Variability of Hell and hydrogen line profiles in the spectrum of HD 93521

We have studied the variability of the Hell λλ 4686 and 5411 Å Hβ, and Hα lines in the spectrum of the pulsating star HD 93521. All these line profiles display the same variability pattern relative to the average profiles: a sinusoidal wave that moves systematically from the short-to the long-wavelength wing of the profile. This variability is due to non-radial pulsations. To study the pulsation movements and stratification of the radial velocity in the atmosphere of HD 93521, we analyzed the variability of the radial velocities measured individually for the blue and red halves of the absorption profile at the half-level of the line intensity. The periods and amplitudes of this radial-velocity variability are different for different lines and are well correlated with their central depths. In the transition from weak to strong lines (i.e., from lower to upper layers of the atmosphere), the period of the radial-velocity variations measured using both halves of the absorption profile increases, while its amplitude decreases. When the morphology and variability of photospheric and wind-driven lines are compared, it is clear that the variability of their absorption components is due to the same process—non-radial pulsations. In this way, the non-radial pulsations partly affect the variability of the stellar wind. The effect of the stellar wind on the profiles of strong lines is observed as a variable absorption feature that moves along the profiles synchronous with the axial rotation of the star.     

Variability of the HeI line profiles in the spectrum of the hot O9.5V star HD 93521

CCD spectra acquired with the PFES echelle spectrograph on the 6 m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russian Academy of Sciences) were used to study short-term variations in the HeI-line profiles in the spectrum of HD 93521. For all the lines, the variability pattern relative to the mean profile is the same, and can be described as a sinusoidal wave passing through the profiles, from the blue to the red wings. The variability amplitudes and time scales are different for different HeI lines. We studied variations of the radial velocities at the level of 0.5 R ₀ of the line residual intensity, for the absorption bisector and the blue and red halves of the absorption profile. The variation time scales and amplitudes for the line halves differ from one HeI line to another, and show good correlations with the line central depths. Going from the weak to the strong lines, the time scale of the radial-velocity variations measured for both halves of the absorption profile increases, and the amplitude decreases. The time scale of the radial-velocity variations for weak lines is, on average, twice the time scale for strong HeI lines. A variable absorption feature was detected in the profiles of strong HeI lines, which moves across the profile synchronously with the star’s axial rotation. Generally, the observed line variations are probably due to nonradial photospheric pulsations, together with the influence of the stellar wind on the profiles of the strong lines.     

Observations of late-type variable stars in the water vapor radio line. The long-period variable R cassiopeia

Observations of circumstellar maser emission from the long-period variable R Cas in the 1.35-cm water-vapor line are reported. The observations were carried out on the 22-m radio telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory in 1980–2003 (JD=2444409–2452724). Over the 23 years of observations, strong flares in the H₂O line profile were recorded in 1982 (with a peak flux density up to 400 Jy) and 1986–1989 (up to 750 Jy). Subsequently, from 1990 to March 2003, the H₂O line flux was usually below the detection threshold of the radio telescope (<5–10 Jy). Episodic small increases of the emission with peak flux densities of 20–60 Jy were observed. The variations of the H₂O line flux F are correlated with variations in the visual brightness of the star. The phase delay Δ_γ of the F variations relative to the optical light curve of R Cas ranged from 0.2–0.3P during the observations (P=430.46^d is the star's period). A model for the variability of the H₂O maser in R Cas is discussed. If the variations are due to periodic impacts by shock waves driven by the stellar pulsations, the time for the shock to travel from the photosphere to the inner boundary of the H₂O-masing shell may reach 2–4P. The flares could be due to transient episodes of enhanced mass loss by the star or to the propagation of an exceptionally strong shock from the stellar surface.     

