CCD photometry of variable stars in the Magellanic Clouds — V. The eclipsing binaries HV 1620 and HV 2241

Using improved techniques, high-quality CCD uvbyVI _C photometry has been obtained for the 14th magnitude eclipsing binaries HV 1620 in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and HV 2241 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). IUE ultraviolet spectrophotometry was also obtained. These data have been analysed using the Wilson & Devinney synthetic light-curve code and Kurucz model atmospheres. Both systems are semi-detached and appear to have undergone mass exchange. In HV 1620 the mass ratio and the effective temperatures of the primary and secondary are q  =  M ₂/ M ₁ = 0.68 ± 0.03, T _eff,1 = 33 000 ± 4500 K and T _eff,2 = 24 000 ± 3500 K. The corresponding values for HV 2241 are 0.53 ± 0.01, 27 000 ± 3000 K and 20 200 ± 1500 K. Using the radial-velocity curves obtained by Niemela & Bassino with a 1-m telescope, we find that both systems are massive, as expected. Reddening considerations suggest both systems may lie towards the rear of their respective Clouds.     

Spectral analysis of the high-gravity extreme helium star LS IV+6°2

The optical spectrum of the early B hydrogen-deficient star LS IV+6°2 has been analysed. With T _eff = 31000 K, log  g  = 4.05, n _H ∼ 10⁻⁴ and n _c ∼ 0.1 (relative abundances by number), it is the hottest high-gravity extreme helium star (EHe) yet studied. The He  i spectrum shows all predicted permitted and forbidden transitions in absorption. LS IV+6°2 is a comparatively metal-rich EHe star; abundances of C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Al and P are typical of other EHes, whilst Si and S are somewhat deficient. With the surface parameters given, LS IV+6°2 lies close to the boundary of the helium star pulsation instability finger near T _eff ∼ 27000 K. Available data indicate that the radial velocity is variable, but give no indication of amplitude or period.     

KPD 0422 + 5421: a new short-period subdwarf B/white dwarf binary

The subdwarf B (sdB) star KPD 0422 + 5421 was discovered to be a single-lined spectroscopic binary with a period of P  = 0.090 1795 ± (3 × 10⁻⁷) d (2 h 10 min). The U B light curves display an ellipsoidal modulation with amplitudes of ≈ 0.02 mag. The sdB star contributes nearly all of the observed flux. This and the absence of any reflection effect suggest that the unseen companion star is small (i.e. R _comp ≈ 0.01 R_⊙) and therefore degenerate. We modelled the U B light curves and derived i  = 78.05° ± 0.50° and a mass ratio of q  =  M _comp/ M _sdB = 0.87 ± 0.15. The sdB star fills 69 per cent of its Roche lobe. These quantities may be combined with the mass function of the companion [ f ( M ) = 0.126 ± 0.028 M_⊙] to derive M _sdB = 0.72 ± 0.26 M_⊙ and M _comp = 0.62 ±  0.18 M_⊙. We used model spectra to derive the effective temperature, surface gravity and helium abundance of the sdB star. We found T _eff = 25 000 ± 1500 K, log g  = 5.4 ± 0.1 and [He/H] = −1.0. With a period of 2 h 10 min, KPD 0422 + 5421 has one of the shortest known orbital periods of a detached binary. This system is also one of only a few known binaries that contain a subdwarf B star and a white dwarf. Thus KPD 0422 + 5421 represents a relatively unobserved, and short-lived, stage of binary star evolution.     

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.     

The initial mass function of the rich young cluster NGC 1818 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We use deep Hubble Space Telescope photometry of the rich, young (∼20- to 45-Myr old) star cluster NGC 1818 in the Large Magellanic Cloud to derive its stellar mass function (MF) down to  ∼0.15 M_⊙  . This represents the deepest robust MF thus far obtained for a stellar system in an extragalactic, low-metallicity  ([Fe/H]≃−0.4 dex)  environment. Combining our results with the published MF for masses above  1.0 M_⊙  , we obtain a complete present-day MF. This is a good representation of the cluster's initial MF (IMF), particularly at low masses, because our observations are centred on the cluster's uncrowded half-mass radius. Therefore, stellar and dynamical evolution of the cluster will not have affected the low-mass stars significantly. The NGC 1818 IMF is well described by both a lognormal and a broken power-law distribution with slopes of  Γ= 0.46 ± 0.10  and  Γ≃−1.35  (Salpeter-like) for masses in the range from 0.15 to  0.8 M_⊙  and greater than  0.8 M_⊙  , respectively. Within the uncertainties, the NGC 1818 IMF is fully consistent with both the Kroupa solar neighbourhood and the Chabrier lognormal mass distributions.     

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.     

