Observational study of Hα in 31 RS CVn binary systems

Observational study of Hα in 31 RS CVn binary systems

Pergamon Journals. Printed in Great Britain 0275-1062/87$10.0+0.00 Chin.Astron.Astrophys.11 (1987) 64-73 Act.Astron.Sin. 27 (198v - 259-271 OBSERV...

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Pergamon Journals. Printed in Great Britain 0275-1062/87$10.0+0.00

Chin.Astron.Astrophys.11 (1987) 64-73 Act.Astron.Sin.

27 (198v -

259-271

OBSERVATIONAL

STUDY

LIU

he-fu

TAN Hui-song

Department

OF Ha

IN

31

of Astronomy,

Yunnan Observatory,

RS

CVn

Beijing

Academia

BINARY

Normal

SYSTEMS

University

Sinica

Received 1985 May 30

ABSTRACT 90 spectral observations of the Ha regions of 31 RS CVn stars made with Reticon on the 2.1 metre McDonald Reflector in 1984 are reported here. Quantitative measurements were made on tAo Ho emission and absorption components. Combining with our previous observations in [ll, we have now observed 70% of the systems in Hall's catalogue. On the basis of the combined data, a statistical discussion is presented.

an image width 34~ corresponding to a spectral purity of 0.3A, a dispersion of 0.145 Over the whole range from X-rays to radio A/diode or 9.5A/mm and a signal-to-noiseratio waves, RS Canes Venaticorum stars show better than 60 - this high S/N ratio of characteristic features similar to sunspots, Reticon ensured good quality spectral profiles. Our data includes one piece of solar flares, solar radio bursts. They are objects of high stellar activity among data obtained by Dr. J. Tomkin with the binary stars, hence are pet objects of Reticon on the 2.7 metre telescope of McDonald Observatory, relating to the binary researchers. We have made observational studies of 33 such stars [1,2]. In this paper, HD 8357, on J.D. 2446 041.658. we include the observations on 31 RS CVn Data reduction and graphics were made on systems. Of these, 5 were observed in [l], the Cyber 170/750 computer of the University but here we include further observations on of Texas, using the program PFITS. The their Ha profile variations. In 1975, Hall heliocentric, Julian Date and the phase were gave a clear definition of these binaries calculated on a VAX computer. [3] and the 1984 catalogue of Hall et al. All the observational data are presented [4] contains 84 members. However, Ho in TABLE 1. Column 2 gives the spectrum of observation was indicated for only some 20 the hot component (before the slash) and of these systems. We have now observed a that of the cold component - only one system total of 59 systems, or 70% of Hall's had unknown spectrum for the secondary. Column 3 gives the heliocentric Julian Date catalogue; this has enabled us to make a statistical study of some features of the for the mid-instant of observation and the Ha emission. We hope to make a systematic Phase of Column 4 was generally calculated investigation of the Ha profile and its from the epoch and period given in Hall's emission characteristicsof this type of catalogue, the exceptions are referenced in the TABLE. Columns 5 and 6 give the binary star. equivalent widths of, respectively, the absorption component (below the continuum) of 2. OBSERVATIONS. DATA TREATMENT Ha and the emission component (above the continuum). The last column contains During two observing periods, 1984 Nov 29 references relevant to Ha observations of that Dee 3 and Dee 25 -Dee 27, the present writers star. used the Reticon detector at the conde focus of the 2.1 metre telescope of McDonald Observatory to observe the spectral region 3. Ha PROFILES AND EMISSION around Ha of 31 RS CVn type binaries. Our The 31 RS CVn systems are divided into 3 observations were made with Grating II (blazing angle 13.88', 600 lines/mm), first- groups and will be described separately. order spectrum, a slit of width 15OP~O.65", First, we analyse the four systems, HD 8357 1.

INTRODUCTION

Ha of

Table I. H Alpha Observations

star

SP. (h/c)

65

RS CVn Stars

1. D. (H) 2446000+

Phase

For 31 RS CVn Systems.

r

H Elba) absor.

Ref. emission

UX Ari

GSV/KOIV

59.643

0.466

0

30

HD 250810

GO

33.763

0.038

1019

0

34.809

0.136

980

0

35.681

0.218

1356

0

33.711

0.882

1606

0

34.773

0.892

1591

0

35.660

0.900

1655

0

36.729

0.911

1565

0

HR 1708

coIrr/G5rrr

HD 449982

G3V-IV/K3V

33.911

0.114

1266

0

HR 3119

F8V/compositc

33.937

0.569

1586

0

34.883

0.655

1473

0

35.786

0.736

1106

0

36.838

0.831

1409

0

HD 73343

KlIII/K3III

33.954

0.821

1177

0

SA 07552

G3V/KOV

35.996

0.058

961

0

37.032

0.249

1049

0

38.021

0.432

968

0

33.891

0.736

1006

0

35.780

0.832

1075

0

36.791

0.884

1142

0

34.911

0.607

997

0

35.837

0.865

1000

0

35.025

0.755

1225

0

35.973

0.769

876

0

37.018

0.783

1406

0

33.830

0.719

1296

0

34.854

0.888

1544

0

33.872

0.996

1550

0

35.869

0.090

1524

0

33.629

0.230

0

1222

34.612

0.376

0

921

35.602

0.523

0

800

36.567

0.667

0

715

37.580

0.817

0

635

60.558

0.234

0

857

33.673

0.841

1087

0

34.718

0.972

934

0

35.719

0.096

1080

0

36.712

0.220

1028

0

33.615

0.317

0

247

34.595

0.564

683

34

HR 2973

GK HyD HR 4527

VV Man HD 57364 II Peg

KlIII/

GO/GlIV A/GSIV-I11

GZV/KOIII G8III/K2III K2-3v-IV/

11 Peg

LX Per

sz

Psc

GOV/KOIV

F8V/KlIV

TY Pyx

G5lG5

35.926

0.609

1535

0

HR 1099

GSIV/KlIV

33.695

0.457

0

1191

34.764

0.833

0

1072

(b)

(cl

Cc>(4



(9)

w

(cl (f) (0)

(cl (h) (i)

LIU and TAN

66

Table

SW HR 1099

SP. (h/c)

ilV/KlIV

1. D. (H) 2446000+

Phase

r

I-I EWblo abror.

Ref.

emission

35.628

0.138

0

a41

36.727

0.727

0

836

37.912

0.942

0

al4

59.659

0.606

0

534

60.605

0.939

0

465

XY UMO

Z-sV/K5V

37.959

0.030

la27

0

HR 4374

3VI ZNII/KOIII

35.969

0.675

1269

0

3s. 031

0.178

1150

0

35.982

0.193

1203

0

37.011

0.209

1090

0

38.016

0.224

107s

0

35.041

0.710

lOS0

0

38.037

0.856

1205

0

33.558

0.183

1187

0

34.556

0.192

1198

0

35.553

0.201

1248

0

36.651

0.210

1394

0

59.560

0.422

1206

0

35.013

0.760

1037

0

3s. 099

0.589

1099

0 0

HR 4665

HR 5110 HR 7428

HD 86590

HD

108102

DM UMa

HD 175742

HD 37847

!IV/K

IV

?/K2111-II

OVl

36.863

0.489

1040

W/FaV

36.013

0.195

2287

0

IcGV-IV

35.951

0.830

0

2040

Ov/KS-M2\

/csrrr

36.036

0. a42

0

2030

36.895

0.956

0

2000

36.993

0.969

0

2000

37.996

0.103

0

2923

34.536

0.745

342

0

35.536

0.092

73

19

36.532

0.438

251

0

37.523

o.fa4

400

0

100

60

33.795 34.784

-

464

0

35.743

-

a35

0

35.767

-

835

0

36.741

-

767

0

767

0

36.779

HD 190540 HD 205249 HD 0357

/KOIV .lIII/ ;5/composite

1. (continued)

37.923

-

562

0

33.577

-

924

0

35.572

-

1232

0

33.598

-

1069

0

34.578

-

1064

0

33.644

0.280*

128

412

34.628

0.397

160

196

(cl 6)

(cl (i) Cc) (k)

Cc)

W

(h)

(k)

(4) Cm)

Ha of RS CVn Stars

67

Table

HD8357

FIV/KOIII

HK Lac * The

GS/compositc

phases

Referencea

are calculated in Table

(a)

E. J. Wciler,

(b)

P. W.

(c)

B. W. Bopp

(d)

S. E. Smith

(e)

S. S. Vogt,

37.595

0.711

136

123

41.658

0.156

0

728

59.617

0.118

302

112

60.590

0.225

250

129

61.608

0.336

193

13s

60.504

0.888

321

28

from the formula

J. D. 2445957.88

R. A. S., 182 (1978),

<
(h)

A. C. Collier,

A. J. Lerters.

(i)

(m).

(i)

869 H. L. Nations

(j)

B. W. Bopp

in Red-Dwarf 0.

and Tan Huisong, G. W. Henry,

22 (1982),-127

Stars>>,

~363.

