We analyze high dispersion emission lines of the symbiotic nova AG Peg, observed in 1998, 2001, and 2002. The H$α$ and H$β$ lines show three components, two narrow and one underlying broad line components, but most other lines, such as HI, HeI, and HeII lines, show two blue- and red-shifted components only. A recent study by Lee & Hyung (2018) suggested that the double Gaussian lines emitted from a bipolar conic shell is likely to form Raman scattering lines observed in 1998. In this study, we show that the bipolar cone with an opening angle of 74$^{o}$, which expands at a velocity of 70 kms$^{-1}$ along the polar axis of the white dwarf, can accommodate the observed double line profiles in 1998, 2001, and 2002. We conclude that the emission zone of the bipolar conic shell, which formed along the bipolar axis of the white dwarf due to the collimation by the accretion disk, is responsible for the double Gaussian profiles.
Optical spectroscopy study of the recent AG Peg outburst observed during the second half of 2015 is presented. Considerable variations of the intensity and the shape of the spectral features as well as the changes of the hot component parameters, caused by the outburst, are discussed and certain similarities between the outburst of AG Peg and the outburst of a classical symbiotic stars are shown. It seems that after the end of the symbiotic nova phase, AG Peg became a member of the classical symbiotic stars group.
We present an analysis of the XMM-Newton observation of the symbiotic star AG Peg, obtained after the end of its 2015 outburst. The X-ray emission of AG Peg is soft and of thermal origin. AG Peg is an X-ray source of class beta of the X-ray sources amongst the symbiotic stars, whose X-ray spectrum is well matched by a two-temperature optically-thin plasma emission (kT_1 ~ 0.14 keV and kT_2 ~ 0.66 keV). The X-ray emission of the class beta sources is believed to originate from colliding stellar winds (CSW) in binary system. If we adopt the CSW picture, the theoretical CSW spectra match well the…
We present an analysis of recent X-ray observations of the symbiotic star AG Peg. The X-ray emission of AG Peg as observed with Swift in 2015 shows considerable variability on time scale of days as variability on shorter time scales might be present as well. Analysis of the X-ray spectra obtained in 2013 and 2015 confirms that AG Peg is an X-ray source of class $β$ of the X-ray sources amongst the symbiotic stars. The X-ray emission of AG Peg as observed with ROSAT (1993 June) might well originate from colliding stellar winds (CSW) in binary system. On the other hand, the characteristics of th…
We present a far ultraviolet spectroscopic analysis of the slowest known symbiotic nova AG Peg (M3/4III giant + hot white dwarf; P = 818.4 days) which underwent a nova explosion in 1850 followed by a very slow decline that did not end until 1996, marking the beginning of quiescence. The 19 years of quiescence ended in June 2015, when AG Peg exhibited a Z And-type outburst with an optical amplitude of 1.5 magnitudes. We have carried out accretion disk and WD photosphere synthetic spectral modeling of a Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) spectrum obtained on June 5.618, 2003 during th…
Symbiotic stars often contain white dwarfs with quasi-steady shell burning on their surfaces. However, in most symbiotics, the origin of this burning is unclear. In symbiotic slow novae, however, it is linked to a past thermonuclear runaway. In June 2015, the symbiotic slow nova AG Peg was seen in only its second optical outburst since 1850. This recent outburst was of much shorter duration and lower amplitude than the earlier eruption, and it contained multiple peaks -- like outbursts in classical symbiotic stars such as Z And. We report Swift X-ray and UV observations of AG Peg made between …
We present UBVRI photometry of three symbiotic stars ZZ CMi, TX CVn and AG Peg carried out from 1997 to 2008 in Piwnice Observatory near Torun. To search orbital periods of these stars Fourier analysis was used. For two of them, TX CVn and AG Peg, we have confirmed the earlier known periods. For ZZ CMi we found a relatively short period 218.59 days. Assuming, that the orbital period is twice longer (P=437.18 days), the double sine wave in the light curve can be interpreted by ellipsoidal effect.
