Stars with discrepant v sin i as derived from the Ca II λ3933 Å and Mg II λ4481 Å lines. IV. HD8837—a shell star, HD47964 and HD183986—new binaries

Axial rotation of a star plays an important role in its evolution, physical conditions in its atmosphere, and appearance of its spectrum. We have analyzed CCD spectra of three stars for which their projected rotational velocity remarkably differs when derived from the Ca II λ 3933 Å and MgII λ 4481 Å lines. We derived effective temperatures and surface gravities using published uvbyβ photometries and computed synthetic spectra. Comparing observed line profiles of the two lines with the computed ones, we estimated values of v sin i. We also derived radial velocities by means of the cross-correlation function. HD8837 is known to be a shell star with pronounced narrow absorption cores in the Balmer lines as well as in the strong metal lines; however, we do not confirm the emission component in the core of Hβ. HD47964 has been discovered by Hipparcos to be a double. However, in our spectra we do not find traces of the other star. Based on the Hipparcos data, we estimated that the other star would be a main sequence A4 star with an extremely high rotational velocity resulting in wiping out any traces of spectral lines of the companion. HD183986 is known to be a triple star. However, we have found a manifestation of a so far not discovered companion of the component HD183986A and estimated it as a main sequence A5 star having v sin i of about 150 km/s.     

A Spectrographic Study of the Shell Star EW Lac (217050)

Investigation of 38 Zeeman spectrograms of the Be star EW Lac obtained in three successive years, 1978, 1979, and 1980, yield no hints at the occurrence of a global magnetic field larger than 150 Gauß. The temporal variations of the radial velocities of the Balmer and metallic absorption lines indicate a disturbance travelling through the envelope of EW Lac from the inner to the outer parts. The observed variations of the line widths and equivalent widths of the metallic lines suggest that the physical parameters remarkable change. These results together with the measured variations of the radial velocity and intensity of the emission features of H_β can be explained by a thick elliptical ring surrounding EW Lac.     

Photometric and spectroscopic observations of the variable star ET And. II

New spectroscopic and photometric observations of the variable Ap star ET And carried out 1982 and 1983 confirm once again the existence of short-time variations. For the radial velocity variations a period of 0.19771 days and for the light variations a period of 0.0989 days was found. Some spectrograms show a velocity progression of the Balmer lines. The gradient is of such a kind that the radial velocity values increase from the line H_γ to H₁₅. Different models for the interpreation of the velocity progression are discussed.     

Balmer absorption variability and the disc wind of V592 Cassiopeiae

We present results from time-series optical spectroscopy of the low-inclination, nova-like cataclysmic variable, V592 Cas. The data span the wavelength range from ∼4000 to 5000  Å, and include Balmer lines (Hβ to Hε) as well as He i and He ii . The Balmer lines are generally characterized by shallow absorption troughs with superimposed narrower central emission components. The absorption troughs are variable on time-scales of at least ∼20 min, but the fluctuations are asymmetric such that they are more dominant on the blueward side of the profile out to ∼−2000 km s⁻¹. Fourier analysis reveals modulation periods for emission radial velocities and absorption changes of ∼0.114 and 0.103 d; we support earlier suggestions that the latter is likely to be 1-day alias of the former, which is essentially the system orbital period. However, there is a phase lag of ∼0.3 between absorption and emission changes. The Balmer absorption changes are compared to the predicted behaviour caused by the (stream overflowing) SW Sex phenomenon. There are several discrepancies in this scenario, including the highly asymmetric nature of blueward changes, the velocity amplitudes, and the phase relation to the emission changes. The role of a disc wind in V592 Cas is also discussed; in particular, with this data set, we cannot rule in or rule out the possibility that axisymmetry of the outflow is broken because it is seated on a warped/tilted inner disc, which is implied by previous evidence for negative superhumps in this system.     