S. C. Barden.

1983. Bull. Am. Astron.

B. Slee, A. E. Wright.

and L. W. Ramsey, and J. C. Talcott.

666

1517

975

L. W. Ramsey,

R. F. Hayncs.

83 (1978).

A. J., s5 (1980).

A. J.,

85 (1980),

I. B. V. S., 2606.

H. Louth,

D. J. Hillier,

Sac.,

15, 663,

1983.

M. N. R. A.S.,200(1982)

1086 55

1984.

Ap. J. Lrtrrrr.

HD 175742 and BD +61"1211. Because the first three systems are systems in which Ho emission was detected for the first time, we made further observations and analysis on the variation and features of this line. For binary BD +61'1211, Ho emission had been observed before, but no quantitative measurements were made because of low resolution; here, we give our determinations of the radial velocity and equivalent widths. It has the strongest Ho emission of all known RS CVn stars.

HR 7428,

(f)

+ 9.15 x n in reference

77

Ap. J., 270 (1983).

A. J..

J., 247 (1981),

D. P. Hucnemocrder,

Liu Xuefu

110

and B. W. Bopp, Ap.

B. W. Bopp,

D. S. Hall,

59

16

and J. C. Talcott,

(f)

(I)

0

0.600

and C. R. Canizarcs,

(g)

(k)

a.495

36.583

1. M. N.

Veddcr

35.617

1. (continued)

257

(1982),

91

from the metal lines of the secondary (primary) star. HD 8357 gives hard X-ray emission: it is the optical counterpart of the X-ray source H D123+075, [S]. Therefore, it is probable that its Ha emission is a secondary effect of its X-ray emissbon.

l(b) HR 7428 = HD 184398 This is a noneclipsing binary; the orbital period is 108.5707 d. In our previous paper [l], we found its Ha emission to show a steady double peak [cf. the profile on 1984 Sept 14 shown in Fig. 2 The Ha emission is l(a) HD 8357 = AR PSC there). Here, we re-observed it twice, on very strong. It also varies rapidly. Our 12 Nov 29 and Dee 25. Although there were no observations all showed strong Ha emission clear Ha emission, we could see a clear change above the continuum and twice it showed in the profile between these two days, and clear double peaks. See Fig. 1. HD 8357 is a two-spectrum binary and radial velocity on Dee 25, there seemed to be some emission in the red wing. On Dee 25, its phase was 0.42, measurements showed that the Ha emission while on the two previous occasions when it component has the same radial velocity as showed double peak emission, its phase was the primary star and the Ha absoprtion 0.48 and 0.51. Whether this means Ha emission component, the same as the secondary star; is more easily seen around phase 0.5 remains hence, the emission comes from the primary, to be confirmed by further observations. and the absorption, from the secondary. Should this be the case, we would infer that Because the two components of Ha mutually the Ha emission comes from the chromosphere compensate and overlap, the velocity curve determined from the absorption core (emission and transition region of the primary star. peak) has a larger amplitude than that from

LIU and TAN

68

J.I).(IO

J.D.(H) 2446000’

&

37.595

0.711

A

tJ.lln

d1.658

59.617 O.IIR --AT fio.590 \I. zz!:,

4

Fig. 1.

H-Alpha emission feature of HD 8357.

1.2

HK7428

k-----J 6560

Pig, 7.

6563

6560

6569

6572

th

Comparison of H-Alpha for HR 7426 observed in September, November and December,

1984.

Ha of RS CVn Stars

1

1

I

I

I

6554

6557

6560

6563

6566

Fig.3.

H-Alpha

variation for

HD

69

’ 6569

17574.7 (top)

--A 6572 C.i, and SZ Pac.

The Ha profile l(c) HD 175542 = V 775 Her showed rapid changes. The variation was complex and fast, and it was hard to see any regularity: sometimes the profile was above the continuum, sometimes there was emission in the wings, and other times it showed pure absorption features. This binary has an orbital period of 2.879 d, [4], but we could see no dependence of the Ha emission and the orbital phase during our observations.Hence it is probable that the emission comes mainly from active regions on the primary or both stars, similar to sunspots and solar flare; then the Ha emission wouldberandom and independent of the position in the orbital. The Ha profile is shown in Fig. 3.