The H$α$ and H$β$ line profiles of the symbiotic star AG Peg observed on 1998 September (phase $ϕ$ = 10.24), display the top narrow double Gaussian and bottom broad (FWHM of 200 -- 400 kms$^{-1}$) components. The photo-ionization model indicated that the ionized zone, responsible for the hydrogen Balmer and Lyman lines, is radiation-bounded, with a hydrogen gas number density of $n_{\rm H} \sim 10^{9.85}$ cm$^{-3}$ and a gas temperature of T$_e$ = 12\,000 -- 15\,000~K. We carried out Monte Carlo simulations to fit the Raman scattering broad wings, assuming that the hydrogen Ly$β$ and Ly$γ$ lin…
We performed photometry with a 1 minute time resolution of the symbiotic stars EF Aquilae, AG Pegasi and SU Lyncis in Johnson B and V band. Our observations of the symbiotic Mira-type star EF Aql demonstrate the presence of stochastic light variations with an amplitude of about 0.25 magnitudes on a time scale of 5 minutes. The observations prove the white dwarf nature of the hot component in the binary system. It is the 11th symbiotic star (among more than 200 symbiotic stars known in our Galaxy) which displays optical flickering. For SU Lyn we do not detect flickering with an amplitude above …
AG Peg is known as the slowest symbiotic nova, which experienced its nova-like outburst around 1850. After 165 years, during June of 2015, it erupted again showing characteristics of the Z And-type outburst. The primary objective is to determine basic characteristics, the nature and type of the 2015 outburst of AG Peg. We achieved this aim by modelling the spectral energy distribution using low-resolution spectroscopy (330-750 nm), medium-resolution spectroscopy (420-720 nm; R=11000), and $UBVR_{\rm C}I_{\rm C}$ photometry covering the 2015 outburst with a high cadence. Optical observations we…
In the optical, the spectrum of symbiotic binaries consists of contributions from the cool giant, symbiotic nebula and the hot star. Strong emission lines are superposed on the continuum. In this paper we introduce a simple method to extract individual components of radiation from photometric UBV magnitudes. We applied the method to classical symbiotic stars AX Per, AG Dra, AG Peg and Z And, the symbiotic novae RR Tel and V1016 Cyg and the classical nova V1974 Cyg during its nebular phase. We estimated the electron temperature and emission measure of the nebula in these systems and the V magni…
We present new multicolour (UBVRcIc) photometric observations of classical symbiotic stars, EG And, Z And, BF Cyg, CH Cyg, CI Cyg, V1329 Cyg, TX CVn, AG Dra, Draco C1, AG Peg and AX Per, carried out between 2007.1 and 2011.9. The aim of this paper is to present new data of our monitoring programme, to describe the main features of their light curves and to point problems for their future investigation. The data were obtained by the method of the classical photoelectric and CCD photometry.
Symbiotic stars belong to a group of interacting binaries that display a wide variety of phenomena, including prominent outbursts connected with mass transfer, as well as stellar winds, jets, eclipses, or intrinsic variability of the components. Dozens of new symbiotic stars and candidates have been discovered in recent years. However, there are many objects which are still poorly studied. Some symbiotic candidates suspected in the literature have never been studied spectroscopically. In this contribution, we present the first results of the ongoing campaign focused on symbiotic candidates. In…
We report photometric observations of the hidden symbiotic star SU Lyn in the optical bands. In five nights we detect a weak flickering in U band with amplitude of about 0.05 magnitudes. No intranight variations are found in B, V, g' and r' bands. This is one more indication that the secondary component is a white dwarf accreting at low accretion rate. We also searched for intranight variability of a dozen related object (RR Boo, RT Boo, AM Cyg, AG Peg, BF Cyg, NQ Gem, StHa190, V627 Cas, XX Oph, FS Cet and Y Gem) in which no variability above the observational errors is detected.
We present new multicolour UBVRcIc photometric observations of symbiotic stars, EG And, Z And, BF Cyg, CH Cyg, CI Cyg, V1016 Cyg, V1329 Cyg, AG Dra, RS Oph, AG Peg, AX Per, and the newly discovered (August 2018) symbiotic star HBHA 1704-05, we carried out during the period from 2011.9 to 2018.75. Historical photographic and visual/V data were collected for HBHA 1704-05, FG Ser and AE Ara, AR Pav, respectively. The main aim of this paper is to present our original observations of symbiotic stars and to describe the most interesting features of their light curves. For example, periodic variation…
Using the ASAS data, we determine the pulsational frequencies of the high-amplitude $δ$ Sct star BP Pegasi. The analysis revealed only the two known, independent frequencies. On the basis of multicolour Strömgren photometry, we independently find that both frequencies can only be associated with radial modes which, according to the frequency ratio, are fundamental and first overtone modes. The models fitting the two frequencies depend strongly on the opacity data. For low values of the mixing length parameter $α_{\rm MLT}\approx 0.5$, only the OPAL seismic models in the post-main sequence phas…
The symbiotic star AG Dra experienced a double-peaked outburst of 0.6 magnitudes in April and May 2016. Photometry and spectroscopy through the outburst showed the B-V colour index varying linearly with the V magnitude and enabled the temperature variation of the hot star to be calculated from the changing flux in the H beta and He II 4686A emission lines.
