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Abstract We present a study of the double-lined spectroscopic binary HD 21278 that contains one of the brightest main-sequence stars in the youngαPersei open cluster. We analyzed new spectra and reanalyzed archived spectra to measure precise new radial velocity curves for the binary. We also obtained interferometric data using the CHARA Array at Mount Wilson to measure the sky positions of the two stars and the inclination of the ∼2 mas orbit. We determine that the two stars have masses of 5.381 ± 0.084M_⊙and 3.353 ± 0.064M_⊙. From isochrone fits, we find the cluster’s age to be 49  ±  7 Myr (using PARSEC models) or 49.5 ± 6 Myr (MIST models). Finally, we revisit the massive white dwarfs that are candidate escapees from theαPersei cluster to try to better characterize the massive end of the white dwarf initial–final mass relation. The implied progenitor masses challenge the idea that Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarfs are made by single stars with masses near 8M_⊙. 

Abstract Planets are a natural byproduct of the stellar formation process, resulting from local aggregations of material within the disks surrounding young stars. Whereas signatures of gas-giant planets at large orbital separations have been observed and successfully modeled within protoplanetary disks, the formation pathways of planets within their host star’s future habitable zones remain poorly understood. Analyzing multiple nights of observations conducted over a short, 2 month span with the MIRC-X and PIONIER instruments at the CHARA Array and VLTI, respectively, we uncover a highly active environment at the inner-edge of the planet formation region in the disk of HD 163296. In particular, we localize and track the motion of a disk feature near the dust-sublimation radius with a pattern speed of less than half the local Keplerian velocity, providing a potential glimpse at the planet formation process in action within the inner astronomical unit. We emphasize that this result is at the edge of what is currently possible with available optical interferometric techniques and behooves confirmation with a temporally dense followup observing campaign. 

ABSTRACT In the framework of the ALOHA (Astronomical Light Optical Hybrid Analysis) project, we have implemented a fibre-linked interferometer connecting two telescopes of the CHARA (Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy) array to the recombination beam facility using servo controlled hectometric outdoor fibres (240 m). During two consecutive nights, on-sky fringes at 810 nm were recorded on the star Vega (mag 0), with servo control of the fibre lengths. The optical path difference was set close to zero using internal fringes found before the on-sky observations. The repeatability of the delay line position offset between internal and on-sky fringes was less than 0.2 mm. The efficiency of the servo control systems has been demonstrated, leading to an enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio from 68.9 with the servo off to 91.6 with the servo on. This result is a cornerstone for the ALOHA project goal of interferometry at 3.5 $$\mu$$m and a seminal step for the future kilometric infrared fibre-linked interferometer at CHARA. 

Abstract We report high-resolution spectroscopic monitoring and long-baseline interferometric observations with the Palomar Testbed Interferometer (PTI) of the 215 day binary system HD 174881 (K1 II-III), composed of two giant stars. The system is spatially resolved with the PTI, as well as in archival measurements with the CHARA Array. Our analysis of these observations, along with an analysis of the spectral energy distribution, have allowed us to infer accurate values for the absolute masses ( ${3.367}_{-0.041}^{+0.045}$and ${3.476}_{-0.043}^{+0.043}{M}_{☉}$), radii (34.0 ± 1.3 and 22.7 ± 1.8R_☉), effective temperatures (4620 ± 100 and 4880 ± 150 K), and bolometric luminosities of both components, as well as other properties including the orbital parallax (distance). These provide valuable tests of stellar evolution models for evolved stars, which are still relatively uncommon compared to the situation for main-sequence stars. We find generally good agreement of all of these properties of HD 174881 with two sets of recent models (MIST and PARSEC) at compositions near solar, for ages of 255–273 Myr. We also find evidence of an infrared excess, based largely on the flux measurements from IRAS at 60 and 100μm. 