Some peculiarities of the variability of the positional and photometric line parameters in the spectrum of HD 93521. Differential rotation of the star

The variability of positional and photometric parameters of the lines in the spectrum of HD 93521 is analyzed using CCD spectra taken with the PFES echelle spectrograph of the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SAO RAS). To study the velocity field of the star’s atmosphere, the radial velocity variations are measured separately for the blue and red halves of the absorption profile at different levels of residual line intensity. The amplitude and phase of temporal variations of radial velocity differ for the two halves of the absorption profile. In case of strong HeI, Hβ, andHα lines the amplitude depends on intensity r. The time scales (P) of radial velocity variations and the mean halfwidths \(\overline {FW H M} \) differ for different lines and correlate fairly well with their central depths. The increase of P and decrease of \(\overline {FW H M} \) from weak to strong lines are due to the differential nature of the rotation of the star. Our analysis proofs that HD 93521 is a run-away star and this fact explains its location at a distance of about 2.0 kpc above the Galactic plane.     

Short time-scale variations of Epsilon Aurigae in the H-alpha region

During the total eclipse of ε Aur, 18 spectra in the Hα region were taken in rapid succession on 1983 March 9, and 6 spectra on March 10, with the Reticon at the Coudé focus of the McDonald Observatory 2-metre telescope. The data were processed and plotted by computer. Variations on short time-scales were observed in the radial velocities of the metallic lines and Hα. The radial velocities of individual metallic lines are between 3 and 16 km/s more negative than calculated from the orbital elements. The Hα has 3 emission features with equivalent widths 300 mÅ, 54 mÅ and 1 mÅ and 1 absorption feature with an equivalent width of 1800 mÅ. The profile and the equivalent widths changed only slightly while substantial variations occurred on the blue side of the two stronger emission features. The radial velocities of the emission features are about ?60, +12 and +57 km/s; that of the absorption component is +20 km/s. The radial velocity of the strongest emission feature also varies, but by much smaller amounts than the metallic lines and the variation appears to be periodic. A model in which the secondary is a B-star surrounded by hot, active clouds is proposed.     

Spectral variability of the peculiar A-type supergiant 3Pup

Optical spectra taken in 1997–2008 are used to analyze the spectral peculiarities and velocity field in the atmosphere of the peculiar supergiant 3 Pup. The profiles of strong Fe II lines and of the lines of other iron-group ions have a specific shape: the wings are raised by emissions, whereas the core is sharpened by a depression. The latter feature becomes more pronounced with the increasing line strength, and the increasing wavelength. Line profiles are variable: the magnitude and sign of the absorption asymmetry, and the blue-to-red emission intensity ratios vary from one spectrum to another. The temporal V_r variations are minimal for the forbidden emissions and sharp shell cores of the absorption features of FeII(42), and other strong lines of iron-group ions. The average velocity for the above lines can be adopted as the systemic velocity: V_sys = 28.5 ± 0.5 km/s. The weakest photospheric absorptions and photospheric MgII, Si II absorptions exhibit well-defined day-to-day velocity variations of up to 7 km/s. Quantitative spectral classification yields the spectral type of A2.7±0.3 Ib. The equivalent widths and profiles of Hδ and Hγ, and the equivalent width of the OI 7774 Å triplet yield an absolute magnitude estimate of Mv=?5.5^m ± 0.3^m, implying the heliocentric distance of 0.7 kpc.     

Optical depth effects on the formation of spectral lines in rotating and expanding spherical atmospheres

We have investigated the effects of increasing optical depths on spectral lines formed in a rotating and expanding spherical shell. We have assumed a shell whose outer radius is 3 times the inner radius, with the radial optical depths equal to 10, 50, 100, 500. We have employed a constant velocity with no velocity gradients in the shell. The shell is assumed to be rotating with velocities varying as 1/_ρ, where_ρ is the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation, implying the conservation of angular momentum. Two expansion (radial) velocities are treated: (1)V = 0 (static case) and (2)V = 10 mean thermal units. The maximum rotational velocities areV _rot = 0, 5, 10 and 20. In the shell where there are no radial motions, we obtain symmetric lines with emission in the wings forV _rot = 0 and 5 while forV _rot ≥ 10 we obtain symmetric absorption lines. In the case of an expanding shell, we obtain lines with central emission.     

