Independent estimate of the interstellar extinction toward FU Ori

Speckle-interferometric observations of FU Ori are performed with the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory with 600/40 nm and 800/100 nm (central bandwidth/halfwidth) filters. The companion star FU Ori S that was recently discovered at λ >-1.25µm was recorded in observations with the λ/Δλ==800/100 nm filter. The positional parameters and magnitude difference of the companion in the filter considered are found to be θ = (163.9 ± 1.0)°, ρ = (0.493 ± 0.007)″, Δm = 3.96 ± 0.28. An analysis of the spectral energy distribution of the companion implies that for the extinction A _V toward FU Ori to be greater than about 1.6 ^m , i.e., the minimum value required by the available models of the fuor, the spectral type of the companion star must be no later than K3. The reliability of this conclusion and the possible ways for obtaining more accurate estimates of A _V are discussed.     

Photometric activity of the UX Ori star V1184 Tau in the optical and near-infrared spectral ranges

We present the results of our infrared JHK photometry for the unusual UX Ori star V1184 Tau. Comparison with previous observations performed before the catastrophic decline in its optical brightness in 2004 (when the star faded approximately by a factor of 100) has shown the following: the star faded approximately by 2 ^m and 1 ^m in the J and H bands, respectively, while its K brightness remained almost constant. This pattern of infrared variability seems incompatible with the mechanism of variable circumstellar extinction responsible for the dramatic decline in the star’s optical brightness. However, if this mechanism is considered in the context of an accretion disk model with a puffed-up inner rim in the dust sublimation zone and with a disk wind producing an expanding gas-dust atmosphere above the disk surface, then the paradox can be resolved. In this model, the photometric activity of V1184 Tau in both visible and near-infrared spectral ranges, including the sharp brightness decline in 2004, can be explained by an increase in the geometric thickness of the disk in the dust sublimation zone caused by enhanced accretion of circumstellar matter onto the star. There is reason to believe that such events occur periodically and result from the presence of a companion to V1184 Tau moving in a highly eccentric orbit. The offered interpretation of the photometric activity of V1184 Tau allows this object to be classified as an UX Ori star based on the observed photometric effect and, at the same time, as a FU Ori star based on the pattern of the physical process that produced this effect.     

A spectroscopic study of the secondary star of BM Ori: Preliminary results

Two CCD spectra of the star BM Ori were obtained with the echelle spectrograph of the 6-m telescope. In one of the spectra, a large proportion of lines are distorted by emission. The emission component is blueshifted by 50 km s^?1, suggesting hot-gas outflow from the atmosphere. The equivalent-width ratio of measured lines in the spectra outside and during eclipse is consistent with the assumption that ～2/3 of the primary star’s area is obscured during eclipse, as follows from light curves. Measured line equivalent widths were used to estimate atmospheric parameters of the secondary star, T _eff=7300 K, log g=5.2, and microturbulence ξ_t=6 km s^?1, and to determine its chemical composition. The C, Na, Al, Si, S, Ca, Fe, Ni, and Zn abundances are solar, within the error limits. Li, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, and Y are overabundant, while Mg, Cu, and Ba are underabundant. In general, the secondary is similar in chemical composition to the star V 1016 Ori. Based on the secondary’s mass determined by solving the radial-velocity curve and on log g estimated spectroscopically from iron ionization equilibrium, we calculated its photospheric radius, R ₂ = 0.5R _⊙. However, the spectroscopic log g=5.2 disagrees with log g=3.5 calculated from the luminosity and effective temperature and with log g=3.0 calculated from light and radial-velocity curves. If the secondary’s photospheric radius is indeed small; this argues for the hypothesis that the eclipsing body is a dust envelope. The radial velocities measured from the two spectra are systematically higher than those calculated from the radial-velocity curve by +34 and +24 km s^?1. It is likely that the secondary’s atmosphere occasionally shrinks.     

