The massive interacting binary KX And: The orbit and physical parameters of the secondary component
Abstract
High-resolution spectra with large signal-to-noise ratios are used to study the variability of the line profiles for the interacting binary Be star KX And. Lines of the secondary component were found to be present in the red spectral region. These lines are used to determine its physical and kinematic parameters. The orbit of the secondary component is shown to be circular, with the system's center-of-mass velocity being 10 +/- 2 km s^-1 and K_2 = 86.2 +/- 0.8 km s^-1; consequently, the orbital eccentricity inferred from observed lines of the primary component is false. An analysis of the lines of the secondary component yields an estimate of its spectral type close to G8 II, with T_eff = 5000 +/- 400 K, log g = 2.0 +/- 0.5, and V sin i = 25 +/- 5 km s^-1. The detection of a considerable strengthening of ZrI and BaII lines points to an overabundance of these elements relative to iron as compared to the solar values, which suggests that the secondary component is an AGB star.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy Letters
- Pub Date:
- May 1998
- Bibcode:
- 1998AstL...24..316T