Short period line profile and light variations in the Be star ω Orionis

We present the results of a multisite spectroscopic and photometric campaign on the Be star ω Orionis. From the photometry and radial velocity variation of several spectral lines, we confirm that the star is a variable with period     . Only one period can be extracted from both the photometric and radial velocity observations. We find that the projected rotational velocity from the helium lines     is considerably smaller than from the metal lines     . The line profiles show an excess absorption feature moving from blue to red for half the period and from red to blue for the other half of the period. Another excess absorption feature moves exactly out of phase. The excess absorption features are present in photospheric lines as well as in lines which are significantly affected by circumstellar material, such as H β . From this we conclude that the periodic variations are most probably associated with corotating circumstellar material.     

Radial velocity and magnetic field measurements of the a-type supergiant ν cep (HD 207260)

On the basis of 55 Zeeman spectrograms obtained at Tautenburg in the years 1975–1979 the effective magnetic fields and the radial velocities of the supergiant ν Cep (HD 207260) were determined. For the effective magnetic field a slow variation occurring on a time scale of years was found. The spectrograms taken at the first time show only moderate effective magnetic field strengths of a few hundred Gauß, but in the year 1978 values of +2000 Gauß were detected. The measured radial velocities show a longtime variability similar to that of the magnetic field as well as more rapid changes. A periodical variation of the radial velocity with a period of ∼ 39.9 days, perhaps produced by the rotation of the star, is indicated. The Balmer absorption lines H_β, H_β, and H_δ have different radial velocities refering to the presence of an expanding envelope. Moreover, there exist significant differences between the velocities of various elements respectively ions of 1–4 km/s.     

On the mass motions and the atmospheric states of moustaches

Analyses of broad moustache profiles of Balmer lines and Ca ii H and K lines are performed based upon our spectroscopic observation under good seeing conditions. Hα emission profiles are found to consist of three components, i.e., a central absorption, a Gaussian core and a power-law wing. Each of them has a different Doppler shift from others. From the data of Doppler shifts, mass motions with velocity of about 6 km s^?1 are found to be present in chromospheric levels of moustache atmospheres. Computations of Hα emission profiles radiated from a variety of model atmospheres are made. Comparison of computed profiles with the observed ones leads us to the conclusion that a broad Hα profile is due to a formation of heated (ΔT = 1500 K) and condensed (?/? ₀ = 5) chromospheric layers relative to the normal.     

On the Balmer progression in the expanding shell of Pleione

An attempt has been made to explain the Balmer progression in velocities seen in Pleione and other shell stars. Equations of conservation of mass and momentum are simultaneously solved with assumptions which simplify the calculations of the solution. We have considered the radiation pressure due to lines and continuum. It is found that the high-excitation lines are formed where the velocity gradients are high.     

Investigating the structure of the accretion disc in WZ Sge from multiwaveband time-resolved spectroscopic observations – II

We present our second paper describing multiwaveband time-resolved spectroscopy of WZ Sge. We analyse the evolution of both optical and IR emission lines throughout the orbital period and find evidence, in the Balmer lines, for an optically thin accretion disc and an optically thick hotspot. Optical and IR emission lines are used to compute radial velocity curves. Fits to our radial velocity measurements give an internally inconsistent set of values for K ₁, γ and the phase of red-to-blue crossing. We present a probable explanation for these discrepancies, and provide evidence for similar behaviour in other short orbital period dwarf novae. Selected optical and IR spectra are measured to determine the accretion disc radii. Values for the disc radii are found to be strongly dependent on the assumed WD mass and binary orbital inclination. However, the separation of the peaks in the optical emission line (i.e., an indication of the outer disc radius) has been found to be constant during all phases of the supercycle period over the last 40 years.     