Abstract W Serpentis is an eclipsing binary system and the prototype of the Serpentid class of variable stars. These are interacting binaries experiencing intense mass transfer and mass loss. However, the identities and properties of both stars in W Ser remain a mystery. Here, we present an observational analysis of high-quality, visible-band spectroscopy made with the Apache Point Observatory 3.5 m telescope and Astrophysical Research Consortium Echelle Spectrograph spectrograph plus the first near-IR, long-baseline interferometric observations obtained with the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy Array. We present examples of the appearance and radial velocities of the main spectral components: prominent emission lines, strong shell absorption lines, and weak absorption lines. We show that some of the weak absorption features are associated with the cool mass donor, and we present the first radial velocity curve for the donor star. The donor’s absorption lines are rotationally broadened, and we derive a ratio of donor to gainer mass of 0.36 ± 0.09 based on the assumptions that the donor fills its Roche lobe and that it rotates synchronously with the orbit. We use a fit of the All-Sky Automated Survey light curve to determine the orbital inclination and mass estimates of 2.0M_⊙and 5.7M_⊙for the donor and gainer, respectively. The partially resolved interferometric measurements of orbital motion are consistent with our derived orbital properties and the distance from Gaia EDR3. Spectroscopic evidence indicates that the gainer is enshrouded in an opaque disk that channels the mass transfer stream into an outflow through the L3 region and into a circumbinary disk. 

Abstract Classical Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars are descendants of massive OB-type stars that have lost their hydrogen-rich envelopes and are in the final stages of stellar evolution, possibly exploding as Type Ib/c supernovae. It is understood that the mechanisms driving this mass loss are either strong stellar winds and or binary interactions, so intense studies of these binaries including their evolution can tell us about the importance of the two pathways in WR formation. WR 138 (HD 193077) has a period of just over 4 yr and was previously reported to be resolved through interferometry. We report on new interferometric data combined with spectroscopic radial velocities in order to provide a three-dimensional orbit of the system. The precision on our parameters tend to be about an order of magnitude better than previous spectroscopic techniques. These measurements provide masses of the stars, namely,M_WR= 13.93 ± 1.49M_⊙andM_O= 26.28 ± 1.71M_⊙. The derived orbital parallax agrees with the parallax from Gaia, namely, with a distance of 2.13 kpc. We compare the system’s orbit to models from BPASS, showing that the system likely may have been formed with little interaction but could have formed through some binary interactions either following or at the start of a red supergiant phase but with the most likely scenario occurring as the red supergiant phase starts for a ∼40M_⊙star. 

Abstract Classical Wolf–Rayet (W-R) stars are the descendants of massive OB stars that have lost their hydrogen envelopes and are burning helium in their cores prior to exploding as Type Ib/c supernovae. The mechanisms for losing their hydrogen envelopes are either through binary interactions or through strong stellar winds potentially coupled with episodic mass loss. Among the bright classical W-R stars, the binary system WR 137 (HD 192641; WC7d + O9e) is the subject of this paper. This binary is known to have a 13 yr period and produces dust near periastron. Here we report on interferometry with the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy Array collected over a decade of time and providing the first visual orbit for the system. We combine these astrometric measurements with archival radial velocities to measure masses of the stars ofM_WR= 9.5 ± 3.4M_⊙andM_O= 17.3 ± 1.9M_⊙when we use the most recent Gaia distance. These results are then compared to predicted dust distribution using these orbital elements, which match the observed imaging from JWST as discussed recently by Lau et al. Furthermore, we compare the system to the Binary Population And Spectral Synthesis models, finding that the W-R star likely formed through stellar winds and not through binary interactions. However, the companion O star did likely accrete some material from the W-R star’s mass loss to provide the rotation seen today that drives its status as an Oe star. 

