Searching for periodic variations in radial velocities after the removal of orbital motions of spectroscopic binaries

Author(s):  
Noriyuki Katoh ◽  
Yoichi Itoh ◽  
Bun’ei Sato

ABSTRACT This study focuses on periodic variations of radial velocities (RVs) after removing the orbital motion of 33 spectroscopic binaries. The RVs were monitored from 2003 to 2012 and published in Katoh et al. (2013, AJ, 145, 41). Their RV precision was determined to be ∼10 m s−1 utilizing an I2 cell. We investigated the periodic variation using a generalzied Lomb–Scargle algorithm and found periodic variations in the residual velocities of seven binary systems. The residual-velocity variations are mostly generated by stellar activity rather than the orbital motion of a possible companion. For eight binaries, we found significant evidence of a second signal, with velocity dispersions greater than three times the RV uncertainty. We find these residual-velocity variations inconsistent with a Doppler signal induced by the orbital motion of an unknown component. For the remaining 18 binaries, we did not detect significant variations of residual-velocity.

1988 ◽  
Vol 132 ◽  
pp. 79-81
Author(s):  
Bruce Campbell ◽  
Gordon A. H. Walker

We have monitored changes in the radial velocities of 24 bright F, G and K dwarf stars (known spectroscopic binaries excluded) for the past six years at CFHT by imposing the absorption lines of HF gas in the spectra to act as wavelength fiducials. The average external error in the δ(velocities) which are based on some 16 stellar lines is 13 m/s corresponds to 0.6 micron in the spectrum or 0.04 of a diode spacing per line. Reductions are complete for 16 stars. There is no evidence for brown dwarf companions in the sample. Two previously unknown spectroscopic binaries were found, and seven stars show indications of significant, long-term, low-level velocity variations which could be interpreted as purturbations by companions of a few Jupiter masses with periods greater than 12 years except for γ Cep, which may have a period of 2.7 years, and ε Eri. Observing time has been guaranteed for at least two more years at CFHT.


2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Grant ◽  
Katherine Blundell ◽  
James Matthews

ABSTRACT Determining accurate orbits of binary stars with powerful winds is challenging. The dense outflows increase the effective photospheric radius, precluding direct observation of the Keplerian motion; instead, the observables are broad lines emitted over large radii in the stellar wind. Our analysis reveals strong, systematic discrepancies between the radial velocities extracted from different spectral lines: the more extended a line’s emission region, the greater the departure from the true orbital motion. To overcome these challenges, we formulate a novel semi-analytical model that encapsulates both the star’s orbital motion and the propagation of the wind. The model encodes the integrated velocity field of the out-flowing gas in terms of a convolution of past motion due to the finite flow speed of the wind. We test this model on two binary systems. (1) For the extreme case η Carinae, in which the effects are most prominent, we are able to fit the model to 10 Balmer lines from H α to H κ concurrently with a single set of orbital parameters: time of periastron T0 = 2454848 (JD), eccentricity e = 0.91, semi-amplitude $k=69 \, \rm {\, km \, s^{-1}}$, and longitude of periastron ω = 241°. (2) For a more typical case, the Wolf–Rayet star in RMC 140, we demonstrate that for commonly used lines, such as He ii and N iii/iv/v, we expect deviations between the Keplerian orbit and the predicted radial velocities. Our study indicates that corrective modelling, such as presented here, is necessary in order to identify a consistent set of orbital parameters, independent of the emission line used, especially for future high accuracy work.


1971 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 204-205
Author(s):  
T. Lloyd Evans

AbstractA discussion of radial velocities determined at the Radcliffe Observatory for 20 southern Cepheids and those found in the literature for another 20 stars lead to the conclusion that 15% of Cepheids are members of long period binary systems (1). The observational data were heterogeneous, few stars having been observed by a single observer or with the same instrument over a sufficient length of time to detect long period variations in the mean velocity.


1985 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 99-101
Author(s):  
Carlton P. Pryor ◽  
David W. Latham ◽  
Martha L. Hazen-Liller

We have obtained 295 new radial velocities for the 112 giants in the globular cluster M3 previously observed by Gunn and Griffin. Our velocities have a typical accuracy of 0.8 km/s per measurement and have been combined with the Gunn and Griffin data in order to search for radial velocity variations over a time span of ten years. We find no convincing evidence that any of the giants observed are spectroscopic binaries with one notable exception, von Zeipel 164, which we believe is the first spectroscopic binary to be found in a globular cluster. Modelling of the velocity variations that would be expected in our data for a variety of binary populations confirms Gunn and Griffin's conclusion that binaries with separations of less than 10 AU must occur much less frequently among the giants of M3 than among the population I field stars.


2020 ◽  
Vol 633 ◽  
pp. A129
Author(s):  
P. Bonifacio ◽  
P. Molaro ◽  
V. Adibekyan ◽  
D. Aguado ◽  
Y. Alibert ◽  
...  