Nonstationarity of the atmosphere of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis> Cyg: II. Variability of the ion and H<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis> line profiles

We report an efficient method for analyzing the radial-velocity and line-profile variability. We show that a detailed analysis of the variations of line profiles and velocity field in the stellar atmosphere requires the radial velocities to be measured separately for the blue and red halves of the absorption lines at different levels of their residual intensity. We applied this method to 120 CCD spectra taken in 1998–99 with the coude echelle spectrograph attached to the 2-m telescope of Shemakha Astronomical Observatory of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and analyzed the variations of the radial velocities and profiles of ion and Hβ lines in the spectrum of α Cyg. In the case of ion lines both halves of the absorption profile exhibit synchronous radial-velocity variations at all levels of line intensity. In the case of the Hβ line, which forms in the layers where stellar wind originates, the pattern of radial-velocity variations differs for the blue and red halves of the absorption profile. The variability pattern is the same at all levels in the red half of the profile, the blue half of the profile exhibits different variability patterns at different levels of residual line intensity. Identification and analysis of such variations allows us to study the nature of stellar-wind variability in the region of wind formation.The spectrum of α Cyg showed no line-profile or radial-velocity variations for six days in both halves of the absorption contour at all levels of line intensity. The star was in the quiescent phase.     

New in the optical spectrum and kinematic state of the atmosphere of the variable V1027 Cyg (=IRAS 20004+2955)

Based on our high-spectral-resolution observations performed with the NES echelle spectrograph of the 6-m telescope, we have studied the peculiarities of the spectrum and the velocity field in the atmosphere and envelope of the cool supergiant V1027 Cyg, the optical counterpart of the infrared source IRAS 20004+2955. A splitting of the cores of strong absorptions of metals and their ions (Si II, Ni I, Ti I, Ti II, Sc II, Cr I, Fe I, Fe II, BaII) has been detected in the stellar spectrum for the first time. The broad profile of these lines contains a stable weak emission in the core whose position may be considered as the systematic velocity V _sys = 5.5 km s^?1. Small radial velocity variations with an amplitude of 5–6 km s^?1 due to pulsations have been revealed by symmetric low- and moderate-intensity absorptions. A long-wavelength shift of the Hα profile due to line core distortion is observed in the stellar spectrum. Numerous weak CN molecular lines and the KI 7696 Å line with a P Cyg profile have been identified in the red spectral region. The coincidence of the radial velocities measured from symmetric metal absorptions and CN lines suggests that the CN spectrum is formed in the stellar atmosphere. We have identified numerous diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) whose positions in the spectrum, V _r (DIBs) = ?12.0 km s^?1, correspond to the velocity of the interstellar medium in the Local Arm of the Galaxy.     

Photometric variability and spectral features of the protoplanetary nebula LSII + 34° 26 = V1853 Cyg

We present photoelectric and spectroscopic observations of the protoplanetary object V 1853 Cyg, a B supergiant with an IR excess. Over two years of its observations, the star exhibited rapid irregular light variations with amplitudes $\Delta V = 0\mathop .\limits^m 3$ , $\Delta B = 0\mathop .\limits^m 3$ , $\Delta U = 0\mathop .\limits^m 4$ and no correlation between color and magnitude. Its mean magnitude has not changed since the first UBV observations in 1973 (Drilling 1975). Low-resolution spectroscopic observations show that the spectrum of V 1853 Cyg in 2000 corresponded to that of a B1–B2 star with T _eff ～ 20000 K. High-resolution spectroscopic observations confirm the conclusion that the profiles of absorption and emission lines are variable. We identified the star’s spectral lines and measured the equivalent widths of more than 40 lines. The star’s radial velocity is 〈V _r 〉= ?49 × 5 km s^?1, as measured from absorption lines, and ranges from–50 to–85 km s^–1 for different lines, as measured from shell emission lines. The velocity of the dust clouds on the line of sight determined from diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) and from interstellar Na I lines is 〈V _r 〉= ?16 × 5 km s^?1. The P Cyg profiles of the He I λ5876 Å and λ6678 Å lines suggest an ongoing mass loss by the star. An analysis of the observational data confirms the conclusion that the star belongs to the class of intermediatemass protoplanetary objects.     

