The symbiotic binary system RX Puppis: a possible recurrent nova with a Mira companion

We present an analysis of photometric and spectroscopic observations of the symbiotic binary system RX Pup with the aims of developing a reliable binary for the system and identifying mechanisms responsible for its spectacular activity. The binary is composed of a long-perod Mira variable surrounded by a thick dust shell and a hot white dwarf companion. The hot component produces practically all activity observed in the UV, optical and radio range, while variable obscuration of the Mira by circumstellar dust is responsible for long-term changes in the near-IR magnitudes. The observations show RX Pup underwent a nova-like eruption during the last three decades. The hot component contracted in radius at roughly constant luminosity from 1975 to 1986, and was the source of a strong stellar wind which prevented it from accreting material lost in the Mira wind. Around 1988/9 the hot component turned over in the HR diagram and by 1991 its luminosity had faded by a factor of about 30 with respect to the maximum plateau value and the hot wind had practically ceased. By 1995 the nova remnant started to accrete material from the Mira wind, as indicated by a general increase in intensity of the optical continuum and HI emission. The quiescent spectrum resembles the quiescent spectra of symbiotic recurrent novae, and its intensity indicates the hot component must accrete as much as about 1 per cent of the Mira wind, which is more or less the amount predicted by Bondi-Hoyle theory. The earliest observational records from the 1890s suggest that another nova-like eruption of RX Pup occurred around 1894.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figues, MNRAS - accepte

The symbiotic binary system RX Puppis: a possible recurrent nova with a Mira companion

We present an analysis of photometric and spectroscopic observations of the symbiotic binary system RX Pup with the aim of developing a reliable binary model for the system and identifying mechanisms responsible for its spectacular activity. The binary is composed of a long-period Mira variable surrounded by a thick dust shell and a hot ,0:8M( white dwarf companion. The hot component produces practically all activity observed in the UV, optical and radio range, while variable obscuration of the Mira by circumstellar dust is responsible for long-term changes in the near-infrared magnitudes. The observations show that RX Pup underwent a nova-like eruption during the last three decades. The hot component contracted in radius at roughly constant luminosity from 1975 to 1986, and was the source of a strong stellar wind, which prevented it from accreting material lost in the Mira wind. Around 1988/9 the hot component turned over in the Hertzsprung±Russell (HR) diagram and by 1991 its luminosity had faded by a factor of ,30 with respect to the maximum plateau value and the hot wind had practically ceased. By 1995 the nova remnant started to accrete material from the Mira wind, as indicated by a general increase in intensity of the optical continuum and Hi emission. The quiescent spectrum resembles the quiescent spectra of symbiotic recurrent novae, and its intensity indicates that the hot component must accrete as much as ,1 per cent of the Mira wind, which is more or less the amount predicted by Bondi±Hoyle theory. The earliest observational records from the 1890s suggest that another nova-like eruption of RX Pup occurred around 1894.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

The symbiotic binary system RX Puppis: a possible recurrent nova with a Mira companion

We present an analysis of photometric and spectroscopic observations of the symbiotic binary system RX Pup with the aim of developing a reliable binary model for the system and identifying mechanisms responsible for its spectacular activity. The binary is composed of a long-period Mira variable surrounded by a thick dust shell and a hot ,0:8M( white dwarf companion. The hot component produces practically all activity observed in the UV, optical and radio range, while variable obscuration of the Mira by circumstellar dust is responsible for long-term changes in the near-infrared magnitudes. The observations show that RX Pup underwent a nova-like eruption during the last three decades. The hot component contracted in radius at roughly constant luminosity from 1975 to 1986, and was the source of a strong stellar wind, which prevented it from accreting material lost in the Mira wind. Around 1988/9 the hot component turned over in the Hertzsprung±Russell (HR) diagram and by 1991 its luminosity had faded by a factor of ,30 with respect to the maximum plateau value and the hot wind had practically ceased. By 1995 the nova remnant started to accrete material from the Mira wind, as indicated by a general increase in intensity of the optical continuum and Hi emission. The quiescent spectrum resembles the quiescent spectra of symbiotic recurrent novae, and its intensity indicates that the hot component must accrete as much as ,1 per cent of the Mira wind, which is more or less the amount predicted by Bondi±Hoyle theory. The earliest observational records from the 1890s suggest that another nova-like eruption of RX Pup occurred around 1894.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Variability of eta Carinae III