Analysis of optical spectra of V1357 Cyg≡Cyg X-1

Optical spectra and light curves of the massive X-ray binary V1357 Cyg are analyzed. The calculations were based on models of irradiated plane-parallel stellar atmospheres, taking into account reflection of the X-ray radiation, asphericity of the stellar surface, and deviations from LTE for several ions. Comparison of observed spectra obtained in 2004?C2005 at the Bohyunsan Observatory (South Korea) revealed variations of the depths of HI lines by up to 18% and of HeI and heavy elements lines by up to 10%. These variations are not related to the orbital motion of the star, and are probably due to variations of the stellar wind intensity. Perturbations of the thermal structure of the atmosphere due to irradiation in various states of Cyg X-1 (including outburst) do not lead to the formation of a hot photosphere with an electron temperature exceeding the effective temperature. As a result, variations of the profiles of optical lines of HI, HeI, and heavy elements due to the orbital motion of the star and variations of the irradiating X-ray flux do not exceed 1% of the residual intensities. Allowing for deviations from LTE enhances the HI and HeI lines by factors of two to three and the MgII lines by a factor of nine, and is therefore required for a fully adequate analysis of the observational data. Analysis of the HI, HeI, and HeII lines profiles yielded the following set of parameters for theOstar at the observing epoch: T _eff = 30 500±500 K, log g = 3.31±0.05, [He/H] = 0.42 ± 0.05. The observed HeI line profiles have emission components that are formed in the stellar wind and increase with the line intensity. The abundances of 11 elements in the atmospheres of V1357 Cyg and ?? Cam, which has a similar spectral type and luminosity class, are derived. The chemical composition of V1357 Cyg is characterized by a strong excess of helium, nitrogen, neon, and silicon, which is related to the binarity of the system.     

High-latitude supergiants: Anomalies in the spectrum of LN Hya in 2010

High-spectral-resolution observations with the Special Astrophysical Observatory 6-m telescope obtained in 2003–2011 are used to study features of the optical spectrum and the velocity field in the atmosphere of the semiregular variable LN Hya in detail. The weak, symmetric, photospheric absorption lines indicate radial-velocity variations from night to night (by as much as 3 km/s), resulting from small pulsations. Peculiarities and profile variations were found for strong lines of FeI, FeII, BaII, SiII, etc. The profiles of these lines were asymmetric: their short-wavelength wings were extended and their cores were either split or distorted by emission. During the 2010 observing season, the position and depth of the Hα absorption component, the intensities of the short- and long-wavelength emission components, and the intensity ratio of the latter components varied from spectrum to spectrum. Weak emission lines of neutral atoms (VI, MnI, CoI, NiI, FeI) appeared in the spectrum of June 1, 2010. These spectral peculiarities, recorded for the first time, suggest that we have detected rapid changes in the physical conditions in the upper atmospheric layers of LN Hya in 2010.     

The optical spectrum of an LBV candidate in the Cyg OB2 association

We have obtained the first high-spectral-resolution (R=15000 and 60000) optical spectra for the extremely luminous star No. 12, identified with the IR source IRAS 20308+4104 in the Cyg OB2 association. We have identified about 200 spectral features at 4552–7939 Å, including the interstellar NaI, KI lines and numerous DIBs, which are the strongest absorption lines in the spectrum, along with the HeI, CII, and SiII lines. A two-dimensional spectral classification indicates that the star's spectral type is B5±0.5 Ia⁺. Our analysis of the radial-velocity pattern shows the presence of a radial-velocity gradient in the stellar atmosphere, due to the infall of matter onto the star. The strong Hα emission line displays broad Thompson wings and time-variable core absorption, providing evidence that the stellar wind is inhomogeneous, and a slightly blue-shifted P Cygni absorption profile. We conclude that the wind is time-variable.     

Instability of the kinematic state in the atmosphere of the hypergiant ρ Cas outside outburst

Multiple observations of the yellow hypergiant ρ Cas obtained in 2007–2011 in a wide wavelength range with spectroscopic resolving power R ≥ 60 000 have enabled studies of features of its optical spectrum in detail and brought to light previously unknown characteristics of the star’s extended atmosphere. The radial velocity measured from symmetric absorption lines of metals varies with an amplitude of about ±7 km/s around the systemic velocity V _sys = ?47 km/s, due to low-amplitude pulsations of the atmospheric layers near the photosphere. At some times, a velocity gradient was observed in deep atmospheric layers of the star. A slight velocity stratification in the stellar atmosphere was detected for the first time, manifest as a difference of 3–4 km/s in the velocities measured from absorption lines of neutral metals and of ions. The long-wavelength components of split absorption lines of BaII, SrII, TiII, and other strong lines with low excitation potentials for their lower levels are distorted by nearby emission lines. It is suggested that the short-wavelength components, whose locations correspond to the narrow velocity range V _r (blue) from approximately ?60 to ?70 km/s, are formed in a circumstellar envelope; one component of the D NaI doublet and the emission components of the FeII 6369.46 and 6432.68 Å ions are also formed there.     

