Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms – XXII. The B9–A3 stars λ Ursae Majoris, 59 Herculis, 14 Cygni and 29 Cygni

Elemental abundances of the moderately rotating B9–A3 stars λ UMa, 59 Her, 14 Cyg and 29 Cyg have been derived in a consistent manner with previous studies of this series from spectrograms obtained with Reticon and CCD detectors. The derived elemental abundances show that λ UMa is a mild Am star, while 59 Her is slightly metal-rich. Although 14 Cyg has values closer to solar than these stars, its subsolar Ca and Sc abundances indicate that it might be the hottest known hot-Am star. 29 Cyg is a metal-poor λ Boo star.     

Possible detection of V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object) at 450 and 850 μm

We report the possible detection of V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object) at 450 and 850 μm with SCUBA on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. The submillimetre photometry, combined with a  1–5 μm  spectrum and  8–10 μm  photometry obtained nearly contemporaneously, suggests that the submillimetre emission originates in material ejected during the 1995 event. The dust mass is a  few×10^-7 M_⊙  , the average mass-loss in the form of dust is  few×10^-8 M_⊙ yr^-1  , and the integrated luminosity is  log( L /L_⊙)=3.66  for a distance of 2 kpc. The ejected shell had angular diameter ∼55 mas in 2001 August, and should by now be resolvable in the mid-infrared by  8–10 m  class telescopes.     

The pulsating hydrogen-deficient star LSS 3184 (BX Cir)

We present extensive photometry and spectroscopy of the extremely hydrogen-deficient star, LSS 3184, recently discovered to be a rapid variable (period ∼0.1066 d) strikingly similar to V652 Her. Over 95 h of photometry confirms the reported variability, which is of rather low amplitude (Δ V ∼0.03 mag), defines the light curve with greater precision and establishes a much more accurate ephemeris (period ∼0.106 578 4 d) to form a basis for detecting period change. Attention is drawn to the usefulness of a period-finding technique that fits harmonic components to the photometric observations. Spectroscopy shows a peak-to-peak variation in radial velocity of about 30 km s⁻¹, which, when combined with the photometric observations, confirms the pulsational nature of the variability and strongly indicates that the pulsations are radial in nature.     

Spectroscopic observations of the eclipsing polar MN Hya (RX J0929–24)

We present low–medium resolution optical spectroscopy of the eclipsing AM Her system MN Hya (RX J0929–24). We determine the magnetic field strength at the primary accretion region of the white dwarf to be 42 MG from the spacing of cyclotron features visible during π ∼ 0.4–0.7. From spectra taken during the eclipse we find that the secondary has an M3–4 spectral type. Combined with the eclipse photometry of Sekiguchi, Nakada &38; Bassett and an estimate of the interstellar extinction we find a distance of ∼300–700 pc. We find unusual line variations at π ∼ 0.9: Hα is seen in absorption and emission. This is at the same point in the orbital phase at which a prominent absorption dip is seen in soft X-rays.     

The unique frequency spectrum of the Blazhko RRc Star LS Her

The Blazhko effect in RR Lyrae stars is still poorly understood theoretically. Stars with multiple Blazhko periods or in which the Blazhko effect itself varies are particularly challenging. This study investigates the Blazhko effect in the RRc star LS Her. Detailed CCD photometry in the   V , R _C  and I _C band has been performed on 63 nights during six months. LS Her is confirmed to have a Blazhko period of  12.75 ± 0.02  d. However, where normally the side frequencies of the Blazhko triplet are expected, an equidistant group of three frequencies is found on both sides of the main pulsation frequency. As a consequence, the period and amplitude of the Blazhko effect itself vary in a cycle of  109 ± 4  d. LS Her is a unique object turning out to be very important in the verification of the theories for the Blazhko effect.     