The visual magnitude profile of the symbiotic system Z And during the 1984-1986 activity period appears double peaked and the flux intensity is low compared to outbursts in other epochs. The detailed modeling of the observed spectra, accounting for the shells ejected by the red giant star, shows that the outburst is intrinsically single but distorted by the collision at different phases of the white dwarf wind with two close shells.
We report the most comprehensive UBV(RI)_C observations of the bright, radially pulsating field stars SW And, DH Peg, CU Com, DY Peg. Long term variation has been found in the ultraviolet colour curves of SW And and DH Peg. We apply our photometric-hydrodynamic method to determine the fundamental parameters of these stars: metallicity, reddening, distance, mass, radius, equilibrium luminosity and effective temperature. Our method works well for SW And, CU Com and DY Peg. A very small mass 0.26+/-0.04 M_Sun of SW And has been found. The fundamental parameters of CU Com are those of a normal dou…
We present high resolution spectroscopy of the yellow symbiotic star AG Draconis with ESPaDOnS at the {\it Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope}. Our analysis is focused on the profiles of Raman scattered \ion{O}{VI} features centered at 6825 Å and 7082 Å, which are formed through Raman scattering of \ion{O}{VI}$λλ$1032 and 1038 with atomic hydrogen. These features are found to exhibit double component profiles with conspicuously enhanced red parts. Assuming that the \ion{O}{vi} emission region constitutes a part of the accretion flow around the white dwarf, Monte Carlo simulations for \ion{O}{VI} l…
In order for a white dwarf (WD) to achieve the Chandrasekhar mass, M_C, and explode as a Type Ia supernova (SNIa), it must interact with another star, either accreting matter from or merging with it. The failure to identify the types of binaries which produce SNeIa is the "progenitor problem". Its solution is required if we are to utilize the full potential of SNeIa to elucidate basic cosmological and physical principles. In single-degenerate models, a WD accretes and burns matter at high rates. Nuclear-burning WDs (NBWDs) with mass close to M_C are hot and luminous, potentially detectable as …
Discovery of variable polarization in H$α$ profile of symbiotic star Y Gem: A case for orbital-phase dependent variation of Raman-scattered Ly$β$ emission
Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar（印度理工学院甘地纳加尔分校）；Physical Research Laboratory（物理研究实验室）；I. Physikalisches Institut, Universit at zu Köln（科隆大学第一物理研究所）
We monitored a set of emission lines in the optical spectra of CH Cyg using the 1.5-m telescope at the Tartu Observatory, Estonia. Most of the spectra were registered in the H alpha region, but other Balmer lines and lines of He, N, O, and Fe were also investigated in terms of their equivalent widths, radial velocities, and absolute fluxes. The spectra indicate different stages that CH Cyg has been through in the course of our observations. During quiescence, the strength of the line profiles changes in opposite phase with the star's luminosity. The H alpha profile becomes double-peaked at tim…
St 2-22 is a relatively poorly studied S-type symbiotic system that belongs to a small group of jet-producing systems as a result of disc accretion onto a white dwarf fed by its red giant companion. The goal of this paper is to analyse the nature and derive the basic parameters of St 2-22, and to follow the jet evolution. Photometric monitoring for over 16 yrs and high-quality spectroscopic data enabled us to shed new light on its nature. The high-resolution SALT spectra and $V I_C$ photometry obtained during and between the last two outbursts have been used to search for periodic changes, to …
High resolution observations in the region of the lines Halpha, He II 4686 and Hgamma of the spectrum of the symbiotic binary Z And were performed during its small-amplitude brightening at the end of 2002. The profiles of the hydrogen lines were double-peaked. These profiles give a reason to suppose that the lines can be emitted mainly by an optically thin accretion disc. The Halpha line is strongly contaminated by the emission of the envelope, therefore for consideration of accretion disc properties we use the Hgamma line. The Halpha line had broad wings which are supposed to be determined mo…
We report on the discovery of a coherent periodicity in the B light curve of the symbiotic star BF Cyg. The signal was detected in some sections of the light curve of the star recorded in the year 2003 as double hump periodic variations with an amplitude of ~7 mmag. In the year 2004 the signal was also present in only a subsection of the light curve. In that year, the system was about twice as bright and the amplitude of the oscillations was about half of what it was in 2003. In 2004 the cycle structure was of a single hump, the phase of which coincided with the phase of one of the humps in th…