Context. The vast majority of the known stars of ultra low metallicity ([Fe/H] <  −4.5) are known to be enhanced in carbon, and belong to the “low-carbon band” (A(C) = log(C/H)+12 ≤ 7.6). It is generally, although not universally, accepted that this peculiar chemical composition reflects the chemical composition of the gas cloud out of which these stars were formed. The first ultra-metal-poor star discovered, HE 0107−5240, is also enhanced in carbon and belongs to the “low-carbon band”. It has recently been claimed to be a long-period binary, based on radial velocity measurements. It has also been claimed that this binarity may explain its peculiar composition as being due to mass transfer from a former AGB companion. Theoretically, low-mass ratios in binary systems are much more favoured amongst Pop III stars than they are amongst solar-metallicity stars. Any constraint on the mass ratio of a system of such low metallicity would shed light on the star formation mechanisms in this metallicity regime. Aims. We acquired one high precision spectrum with ESPRESSO in order to check the reality of the radial velocity variations. In addition we analysed all the spectra of this star in the ESO archive obtained with UVES to have a set of homogenously measured radial velocities. Methods. The radial velocities were measured using cross correlation against a synthetic spectrum template. Due to the weakness of metallic lines in this star, the signal comes only from the CH molecular lines of the G-band. Results. The measurement obtained in 2018 from an ESPRESSO spectrum demonstrates unambiguously that the radial velocity of HE 0107−5240 has increased from 2001 to 2018. Closer inspection of the measurements based on UVES spectra in the interval 2001–2006 show that there is a 96% probability that the radial velocity correlates with time, hence the radial velocity variations can already be suspected from the UVES spectra alone. Conclusions. We confirm the earlier claims of radial velocity variations in HE 0107−5240. The simplest explanation of such variations is that the star is indeed in a binary system with a long period. The nature of the companion is unconstrained and we consider it is equally probable that it is an unevolved companion or a white dwarf. Continued monitoring of the radial velocities of this star is strongly encouraged.


1984 ◽  
Vol 80 ◽  
pp. 409-410
Author(s):  
Karel A. Van Der Hucht

AbstractOne of the prime astrophysical interests of the Observatorium Bosscha is, and has always been, double star research: visual double star research with the double-60 cm Zeiss telescope (dedicated in 1928), and theoretical research of evolved massive spectroscopic binaries (since 1972). For one thing, this is the very reason that this IAU Colloquium No. 80, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Observatorium Bosscha in Lembang, is devoted to binary astrophysics.Up to now, visual, photographic, and photometric tools have been used for binary research at the Observatorium Bosscha. An important, essential additional tool for binary research is spectrographic equipment, in order to measure radial velocities of binary components.


1992 ◽  
Vol 151 ◽  
pp. 471-472
Author(s):  
David W. Latham ◽  
Robert D. Mathieu ◽  
Alejandra A. E. Milone ◽  
Robert J. Davis

In 1971 Roger Griffin and Jim Gunn began monitoring the radial velocities of most of the members brighter than the main-sequence turnoff in the old open cluster M67, primarily using the 200-inch Hale Telescope. In 1982 the torch was passed to Dave Latham and Bob Mathieu, who began monitoring many of the same stars with the 1.5-meter Tillinghast Reflector and the Multiple-Mirror Telescope on Mt. Hopkins. We have successively combined these two sets of data, plus some additional CORAVEL velocities kindly provided by Michel Mayor, to obtain 20 years of time coverage (e.g. Mathieu et al. 1986). Among the stars brighter than magnitude V = 12.7 we have already published orbits for 22 spectroscopic binaries (Mathieu et al. 1990). At Mt. Hopkins an extension of this survey to many of the cluster members down to magnitude V = 15.5 has already yielded thirteen additional orbital solutions, with the promise of many more to come.


2002 ◽  
Vol 185 ◽  
pp. 376-377
Author(s):  
V.M. Woolf ◽  
C.S. Jeffery ◽  
D.L. Pollacco

AbstractWe have performed high-speed spectroscopy of the pulsating subdwarf B star PG 1605+072. Its radial velocity variations have frequencies similar to those reported from photometric observations. Peak amplitude ratios are different, probably as a result of power shifting between modes over time. Line-shape variations have also been detected.


1982 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 129-131
Author(s):  
E.I. Popova ◽  
A.V. Tutukov ◽  
B.M. Shustov ◽  
L.R. Yungelson

About 60% of stars of the disc population in our Galaxy are close binary systems (CBS). Half of the known CBS are spectroscopic binary stars (Kraitcheva et al., 1978).To know the distribution of a correlation between the masses of CBS components and semiaxes of their orbits is necessary for the investigation of the origin and evolution of CBS. For such statistical investigations, a catalogue of CBS was compiled at the Astronomical Council. The catalogue is based on the 6th Batten catalogue (Batten, 1967), its extensions (Pedoussant and Ginestet, 1971; Pedoussant and Carquillat, 1973) and data published up to the end of 1980 (Popova et al., 1981). Now it is recorded on magnetic tape and contains data on 1041 spectroscopic binaries; 333 of them are stars with two visible spectra. The latter are mostly systems prior to mass exchange and the distribution of physical parameters in these systems reflects the distribution and presumably conditions at the time of formation. Using some assumptions, we can obtain for spectroscopic binaries masses of the components M1 and M2 (or the ratio q = M1/M2) and semiaxes of their orbits. Masses of components with the known sin i were obtained by the usual technique; when sin i was not known, masses were estimated from the spectra. We shall discuss here the distribution of CBS in the M-a plane.


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