The Unusual Absorption Line Spectrum of Quasar SDSS J2220+0109

We report the Balmer broad absorption lines (BALs) in the quasar SDSS J2220 + 0109 discovered from the SDSS data, and present a detailed analysis of the peculiar absorption line spectrum, including the He I* multiplet at λλ3189, 3889 arising from the metastable 2³s-state helium and the Balmer Hα and Hβ lines from the excited hydrogen H I of n = 2 level, which are rarely seen in quasar spectra, as well as many absorption lines arising from the excited Fe II* of the levels 7 955 cm⁻¹, 13 474 cm⁻¹ and 13 673 cm⁻¹ in the wavelength range 3100∼3300 Å. Ca II H, K absorption line doublets also clearly appear in the SDSS spectrum. All absorption lines show a similar blueshifted velocity structure of Δv ≈ − 1500 ∼ 0 km·s⁻¹ relative to the quasar's systematic redshift determined from the emission lines. Detailed analysis suggests that the Balmer absorption lines should arise from the partially ionized region with a column density of N_HI ≈ 10²¹ cm⁻² for an electron density of ne ∼ 10⁶ cm⁻³; and that the hydrogen n = 2 level may be populated via collisional excitation with Lyα pumping.     

Nonstationarity of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis> CYG atmosphere: IV. Some peculiarities of time variation in line profiles

We use 240 CCD spectra taken in 1998–2000 with the coude echelle spectrograph of the 2-m telescope of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan to study temporal radial velocity and line profile variations of the ion, HeI, and Hβ lines in the spectrumof the α Cyg supergiant. We demonstrate that these variations are caused by pulsation-type motions in the star’s atmosphere. Ion and HeI lines oscillate in the main fundamental mode with a period of about 12.0 ± 0.5 ^d and an amplitude of 5.0 ± 0.5 km/s. These ion-line oscillations continue for about 35 days. Then the difference between the radial velocities of strong and weak ion lines results in a gradual decay of oscillations over a time interval of about 5.0 ± 1.0 ^d . Thereafter the process repeats itself. For the Hβ line we found two significant periods, two amplitudes, and three characteristic radial velocity variability behaviors for the blue and red halves of the absorption profile: with equal variability parameters (period P and amplitude A); with equal P and A, but with a phase shift between the radial velocity variations of the blue and red halves of the absorption profile; with different P and A for the two halves of the absorption profile. The star’s center of mass radial velocity as inferred from the γ-velocity is −4.5 ± 0.5 km/s. The average expansion velocity of the atmospheric layers, where the Hβ line forms, amounts to about −16.5 ± 0.5 km/s and varies temporally with an amplitude of about 3.0 km/s.     

Periodic variations in the spectrum of the dwarf nova WX Hyi in outburst and minimum

We present the analysis of spectrograms obtained during quiescence and during an ordinary outburst of the SU UMa type dwarf nova WX Hyi (ESO 3.6m telescope, B&C spectrograph with Image Disector Scanner, 171 Åmm^–1, range 4000–7000 Å, time resolution 6min.). The radial velocities of these spectra have been discussed by Schoembs and Vogt (1981) who also derived the orbital elements of WX Hyi. The phasesmax refer to these elements. All velocities discussed here are with respect to the white dwarf, not to the center of mass of the binary system.Inquiescent state we did not find significant radial velocity variations. The equivalent widths W of the He I emission lines revealed periodic variations with an amplitude of 30%, maximal values of W were observed atmax=0.0...0.2. In contrast, the equivalent widths of the Balmer lines were not variable.Duringoutburst we found periodic radial velocity variations of the emission peak of H, H and He I 5875 with an amplitude of100 km s^–1,max0.5. Also the broad Balmer absorption lines revealed periodic radial velocity variations, with a similar amplitude (max=0.3...0.5). The equivalent width of the H central emission peak varies with an amplitude of30%,max0.85. No variations of the equivalent width of the Balmer absorption lines were found.The outburst observations suggest that the preceeding part of the disc is brighter than the following one (in orbital motion). This is probably due to heating of the preceeding part by collisions with circumbinary matter, which seems to have an enhanced density in outburst as compared to the quiescent state. The emission lines are formed in outer layers or in a halo around the disc. The equivalent width variations can be interpreted in terms of interactions between this halo and the optically thick part of the disc.A more detailed discussion of the data is being published elsewhere.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