Spectrum of the star BM Ori at minimum light

Two spectra of the star BM Ori were obtained with the 2.6-m Crimean Astrophysical Observatory telescope near its maximum eclipse phase. The light detector was a CCD array. The wavelength range 5305–5373 Å was chosen in such a way that it contained no strong primary lines. Optimum filtration of the spectra yielded a signal-to-noise ratio of ～300. Eighteen secondary lines are seen in the spectrum. Atmospheric parameters of the secondary star were determined: T _eff=5740 K and logg=3.0; the secondary was classified by these parameters as being of spectral type G2 III. The best agreement between observed and synthetic spectra is achieved for metallicity [M/H]=?0.5 and microturbulence ξ_t=0 km s^?1. The projected rotational velocity is Vsini=60 km s^?, in agreement with the synchronous velocity in the hypothesis that assumes a total eclipse by the secondary star. Atmospheric elemental abundances in the secondary are estimated. Nickel, chromium, and iron exhibit an underabundance of ～1 dex.     

Non-LTE models of the accretion disks of UX Ori stars

The results of a non-LTE analysis of a number of spectral lines formed in the accreting envelopes of UX Ori stars are given. The accretion rate is estimated from an analysis of the first three lines of the Balmer series: M _a = 10^?8 ?10^?9 M _⊙ The gas temperature in this region is about 10,000 K. In the immediate vicinity of the star there is a hotter region, with T > 15,000 K, in which the 5876 Å line of neutral helium, observed in the spectra of these stars, is formed. The region of formation of this line has a small geometrical thickness, covers a small fraction of the star’s visible disk, and evidently consists of the site of contact of the accreting gas with the stellar surface. The low gas rotation rates in this region (150–200 km/sec) may mean that rapid rotation of the accreting gas is damped by the star’s magnetic field, which is strong enough to affect the gas stream. We estimate the magnetic field strength in this region to be about 150 G.     

A spectroscopic study of V1016 Ori

Two CCD spectra of the star V1016 Ori were obtained with the echelle spectrograph of the 6-m (BTA) telescope. An analysis of these spectra allowed us to estimate the star's atmospheric parameters (T _eff=29700 K, logg=4.4) and projected rotational velocity (Vsini=60 km s^?1) and to determine its chemical composition. Chemical anomalies were found. The Fe abundance is nearly solar; He, C, O, Mg, Al, Si are underabundant; and Ne, S, Zn are overabundant. The “spectroscopic” radius of the primary is in satisfactory agreement with its radius determined from the light and radial-velocity curves if the small star is assumed to lie in front of the giant star during an eclipse. The paradox of the primary's anomalous radius is thus resolved. A table of line equivalent widths and a portion of the star's spectrum are given in Appendices 1 and 2.     

Period studies of classical Algol-type binaries II: UX Leo,RW Mon,EQ Ori,XZ UMa and AX Vul

This study presents an investigation of the orbital period variations of five Algol type binaries, UX Leo, RW Mon, EQ Ori, XZ UMa and AX Vul based on all available minima times. The O–C diagrams of all systems exhibit a periodic variation superimposed on a downward parabolic segment. The mass loss due to magnetic braking effect in the cooler components is assumed to account for the parabolic variation with a downward shape, while it is suggested that the light-time effect (LITE) due to an unseen component around the eclipsing binaries explains the tilted sinusoidal changes in their O–C diagrams. The orbital period decrease rates for the systems are estimated as approximately between about 0.7 and 2.5 s per century. It is clearly seen that mass loss effect is more dominant than the expected mass transfer for classical Algols in this study. The minimum mass of the probable third bodies around the eclipsing pairs was calculated to be ?0.5 M_⊙ except for UX Leo, in which it was estimated to be approximately 0.9 M_⊙. In order to search for third lights in the light curves of five systems, the V-light curves of the systems were analyzed and their physical and photometric parameters were determined. For UX Leo, a significant third light contribution was determined. We found a very small third light that can be tested using multi-color light curves, for RW Mon, EQ Ori and XZ UMa, while a third light for AX Vul could not be exposed.     

A study of the radial velocity of the star Θ1 Ori C

The radial velocities of the star Θ¹ Ori C were measured from IUE spectra and are compared with published data. Two companions (C1 and C2) are assumed to be present. The probable periods for companion C1 can be estimated from the formula P=729.6/L days, where L<13 is an integer. Radialvelocity curves were constructed for L=11 and 12. The orbit turned out to be elliptical. At L=11, the orbital elements are P=66.3(1) days, γ=10.9(2) km s^?1, K=6.1(4) km s^?1, ω=?2.88(5) rad, e=0.43(6), and Ep=JD 2449044.7(4). The errors in the last decimal digit are given in parentheses. Companion C2 was as detected by temporal variations in the γ velocity of companion C1. Its orbit is assumed to be circular with the following elements: P=120(6) yr, γ=22(1) km s^?1, K=13(2) km s^?1, and Ep=1911(3) yr.     

