The spectroscopic orbit and the geometry of R Aqr

R Aqr is one of the closest symbiotic binaries and the only D-type system with radial velocity data suitable for orbital parameters estimation. The aims of our study are to derive a reliable spectroscopic orbit of the Mira component, and to establish connections between the orbital motion and other phenomena shown by R Aqr. We reanalize velocity data recently published by McIntosh & Rustan complemented by additional velocities. We find an eccentric orbit (e=0.25) with a period 43.6 yr. This solution is in agreement with a resolved VLA observation of this system. We demonstrate that the last 1974-1981 increase of extinction towards the Mira occured during its superior spectroscopic conjunction, and can be due to obscuration by a neutral material in the accreting stream. We also show that jet ejection is not connected with the orbital position.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Distinguishing between symbiotic stars and planetary nebulae

Number of known symbiotic stars (SySt) is still significantly lower than their predicted population. One of the main problems in finding complete population of SySt is the fact that their spectrum can be confused with other objects, such as planetary nebulae (PNe) or dense H II regions. The problem is reinforced by a fact that in significant fraction of established SySt the emission lines used to distinguish them from other objects are not present. We aim at finding new diagnostic diagrams that could help separate SySt from PNe. Additionally, we examine known sample of extragalactic PNe for candidate SySt. We employed emission line fluxes of known SySt and PNe from the literature. We found that among the forbidden lines in the optical region of spectrum, only the [O III] and [N II] lines can be used as a tool for distinguishing between SySt and PNe, which is consistent with the fact that they have the highest critical densities. The most useful diagnostic that we propose is based on He I lines which are more common and stronger in SySt than forbidden lines. All these useful diagnostic diagrams are electron density indicators that better distinguishes PNe and ionized symbiotic nebulae. Moreover, we found six new candidate SySt in the Large Magellanic Cloud and one in M81. If confirmed, the candidate in M81 would be the furthest known SySt thus far.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, submitted to A&

Variability of the symbiotic X-ray binary GX 1+4: Enhanced activity near periastron passage

Context. GX 1+4 belongs to a rare class of X-ray binaries with red giant donors, symbiotic X-ray binaries. The system has a history of complicated variability on multiple timescales in the optical light and X-rays. The nature of this variability remains poorly understood. Aims. We study variability of GX 1+4 on long time-scale in X-ray and optical bands. Methods. The presented X-ray observations are from INTEGRAL Soft Gamma-Ray Imager and RXTE All Sky Monitor. The optical observations are from INTEGRAL Optical Monitoring Camera. Results. The variability of GX 1+4 both in optical light and hard X-ray emission (>17 keV) is dominated by ~50-70d quasi-periodic changes. The amplitude of this variability is highest during the periastron passage, while during the potential neutron star eclipse the system is always at minimum, which confirms the 1161d orbital period that has had been proposed for the system based on radial velocity curve. Neither the quasi-periodic variability or the orbital period are detected in soft X-ray emission (1.3-12.2 keV), where the binary shows no apparent periodicity.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Recurrent Novae at Quiescence: Systems with Giant Secondaries

Spectroscopic and photometric behaviour of the class of recurrent novae with giant secondaries (T Coronae Borealis, RS Ophiuchi, V3890 Sagittarii and V745 Scorpii) at quiescence are presented in this study. The hot component in these systems is variable, with the variability manifesting as variability in the ultraviolet luminosity, the ultraviolet and optical emission line fluxes and in the UBV/visual magnitudes. The variations are uncorrelated with the binary orbital motion. The observed ultraviolet+optical spectral characteristics of the hot component in these systems can be explained by a white dwarf+accretion disc embedded in an envelope of wind from the M giant secondary. We suggest the observed variations are a result of (a) fluctuations in the mass accretion rate; (b) changes in the column density of the absorbing, optically thick, wind envelope.Comment: 11 pages, 7 postscript figures. Uses laa.sty, eps.sty. To appear in A&A (main journal