Intercombinational line profiles in the UV spectra of T Tauri stars and analysis of the accretion zone

We have analyzed for the first time profiles of the SiIII 1892 Å and CIII 1909 Å intercombinational lines in HST spectra of the stars RY Tau and RU Lup. The widths of these optically thin lines exceeded 400 km/s, ruling out formation in the stellar chromosphere. Since the intensity of the Si line exceeds that of the C line, it is unlikely that a large fraction of the observed line flux is formed in a stellar wind. The observed profiles can be reproduced in the framework of an accretion shock model if the velocity field in the accretion zone is appreciably nonaxisymmetric. In this case, the line profiles should display periodic variations, which can be used to determine the accretion zone geometry and the topology of the magnetic field near the stellar surface; corresponding formulas are presented. In addition, periodic variations of the 0.3–0.7 keV X-ray flux should be observed.     

Pulsations of the water-vapor maser in NGC 7538 IRS 1 with a period of about 0.9 year

We report the results of a study of fast variations of the H₂O maser emission toward NGC 7538 IRS 1, which is associated with a star-forming region. The study is based on monitoring data in the 1.35 cm line obtained in 1996–2003 on the 22-meter radio telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory (Russia). Periodic flux variations of four long-lived emission features with an average period of about 0.9 year have been detected. The flux variations of these features are correlated, suggesting that the detected variability is a consequence of pulsation of, e.g., stellar wind from the protostar in NGC 7538 IRS 1, with a period of about 0.9 year (0.87 ± 0.03 year). These pulsations are superimposed on long-term variability of the integrated maser emission with a period of 13 years.     

Relation between the parameters of dust and of molecular and atomic gas in extragalactic star-forming regions

The relationships between atomic and molecular hydrogen and dust of various sizes in extragalactic star-forming regions are considered, based on observational data from the Spitzer and Herschel infrared space telescopes, the Very Large Array (atomic hydrogen emission) and IRAM (CO emission). The source sample consists of approximately 300 star-forming regions in 11 nearby galaxies. Aperture photometry has been applied to measure the fluxes in eight infrared bands (3.6, 4.5, 5.8, 8, 24, 70, 100, and 160 μm), the atomic hydrogen 21 cm line, and CO (2–1) line. The parameters of the dust in the starforming regions were determined via synthetic-spectra fitting, such as the total dust mass, the fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), etc. Comparison of the observed fluxes with the measured parameters shows that the relationships between atomic hydrogen, molecular hydrogen, and dust are different in low- and high-metallicity regions. Low-metallicity regions contain more atomic gas, but less molecular gas and dust, including PAHs. The mass of dust constitutes about 1% of the mass of molecular gas in all regions considered. Fluxes produced by atomic and molecular gas do not correlate with the parameters of the stellar radiation, whereas the dust fluxes grow with increasing mean intensity of stellar radiation and the fraction of enhanced stellar radiation. The ratio of the fluxes at 8 and 24 μm, which characterizes the PAH content, decreases with increasing intensity of the stellar radiation, possibly indicating evolutionary variations of the PAH content. The results confirm that the contribution of the 24 μm emission to the total IR luminosity of extragalactic star-forming regions does not depend on the metallicity.     

Microvariability of line profiles in the spectra of OB stars: δOri A

We have studied variability of the spectral lines of the OB star δOri A—the brightest component of the δOri triple system. Forty spectra with signal-to-noise ratios ≈500–800 and a time resolution of four minutes were obtained. We detected variability in the HeIIλ4686, HeIλ4713, and Hβ absorption and the CIIIλ5696 emission profiles. The amplitude of the variability is ≈(0.5–1)% of the continuum intensity. The dynamical wavelet spectrum of the profile variations reveals large-scale components in the interval 25–50 km/s that move within the-V sin i to V sin i band for the primary star of the system, Aa¹, with a band crossing time of 4^h–5^h. However, some of the variable features go outside the band, presumably due to either imhomogeneities in the stellar wind from δOri Aa¹ or nonradial pulsations of the weaker components of the system, Aa² or Ab. The detected variability may be cyclic with a period of ≈4^h. We suggest that it is associated with nonradial pulsations of the primary in the sector mode (l,m) = (2, ?2).     

