Engineering topics

Parsons, Sidney B.

Publications and source records attributed to Parsons, Sidney B..

6 records

NASA NTRS1993

Ultraviolet and optical studies of binaries with luminous cool primaries and hot companions. IV - Further IUE detections

We have obtained IUE spectra for 31 middle and late-type giant and supergiant stars whose TD-1 fluxes or ground-based spectra indicate the presence of a hot component, or whose radial velocities indicate an unseen component. Stellar components earlier than type F1 were detected in 22 cases. While 20 of the hot secondaries are seen weakly in optical spectra, two are UV discoveries: HD 58134 and HD 183864. The hot companions are classified accurately by temperature class from their far-UV spectra. The interstellar extinction of each system and the relative luminosities of the components are derived from the UV and optical fluxes, using a new grid of UV intrinsic colors for hot dwarfs. We find that many giant stars apparently have companions which are too hot and hence too luminous for consistency with the primary's spectral classification.

Parsons, Sidney B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Optical and ultraviolet spectroscopy of three F + B binary stars

Optical and ultraviolet spectroscopy is presented for three F + B objects that are members of the first group of strongly interacting, F II + B systems. The data obtained confirm that HD 59771, HD 242257, and CoD -30 5135 are all binary star systems consisting of a luminous F-type component and a B star. Strong, variable H-alpha emission is seen in all the stars. It is found that the UV spectrum of HD 59771 resembles the spectrum of HD 207739. CoD -30 5135 has the most dramatic mid-UV spectrum seen among the scores of observed cool + hot star systems.

Bopp, Bernard W.↗

NASA NTRS1990

HD 51956 - A supergiant in an interacting binary

IUE ultraviolet spectral observations reveal that the F supergiant HD 51956 contains a hot companion star partially obscured by warm plasma. Variable absorption features are analogous to those in the strongly interacting system HD 207739. The F type component is apparently transferring matter to a subluminous B type star which originally was the primary component.

Parsons, Sidney B.↗

NASA NTRS1990

HD 43246 and HD 127208 - Two unusual F-G + B binary systems

New optical spectroscopic observations along with ultraviolet IUE observations have been obtained for the two interacting F or G III + B V binaries: HD 43246 and HD 127208. Photometric observations indicate random changes superimposed on regular ellipsoidal light variations, the latter probably the result of tidal distortion of the giant primaries. Mass transfer and loss is apparent in inverted mass ratios derived from orbital analysis, strong wind features present in the spectra, and the presence of circumsystem shells. Regular and irregular changes in the spectral features are discussed in this context.

Dempsey, Robert C.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The November 1987 eclipse of the zeta-Aur system HR 2554

It is confirmed that HR 2554 (G6 II + A0 V) is an atmospheric eclipsing system of the zeta-Aur type. The IUE observations of the Nov. 1987 eclipse indicate that the eclipse of the A star lasts 4 days and is not total. Absorption lines due to the extended atmosphere of the primary can be seen a day before and after the eclipse and are missing 2 days from first and 4th contact. Thus the outer envelope of the primary extends to less than 1 stellar radius beyond the photosphere. Compared to 22 Vul (G3 Ib-II + B9 V), where the absorption can be traced to a few stellar radii, HR 2554 is a more moderate case of mass outflow, which implies there is reduced interaction of the secondary within the wind from the primary as is seen in the other zeta-Aur systems.

Ake, Thomas B., III↗

NASA NTRS1988

The long-period K + Be binary HR 2577 (MWC 827)

New spectroscopic observations near H-alpha and Na I D, along with ultraviolet IUE scans, have been obtained for the K + Be composite system HR 2577. High-precision radial-velocity measures do not support the suggested 58-year orbit of Hendry (1982). The H-alpha emission from the Be component undergoes considerable variations typical of its class. The presence of a Li I 6707 A feature as well as the IUE observations support the idea that little or no interaction between the binary components of HR 2577 is taking place.

Dempsey, Robert C.↗