Spectroscopy and orbital periods of the old novae V533 Herculis, V446 Herculis and X Serpentis

We report spectroscopic orbital periods of 0.147 d (=3.53 h) for V533 Her, 0.207 d (=4.97 h) for V446 Her and 1.478 d for X Ser. V533 Her (Nova Herculis 1963) shows absorption features in its He  i and Balmer lines which appear only in a limited range of orbital phase, suggesting that it is a low-inclination SW Sextantis star. V446 Her is unusual in that it has started normal dwarf nova eruptions after a nova outburst, but we find nothing else unusual about it – in particular, a distance estimate based on its dwarf nova outbursts agrees nicely with another based on the rate of decline of its nova eruption, both giving d ∼1 kpc. In X Ser, unlike in other old novae with long periods, no spectral features of the secondary star are visible. This and its outburst magnitude both suggest that it is quite distant and luminous, and at least 1 kpc from the Galactic plane.     

Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms – XIX. The superficially normal B starsζ Draconis, ε Lyrae, 8 Cygni and 22 Cygni

Elemental abundances of the superficially normal early and middle B starsζ Dra, ε Lyr, 8 Cyg and 22 Cyg are derived, consistent with previous studies in this series, using spectrograms obtained with Reticon and CCD detectors. Almost all of the derived metal abundances are found to be solar within the errors of the analysis. However, the He/H ratios are slightly greater than solar.     

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).     

The Galactic hybrid Wolf–Rayet WN 7o/CE + O7V((f)) binary system WR 145

A spectroscopic study of the binary Wolf–Rayet (WR)+O system WR 145 is performed, in order to determine the radial velocity orbits of the individual stars, the angle of orbital inclination and the stellar masses. The emission and absorption components are separated from the original spectra, allowing us to confirm the spectral classification WN 7o/CE of the hybrid WR component and to derive a spectral classification O7V((f)) for the O star. A study of the wind-collision properties is performed. Fitting the radial velocity and full width at half-maximum of the excess emission with Lührs' model results in an inclination angle of   i = 63°  , leading to estimates of the stellar masses:   M _WR= 18 M_⊙  and   M _O= 31 M_⊙  . Both of these masses are compatible with those of other stars of similar types.     

Regularities in the long-term optical light curve of the black hole candidate binary A0620 − 00 (V616 Mon)

We have monitored the R I magnitudes of the black hole candidate system A0620 − 00 (V616 Mon) in the years 1991–1995 at the Wise Observatory. Combining our data with some additional measurements, we analyse a sparsely covered 7-yr light curve of the star. We find that the average R -band magnitude varies on a time-scale of a few hundred days, with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.3 mag. The two maxima in the well-known double hump binary cycle, as well as one of the minima between them, vary by a few per cent relative to one another, in a seemingly random way. One maximum is, on average, higher by 0.05 mag than the other. The depth of the second minimum varies with significantly higher amplitude, in clear correlation with the long-term variability of the mean magnitude of the system. It is shallower than the other minimum at times of maximum light. It deepens when the system brightness declines, and it becomes the deeper of the two minima at times of minimum system light. According to the commonly acceptable phasing of the binary cycle, the systematically varying minimum corresponds to the inferior conjunction of the red dwarf. We cannot suggest any simple geometrical model for explaining the regularities that we find in the long-term photometric behaviour of the V616 Mon binary system.     

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.     

Modelling the spectra of colliding winds in the Wolf–Rayet WC7+O binaries WR 42 and WR 79

We have obtained complete phase coverage of the WC7+O binaries WR 42 = HD 97152 and WR 79 = HD 152270 with high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), moderate-resolution spectra. Remarkable orbital phase-locked profile variations of the C  iii λ 5696 line are observed and interpreted as arising from colliding wind effects. Within this scenario, we have modelled the spectra using a purely geometrical model that assumes a cone-shaped wind–wind interaction region which partially wraps around the O star. Such modelling holds the exciting promise of revealing a number of interesting parameters for WR+O binaries, such as the orbital inclination, the streaming velocity of material in the interaction region and the ratio of wind momentum flux. Knowledge of these parameters in turn leads to the possibility of a better understanding of WR star masses, mass-loss rates and wind region characteristics.     

