Notes on the disentangling of spectra I. Enhancement in precision

Context: The technique of disentangling has been applied to numerous high-precision studies of spectroscopic binaries and multiple stars. Although, its possibilities have not yet been fully understood and exploited. Aims: Theoretical background aspects of the method, its latest improvements and hints for its use in practice are explained in this series of papers. Methods: In this first paper of the series, we discuss spectral-resolution limitations due to a discrete representation of the observed spectra and introduce a new method how to achieve a precision higher than the step of input-data binning. Results: Based on this principle, the latest version of the KOREL code for Fourier disentangling achieves an increase in precision for an order of magnitude.Comment: 2 figure

Disentangling telluric lines in stellar spectra

The use of a method of spectra disentangling for telluric lines is explained in detail, with a particular emphasis on high-precision radial-velocity measurements for the search for extrasolar planets. New improvements to the method are introduced.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Notes on disentangling of spectra II. Intrinsic line-profile variability due to Cepheid pulsations

The determination of pulsation velocities from observed spectra of Cepheids is needed for the Baade-Wesselink calibration of these primary distance markers. The applicability of the Fourier-disentangling technique for the determination of pulsation velocities of Cepheids and other pulsating stars is studied. The KOREL-code was modified to enable fitting of free parameters of a prescribed line-profile broadening function corresponding to the radial pulsations of the stellar atmosphere. It was applied to spectra of delta Cep in the H-alpha region observed with the Ondrejov 2-m telescope. The telluric lines were removed using template-constrained disentangling, phase-locked variations of line-strengths were measured and the curves of pulsational velocities obtained for several spectral lines. It is shown that the amplitude and phase of the velocities and line-strength variations depend on the depth of line formation and the excitation potential. The disentangling of pulsations in the Cepheid spectra may be used for distance determination

V2368 Oph: An eclipsing and double-lined spectroscopic binary used as a photometric comparison star for U Oph

The A-type star HR 6412 = V2368 Oph was used by several investigators as a photometric comparison star for the known eclipsing binary U Oph but was found to be variable by three independent groups, including us. By analysing series of new spectral and photometric observations and a critical compilation of available radial velocities, we were able to find the correct period of light and radial-velocity variations and demonstrate that the object is an eclipsing and double-lined spectroscopic binary moving in a highly eccentric orbit. We derived a linear ephemeris T min.I = HJD (2454294.67 +/- 0.01) + (38.32712 +/- 0.00004)d x E and estimated preliminary basic physical properties of the binary. The dereddened UBV magnitudes and effective temperatures of the primary and secondary, based on our light- and velocity-curve solutions, led to distance estimates that agree with the Hipparcos distance within the errors. We find that the mass ratio must be close to one, but the limited number and wavelength range of our current spectra does not allow a truly precise determination of the binary masses. Nevertheless, our results show convincingly that both binary components are evolved away from the main sequence, which makes this system astrophysically very important. There are only a few similarly evolved A-type stars among known eclipsing binaries. Future systematic observations and careful analyses can provide very stringent tests for the stellar evolutionary theory.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figs, in press 2011 A&

A naked-eye triple system with a nonaccreting black hole in the inner binary

Several dozen optical echelle spectra demonstrate that HR 6819 is a hierarchical triple. A classical Be star is in a wide orbit with an unconstrained period around an inner 40 d binary consisting of a B3 III star and an unseen companion in a circular orbit. The radial-velocity semi-amplitude of 61.3 km/s of the inner star and its minimum (probable) mass of 5.0 Msun (6.3 +- 0.7 Msun) imply a mass of the unseen object of >= 4.2 Msun (>= 5.0 +- 0.4 Msun), that is, a black hole (BH). The spectroscopic time series is stunningly similar to observations of LB-1. A similar triple-star architecture of LB-1 would reduce the mass of the BH in LB-1 from ~70 Msun to a level more typical of Galactic stellar remnant BHs. The BH in HR 6819 probably is the closest known BH to the Sun, and together with LB-1, suggests a population of quiet BHs. Its embedment in a hierarchical triple structure may be of interest for models of merging double BHs or BH + neutron star binaries. Other triple stars with an outer Be star but without BH are identified; through stripping, such systems may become a source of single Be stars.Comment: Accepted as Letter to the Editor for A&

CoRoT photometry and high-resolution spectroscopy of the interacting eclipsing binary AU Mon

Analyses of very accurate CoRoT space photometry, past Johnson V photoelectric photometry and high-resolution \'echelle spectra led to the determination of improved and consistent fundamental stellar properties of both components of AU Mon. We derived new, accurate ephemerides for both the orbital motion (with a period of 11.113d) and the long-term, overall brightness variation (with a period of 416.9d) of this strongly interacting Be + G semi-detached binary. It is shown that this long-term variation must be due to attenuation of the total light by some variable circumbinary material. We derived the binary mass ratio $M_{\rm G}/M_{\rm B}$ = 0.17\p0.03 based on the assumption that the G-type secondary fills its Roche lobe and rotates synchronously. Using this value of the mass ratio as well as the radial velocities of the G-star, we obtained a consistent light curve model and improved estimates of the stellar masses, radii, luminosities and effective temperatures. We demonstrate that the observed lines of the B-type primary may not be of photospheric origin. We also discover rapid and periodic light changes visible in the high-quality residual CoRoT light curves. AU Mon is put into perspective by a comparison with known binaries exhibiting long-term cyclic light changes.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Spectroscopic analysis of the B/Be visual binary HR 1847

We studied both components of a slightly overlooked visual binary HR 1847 spectroscopically to determine its basic physical and orbital parameters. Basic stellar parameters were determined by comparing synthetic spectra to the observed echelle spectra, which cover both the optical and near-IR regions. New observations of this system used the Ond\v{r}ejov and Rozhen 2-m telescopes and their coud\'e spectrographs. Radial velocities from individual spectra were measured and then analysed with the code {\FOTEL} to determine orbital parameters. The spectroscopic orbit of HR 1847A is presented for the first time. It is a single-lined spectroscopic binary with a B-type primary, a period of 719.79 days, and a highly eccentric orbit with e=0.7. We confirmed that HR 1847B is a Be star. Its H\alpha emission significantly decreased from 2003 to 2008. Both components have a spectral type B7-8 and luminosity class IV-V.Comment: Astronomy and Astrophysics, accepte

First detailed analysis of multiple system V2083 Cyg

Main aim of this paper is the first detailed analysis of multiple system V2083 Cyg and to reveal its basic physical properties. The system was studied by method of the light and radial velocity curves analysis, together with the interferometric data of the visual pair obtained during a last century. There was found that the close subsystem contains two very similar stars of spectral type A7-8. Moreover, the third body is orbiting around this pair with period of about 177 years. Due to the discrepancy of total mass as derived from two methods, there arises that the third body is maybe also a binary, or some object with lower luminosity but higher mass than normal main-sequence star. Another explanation is that the Hipparcos value of parallax is incorrect and the system is much closer to the Sun.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, published in 2012MNRAS.421.1196