Spectral and photometric observations of the star Y Ori

Data are presented from a spectral and photometric study of the long-period variable star Y Ori, which we have classified as a type M7IIIe near its brightness minimum. In the blue part of the spectrum, features from a star of an earlier spectral class are superimposed on the spectrum of a cool giant, so that a variable excess emission is observed at wavelengths of 4000–4200 Å. As opposed to the monotonically decreasing intensity of the Balmer lines (EWHα > EWHβ > EWHγ > EWHδ) in normal stars belonging to the earlier spectral classes, a reverse relationship, with EWHγ < EWHδ is detected in Y Ori. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 567–575 (November 2008).     

The Herbig Ae/Be Star V586 Ori

Studies of the Herbig Ae/Be star V586 Ori based on photoelectric observations in the Strömgren system are reported. It is found that as the brightness decreases, the Balmer discontinuity index initially increases and then begins to drop. As the star fades, the index decreases. We have previously found similar variations in the indices and C for UX Ori, RR Tau, and V351 Ori. It is shown that V586 Ori has the characteristics of a shell-star.     

Mechanism for cyclical activity of the Herbig Ae star BF Ori

The photometric activity of the star BF Ori, which belongs to the family of UX Ori-type stars, is studied. New data obtained with the ASAS robotic telescope confirm the existence of a cyclical component in the light curve for this star with a duration of roughly 11-12 years. The form of the photometric cycle resembles the theoretical light curves for a young binary system with a low-mass secondary component, and which is accreting matter from a surrounding common disk. Alternative mechanisms for the cyclical variability of UX Ori stars are also discussed.     

A photometric study of the star V1016 Ori

New photoelectric UBVRI observations of the eclipsing variable V 1016 Ori have been obtained with the AZT-11 telescope at Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and with the Zeiss-600 telescope at Mount Maidanak Observatory. Light curves are constructed from the new observations and from published and archival data. We use a total of 340, 348, 386, 185, and 62 magnitude estimates in the bands from U to I, respectively. An analysis of these data has yielded the following results. The photometric elements were refined; their new values are $Min I = JDH 2441966.820 + 65\mathop .\limits^d 4331E$ . The UBVRI magnitudes outside eclipse were found to be $5\mathop .\limits^m 95$ , $6\mathop .\limits^m 77$ , $6\mathop .\limits^m 75$ , $6\mathop .\limits^m 68$ , and $6\mathop .\limits^m 16$ , respectively. No phase effect was detected. We obtained two light-curve solutions: (1) assuming that the giant star was in front of the small one during eclipse, we determined the stellar radii, r _s=0.0141 and r _g=0.0228 (in fractions of the semimajor axis of the orbit); and (2) assuming that the small star was in front of the giant one, we derived r _g=0.0186 and r _s=0.0180 for the V band. The brightness of the primary star in the bands from U to I is L ₁=0.96, 0.92, 0.90, 0.89, and 0.88, the orbital inclination is $i = 87^\circ .1$ , and the maximum eclipse phase is α₀= 0.66. In both cases, we accepted the U hypothesis, assumed the orbit to be elliptical, and took into account the flux from the star Θ¹ Ori E that fell within the photometer aperture. The first solution leads to a discrepancy between the primary radius determined by solving the light curve and the radial-velocity curve and its value estimated from the luminosity and temperature. This discrepancy is eliminated in the second solution, and it turns out that, by all parameters, the primary corresponds to a normal zero-age main-sequence star.     

The BM Ori System. II. Abundances of Helium and Iron in the Atmosphere of the Primary Star

The abundances of helium and iron in the atmosphere of the principal star of the BM Ori system are estimated. Spectra obtained with the BTA telescope and from the archives of the IUE and HST satellites are used. It turns out that the helium abundance is close to that in the sun, while that of iron is lower. The helium and iron abundances in other stars of the Trapezium of Orion are generally similar to those in BM Ori, but there are some differences. For example, of the two stars ¹ Ori C and ¹Ori D, one has a higher and the other a lower abundance of helium than does the sun. At the same time, the secondary of BM Ori has a normal abundance of iron.     

