N. Linder

The massive star binary fraction in young open clusters – I. NGC 6231 revisited

We present the results of a long-term high-resolution spectroscopy campaign on the O-type stars in NGC 6231. We revise the spectral classification and multiplicity of these objects and we constrain the fundamental properties of the O-star population. Almost three quarters of the O-type stars in the cluster are members of a binary system. The minimum binary fraction is 0.63, with half the O-type binaries having an orbital period of the order of a few days. The eccentricities of all the short-period binaries are revised downward, and henceforth match a normal period‐eccentricity distribution. The mass ratio distribution shows a large preference for O + OB binaries, ruling out the possibility that, in NGC 6231, the companion of an O-type star is randomly drawn from a standard initial mass function. Obtained from a complete and homogeneous population of O-type stars, our conclusions provide interesting observational constraints to be confronted with the formation and early evolution theories of O-stars.

High-resolution optical spectroscopy of Plaskett's star

Context. Plaskett’s star (HD 47 129) is a very massive O + O binary that belongs to the Mon OB2 association. Previous work suggests that this system displays the Struve-Sahade effect although the measurements of the secondary radial velocities are very difficult and give controversial results. Both components have powerful stellar winds that collide and produce a strong X-ray emission. Aims. Our aim is to study the physical parameters of this system in detail and to investigate the relation between its spectral properties and its evolutionary status. Methods. We present here analysis of an extensive set of high-resolution optical spectra of HD 47 129. We used a disentangling method to separate the individual spectra of each star. We derived a new orbital solution and discuss the spectral classification of both components. A Doppler tomography technique applied to the emission lines Hα and He ii λ 4686 yields a Doppler map that illustrates the wind interactions in the system. Finally, an atmosphere code is used to determine the different chemical abundances of the system components and the wind parameters. Results. HD 47 129 appears to be an O8 III/I + O7.5 III binary system in a post RLOF evolutionary stage, where matter has been transferred from the primary to the secondary star. The He overabundance of the secondary supports this scenario. In addition, the N overabundance and C underabundance of the primary component confirm previous results based on X-ray spectroscopy and

A multiwavelength investigation of the massive eclipsing binary Cygnus OB2 #5

Context. The properties of the early-type binary Cyg OB2 #5 have been debated for many years and spectroscopic and photometric investigations yielded conflicting results. Aims. We have attempted to constrain the physical properties of the binary by collecting new optical and X-ray observations. Methods. The optical light curves obtained with narrow-band continuum and line-bearing filters are analysed and compared. Optical spectra are used to map the location of the He ii λ 4686 and Hα line-emission regions in velocity space. New XMM-Newton as well as archive X-ray spectra are analysed to search for variability and constrain the properties of the hot plasma in this system. Results. We find that the orbital period of the system slowly changes though we are unable to discriminate between several possible explanations of this trend. The best fit solution of the continuum light curve reveals a contact configuration with the secondary star being significantly brighter and hotter on its leading side facing the primary. The mean temperature of the secondary star turns out to be only slightly lower than that of the primary, whilst the bolometric luminosity ratio is found to be 3.1. The solution of the light curve yields a distance of 925 ± 25 pc much lower than the usually assumed distance of the Cyg OB2 association. Whilst we confirm the existence of episodes of higher X-ray fluxes, the data reveal no phase-locked modulation with the 6.6 day period of the eclipsing binary nor any clear relation between the X-ray flux and the 6.7 yr radio cycle. Conclusions. The bright region of the secondary star is probably heated by energy transfer in a common envelope in this contact binary system as well as by the collision with the primary’s wind. The existence of a common photosphere probably also explains the odd mass-luminosity relation of the stars in this system. Most of the X-ray, non-thermal radio, and possibly γ-ray emission of Cyg OB2 #5 is likely to arise from the interaction of the combined wind of the eclipsing binary with at least one additional star of this multiple system.

The Struve-Sahade effect in the optical spectra of O-type binaries I. Main-sequence systems

Aims. We present a spectroscopic analysis of four massive binary systems that are known or are good candidates to display the StruveSahade effect (defined as the apparent strengthening of the secondary spectrum of the binary when the star is approaching, and the corresponding weakening of the lines when it is receding). Methods. We use high resolution optical spectra to determine new orbital solutions and spectral types of HD 165 052, HD 100 213, HD 159 176 and DH Cep. As good knowledge of the fundamental parameters of the considered systems is necessary to examine the Struve-Sahade effect. We then study equivalent width variations in the lines of both components of these binaries during their orbital cycle. Results. In the case of these four systems, variations appear in the equivalent widths of some lines during the orbital cycle, but the definition given above can any longer be valid, since it is now clear that the effect modifies the primary spectrum as much as the secondary spectrum. Furthermore, the lines affected, and the way in which they are affected, depend on the considered system. For at least two of them (HD 100 213 and HD 159 176) these variations probably reflect the ellipsoidal variable nature of the system.

Spectroscopic and photometric variability of the O9.5Vp star HD93521

Aims. The line profile variability and photometric variability of the O9.5 Vp star HD 93521 are examined in order to establish the properties of the non-radial pulsations in this star. Methods. Fourier techniques are used to characterize the modulations of the Heiλλ 5876, 6678 and Hα lines in several spectroscopic time series and to search for variations in a photometric time series. Results. Our spectroscopic data confirm the existence of two periods o f 1.75 and 2.89 hr. The line profiles, especially those a ffected by emission wings, exhibit also modulations on longer time scales, but these are epoch-dependent and change from line to line. Unlike previous claims, we find no unambiguous signature of the rota tional period in our data, nor of a third pulsation period (co rresponding to a frequency of 2.66 d −1 ). Conclusions. HD 93521 very likely exhibits non-radial pulsations with periods of 1.75 and 2.89 hr with l ≃ 8± 1 and l ≃ 4± 1 respectively. No significant signal is found in the first harm onics of these two periods. The 2.89 hr mode is seen at all epochs and in all lines investigated, while the visibility of the 1.75 hr m ode is clearly epoch dependent. Whilst light variations are detected, their connection to these periodicities is not straightforward.

SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE VARIABILITY OF THREE NORTHERN Of+ SUPERGIANTS*

The transition from early Of stars to WN-type objects is poorly understood. O-type supergiants with emission lines (OIf+) are considered to be intermediate between these two classes. The scope of this paper is to investigate the spectral variability of three Of+ supergiants. We constituted spectral time series of unprecedented quality for our targets (~200 spectra in total), essentially in the blue domain, covering timescales from a few hours up to a few years. Temporal Variance Spectrum and Fourier analyses were performed in order to characterize their spectral variability. We report on a correlated significant line profile variability in the prominent He II λ4686 and Hβ lines most likely related to the strong stellar winds. The variability pattern is similar for the three stars investigated (HD 14947, HD 15570, and HD 16691), and the main differences are more quantitative than qualitative. However, the reported timescales are somewhat different, and the most striking variability pattern is reported for HD 16691. We did not find any clear evidence for binarity, and we focus mainly on an interpretation based on a single-star scenario. We show that the behavior of the three stars investigated in this study present strong similarities, pointing to a putative common scenario, even though a few differences should be noted. Our preferred interpretation scheme is that of Large-Scale Corotating Structures modulating the profile of the lines that are produced in the strong stellar wind.