FS CMa type binaries

FS CMa type stars is a group of ~70 objects formerly known as unclassified stars with the B[e] phenomenon. Their very strong emission-line spectra in combination with a nearly main-sequence luminosity suggest the binary nature for them. They possess strong IR excesses due to radiation of circumstellar dust that implies a compact distribution probably in a circumbinary disk. Our long-term spectroscopic monitoring revealed neutral metal lines, which always include that of Li I 6708 \AA, in the spectra of some FS CMa objects indicating the presence of a cool star. We present a summary of our results with a first overview of FS CMa type binaries and review possible implications for the nature and evolutionary status of the entire group.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to appear in EAS Publication Series, in proceedings of the "Physics Of Evolved Star 2015" conferenc

The Inhomogeneous Wind of the LBV Candidate CygOB2-No.12

We present the results of high-resolution spectroscopy of the extremely luminous star CygOB2-No.12. We identified about 200 spectral features in the range 4552-7939 AA, including the interstellar NaI, KI lines and numerous very strong DIBs, along with the HeI, CII, and SiII lines. An MK spectral type we derived for the object is B4.5Ia+. Our analysis of the radial velocity data shows the presence of a gradient in the stellar atmosphere, caused by both atmospheric expansion and matter infall onto the star. The Halpha emission displays broad Thompson wings, a slightly blue-shifted PCyg type absorption component and a time-variable core absorption. We conclude that the wind is variable in time.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, IAU Symposium No.272 "Active OB stars: structure, evolution, mass loss and critical limits", 201

Dust Emission from Herbig AE/BE Stars: Evidence for Disks and Envelopes

Infrared and millimeter-wave emission from Herbig Ae/Be stars has produced conflicting conclusions regarding the dust geometry in these objects. We show that the compact dimensions of the millimeter-wave-emitting regions are a decisive indication for disks. But a disk cannot explain the spectral energy distribution unless it is embedded in an extended envelope that (1) dominates the IR emission and (2) provides additional disk heating on top of the direct stellar radiation. Detailed radiative transfer calculations based on the simplest model for envelope-embedded disks successfully fit the data from UV to millimeter wavelengths and show that the disks have central holes. This model also resolves naturally some puzzling results of IR imaging

The B[e] phenomenon in the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds

Discovered over 30 years ago, the B[e] phenomenon has not yet revealed all its puzzles. New objects that exhibit it are being discovered in the Milky Way, and properties of known objects are being constrained. We review recent findings about objects of this class and their subgroups as well as discuss new results from studies of the objects with yet unknown nature. In the Magellanic Clouds, the population of such objects has been restricted to supergiants. We present new candidates with apparently lower luminosities found in the LMC.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, IAU Symposium 272, Active OB stars: structure, evolution, mass loss and critical limit

On Protostellar Disks in Herbig Ae/Be Stars

The spectral shape of IR emission from Herbig Ae/Be stars has been invoked as evidence for accretion disks around high-mass protostars. Instead, we present here models based on spherical envelopes with $r^{-1.5}$ dust density profile that successfully explain the observed spectral shapes. The spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of eight primary candidates for protostellar disks are fitted in detail for all wavelengths available, from visual to far IR. The only envelope property adjusted in individual sources is the overall visual optical depth, and it ranges from 0.3 to 3. In each case, our models properly reproduce the data for both IR excess, visual extinction and reddening. The success of our models shows that accretion disks cannot make a significant contribution to the radiation observed in these pre-main sequence stars.Comment: 10 pages, 2 Postscript figures (included), uses aaspp4.sty. To appear in Astrophysical Journal Letter

VY Mon - the twin of Z CMa?

In 1985-1990 we obtained photometric, polarimetric and spectroscopic observations of the peculiar emission-line star VY Mon. These observational data were compared with those of Z CMa. To our opinion the similarity of the observational features of these stars is due to their similar nature

Binaries Among Be Stars

Binarity as an explanation of some observed properties of Be stars, such as the fast rotation and the presence of circumstellar disks, was suggested nearly 40 years ago. Although not well accepted initially because of the lack of supporting data, this hypothesis gained solid grounds with the advent of high resolution spectroscopy. Many bright Be stars have been recognized as primary components of binary systems over the last two decades. I will review the current binary statistics among Be stars, discuss methods of detecting binaries, and briefly present recent results on newly found binary systems

The remarkable outburst of the highly evolved post-period-minimum dwarf nova SSS J122221.7-311525

We report extensive 3-yr multiwavelength observations of the WZ Sge-type dwarf nova SSS J122221.7-311525 during its unusual double superoutburst, the following decline and in quiescence. The second segment of the superoutburst had a long duration of 33 d and a very gentle decline with a rate of 0.02 mag d-1, and it displayed an extended post-outburst decline lasting at least 500 d. Simultaneously with the start of the rapid fading from the superoutburst plateau, the system showed the appearance of a strong near-infrared excess resulting in very red colours, which reached extreme values (B - I ? 1.4) about 20 d later. The colours then became bluer again, but it took at least 250 d to acquire a stable level. Superhumps were clearly visible in the light curve from our very first time-resolved observations until at least 420 d after the rapid fading from the superoutburst. The spectroscopic and photometric data revealed an orbital period of 109.80 min and a fractional superhump period excess ?0.8 per cent, indicating a very low mass ratio q ? 0.045. With such a small mass ratio the donor mass should be below the hydrogen-burning minimum mass limit. The observed infrared flux in quiescence is indeed much lower than is expected from a cataclysmic variable with a near-main-sequence donor star. This strongly suggests a brown-dwarf-like nature for the donor and that SSS J122221.7-311525 has already evolved away from the period minimum towards longer periods, with the donor now extremely dim