Context.Many classical Be stars acquire their very rapid rotation by mass- and angular-momentum transfer in massive binaries, marking the first phase of the evolutionary chain. Later-stage products, such as Be+subdwarf- and Be+neutron-star binaries (Be X-ray binaries), are also well known, although the search for definitive proof of Be+white dwarf companions is ongoing. Short-lived intermediate-phase objects, that is, binaries past the interaction stage but with a donor star that has not yet reached the end of its evolution or contraction, have only recently been discovered. Aims.The main hallmark of this kind of binary is a system of absorption lines with low width, significant radial-velocity variations, and peculiar relative line strengths. Data archives and the literature can be searched for additional candidates exhibiting this pattern, and follow-up observations can be obtained in order to increase the number of these systems with quantitatively known orbits, providing a basis for an initial statistical investigation and to develop observational strategies for abundance analyses. Methods.We identified 13 candidates at various confidence levels. To verify their nature, we derived orbital elements from new high-quality spectra and interferometric observations where possible. We also performed qualitative analyses of other basic parameters, and preliminarily evaluated indicators of advanced stages of nucleosynthesis. Results.Adding to the two known systems identified as classical Be star+pre-subdwarf binaries (LB-1 andHR 6819), we confirm two more (V742 Cas,HD 44637) with interferometry, with V742 Cas setting a new record for the smallest visually observed angular semi-major axis, ata = 0.663 mas. Two further systems (V447 Sct,V1362 Cyg) are not resolved interferometrically, but other evidence puts them at the same confidence level as LB-1.V2174 Cygis a candidate with very high confidence, but was not observed interferometrically. The remaining systems are either candidates with varying levels of confidence –mainly due to the lack of available spectroscopic or interferometric observations for comparison with the others and orbit determination– or could be rejected as candidates with the followup observations. Conclusions.Of a mostly magnitude-complete sample of 328 Be stars, 0.5–1% are found to have recently completed the mass overflow that led to their formation. Another 5% are systems with a compact subdwarf companion –that is, they are further evolved after a previous overflow– and a further 2% possibly harbor white dwarfs. All these systems are early B subtypes, but if the original sample is restricted to early subtypes (136 objects), these percentages increase by a factor of about 2.5, while dropping to zero for the mid and late subtypes (together 204 objects). This strongly suggests that early-type versus mid- and late-type Be stars follow differently weighted channels to acquire their rapid rotation, namely binary interaction versus evolutionary spin up. 

Aims.We aim to accurately measure the dynamical mass and distance of Cepheids by combining radial velocity measurements with interferometric observations. Cepheid mass measurements are particularly necessary for solving the Cepheid mass discrepancy, while independent distance determinations provide a crucial test of the period–luminosity relation andGaiaparallaxes. Methods.We used the multi-telescope interferometric combiner, the Michigan InfraRed Combiner (MIRC) of the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array, to detect and measure the astrometric positions of the high-contrast companion orbiting the Galactic Cepheid SU Cygni. We also present new radial velocity measurements from ultraviolet spectra taken with theHubbleSpace Telescope. The combination of interferometric astrometry with optical and ultraviolet spectroscopy provided the full orbital elements of the system, in addition to component masses and the distance to the Cepheid system. Results.We measured the mass of the Cepheid,M_A = 4.859 ± 0.058 M_⊙, and its two companions,M_Ba = 3.595 ± 0.033 M_⊙andM_Bb = 1.546 ± 0.009 M_⊙. This is the most accurate existing measurement of the mass of a Galactic Cepheid (1.2%). Comparing with stellar evolution models, we show that the mass predicted by the tracks is higher than the measured mass of the Cepheid, which is similar to the conclusions of our previous work. We also measured the distance to the system to be 926.3 ± 5.0 pc, obtaining an unprecedented parallax precision of 6 μas (0.5%), which is the most precise and accurate distance for a Cepheid. This precision is similar to what is expected byGaiafor its last data release (DR5 in ∼2030) for single stars fainter thanG = 13, but is not guaranteed for stars as bright as SU Cyg. Conclusions.We demonstrate that evolutionary models remain incapable of accurately reproducing the measured mass of Cepheids, often predicting higher masses for the expected metallicity, even when factors such as rotation or convective core overshooting are taken into account. Our precise distance measurement allowed us to compare predictions from some period–luminosity relations. We find a disagreement of 0.2–0.5 mag with relations calibrated from photometry, while relations calibrated from a direct distance measurement are in better agreement.