Spectra (1951-78) of the central object in eta Car, taken by A.D. Thackeray, reveal three previously unrecorded epochs of low excitation. Since 1948, at least, these states have occurred regularly in the 2020 day cycle proposed by Damineli et al. They last about 10 percent of each cycle. Early slit spectra (1899-1919) suggest that at that time the object was always in a low state. JHKL photometry is reported for the period 1994-2000. This shows that the secular increase in brightness found in 1972-94 has continued and its rate has increased at the shorter wavelengths. Modulation of the infrared brightness in a period near 2020 days continues. There is a dip in the JHKL light curves near 1998.0, coincident with a dip in the X-ray light curve. Evidence is given that this dip in the infrared repeats in the 2020 day cycle. As suggested by Whitelock & Laney, the dip is best interpreted as an eclipse phenomenon in an interacting binary system; the object eclipsed being a bright region (`hot spot'), possibly on a circumstellar disc or produced by interacting stellar winds. The eclipse coincides in phase and duration with the state of low excitation. It is presumably caused by a plasma column and/or by one of the stars in the system.Comment: 10 pages, 7 postscript figures, accepted for MNRA

Near-Infrared Photometry of Carbon Stars

Near-infrared, JHKL, photometry of 239 Galactic carbon-rich variable stars is presented and discussed. From these and published data the stars were classified as Mira or non-Mira variables and amplitudes and pulsation periods, ranging from 222 to 948 days for the Miras, were determined for most of them. A comparison of the colour and period relations with those of similar stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud indicates minor differences, which may be the consequence of sample selection effects. Apparent bolometric magnitudes were determined by combining the mean JHKL fluxes with mid-infrared photometry from IRAS and MSX. Then, using the Mira period luminosity relation to set the absolute magnitudes, distances were determined -- to greater accuracy than has hitherto been possible for this type of star. Bolometric corrections to the K magnitude were calculated and prescriptions derived for calculating these from various colours. Mass-loss rates were also calculated and compared to values in the literature. Approximately one third of the C-rich Miras and an unknown fraction of the non-Miras exhibit apparently random obscuration events that are reminiscent of the phenomena exhibited by the hydrogen deficient RCB stars. The underlying cause of this is unclear, but it may be that mass loss, and consequently dust formation, is very easily triggered from these very extended atmospheres.Comment: 35 pages, 21 figs, accepted for publication in MNRAS. Large data table will be available on-line onl

The 2003 Shell Event in eta Carinae

Near-infrared, JHKL, photometry of eta Car is reported covering the period 2000 to 2004. This includes the 2003 shell event which was the subject of an international multi-wavelength campaign. The fading that accompanied this event was similar to, although slightly deeper than, that which accompanied the previous one. The period between these events is 2023+/-3 days and they are strictly periodic. Their cause, as well as that of the quasi-periodic variations and secular brightening are discussed. It seems possible that all three types of variability are consequences of the binary nature of the star.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, to appear in MNRA

The Case for Asymmetric Dust Around a C-Rich AGB star

JHKL observations of the mass-losing carbon Mira variable IRAS 15194-5115 (II Lup) extending over about 18 years are presented and discussed. The pulsation period is 575 days and has remained essentially constant over this time span. The star has undergone an extensive obscuration minimum during this time. This is complex and, like such minima in similar objects, e.g. R For, does not fit the model predictions of a simple long term periodicity. Together with the high resolution observations of Lopez et al. the results suggest that the obscuration changes are due to the formation of dust clouds of limited extent in the line-of-sight. This is an RCB-type model. The effective reddening law at J and H is similar to that found for R For.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA