arXiv subjects

I. I. Antokhin

Publications and source records attributed to I. I. Antokhin.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Orbital Parameters of the Unusual WR + O Binary System LS III +44 21

We present the results of a spectroscopic study of the recently discovered WR + O binary system LS III +44 21. The system is unusual because, despite having characteristics similar to those of the classical WR + O system V444 Cyg, its X-ray emission is completely absent. We refined the spectral classification of the system components to WN4 + O7III?(f) and obtained their radial velocity curves for the first time. The solution of these curves reveals that the system has a circular orbit. Using photometric observations from ASAS-SN and TESS, we significantly refined the values of the initial epoch T_0 and the orbital period P. The radial velocity curve solution with the updated T_0 and P allowed us to determine the parameters of the orbit and the system components for the first time. A preliminary qualitative analysis of the light curves obtained by the TESS satellite and the ASAS-SN project, combined with the interesting variability of the N IV and N V ion line profiles with the orbital phase that we detected, suggests that the lack of X-ray emission from the system may be due to an unusually weak stellar wind from the WR star. The shape of the highly precise mean TESS light curve is extremely unusual, exhibiting non-monotonic behavior near the quadratures and an unusual morphology of the secondary minimum, which shows a nearly total eclipse yet with rounded edges. Such a shape cannot be modeled within the standard Roche geometry, which may provide a direct indication of the influence of the component stellar winds.

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arXiv2025

Period Change of the Binary System WR+O V444 Cyg: Updated Ephemeris Formula

V444 Cyg is a WN5+O6 V eclipsing binary system that exhibits a secular variation in its orbital period due to the loss of matter from the Wolf-Rayet star through its powerful stellar wind. This makes it possible to obtain a dynamical estimate of the WR star mass-loss rate with minimal modeling assumptions. Numerous studies have been published on this topic. Unfortunately, over time, they have accumulated various flaws due to the authors' differing use of previously published light curves. In this paper, we have critically analyzed all published data, added new data obtained by us, and present a table containing all currently known times of the primary minimum, found in a uniform manner and based on independent original data. Using this table, we updated the value of the parameters of the quadratic formula describing the times of the primary minimum. The found rate of orbital period change is $\dot{P} = 0.134\pm 0.003$ s/year, and the corresponding value of the WR star mass-loss rate is $\dot{M}_{\rm WR} = (6.82 \pm 0.26) \times 10^{-6} M_\odot$/year.

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arXiv2025

The massive binary system WR 20a: light curve analysis in a colliding wind model

The article presents the results of the analysis of optical light curves of the massive binary system WR 20a (WN 6ha + WN 6ha). The analysis was performed with the binary system model, extending the standard Roche model for the case when both components of the system have powerful stellar winds. The model takes into account the collision of the winds and the influence of orbital motion on the collision zone. The observational light curves in the BVI filters were taken from previously published papers, in which they were analyzed using the standard Roche model. The main difference between the results of our work and the previous results is that in our model the radii of the components are about 25% smaller. As a consequence, the luminosity of the system in our model decreased by approximately 40%, and the distance to the system by 20%. In addition, the model was able to successfully describe the observed asymmetry of the light curve with respect to the phases of the conjunctions, which is impossible in the standard Roche model. The model light curves were also compared with the observational curves obtained by the TESS satellite and the ASAS-SN project. It was shown that, taking into account recent studies of interstellar extinction in the direction of the young open cluster Westerlund 2, the distance to WR 20a obtained in our calculations is consistent with the hypothesis that WR 20a is a member of the cluster.

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arXiv2016

An efficient and flexible Abel-inversion method for noisy data

We propose an efficient and flexible method for solving Abel integral equation of the first kind, frequently appearing in many fields of astrophysics, physics, chemistry, and applied sciences. This equation represents an ill-posed problem, thus solving it requires some kind of regularization. Our method is based on solving the equation on a so-called compact set of functions and/or using Tikhonov's regularization. A priori constraints on the unknown function, defining a compact set, are very loose and can be set using simple physical considerations. Tikhonov's regularization on itself does not require any explicit a priori constraints on the unknown function and can be used independently of such constraints or in combination with them. Various target degrees of smoothness of the unknown function may be set, as required by the problem at hand. The advantage of the method, apart from its flexibility, is that it gives uniform convergence of the approximate solution to the exact solution, as the errors of input data tend to zero. The method is illustrated on several simulated models with known solutions. An example of astrophysical application of the method is also given.

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arXiv2013

Modelling light curves of binary systems: accounting for extended winds

We suggest a simple synthesis model of an eclipsing binary system which includes one component with strong stellar wind. Numerical simulations show that the shape of the light curve (and in particularly the widths of the minima) strongly depends on wind parameters. Wind effects are crucial in modelling light curves of binaries including e.g., WR stars.

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arXiv2007

XMM-Newton X-ray study of early type stars in the Carina OB1 association

X-ray properties of the stellar population in the Carina OB1 association are examined with special emphasis on early-type stars. Their spectral characteristics provide some clues to understanding the nature of X-ray formation mechanisms in the winds of single and binary early-type stars. A timing and spectral analysis of five observations with XMM-Newton is performed using various statistical tests and thermal spectral models. 235 point sources have been detected within the field of view. Several of these sources are probably pre-main sequence stars with characteristic short-term variability. Seven sources are possible background AGNs. Spectral analysis of twenty three sources of type OB and WR 25 was performed. We derived spectral parameters of the sources and their fluxes in three energy bands. Estimating the interstellar absorption for every source and the distance to the nebula, we derived X-ray luminosities of these stars and compared them to their bolometric luminosities. We discuss possible reasons for the fact that, on average, the observed X-ray properties of binary and single early type stars are not very different, and give several possible explanations.

