New radial velocity observations of AH Her: Evidence for material outside the tidal radius

J. Echevarriá*, J. V. Hernández Santisteban, O. Segura Montero, S. H. Ramírez, A. Ruelas-Mayorga, L. J. Sánchez, R. Michel*, R. Costero, D. H. González-Buitrago, J. Olivares

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Spectroscopic observations of AH Herculis during a deep quiescent state are put forward. We found the object in a rare long minima, allowing us to derive accurately the semi-amplitudes: K1 =121 ± 4 km s-1 and K2 = 152 ± 2 km s-1 and its mass functions MWsin 3i = 0.30 ± 0.01 M⊙ and MRsin 3i = 0.24 ± 0.02 M⊙, while its binary separation is given by asin i = 1.39 ± 0.02 R⊙. The orbital period Porb = 0.25812 ± 0.00032 d was found from a power spectrum analysis of the radial velocities of the secondary star. These values are consistent with those determined by Horne, Wade & Szkody. Our observations indicate that K5 is the most likely spectral type of the secondary. We discuss why we favour the assumption that the donor in AH Her is a slightly evolved star, in which case we find that the best solution for the inclination yields i = 48° ± 2°. None the less, should the donor be a ZAMS star, we obtain that the inclination is between i = 43° and i = 44°. We also present Doppler tomography of H α and H β, and found that the emission in both lines is concentrated in a large asymmetric region at low velocities, but at an opposite position to the secondary star, outside the tidal radius and therefore at an unstable position. We also analyse the H α and H β line profiles, which show a single broad peak and compare it with the previous quiescent state study that shows a double-peaked profile, providing evidence for its transient nature.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)596-605
Number of pages10
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume501
Issue number1
Early online date26 Nov 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Techniques: radial velocities
  • Techniques: spectroscopic
  • Stars: individual: AH Her
  • Novae
  • Cataclysmic variables

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