Physical conditions in the compact double star HD 187399

We present the results of a study of the spectra of the compact double system HD 187399. We have measured and identified lines in the spectrum of the main star and computed their equivalent widths, the central residual intensities, and the electron densities in the atmosphere of the main star and the common envelope of the system. We have constructed the curve of radial velocities of the main star and determined the expansion velocity of the common envelope of the system: v_r=90 km/sec. We have measured the velocity of the interstellar calcium: v_r=–3.5 km/sec. We have established the agreement of the radial velocity curves for the main star obtained in the present paper and in that of Merrill [1]. The comparison enabled us to make the following conjecture: there has been no noticeable loss of mass in the system HD 187399 over the past 35 years, and possibly all that has occurred is a flow of matter from one component toward the other. We note the strong similarity with the Lyrae system.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 38, No. 2, 1995.