E. L. Chentsov

OPTICAL SPECTRUM OF THE IR SOURCE IRC + 10420 IN 1992-1996

To understand the evolutionary stage of the peculiar supergiant IRC+10420, we have been taking spectra for several years at the 6m telescope. The optical spectrum of IRC+10420 of the years from 1992 through 1996 points to the increase in the temperature: spectral class A5 instead of the former F8, as was pointed out by Humpreys et al., (1973). Now it resembles the spectra of late-type B[e] stars. The spectrum contains absorptions (mainly of ions) formed in the photosphere, apparently stationary with respect to the star center of mass, and emissions too, which can be formed in the fossil expanding envelope as well as partly in its compressing region. Using our spectra and spectral data obtained by Oudmaijer (1995) we estimated the atmospheric parameters Teff=8500 K, logg=1.0, Vt=12km/s and concluded that metallicity of IRC+10420 is solar: the average value [(V,Cr,Fe)/H]=-0.03. Combination of results allows us to consider IRC+10420 as a massive supergiant evolving to the WR-stage.

Evolutionary changes in the optical spectrum of the peculiar supergiant IRC+10420

We present new spectroscopic observations of the peculiar supergiant IRC+10420. In 1997–2000, we obtained three high signal-to-noise ratio spectra of the object at 4300–8000 Å with a spectral resolution of 15 000 (20 km/ s) using the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. From our 2000 spectrum, we estimate the spectral type of IRC+10420 to be A2, corresponding to a temperature of ∼9200 K. Many emission lines were detected, identified with lines of Fe I; Fe II, Ti II, Cr II, and Sc II ions; and [O I], [Fe II], and [Ca II] forbidden lines. The radial velocity derived from absorption lines without obvious emission components (He I λ5876, O I, N I, Si II) and from absorption components of the Balmer lines is 93±1 km/s. The redshift of photospheric lines relative to the star’s center-of-mass velocity is interpreted as a consequence of scattering in the expanding, optically thick dust envelope. Both emission and absorption lines show a correlation between radial velocity and oscillator strength. We found variability in the relative intensities of the Hα and Hβ emission components. We conclude that IRC+10420 is rapidly evolving towards a Wolf-Rayet stage; the current rate of the photospheric temperature increase is ∼120 K per year. Based on the intensity of the O I (λ7773) triplet, we estimate the star’s luminosity to be Mbol=−9.5m. In all 1997–2000 spectra of IRC+10420, the He I λ5876 line has a significant equivalent width of at least 200 mÅ; this may be possible in the presence of such a low temperature due to the star’s high luminosity and the enhanced helium abundance in the supergiant’s atmosphere.

The optical spectrum of an LBV candidate in the Cyg OB2 association

We have obtained the first high-spectral-resolution (R=15000 and 60000) optical spectra for the extremely luminous star No. 12, identified with the IR source IRAS 20308+4104 in the Cyg OB2 association. We have identified about 200 spectral features at 4552–7939 Å, including the interstellar NaI, KI lines and numerous DIBs, which are the strongest absorption lines in the spectrum, along with the HeI, CII, and SiII lines. A two-dimensional spectral classification indicates that the stars spectral type is B5±0.5 Ia+. Our analysis of the radial-velocity pattern shows the presence of a radial-velocity gradient in the stellar atmosphere, due to the infall of matter onto the star. The strong Hα emission line displays broad Thompson wings and time-variable core absorption, providing evidence that the stellar wind is inhomogeneous, and a slightly blue-shifted P Cygni absorption profile. We conclude that the wind is time-variable.For the first time, we obtained the high-resolution (R=15000 and 60000) optical spectra for the extremely luminous star No.12, associated with the IR-source IRAS20308+4104, a member of the CygOB2 association. We have found about 200 spectral features in range 4552-7939AA, including the interstellar NaI, KI lines and numerous DIBs, which are the strongest absorption lines in the spectrum, along with the HeI, CII, and SiII lines. A two-dimensional spectral classification indicates that the spectral type is B5+/-0.5 Ia+. Our analysis of the Vr data shows the presence of a Vr gradient in the stellar atmosphere, caused by the infall of matter onto the star. The strong Halpha emission displays broad Thompson wings and time-variable core absorption, providing evidence that the stellar wind is inhomogeneous, and a slightly blue-shifted PCyg type absorption profile. We concluded that the wind is variable in time.

An atlas of spectra of B6–A2 hypergiants and supergiants from 4800 to 6700 Å

We present an atlas of spectra of 5 emission-line stars: the low-luminosity luminous blue variables (LBVs) HD 168625 and HD 160529, the white hypergiants (and LBV candidates) HD 168607 and AS 314, and the supergiant HD 183143. The spectra were obtained with 2 echelle spectrometers at the 6-m telescope of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the spectral range 4800 to 6700 A, with a resolution of 0.4 A. We have identified 380 spectral lines and diffuse interstellar bands within the spectra. Specific spectral features of the objects are described.