The pulsating λ Bootis star HD 105759

We present spectroscopic and multisite time series photometric observations of the star HD 105759 which confirm that this is a new pulsating λ Bootis star. Our spectroscopy indicates an overall metallicity of [Z] = log Z − log Z_⊙ = −1 and that T _eff = 8000 ± 300 K and log  g  = 4.0 ± 0.2. The photometric data reveal that this star pulsates with at least five frequencies: 8.62, 12.69, 20.15, 21.27 and 23.66 d⁻¹. These frequencies do not all match those found in an earlier single-site study, indicating that the pulsation spectrum changes with time.     

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.     

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 performing a numerical model of this binary based on the Wilson–Devinney method. We obtained an orbital inclination     . 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 (O6.5V), 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.     

The binary star population of the young cluster NGC 1818 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We determine the binary star fraction as a function of radius in NGC 1818, a young rich cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud, using Hubble Space Telescope images in bands F336W (∼ U ) and F555W (∼ V ). Our sample includes binaries with M _primary ∼ 2–5.5 M_⊙ and M _secondary ≳ 0.7 M_primary. The binary fraction increases towards the cluster centre, from ∼ 20 ± 5 per cent in the outer parts, to ∼ 35 ± 5 per cent inside the core. This increase is consistent with dynamical mass segregation and need not be primordial. We compare our results with expectations from N -body models, and discuss the implications for the formation and early evolution of such clusters.     

uvbyβ photometry of the short-period binary VV Ursae Majoris

We present well-sampled uvby light curves, supplemented by a few β filter measurements, of the Algol binary VV UMa. The light curves are analysed using two different codes to derive the orbital and absolute stellar parameters of this binary. We find reasonably good fits to the light curves and determine the stellar effective temperatures T _eff,1≃9000–9600 K , and T _eff,2≃5300–5600 K with a mass ratio q ≃0.35 . From the light-curve fits we discard the possibility of an anomalous gravity-darkening exponent for the secondary star of this system, as previously suggested.
We find evidence of short-term, small-amplitude variations in the brightness of the system. Two periodicities of about 1.10 and 0.51 h seem to be present in the data for at least two different nights, even within the secondary eclipse. This suggests that VV UMa may be a new Algol binary with a low-amplitude variable primary star, but new data collected during longer observing runs are necessary to confirm the pulsating nature of the brightness variations.     

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.     

XMM–Newton observations of the eclipsing polar V2301 Oph

We present XMM–Newton observations of the eclipsing polar V2301 Oph which cover nearly 2.5 binary orbital cycles and two eclipses. This polar is believed to have the lowest magnetic field strength (7 MG) of any known polar. We find evidence for structure in the X-ray eclipse profile which shows a 'standstill' feature lasting  26 ± 4  s. This allows us to place an upper limit on the mass of the white dwarf of  ∼1.2 M_⊙  . We find no evidence for quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in the frequency range 0.02–10 Hz. This coupled with the absence of QPOs in RXTE data suggests that, if present, any oscillations in the shock front have a minimal effect on the resultant X-ray flux. We find no evidence for a distinct soft X-ray component in its spectrum – it therefore joins another seven systems which do not show this component. We suggest that those systems which are asynchronous, have low mass-transfer rates or have accretion occurring over a relatively large fraction of the white dwarf are more likely to show this effect. We find that the specific mass-transfer rate has to be close to 0.1 g cm⁻² s⁻¹ to predict masses which are consistent with that derived from our eclipse analysis. This may be due to the fact that the low magnetic field strength allows accretion to take place along a wide range of azimuth.     

Optical spectroscopy and photometry of SAX J1808.4−3658 in outburst

We present phase resolved optical spectroscopy and photometry of V4580 Sagittarii, the optical counterpart to the accretion powered millisecond pulsar SAX J1808.4−3658, obtained during the 2008 September/October outburst. Doppler tomography of the N  iii λ4640.64 Bowen blend emission line reveals a focused spot of emission at a location consistent with the secondary star. The velocity of this emission occurs at  324 ± 15 km s⁻¹  ; applying a ' K -correction', we find the velocity of the secondary star projected on to the line of sight to be  370 ± 40 km s⁻¹  . Based on existing pulse timing measurements, this constrains the mass ratio of the system to be  0.044^+0.005_−0.004  , and the mass function for the pulsar to be  0.44^+0.16_−0.13 M_⊙  . Combining this mass function with various inclination estimates from other authors, we find no evidence to suggest that the neutron star in SAX J1808.4−3658 is more massive than the canonical value of  1.4 M_⊙  . Our optical light curves exhibit a possible superhump modulation, expected for a system with such a low mass ratio. The equivalent width of the Ca  ii H and K interstellar absorption lines suggest that the distance to the source is ∼2.5 kpc. This is consistent with previous distance estimates based on type-I X-ray bursts which assume cosmic abundances of hydrogen, but lower than more recent estimates which assume helium-rich bursts.     

