Spectroscopic study of Be-shell stars: 4 Her and 88 Her

We present an optical spectroscopic study based on 41 spectra of 4 Her and 32 spectra of 88 Her,obtained over a period of 6 months.We estimate the rotational velocity of these stars from Hel lines in the blue spectral region(4000-4500 ?).We find that these stars are likely to be rotating at a fractional critical rotation of~0.80.We measure the average I_p/I_c ratio to quantify the strength of the Hα line and obtain1.63 for 4 Her and 2.06 for 88 Her.The radius of the Ha emission region is estimated to be R_d/R_*~5.0,assuming a Keplerian disk.These stars are thus found to be fast rotators with a relatively small Ha emission region.We detect V/R variation of the Ha spectral line during the observed period.We re-estimate the periods for both stars and obtain a period of ~46 d and its harmonic of 23.095 d for 4 Her,and a period of~86 d for 88 Her.As these two cases are shell stars with binaries and have low Ha EW with the emission region closer to the central star,the V/R variation and a change in period may be an effect of the binary on the circumstellar disk.     

爆后新星武仙V 533的光度研究

老新星武仙V533(V533Her=武仙1963年新星)是一颗光度变化极其复杂的天体。本文给出了我们用双筒天体照相仪于1980年6月至1982年11月间对其所做的照相观测结果。从所得结果可以看到:(1)该星亮度在此期间已基本恢复到其爆前的宁静期亮度;(2)高时频观测指出V533 Her具有时标为小时级,变幅Δm～0.2~m的小幅度光变;(3)在此期间其亮度有上升趋势,上升幅度～1.5等。本文还讨论了V533 Her在爆发前后的光度变化情况,通过分析指出新星在爆发前可能有可觉察的光度变化。     

Two-Color Observations of AM Her

Observations and light curves of the variable star AM Her observed in the b and v proper color system of the Abastumani two-channel photometer are presented.     

The accretion matter at the disk rim in Her X-1/HZ Her

The Crosa and Boynton (1980) empirical model for discrete mass transfer in Her X-1 is further developed. The photometric features of the light curve (peaks of an hour duration and 0.3–0.7 ^m amplitude, steps near orbital phase =0); and the linear polarization bursts are assumed to be due to the formation and eclipses of the plasma blobs produced by discrete transfer of matter from optical star surface and its interaction with the accretion disc rim. The long lifetime (20^h) of the cold (3×10⁴ K) blob extending up to 10¹¹ cm above the disc plane, as well as the deep X-ray flickerings (300 s) during the X-ray absorption dips are assumed to arise from a dispersal of accreting matter by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a blob moving through a hot corona of the disk atT _c =3×10⁶ K andn _c =3×10¹¹ cm^–3. Thermal equilibrium in the corona and in the blobs are supported by X-ray flux. Within the first few hours after its formation a blob disintegrates into drops withr=5×10⁹ cm,T=3×10⁴ K, andn=3×10¹³ cm^–3 which move then along Keplerian orbits. Frictional interactions of the drops with the corona destroy them on a 20^h time-scale. The proposed model makes it possible to interpret the diverse observational facts and to predict numerous observational displays in the optical, UV, and X-ray bands. The first results of our optical-spectrum observations of blobs are briefly described.     

Spectral models of AM Her stars

Most of the optical light from AM Her systems is cyclotron radiation. Simple models for the spectrum and polarization are successful for some systems, but in others the spectrum rolls over more gently at high frequencies and is polarized over a wider range of frequencies than the models predict. This paper considers the emission from both the sides and top of the accretion column and the effects of oscillations in the shock height. These features lead to a slower roll over at high frequencies than is found in the simple models, but it is still not as flat as in some of the AM Her systems.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Observations and analysis of MT Her

Previously reportedBV photometry of MT Her is analysed with the aid of efficient curve-fitting techniques. There is insufficient overall data to allow a definitive parametrization of the binary, but we can confidently rule out the possibility of a classical Algol.A provisional model is advanced which consists of two close unevolved dwarfs: the primary a late F-type and the secondary a mid K-type. The system is located at a distance of about 250 pc in a region of fairly heavy interstellar extinction near the galactic disk. It may be a short-period RS CVn-type binary, but this possibility, as the provisional model itself, requires spectrographic confirmation.     