The depletion of carbon by extra mixing in metal-poor giants

There is an apparent dichotomy between the metal-poor  ([Fe/H]≤−2)  yet carbon-normal giants and their carbon-rich counterparts. The former undergo significant depletion of carbon on the red giant branch after they have undergone first dredge-up, whereas the latter do not appear to experience significant depletion. We investigate this in the context that the extra mixing occurs via the thermohaline instability that arises due to the burning of  ³He  . We present the evolution of [C/Fe], [N/Fe] and  ¹²C/¹³C  for three models: a carbon-normal metal-poor star, and two stars that have accreted material from a  1.5 M_⊙  AGB companion, one having received  0.01 M_⊙  of material and the other having received  0.1 M_⊙  . We find the behaviour of the carbon-normal metal-poor stars is well reproduced by this mechanism. In addition, our models also show that the efficiency of carbon-depletion is significantly reduced in carbon-rich stars. This extra-mixing mechanism is able to reproduce the observed properties of both carbon-normal and carbon-rich stars.     

The EC 14026 stars — XI. Feige 48: a link in its class

Rapid oscillations in the sdB star Feige 48 have been discovered. The frequency spectrum reveals at least four periods in a narrow interval from 340 to 380 s. The oscillation amplitude is typically a few per cent, but this star shows perhaps the most dramatic amplitude variability from night to night of any of the known sdB pulsators (EC 14026 stars). Analysis of multicolour absolute photometry, as well as low- and intermediate-dispersion spectroscopy, yields an effective temperature of 28 900 ± 300 K and log g  = 5.45 ± 0.05. Feige 48 is thus the coolest EC 14026 star. Its intermediate gravity and intermediate period suggest the existence of a period–gravity correlation, and unite the majority of the EC 14026 stars with the extreme object, PG 1605+072. The narrow frequency intervals in which the pulsations of Feige 48 and other EC 14026 stars fall suggest a narrow bandpass for the excitation mechanism.     

Discovery of type I X-ray bursts from the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1708 – 40

We report the discovery of type I X-ray bursts from the low-mass X-ray binary  4U 1708 − 40  during the 100-ks observation performed by BeppoSAX on 1999 August 15–16. Six X-ray bursts have been observed. The unabsorbed 2–10 keV fluxes of the bursts range from ∼3 to  9 × 10⁻¹⁰ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹  . A correlation between peak flux and fluence of the bursts is found, in agreement with the behaviour observed in other similar sources. There is a trend of the burst flux to increase with the time interval from the previous burst. From the value of the persistent flux we infer a mass accretion rate     , which may correspond to the mixed hydrogen/helium burning regime triggered by thermally unstable hydrogen. We have also analysed a BeppoSAX observation performed on 2001 August 22 and previous RXTE observations of  4U 1708 − 40  , where no bursts have been observed; we find persistent fluxes of more than a factor of 7 higher than the persistent flux observed during the BeppoSAX observation showing X-ray bursts.     

CCD photometry of variable stars in the Magellanic Clouds — VI. The eclipsing binary HV 982 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Using improved techniques, high-quality CCD uvbyVI photometry has been obtained for the eclipsing binary HV 982 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). International Ultraviolet Explorer ultraviolet spectrophotometry was also obtained. These data have been analysed using the Wilson–Devinney synthetic light-curve code and Kurucz low-metallicity model atmospheres as well as the EBOP code. The system is detached and the orbit is eccentric. Apsidal motion is detected with apsidal period 205 ± 7 yr. The effective temperatures of the components are found via flux fitting to be T _eff,1 = 28 000 ± 5000 K and T _eff,2 = 27 200 ± 5000 K. The large errors result from uncertainties over the appropriate interstellar extinction correction. The system plausibly comprises two ∼ 8 M stars of radius 6–7 R separated by ∼ 30 R. For pedagogical and historical interest, the near simultaneity of the eclipse minima at different wavelengths is used to constrain the constancy of the speed of light with wavelength and the mass of the photon, yielding m _γ < 10⁻⁴¹ kg. Because of the great distance to HV 982, this limit is some 10² times smaller than previously achieved with eclipse timings, but it is nevertheless 10 orders of magnitude less stringent than that which is provided by satellite measurements of planetary magnetic fields.     

