Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: We present a spectroscopic and photometric analysis of the remarkable massive binary system, BD+36°4063. We argue that the visible ON star is undergoing a rapid mass transfer episode that results in a thick and opaque disk that surrounds and renders invisible its massive companion. A comparison of the projected rotational velocity and the orbital semiamplitude of the visible star indicates a mass ratio near unity. Models for conservative mass transfer show that the equal mass state occurs at the point of minimum separation, and we argue that BD+36°4063 may represent the first system identified at this rapid and rare stage of massive binary evolution.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Authors: S. J. Williams, D. R. Gies, R. A. Matson, W. Huang
Institutions: Georgia State University, University of Washington
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2039720208