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arXiv2007

Eclipsing Binary System WN3(h)+O5V BAT99-129: Analysis of the MACHO Light Curve and the Parameters of the Components

BAT99-129 is a massive eclipsing binary system in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) which consists of WN3(h) and O5V components. A broad-band MACHO light curve of the system is studied in the present paper. A dense and extended atmosphere of the Wolf-Rayet (WR) star does not allow one to analyze the light curve in terms of standard parametric models of Wilson-Devinney type. Distributions of brightness and absorption across the WR star disk are restored using direct solution of integral equations describing eclipses in the system. As a result, reliable estimates of the orbital inclination and component parameters have been obtained. The orbital inclination is 78 deg, the orbital separation is 28.5 solar radii, the radius of the O component is 7.1 solar radii. The size of the WR component core opaque in optical continuum is 3.4 solar radii. The brightness temperature in the center of the WR disk is about 45000K. Probable errors of the parameters are discussed. Evolutionary status of the system is discussed.

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arXiv2005

Optical spectroscopy of X-Mega targets in the Carina Nebula - V. The spectroscopic binary HD93161A and its visual companion HD93161B

We present the analysis of an extensive set of high resolution spectroscopic observations of HD93161, a visual binary with a separation of 2 arcsec. HD93161 A is a spectroscopic binary, with both components clearly detected throughout the orbit. The primary star is most probably of spectral type O8V, while the secondary is likely an O9V. We obtain the first orbital solution for this system, characterized by a period of 8.566\pm0.004 days. The minimum masses of the primary and secondary stars are 22.2\pm0.6 M_sol and 17.0\pm0.4 M_sol respectively. These values are quite large, suggesting a high inclination of the orbit. The second object, HD93161 B, displays an O6.5V((f)) spectral type and is thus slightly hotter than its neighbour. This star is at first sight single but presents radial velocity variations. We finally study HD93161 in the X-ray domain. No significant variability is detected. The X-ray spectrum is well described by a 2T model with kT_1~0.3keV and kT_2~0.7keV. The X-ray luminosity is rather moderate, without any large emission excess imputable to a wind interaction.

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arXiv2004

An XMM-Newton observation of the massive binary HD159176

We report the analysis of an XMM-Newton observation of the close binary HD159176 (O7V + O7V). The observed L_X/L_bol ratio reveals an X-ray luminosity exceeding by a factor ~ 7 the expected value for X-ray emission from single O-stars, therefore suggesting a wind-wind interaction scenario. EPIC and RGS spectra are fitted consistently with a two temperature mekal optically thin thermal plasma model, with temperatures ranging from ~ 2 to 6 10^6 K. At first sight, these rather low temperatures are consistent with the expectations for a close binary system where the winds collide well before reaching their terminal velocities. We also investigate the variability of the X-ray light curve of HD159176 on various short time scales. No significant variability is found and we conclude that if hydrodynamical instabilities exist in the wind interaction region of HD159176, they are not sufficient to produce an observable signature in the X-ray emission. Hydrodynamic simulations using wind parameters from the literature reveal some puzzling discrepancies. The most striking one concerns the predicted X-ray luminosity which is one or more orders of magnitude larger than the observed one. A significant reduction of the mass loss rate of the components compared to the values quoted in the literature alleviates the discrepancy but is not sufficient to fully account for the observed luminosity. Because hydrodynamical models are best for the adiabatic case whereas the colliding winds in HD159176 are most likely highly radiative, a totally new approach has been envisaged... (see paper for complete abstract)

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arXiv2004

XMM-Newton observations of the giant HII region N11 in the LMC

Using the sensitive XMM-Newton observatory, we have observed the giant HII region N11 in the LMC for \sim30 ks. We have detected several large areas of soft diffuse X-ray emission along with 37 point sources. One of the most interesting results is the possible association of a faint X-ray source with BSDL 188, a small extended object of uncertain nature. The OB associations in the field-of-view (LH9, LH10 and LH13) are all detected with XMM-Newton, but they appear very different from one another. [...] (for complete abstract, see paper) Finally, our XMM-Newton observation included simultaneous observations with the OM camera that provide us with unique UV photometry of more than 6000 sources and enable the discovery of the UV emission from the SNR N11L.

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arXiv1999

A 2.3-Day Periodic Variability in the Apparently Single Wolf-Rayet Star WR 134: Collapsed Companion or Rotational Modulation?

We present the results of an intensive campaign of spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of the peculiar Wolf-Rayet star WR 134 from 1989 to 1997. This unprecedentedly large data set allows us to confirm unambiguously the existence of a coherent 2.25 +/- 0.05 day periodicity in the line-profile changes of He II 4686, although the global pattern of variability is different from one epoch to another. This period is only marginally detected in the photometric data set. Assuming the 2.25 day periodic variability to be induced by orbital motion of a collapsed companion, we develop a simple model aiming at investigating (i) the effect of this strongly ionizing, accreting companion on the Wolf-Rayet wind structure, and (ii) the expected emergent X-ray luminosity. We argue that the predicted and observed X-ray fluxes can only be matched if the accretion on the collapsed star is significantly inhibited. Additionally, we performed simulations of line-profile variations caused by the orbital revolution of a localized, strongly ionized wind cavity surrounding the X-ray source. A reasonable fit is achieved between the observed and modeled phase-dependent line profiles of He II 4686. However, the derived size of the photoionized zone substantially exceeds our expectations, given the observed low-level X-ray flux. Alternatively, we explore rotational modulation of a persistent, largely anisotropic outflow as the origin of the observed cyclical variability. Although qualitative, this hypothesis leads to greater consistency with the observations.

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