Spectral observations of ɛ aurigae during the 2009–2011 eclipse

Results of spectral observations of the unique eclipsing binary ? Aur obtained during its recent eclipse are presented. Profile variations of many spectral lines at different eclipse phases can be traced. These variations are partly due to absorption of the stellar radiation in a rotating disk of gas and dust around the second component and partly due to geometric screening of the stellar photosphere and circumstellar region by the disk. A comparison of these results with analogous results obtained by Lambert and Sawyer during the previous (1982–1984) eclipse of ? Aur indicates good agreement, suggesting stability of the gas-dust disk surrounding the invisible component in the binary. The masses of the binary components are estimated using new observational data.     

The origin of the photometric and spectral variability of RW Aur

We have studied the relationships between the brightness, color, and emission-line profiles for the classical T Tauri star RW Aur, which displays an intense emission spectrum and signs of accretion and outflow. Spectral and photometric observations carried out from 1995 to 1999 have been analyzed in the framework of magnetospheric accretion concept, where the brightness of the star depends on the level of the non-photospheric continuum (veiling), which, in turn, depends on the accretion rate. We found that (1) the equivalent widths and profiles of broad emission lines vary independently of the brightness of the star, the brightness and color variations are due primarily to absorption in dust clouds formed by the disk wind; (2) at times when the accretion in the line of sight becomes stronger, all broad emission lines are weakened substantially due to the asymmetry of the magnetosphere and screening of the radiating region; (3) the periodic variations of the U-B and B-V color indices are due to the variable contribution of broad emission lines in the photometric bands; (4) the veiling of the photospheric spectrum is not correlated with either the brightness of the star or the intensity of the accretion components.     

Changes of the Optical Spectrum of the Hypergiant <Emphasis Type="Italic">ρ</Emphasis> Cas due to a Shell Ejection in 2013

Spectral monitoring of the yellow hypergiant ρ Cas with the by 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory with a spectral resolution of R ≥ 60 000 has led to the detection of new features in the kinematic state of its extended atmosphere following the ejection of matter in 2013. Significant changes in the profile of the Hα line were detected: the line had a doubled core for the first time in a 2014 spectrum, an inverse P Cygni profile on February 13, 2017, and the profile was again doubled on August 6, 2017 and September 5, 2017, but was strongly shifted toward longer wavelengths, indicating a rapid infall of matter. Splitting of the profiles of strong, low-excitation absorption lines into three components was first detected in 2017. There is no correlation between the evolution of the profiles of Hα and the splitted absorption lines. Pulsation-like variability with an amplitude of about 10 km/s is characteristic only of symmetric weak and moderate-intensity absorption lines. Shell emission lines of iron-group elements can be identified in the long-wavelength part of a spectrum obtained in 2013, whose intensity decreased until they completely disappeared in 2017. In the absence of emission in the cores of the H and K lines of Ca II, emission lines of shell metals are visible in the wings of these lines.     

The Hydrogen and Helium Lines of the Symbiotic Binary Z And during Its Brightening at the End of 2002

High resolution observations in the region of the Hα, HeII λ 4686, and Hγ lines in the spectrum of the symbiotic binary Z And were performed during a small-amplitude flare at the end of 2002. The profiles of the hydrogen lines were double-peaked, and suggest that the lines may be emitted mainly by an optically thin accretion disk. Since the Hα line is strongly contaminated by emission from the envelope, the Hγ line is used to investigate the properties of the accretion disk. The Hα line has broad wings, believed to be determined mostly by radiation damping, although the high-velocity stellar wind from the compact object in the system may also contribute. The Hγ line has a broad emission component, assumed to be emitted mainly from the inner part of the accretion disk. The HeIIλ 4686 line also has a broad emission component, but is believed to arise in a region of high-velocity stellar wind. The outer radius of the accretion disk can be calculated from the shift between the peaks. Assuming that the orbital inclination can range from 47° to 76°, we estimate the outer radius to be 20–50 R_⨀. The behavior of the observed lines can be interpreted in the model proposed for the line spectrum during the first large 2000–2002 flare of this binary.     

Peculiarities and variations in the optical spectrum of the post-AGB star V448 Lac = IRAS 22223+4327

Multi-epoch observations with high spectral resolution acquired in 1998–2008 are used to study the time behavior of the spectral-line profiles and velocity fields in the atmosphere and circumstellar shell of the post-AGB star V448 Lac. Asymmetry of the profiles of the strongest absorption lines with lower-level excitation potentials χ _low < 1 eV and time variations of these profiles have been detected, most prominently the profiles of the resonance lines of BaII, YII, LaII, SiII. The peculiarities of these profiles can be explained using a superposition of stellar absorption line and shell emission lines. Emission in the (0; 1) 5635 Å Swan system band of the C₂ molecule has been detected in the spectrum of V448 Lac for the first time. The core of the Hα line displays radial-velocity variations with an amplitude of ΔV _r ≈ 8 km/s. Radial-velocity variations displayed by weak metallic lines with lower amplitudes, ΔV _r ≈ 1–2 km/s, may be due to atmospheric pulsations. Differential line shifts, ΔV _r = 0–8 km/s have been detected on various dates. The position of the molecular spectrum is stationary in time, indicating a constant expansion velocity of the circumstellar shell, V _exp = 15.2 km/s, as derived from the C₂ and NaI lines.     