The continuing saga of Sakurai's object (V4334 Sgr): dust production and helium line emission

We report further UKIRT spectroscopic observations of Sakurai's object (V4334 Sgr) made in 1999 April/May in the 1–4.75 μm range, and find that the emission is dominated by amorphous carbon at T _d~600 K. The estimated maximum grain size is 0.6 μm, and the mass lower limit is 1.7±0.2×10⁻⁸ M_⊙ to 8.9±0.6×10⁻⁷ M_⊙ for distances of 1.1–8 kpc. For 3.8 kpc the mass is 2.0±0.1×10⁻⁷ M_⊙.
We also report strong He  i emission at 1.083 μm, in contrast to the strong absorption in this line in 1998. We conclude that the excitation is collisional, and is probably caused by a wind, consistent with the P Cygni profile observed by Eyres et al. in 1998.     

The radius and other fundamental parameters of the F9 V star β Virginis

We have used the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer (SUSI) to measure the angular diameter of the F9 V star β Virginis (β Vir). After correcting for limb darkening and combining with the revised Hipparcos parallax, we derive a radius of  1.703 ± 0.022 R_⊙  (1.3 per cent). We have also calculated the bolometric flux from published measurements which, combined with the angular diameter, implies an effective temperature of  6059 ± 49 K  (0.8 per cent). We also derived the luminosity of β Vir to be   L = 3.51 ± 0.08 L_⊙  (2.1 per cent). Solar-like oscillations were measured in this star by Carrier et al. and using their value for the large frequency separation yields the mean stellar density with an uncertainty of about 2 per cent. Our constraints on the fundamental parameters of β Vir will be important to test the theoretical models of this star and its oscillations.     

Optical spectroscopy of XMEGA targets in the Carina Nebula – III. The multiple system Tr 16-104 (≡CPD −59° 2603)

We discuss the orbital elements of the multiple system Tr 16-104 which is usually believed to be a member of the open cluster Trumpler 16 in the Carina complex. We show that Tr 16-104 could be a hierarchical triple system consisting of a short-period (2.15 d) eclipsing O7 V+O9.5 V binary bound to a B0.2 IV star. Our preliminary orbital solution of the third body indicates that the B star most probably describes an eccentric orbit with a period of ∼285 or ∼1341 d around the close binary. Folding photometric data from the literature with our new ephemerides, we find that the light curve of the close binary exhibits rather narrow eclipses indicating that the two O stars must be well inside their Roche lobes. Our analysis of the photometric data yields a lower limit on the inclination of the orbit of the close binary of i ≥77° . The stellar radii and luminosities of the O7 V and O9.5 V stars are significantly smaller than expected for stars of this spectral type. Our results suggest that Tr 16-104 lies at a distance of the order of 2.5 kpc and support a fainter absolute magnitude for zero-age main-sequence O stars than usually adopted. We find that the dynamical configuration of Tr 16-104 corresponds to a hierarchical system that should remain stable provided that it suffers no strong perturbation. Finally, we also report long-term temporal variations of high-velocity interstellar Ca  ii absorptions in the line of sight towards Tr 16-104.     

The massive Wolf–Rayet binary SMC WR7

We present a study of optical spectra of the Wolf–Rayet star AzV 336a (=SMC WR7) in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Our study is based on data obtained at several Observatories between 1988 and 2001. We find SMC WR7 to be a double-lined WN+O6 spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 19.56 d. The radial velocities of the He absorption lines of the O6 component and the strong He  ii emission at λ 4686 Å of the WN component describe anti-phased orbital motions. However, they show a small phase shift of ∼1 d. We discuss possible explanations for this phase shift. The amplitude of the radial velocity variations of He  ii emission is twice that of the absorption lines. The binary components have fairly high minimum masses, ∼18 and 34 M_⊙ for the WN and O6 components, respectively.