Spectroscopic observations of V1118 Ori in 1989

The spectra of the star V1118 Ori obtained during the fuor-like outburst in 1989 are typical of classical T Tau stars. The Balmer emission lines of hydrogen and Call are the most prominent lines in the spectrum. A short-wavelength absorption component of the H line shifted –500 km/sec from the H peak was observed in the spectrum of December 19, 1989, which indicates an strong outflow of material from the star. The rate of fuor-like outbursts for V1118 Ori during its active period has been once every three years on the average. There is some similarity between slow out bursts and the outbursts of EXors (subfuors).Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 365–374, July–September, 1996.     

UBVRI photometry of the eclipsing symbiotic system CI Cygni in 1996–1999

The UBVRI photometry of the eclipsing symbiotic star CI Cyg in 1996–1999 is presented. The system continued to be in quiescence during this period. The shape of the minima in its light curves attributable to eclipses of the compact star with an accretion disk by the red giant is the same as that in 1988–1995. An analysis of our observations and those of other researchers, which span a total of 27 years, has revealed a cyclic variability of the out-of-eclipse photometric properties of CI Cyg on a time scale of about 10.7±0.6 years with the clearest manifestation in the U-B color. The fact that the system’s out-of-eclipse light variations in U, on the one hand, and in BVRI, on the other, occur in antiphase suggests that the titanium red giant plays a significant role in this cyclic process. However, with its contribution to the total U flux being no larger than 10%, the observed light fluctuations of CI Cyg in this band must be caused not only by variability of the giant but also by light variations of the hot component. The presence of a 10.7-year cycle in the system’s active and quiescent states suggests that some precession phenomenon is responsible for it. Precession of the accretion disk, which would cause both the observed brightness of the primary component and the effect of its radiation on the titanium red giant to vary, can serve as an example of such a phenomenon.     

Light variations in the candidate for protoplanetary objects HD 179821=V1427 Aql in 1899–1999

We present photoelectric and photographic observations of the supergiant HD 179821 with a large infrared excess, a candidate for protoplanetary objects. Over, ten years of our UBV observations, the star exhibited semiregular light variations with amplitudes $\Delta V = 0\mathop .\limits^m 10$ , $\Delta B = 0\mathop .\limits^m 15$ , and $\Delta U = 0\mathop .\limits^m 25$ , as well as systematic color and light variations. From 1990 until 1996, the yearly mean U-B and B-V color indices decreased by 0.25 and 0.15, respectively. After 1996, the motion of the star in the two-color (B-V)-(U-B) diagram upward and to the left slowed down. The color excess that we derived from our observations, by assuming that the star’s spectral type was F3 I in the 1990s, is E(B-V)=1.0. The photographic observations of HD 179821 from 1899 until 1989 show that its brightness m _pg generally increased while significantly fluctuating. An analysis of the observational data suggests that HD 179821 is most likely a post-AGB star of intermediate or low mass.     

Analysis of IUE spectra for the star V1016 Ori

We analyze IUE spectra of the star 1016 Ori. Together with previously obtained visible spectra, they have allowed the wavelength range from 1150 to 7000 Å to be studied. Atmospheric parameters of the star were refined: logg=4.5(1), T _eff=30000(1000) K, and ξ_t=15(5) km s^?1. We measured the equivalent widths of ～500 lines and used them to compute the chemical composition. It turned out that the He, B, Mg, P, and S abundances were nearly solar; Ne, Ti, and Cr were overabundant; and C, N, O, Al, Si, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn were underabundant.     

The BM Ori System. III. The Depth of the Minimum in the Infrared

The depth of the minimum of the BM Ori eclipsing system is studied in the infrared. For this purpose, observations have been made in the JHKLM bands outside the eclipse and in the JHKL bands near the central phase of the eclipse. The depth of the minimum is found to have a complicated wavelength dependence. In the short wavelength region of the spectrum this depth decreases from the U band to the R band (λ=0.36–0.71 mm), which is explained in terms of eclipsing of the principal star by a dust cloud surrounding the companion and by the disk of the companion. In the IR the depth of the minimum increases sharply from the I to the L band (λ=0.97–3.5 mm). This effect can be explained by partial obscuring of the hot region of the dust cloud by the disk of the companion. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 565–573 (November 2005).