An oscillating model suggestion for 63 Her

An attempt has been made towards explaining the observed frequencies in 63 Her. The evolution of rotating stars of 1.96, 1.98, 2.00, 2.05 and 2.10 M_⊙ have been studied up to a point where stellar parameters match the observed luminosity and effective temperature of 63 Her. Radial and nonradial adiabatic oscillation frequencies were obtained in low harmonic degrees ( l = 0,1,2,3 ). One radial and three nonradial frequency values that match with the observed values were found for the model of mass 2.00 M_⊙.     

The detached eclipsing binary TX Her revisited

This paper presents new CCD Bessell BVRI light curves and photometric analysis of the Algol-type binary star TX Her. The CCD observations were carried out at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Observatory in 2010. New BVRI light curves from this study and radial velocity curves from Popper (1970) were solved simultaneously using modern light and radial velocity curves synthesis methods. The general results show that TX Her is a well-detached eclipsing binary, however, both component stars fill at least half of their Roche lobes. A significant third light contribution to the total light of the system could not be determined. Using O–C residuals formed by the updated minima times, an orbital period study of the system was performed. It was confirmed that the tilted sinusoidal O–C variation corresponds to an apparent period variation caused by the light travel time effect due to an unseen third body. The following absolute parameters of the components were derived: M₁ = 1.62 ± 0.04 M_⊙, M₂ = 1.45 ± 0.03 M_⊙, R₁ = 1.69 ± 0.03 R_⊙, R₂ = 1.43 ± 0.03 R_⊙, L₁ = 8.21 ± 0.90 L_⊙ and L₂ = 3.64 ± 0.60 L_⊙. The distance to TX Her was calculated as 155 ± 10 pc, taking into account interstellar extinction. The position of the components of TX Her in the HR diagram are also discussed. The components are young stars with an age of ～500 Myr.     

X-ray emission behaviour of Her X-1

The paper presents an evidence for a steady-state flux of high-energy photons from Her X-1. The results are obtained from the analysis of the existing spectral measurements of the X-ray source. The continuum emission has three times more energy than that emitted during the pulse mode. The possible circumstances in which the source can simultaneously emit in two modes are presented within the framework of standard model generally accepted for this binary source.On leave from TATA Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, India.     

A New Apsidal Motion Study of DI Her

B and V photometry of the eccentric eclipsing binary DI Her is reported, with the aim of contributing to a more accurate determination of the timings required for the ongoing apsidal motion studies. The resulting apsidal motion rate is close to the one reported earlier by Khodykin and Volkov (1989), Guinan, Marshal and Maloney (IBVS 4101), and Yildiz et al. (2000). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Time-resolved optical spectroscopy of AM Her X-ray sources

We present high-time resolution spectroscopy of two AM Her sources E1405-451 and E1013-477. For E1405-451, the Balmer emission lines profiles can be divided into a narrow component and a broad one. The amplitudes of the radial velocity curves of these components are respectively 265±30 km/s and 390±50 km/s. The orientation of the column determined from polarimetry is not compatible with the broad component being formed in the lowest parts of the column. Photometric and spectroscopic results on E1013-477 do not confirm the previous reported 103 min. period. Rapid variability (<1.5h) as well as long term modulation (>3.3h) is present in these data.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Magnetic field of the Ap star 52 Her

We investigate the variability of the magnetic field of a well-known Ap star 52 Her. The 15-year longmagnetic monitoring and analysis of the literature data demonstrates the lack of a long-period variability of the stellar magnetic field, and an absence of precession of the rotation axis of the binary’s main component. We refined the period of variability of the K Ca II line intensity, presumably being the rotation period of the main component. These measurements allowed to specify the parameters of the mean magnetic phase curve, obtained from the lines of metals, and to detect a significant difference from the phase curve, built from the hydrogen lines. Possible causes of the unusual variability of the stellar magnetic field are discussed.     

