models experience one or two hydrogen shell flashes. We found that the mass of the helium dwarf in which the hydrogen shell flash occurs depends on the chemical composition. The minimum helium white dwarf mass in which a hydrogen flash takes place is 0.213 M_⊙ ( Z =0.003), 0.198 M_⊙ ( Z =0.01), 0.192 M_⊙ ( Z =0.02) or 0.183 M_⊙ ( Z =0.03). The duration of the flashes (independent of chemical composition) is between a few ×10⁶ and a few ×10⁷ yr. In several flashes the white dwarf radius will increase so much that it forces the model to fill its Roche lobe again. Our calculations show that the cooling history of the helium white dwarf depends dramatically on the thickness of the hydrogen layer. We show that the transition from a cooling white dwarf with a temporarily stable hydrogen-burning shell to a cooling white dwarf in which almost all residual hydrogen is lost in a few thermal flashes (via Roche lobe overflow) occurs between 0.183 and 0.213 M_⊙ (depending on the heavy element value).     

Multiband photometric detection of a huge flare on the M9 dwarf 2MASSW J1707183+643933

We present simultaneous UV , G , R and I monitoring of 19 M dwarfs that reveal a huge flare on the M9 dwarf with an amplitude in the UV of at least 6 mag. This is one of the strongest detections ever of an optical flare in an M star and one of the first in an ultracool dwarf (spectral types later than about M7). Four intermediate-strength flares  (Δ m _UV < 4 mag)  were found in this and three other targets. For the whole sample we deduce a flare probability of 0.013 (rate of  0.022 h⁻¹  ), and  0.049 (0.090 h⁻¹)  for 2M1707+64 alone. Deviations of the flare emission from a blackbody is consistent with strong  Hα  line emission. We also confirm our previously found rotation period for 2M1707+64 and determine it more precisely to be  3.619 ± 0.015 h  .     

The case and fate of HD 75767 – neutron star or supernova?

We report the discovery of the nearby  ( d = 24 pc)  HD 75767 as an eight billion year old quadruple system consisting of a distant M dwarf pair, HD 75767 C–D, in orbit around the known short-period   P = 10.25 d  single-lined binary HD 75767 A–B, the primary of which is a solar-like G star. On the reasonable assumption of synchronous orbital rotation as well as rotational and orbital coplanarity for the inner pair, we get   M _B= 0.96 M_⊙  for the unseen HD 75767 B, that is, the case of a massive white dwarf. Upon future evolution, mass transfer towards HD 75767 B will render the   M _A= 0.96 M_⊙  G-type primary, now a turnoff star, to become a helium white dwarf of   M _A∼ 0.33 M_⊙  . Depending on the mass accretion rate, accretion efficiency and composition of the massive white dwarf, this in turn may result in a collapse of HD 75767 B with the formation of a millisecond pulsar, i.e. the creation of a low-mass binary pulsar (LMBP), or, instead, a Type Ia supernova explosion and the complete disruption of HD 75767 B. Irrespective of which scenario applies, we point to the importance of the distant M dwarfs as the likely agents for the formation of the inner, short-period HD 75767 A–B pair, and hence a path that particularly avoids preceding phases of common envelope evolution.