Toward Understanding the B[e] Phenomenon. II. New Galactic FS CMa Stars*

FS CMa stars form a group of objects with the B[e] phenomenon that were previously known as unclassified B[e] stars or B[e] stars with warm dust (B[e]WD) until recently. They exhibit strong emission-line spectra and strong IR excesses, most likely due to recently formed circumstellar dust. These properties have been suggested to be due to ongoing or recent rapid mass exchange in binary systems with hot primaries and various types of secondaries. The first paper of this series reported an analysis of the available information about previously known Galactic objects with the B[e] phenomenon, the initial selection of the FS CMa group objects, and a qualitative explanation of their properties. This paper reports the results of our new search for more FS CMa objects in the IRAS Point Source Catalog. We present new photometric criteria for identifying FS CMa stars as well as the first results of our observations of nine new FS CMa group members. With this addition, the FS CMa group has now 40 members, becoming

V2324 Cyg—an F-type star with fast wind

High-resolution optical spectroscopy of the V2324 Cyg variable star associated with the IR source IRAS 20572+4919 is performed for the first time. More than 200 absorption features (mostly Fe II, Ti II, Cr II, Y II, Ba II, and Y II) are identified in the wavelength interval from 4549 to 7880 Å. The spectral type and rotation velocity of the star are found to be F0 III and V sin i = 69 km/s, respectively. Neutral-hydrogen and NaI D lines have complex P Cyg-type profiles. Neither systematic trend of radial velocity Vr with line depth Ro nor temporal variability of Vr have been found. We found that the value for the average heliocentric radial velocity is Vr = −16.8 ± 0.6 km/s. The radial velocities inferred from the cores of the absorption components of the Hβ and NaI wind lines vary from −140 to −225 km/s (and the expansion velocities of the corresponding layers, from about 120 to 210 km/s). The maximum expansion velocity is found for the blue component of the split Hα absorption: 450 km/s for December 12, 1995. The method of model atmospheres is used to determine the following parameters of the star: effective temperature Teff = 7500 K, surface gravity log g = 2.0, microturbulence velocity ξt = 6.0 km/s, and metallicity, which is equal to the solar value. The main peculiarity of the chemical composition of the star is the overabundance of lithium and sodium. The results cast some doubt on the classification of V2324 Cyg as a post-AGB star.

Optical spectrum of the post-AGB Star HD56126 in the wavelength interval 4010-8790 Å Å

We studied in detail the optical spectrum of the post-AGB star HD56126 associated with the IR-source IRAS07134+1005. We use high resolution spectra (R =25000 and 60000) obtained with the echelle spectrographs of the 6-m telescope. About one and a half thousand absorptions of neutral atoms and ions, absorption bands of C2, CN, and CH molecules, and interstellar bands (DIBs) are identified in the 4010 to 8790 ÅÅ wavelength region, and the depths and radial velocities of these spectral features are measured. Differences are revealed between the variations of the radial velocities measured from spectral features of different excitation. In addition to the well-known variability of the Hα profile, we found variations in the profiles of a number of Feii, Yii, and Baii lines. We also produce an atlas⋆ of the spectrum of HD56126 and its comparison star α Per.The optical spectrum of the post-AGB star HD56126 identified with the infrared source IRAS07134+1005 is studied in detail using high spectral resolution observations (R = 25000 and 60000) performed with the echelle spectrographs of the 6-m telescope. A total of about one and a half thousand absorptions of neutral atoms and ions, absorption bands of C2, CN, and CH molecules, and interstellar bands (DIBs) are identified in the 4012 to 8790 Å Å wavelength interval, and the depths and radial velocities of these spectral features are measured. Differences are revealed between the variations of the radial velocities measured from spectral features of different excitation. In addition to the well-known variability of the Hα profile, we found variations in the profiles of a number of FeII, YII, and BaII lines. We also produce an atlas of the spectrum of HD56126 and its comparison star α Per. The full version of the Atlas is available in electronic form from: http://www.sao.ru/hq/ssl/Atlas/Atlas.html.

Toward Understanding the B[e] Phenomenon. III. Properties of the Optical Counterpart of IRAS?00470+6429

FS?CMa type stars are a group of Galactic objects with the B[e] phenomenon. They exhibit strong emission-line spectra and infrared excesses, which are most likely due to recently formed circumstellar dust. The group content and identification criteria were described in the first two papers of the series. In this paper we report our spectroscopic and photometric observations of the optical counterpart of IRAS?00470+6429 obtained in 2003-2008. The optical spectrum is dominated by emission lines, most of which have P?Cyg type profiles. We detected significant brightness variations, which may include a regular component, and variable spectral line profiles in both shape and position. The presence of a weak Li I 6708?? line in the spectrum suggests that the object is most likely a binary system with a B2-B3 spectral-type primary companion of a luminosity log L/L ? = 3.9 ? 0.3 and a late-type secondary companion. We estimate a distance toward the object to be 2.0 ? 0.3 kpc from the Sun.

Spectral atlas of O9.5-A1-Type supergiants

High-resolution spectra of nine supergiants and three comparison stars taken with CCD echelle spectrographs in the coude’ foci of the 1-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences and 2-m telescope of Terskol Observatory (with R = 40000 and R = 45000, respectively) are reported in a tabular and graphic form. Two hundred (α Cam, O9.5 Ia) to 1000 (HD 12953, A1 Ia-0) stellar and interstellar lines and bands are identified in the 3600–7800 ÅÅ wavelength interval and most of them have their central intensities and heliocentric radial velocities measured. A spectral classification based on weak photospheric absorptions is tested. This is actual for the brightest supergiants and hypergiants, where the formation regions of strong lines, which are traditionally used for classification, also include the bases of stellar winds. Radial gradients of velocity are revealed in the atmospheres of supergiants. The cases of the refinement of the effective wavelengths, analysis of blends, and revealing of wind anomalies in line profiles are illustrated. The atlas is used extensively as a teaching tool.

Spectroscopy of 13 high-mass stars in the Cyg OB2 association

The NES echelle spectrograph of the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory has been used to obtain high-resolution spectra for 13 hot O3-B4 stars in the Cyg OB2 association, making it possible to study weak spectral features of stellar and interstellar origin. Velocity fields in the atmospheres and interstellar medium, characteristics of optical spectra and line profiles are investigated. The cascade star-formation scheme for the association is confirmed. Evidence is presented suggesting that the hypergiant Cyg OB2 No. 12 is an LBV object and that its anomalous reddening has a circumstellar nature.