AG Dra is one of a small group of low metallicity S-type symbiotic binaries with K-type giants that undergoes occasional short-term outbursts of unknown origin. Our aim is to study the behavior of the white dwarf during an outburst using the optical Raman lines and other emission features in the red giant wind. The goal is to determine changes in the envelope and the wind of the gainer in this system during a major outburst event and to study the coupling between the UV and optical during a major outburst. Using medium and high resolution groundbased optical spectra and comparisons with archiv…
Using the PIONIER visitor instrument that combines the light of the four Auxiliary Telescopes of ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer, we measure precisely the diameters of several symbiotic and related stars: HD 352, HD 190658, V1261 Ori, ER Del, FG Ser, and AG Peg. These diameters - in the range of 0.6 to 2.3 milli-arcseconds - are used to assess the filling factor of the Roche lobe of the mass-losing giants and provide indications on the nature of the ongoing mass transfer. We also provide the first spectroscopic orbit of ER Del, based on CORAVEL and HERMES/Mercator observations. The s…
Ionized Nebulae Around Two New Symbiotic Stars: GR Cygni and [D75] 141
Pennsylvania State University（宾夕法尼亚州立大学）；Space Telescope Science Institute（太空望远镜科学研究所）；Rocket Girls Ranch Observatory（火箭女孩牧场天文台）；Eklund Smurf Observatory（埃克伦德史密夫天文台）；Deep Space Imaging Network（深空成像网络）；INAF National Institute of Astrophysics, Astronomical Observatory of Padova（意大利国家天体物理研究所帕多瓦天文台）；Stark Bayou Observatory（斯塔克湾天文台）；Hobby-Eberly Telescope, University of Texas at Austin（霍比-埃伯利望远镜，得克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校）
We have observed the symbiotic stellar system R Aqr, aiming to describe the gravitational interaction between the white dwarf (WD) and the wind from the Mira star, the key phenomenon driving the symbiotic activity and the formation of nebulae in such systems. We present high-resolution ALMA maps of the 12CO and 13CO J=3-2 lines, the 0.9 mm continuum distribution, and some high-excitation molecular lines in R Aqr. The maps, which have resolutions ranging between 40 milliarcsecond (mas) and less than 20 mas, probe the circumstellar regions at suborbital scales as the distance between the stars i…
Results of photometric and spectroscopic investigations of the recently discovered disc cataclysmic variable star 1RXS J180834.7+101041 are presented. Emission spectra of the system show broad double peaked hydrogen and helium emission lines. Doppler maps for the hydrogen lines demonstrate strongly non-uniform emissivity distribution in the disc, similar to that found in IP Peg. It means that the system is a new cataclysmic variable with a spiral density wave in the disc. Masses of the components (M_WD = 0.8 +/- 0.22 M_sun and M_RD = 0.14 +/- 0.02 M_sun), and the orbit inclination (i = 78 +/- …
On 2010 Mar 10, V407 Cyg was discovered in outburst, eventually reaching V< 8 and detected by Fermi. Using medium and high resolution ground-based optical spectra, visual and Swift UV photometry, and Swift X-ray spectrophotometry, we describe the behavior of the high-velocity profile evolution for this nova during its first three months. The peak of the X-ray emission occurred at about day 40 with a broad maximum and decline after day 50. The main changes in the optical spectrum began at around that time. The He II 4686A line first appeared between days 7 and 14 and initially displayed a broad…
We present the results of our photometric and spectroscopic studies of the new eclipsing cataclysmic variable star 1RXS J180834.7+101041. Its spectrum exhibits double-peaked hydrogen and helium emission lines. The Doppler maps constructed from hydrogen lines show a nonuniform distribution of emission in the disk similar to that observed in IP Peg. This suggests that the object can be a cataclysmic variable with tidal density waves in the disk. We have determined the component masses (M_WD =0.8 \pm 0.22 M_sun and M_RD =0.14 \pm 0.02 M_sun) and the binary inclination (i =78 \pm 1.5 deg) based on…
We construct seismic models of the four double-mode radial $δ$ Scuti stars adopting opacities from three databases: OPAL, OP and OPLIB. The aim is to find the models that fit the observed frequencies of the two radial modes and have the effective temperature and luminosity consistent with the observed values. Using the Bayesian analysis based on Monte Carlo simulations, we obtain that only the OPAL seismic models are caught within the observed error box in the HR diagram. Seismic models computed with the OP and OPLIB data are much cooler and less luminous. By including the relative amplitude o…
The accretion-induced collapse (AIC) scenario was proposed 40 years ago as an evolutionary end state of oxygen-neon white-dwarfs (ONe WDs), linking them to the formation of neutron star (NS) systems. However, there has been no direct detection of any AIC event so far, even though there exists a lot of indirect observational evidence. Meanwhile, the evolutionary pathways resulting in NS formation through AIC are still not well investigated. In this article, we review recent studies on the two classic progenitor models of AIC events, i.e., the single-degenerate model (including the ONe WD+MS/RG/…