CCD photometric and mass function study of nine young Large Magellanic Cloud star clusters

We present a CCD photometric and mass function study of nine young Large Magellanic Cloud star clusters, namely NGC 1767, 1994, 2002, 2003, 2006, SL 538, NGC 2011, 2098 and 2136. BV RI data, reaching down to   V ∼ 21  mag, were collected from the 3.5-m NTT/EFOSC2 in subarcsec seeing conditions. For NGC 1767, 1994, 2002, 2003, 2011 and 2136, broad-band photometric CCD data are presented for the first time. Seven of the nine clusters have ages between 16 and 25 Myr, and the other two have ages of  32 ± 4 Myr  (NGC 2098) and  90 ± 10 Myr  (NGC 2136). For the seven youngest clusters, the age estimates based on a recent model and the integrated spectra are found to be systematically lower (∼10 Myr) than the present estimates. In the mass range  ∼2–12 M_⊙  , the mass function slopes for eight out of nine clusters were found to be similar, with the value of γ ranging from  −1.90 ± 0.16  to  −2.28 ± 0.21  . For NGC 1767 the slope is flatter, with  γ=−1.23 ± 0.27  . Mass segregation effects are observed for NGC 2002, 2006, 2136 and 2098. This is consistent with the findings of Kontizas and colleagues for NGC 2098. The presence of mass segregation in these clusters could be an imprint of the star formation process, as their ages are significantly smaller than their dynamical evolution time. The mean mass function slope of  γ=−2.22 ± 0.16  derived for a sample of 25 young (≤100 Myr) dynamically unevolved Large Magellanic Cloud stellar systems provides support for the universality of the initial mass function in the intermediate-mass range  ∼2–12 M_⊙  .     

On the MHD effects on the force-free monopole outflow

The stationary axisymmetric outflow from a rotating sphere with a (split) monopole magnetic field is considered. The stream equation describing the outflow is linearized in terms of the Michel magnetization parameter σ⁻¹ ≪ 1, which allows a self-consistent analysis of the direct problem. It is shown that for a finite σ the fast magnetosonic surface is located at a finite distance ∼ σ^1/3 R _L ( R _L =  c /Ω_F is the light cylinder). We have also found that the particle energy at the fast surface is just equal to the Michel value γ ∼ 1/3σ. The particle acceleration and magnetic field collimation are shown to become ineffective outside the fast magnetosonic surface.     

The formation of the black hole in the X-ray binary system V404 Cyg

Using new and archival radio data, we have measured the proper motion of the black hole X-ray binary V404 Cyg to be  9.2 ± 0.3 mas yr⁻¹  . Combined with the systemic radial velocity from the literature, we derive the full three-dimensional heliocentric space velocity of the system, which we use to calculate a peculiar velocity in the range 47–102 km s⁻¹, with a best-fitting value of 64 km s⁻¹. We consider possible explanations for the observed peculiar velocity and find that the black hole cannot have formed via direct collapse. A natal supernova is required, in which either significant mass  (∼11 M_⊙)  was lost, giving rise to a symmetric Blaauw kick of up to ∼65 km s⁻¹, or, more probably, asymmetries in the supernova led to an additional kick out of the orbital plane of the binary system. In the case of a purely symmetric kick, the black hole must have been formed with a mass  ∼9 M_⊙  , since when it has accreted  0.5–1.5 M_⊙  from its companion.     

The EC 14026 stars – VIII. PG 1336−018: a pulsating sdB star in an HW Vir-type eclipsing binary

The sdB star PG 1336−018 is found to be a very short-period eclipsing binary system, remarkably similar to the previously unique system HW Vir. In addition, and unlike HW Vir, the sdB star in the PG 1336 system shows rapid oscillations of the type found in the recently discovered sdB pulsators, or EC 14026 stars. The orbital period, 0.101 0174 d, is one of the shortest known for a detached binary. Analysis of photoelectric and CCD photometry reveals pulsation periods near 184 and 141 s, with semi-amplitudes of ∼0.01 and ∼0.005 mag respectively. Both oscillations might have variable amplitude, and it is probable that other frequencies are present with amplitudes ∼0.003 mag or less. The 184- and 141-s pulsations are in the range of periods predicted by models for hot horizontal-branch stars. Analysis of medium-dispersion spectrograms yields T _eff=33 000±1000 K and log g =5.7±0.1 for the sdB primary star, a radial velocity semi-amplitude K ₁=78±3 km s⁻¹ and a system velocity γ=6±2 km s⁻¹. Spectrograms from the IUE Final Archive give T _eff=33 000±3000 K and E ( B − V )=0.05 for log g =6.0 models. The derived angular radius leads to a distance of 710±50 pc for the system, and an absolute magnitude for the sdB star of +4.1±0.2. A preliminary analysis of U , V and R light curves indicates the orbital inclination to be near 81° and the relative radii to be r ₁=0.19 and r ₂=0.205. Assuming the mass of the sdB primary to be 0.5 M⊙ leads to a mass ratio q =0.3 for the system, and indicates that the secondary is a late-type dwarf of type ∼M5. As with HW Vir, it is necessary to invoke small limb-darkening coefficients and high albedos for the secondary star to obtain reasonable fits to the observed light curves.     

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_⊙  .     

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.