2. HE 37847, HR 1099, IIPeg, UX Ari, LX Per, HK Lac, SZ Psc, HR 5110, HD 86590, HD 190540 The Ha profile of HD 37847 is shown in Fie. 5. The nrofile showed rapid variations in"shape and intensity, similar to HE 175742. Its period is not yet known and from the variations of the Ha profile we estimate its period cannot be very long. The other nine systems have been studied by many previous researchers:

The variable l(d) BD +61'1211 = DM UMa star designation was given in 1981, [6]. This system is-the optical counterpart of the X-ray source 2A 1052+606, [7]. It emits both in soft X-ray (X 10a) and hard X-ray, [8]. The Ha emission of this binary is very strong, having an equivalent width of more than 2A, much stronger than any other observed RS CVn binary. It is one with the highest activity. See Fig. 4.

Our observations are similar to the previous ones. In HR 1099, II Peg and UX Ari, the Ha emission was strong, and was seen to be above the continuum on all occasions. For the other 6 systems, it was a case of being above the continuum on some occasions, and otherwise on other occasions; when the emission portion was partially filled with the absorption lines. Figs. 6 and 7 show the profiles of HR1099 and II Peg. These graphs show that the Ha emission was strong, with equivalent widths

HR 1099 II Peg LX Peg SZ Psc Binary References [9,10] [11,12] [13,14] 111,15] HR 5110 HD 86590 HD 190540 UX Ari HK Lac 1161 [17,18] [17,19] [13,17][17,201

LIU and

TAN

V

0.8 I

6557

li5tilJ

I

6563

6566

wsve

Fig.

4.

pure

H-Alpha

I

I

length

emision

I

6569

I

I

6557

6560

I

6563 wave

(A)

of ED + 61°1211.

Fig.

5.

Fig.

6.

I

,*:4i”

H-Alpha

(i.llh~

I

I

G5tib

b569

emission of HR 1099.

L4J

,_I

6569 -

length profiles of HD 37847.

H-Alpha

I

4s

G566

,.\I

Ha

71

of RS CVn Stars

, -

ll

$/p 1.0 w 1.0 -

1.0 0.9

9

I

I

Fig.

I

I

I

I

I

6557

6560

6563

6566

6569

7. Pure H-Alpha

emission

(A)

of II Pega

0.80 t

Pig.

8.

Compxiron

of H-Alpha

for UX Ari observed

in September

and December,

1984.

72

LIU and TAN

generally greater than 0.5 A, and that the emission varied rapidly. HR 1099 showed double peak on several occasions while II Peg always showed single peak throughout our observations, and very sharp peak at that. The Ha profile of UX Ari is shown in Fig. 8. We see that the emission on Dee 25 was far weaker than that on Sept 14-17. Of the five RS CVn systems with strong Ha emission, (HR 1099, BD+61°1211, HD 224085, HD 8357, UX Ari), UX Ari is the weakest, and is the only one that is not a X-ray source. The Ha profiles of HK Lac and SZ Psc sometimes showed emission and sometimes absorption. For example, as Fig. 3 shows, SZ Psc had a slightlyabovecontinuum emission on Nov 29, yet on the next day, Ha showed the absorption line, with only a weak emission in the blue wing. For these 10 systems, we observed 36 times, and on 6 occasions we found above continuum Ha emission, that is, the probability of emission observation is 17%. This agrees with Bopp's estimate [17] of lo-20% based on HK Lac, SZ Lac and HD 86590. For more precise and stronger statements, we must await the results from longer term monitoring. These are 3. The Remaining 17 Systems systems that show Ha in absorption. Their Ha equivalent widths and radial velocities and other data are given in TABLE 1. It should be noted that the equivalent width of their Ha absorption line is always smaller than that of a standard star of the same spectral type. We think the main reason here is that the absorption line in such stars is partially filled by emission; other factors will be discussed below.

4.

EMISSION PROBABILITY STATISTICS DISCUSSION

Our observations of the Ha profiles and emission features of 59 RS CVn binaries reported in this paper and in [l] lead to the following statistical regularities: 1. Dependence of Ho Emission on the Period We observed above-continuumHa emission in 15 systems. Of these, apart from HD 185151, HD 190540 and HD 37847 for which no period could be found in the literature, the shortest period was that of HD 86590, at P = 1.07 d, and there were only 2 systems with periods greater than 2 weeks (HK Lac, 24.4 d; HR 7428, 108.6d). Thus, the majority are in the normal period group (ld
X-ray counterpart. The other four have corresponding X-ray sources as follows: RS CVn Binary HR BD HD HD