Evolution of the components of the close binary WR 20a

We have analyzed the evolution of the components of the unique massive binary system WR 20a, which consists of a Wolf-Rayet nitrogen star and an Of star with an extremely small separation. The estimated masses of the components are 83 and 82 M _⊙, which are among the highest stellar mass inferred. We have carried out numerical modeling of the evolution of the components, taking into account the mass loss due to the stellar wind inherent to massive stars. In a scenario in which the systemis detached from the time the components reach the main sequence until its present state, the initial component masses are inferred to be close to 110 M _⊙, if the initial masses of the stars were equal, or 120 and 100 M _⊙, if they were different. Currently, the components are evolved main-sequence stars, whose surfaces are relatively little enriched by helium. The further evolution of the system will result in one of the components filling its Roche lobe and evolution within a common envelope. As a result, the components may coalesce, leading to the formation of a single massive black hole the supernova explosion. Otherwise, depending on the masses of the resulting black holes, either a binary system with two black holes or two free black holes will be formed. In the latter case, gamma-ray bursts will be observed.     

Evolution of the H2O maser emission in G10.6-0.4

The water-vapor maser emission in the source G10.6-0.4 associated with an active starforming region (OB star cluster) is analyzed. The maser was monitored from 1981–2004 using the 22-meter radio telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory. Statistical processing of the results revealed the presence of structural formations on various scales. The individual H₂O maser features may form ordered structures with velocity (V _LSR) gradients, localized in separate clusters of maser features. The statistical variations of the V _LSR values for the maser components may be due to the accretion of material onto the OB star cluster in G10.6-0.4 together with the rotation of the molecular cloud core. A model with a rotating, nonuniform condensation of accreted material in the vicinity of the stellar cluster is proposed to explain the variations of the velocity centroid of the H₂O spectra. The integrated flux variations are explained well by a model in which the central source is an OB star cluster, possibly containing five to six stars. An important role in the evolution of the maser emission, as well as of the source as a whole, may be played by turbulent motions of the gas.     

Stellar activity as observed by the KEPLER space telescope: The K Dwarf KIC 8429280

The activity of the K dwarf KIC 8429280 (TYC 3146-35-1) has been studied. Unique high-precision photometric observations of this object obtained with the KEPLER space telescope suggest a pronounced amplitude modulation of the brightness of the star, and have made possible the analysis of surface-temperature inhomogeneities. The evolution of active regions on the surface of KIC 8429280 has been traced during 105 rotation periods. Evidence has been found for the existence of two active longitudes on the surface of KIC 8429280, separated by approximately 180°. The motion of the active longitudes on the surface of KIC 8429280 is complex and unstable. At some times, the active regions moved together in longitude with the rotation of the star, while they moved in opposite directions at other time. The less active region sometimes disappeared completely, and only one active region was observed on the stellar surface. The area of the spotted surface S is 4% of the visible stellar surface for the adopted inclination of the rotation axis of the star to the line of sight, i = 60°. The periodicity for variations in S is no less than 90 d. The timescale for the change in the amplitude of the brightness variations is 30 d. Three epochs of alternation of the active longitudes are close in time to three of four firmly established minima in the amplitudes of the brightness variations. The results of the light-curve analysis for KIC 8429280 are compared to results obtained for the young active solar-type star Corot-Exo-2, which has a similar light curve with a pronounced modulation.     

Spectral variability of the STAR 55 Cyg B3 Ia

We study the variability of the Hα and Hβ lines in the spectrum of 55 Cyg based on observations carried out in 2010 on the 2-m telescope of the Shamakhy Observatory of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. These observations were carried out at the Cassegrain focus of the telescope. The spectral resolution is close to 15 000. The Hα emission and absorption components disappeared on some nights. This may be associated with asphericity of the stellar wind. A more complete explanation requires additional observations.