Phase Curve Changes and Humps in U Her

U Her is studied by using 5294 observations from the AFOEV database. The 4–th order trigonometric fit to the mean light curve corresponds to the period P = 406^d 30 ± 0^d 01. Long–term variations of P are detected. The characteristics of individual cycles are determined and the correlations between them are studied. The variations of the duration of the ascending branch are nearly compensated by the duration of the preceeding descending branch. Other non obvious correlations were found between the brightness at the maximum and the preceeding minimum; between the inverse slope of the light curve dt/dm and the corresponding time interval from the maximum to the crossings of the constant brightness 9^m5 for both ascending and descending branches. The time interval between the hump and the maximum is correlated with the value of dt/dm at the ascending branch.     

Characteristics of the photometric modulation of HZ Her/Her X-1 in active states over a very long time interval

The properties of the photometric orbital modulation of the X-ray binary HZ Her/Her X-1 and its variations over a long time interval (decades) are studied by the statistical methods using photographic plates of Sonneberg Observatory. The moving averages of the light curve in the long-lasting active state (1959–1993) show that both the smoothed orbital light curve and the smoothed scatter of its residuals σ_mag display striking asymmetries with respect to the orbital phase φ_orb=0.5; they are apparent both in the whole data set and in the segments of the 35 day cycle. The light curve near the orbital phase 0.5 can be characterized by the maximum either flat-topped and symmetric or sharp and lagging behind φ_orb=0.5. The course of σ_mag is largely asymmetric with respect to the primary minimum, usually with a smooth decrease of σ_mag within φ_orb=0.2–0.6 and a steep rise within φ_orb=0.6–0.85. All these facts suggest the presence of an additional source of variations, in addition to the geometric effects of the precessing disk. The role of the interaction of the mass stream with the precessing warped disk is suggested as a possible explanation. Our data for the extended active state within the years 1959–1993 revealed that the mean brightness at all orbital phases remains stable and displays at most marginal secular trends. The brightness during the short active states (1934–1937 and 1941–1949) is shown to be lower than in the active state within 1959–1993 and is attributed to a lower degree of heating of the secondary star.     

Properties of the emission regions in AM Her stars

The emission regions on the white-dwarf primaries of AM Her type systems are suggested to be extended and offset from the magnetic pole similar to the oval arc of emission formed by the Earth's auroral zone. In ST LMi and EF Eri, the emitting areas of the bremsstrahlung, the soft X-ray, and the cyclotron sources are shown to display a hierarchy with a small bremsstrahlung core being surrounded by a larger cyclotron halo. Core and halo are characterized by large differences in specific accretion rate with that in the bremsstrahlung core corresponding to a sizable fraction (10%) of the Eddington rate.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Stokes imaging of the AM Her system ST LMi

The Stokes imaging technique of Potter, Hakala & Cropper is applied to the polarized emission from the AM Her system ST LMi. For the first time, the cyclotron emission region on the surface of the white dwarf is mapped in terms of optical depth/density in an analytical and objective manner. The region is found to consist of a less dense region leading a higher density region in orbital phase. It is demonstrated that the emission region needs to have a multi-temperature structure in order to explain the spectral slope and the general morphology of the cyclotron humps observed in the IR during the bright phase in ST LMi.
Furthermore, it is shown that a secondary emission region, fed by the same magnetic field lines that feed the main emission region, could be responsible for the positive circular polarization in the IR, the position angle variation and the excess flux during the faint phase of the white light observations which cannot be accounted for with a single emission region.