1099 +61'1211 224085 8357

X-ray Counterpart 4U 2A A H

0336 1052 0000 0123

+ + + +

01 606 28 075

tzj [231 u51

Such a tight correlation suggests to us that the strong Ha emission is a secondary effect arising rom the hard X-ray emission. 3. Relation between Ha and Soft X-Ray Emission Using space observations, Charles -obtained the soft X-ray flux in 45 RS CVn systems. Our statistical result is: H-ALPHA EMISSION

NO. OF SYSTEMS

Always Occasional Not seen

4 7 34

MEAN X-RAY LUMINOSITY 31.32 erg/s 31.19 30.84

It thus appears that the more intense the soft X-ray emission is, the greater the likelihood of Ha emission. Relation between Ho and Radio Emissions I171 noted the relation between the radio'flux and the Ha flux in HR 1009. For 3 systems with strong Ha emission, UX Ari, HR 1099 and II Peg, radio flashes have been observed [24]. 4.

BODD

5. Statistics on the Ha Absorption Equivalent Width It was noted that the equivalent width of Ha absorption is smaller in RS CVn stars than in standard stars of the same spectral type. For a total of 47 found the following frequency systems, .tie distribution of the equivalent width ratios. (EW)RS CVn (EW)standard 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.0

-

No. of Systems

0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

2 4 10 4 7 9 11

total

47

Smith and Bopp [25] have pointed out that, even in systems with no clear above-continuum Ha emission, the equivalent width of the Ha absorption line is still smaller than that in standard stars of the same spectral type. Our observations lead to the same conclusion. There may be two reasons causing this:

Ho of

73

RS CVn Stars

First, as Bopp [21,26] pointed out, because chromospheric activity and high temperature corona have the conditions for providing Ho emission, the emission portion will partially fill the absorption component, thus decreasing its equivalent width relative to the normal stars. Next, as discussed by Vogt and Penrod [27] if there are cool spots on the stellar surface, then that will decrease the equivalent width of the Ha absorption. This effect will vary with the size of the spots, their temperature difference from the their distribution on the photosphere, surface and the rotation of the star, etc. But, generally speaking, this effect cannot We can make a rough estimate be very large. Suppose on a GO main sequence as follows.

star, spot groups occupy 50% of the surface and their temperature is 1200 K lower than the photosphere, then the equivalent width will be reduced to 82% of its normal value. According to our statistics above, of 47 systems, 20 have the equivalent width ratios above 0.8, and 27, below. For systems where this ratio is less than 0.8, it would be difficult to explain by this factor, especially for systems like HD 26337, with an equivalent width of only 432 mA, or only 27% of the value for the standard HR 8684, - in such a case, even if the star surface is completely covered with spot, we still cannot explain the small ratio. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We thank Dr. Harlan J. Smith Director of McDonald Observatory for giving us valuable telescope time and Dr. J. Tomkin for providing an important piece of data.

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111 t2 1 I31 141

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I51 I61

S. Bdi-s, M. Cav. E. Ralph, W. Robenz,D. ~&WUU,md J. Tow, ,Q,. J. 240(1980), 107. P. M. ~olopov, M. M. Samus,N. P. Kukarkina, G. I. Medvedeva,N. B. perova, IBVS M. Gucis.

brmr,

1921.

(1981). r71 W. LiBer, IAU Circ. No3176, (1979). [aI D. Gampton. AP. I., 234(1979), 993. I91 D. M. Popper. A. I., 83(1978), 1522. r101 D. A. Frsouclli, A. 1..83(1978), 1535. Ill1 H. L. Nations, L. W. Retnr9, A. J.. 85(1980), 1~. I121 s.s.VW, AP. I.,247( 1981), 975.

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[ 191 A. C. Collier, 1201

r211 I221 I231 1241 I251 I261 I271

K. F. Hnynes, 0. B. Slcc. A. E W&t, D. J. HiBfu, hf. N. R A. S, X10(1982), 86Y. B. W. Bapp and J. C. Talmtt, A. I.,85(19@41).55. P. A. Charles, “Activity in Red-Dwarf Stan”, (1983), p415. N. E. White, P. W. Sanford, and E J. Weila, N&w. 274 (1978), 569. D. A. Schwartz, M. Garcia, M. Conroy, I?. Ralph, W. Robatr et al. Bull. Am. Aseon. Sac., 12 (1980). 513. P. A. Feldman, “Activity in Red-Dwarf Stan”, (1983), p429. S. E Smith and B. W. Bopp, A. 1.Letters. 22(1982). 127. B. W. Bopp. “Activity in Red-Dwarf Stars”, (1983), ~363. S. S. Voat, and G. D. Penrod, “Activity in Re&Dwarf Stars”, (1983). ~379.