The black hole binary nova Scorpii 1994 (GRO J1655-40): an improved chemical analysis

González Hernández, J. I.; Rebolo, R.; Israelian, G.
Bibliographical reference

Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 478, Issue 1, January IV 2008, pp.203-217

Advertised on:
1
2008
Number of authors
3
IAC number of authors
3
Citations
31
Refereed citations
26
Description
Context: The chemical analysis of secondary stars of low mass X-ray binaries provides an opportunity to study the formation processes of compact objects, either black holes or neutron stars. Aims: Following the discovery of overabundances of α-elements in the Keck I/HIRES spectrum of the secondary star of Nova Scorpii 1994 (Israelian et al. 1999, Nature, 401, 142), we obtained VLT/UVES high-resolution spectroscopy with the aim of performing a detailed abundance analysis of this secondary star. Methods: Using a χ2-minimization procedure and a grid of synthetic spectra, we derive the stellar parameters and atmospheric abundances of O, Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, Fe and Ni, using a new UVES spectrum and the HIRES spectrum. Results: The abundances of Al, Ca, Ti, Fe and Ni seem to be consistent with solar values, whereas Na, and especially O, Mg, Si and S are significantly enhanced in comparison with Galactic trends of these elements. A comparison with spherically and non-spherically symmetric supernova explosion models may provide stringent constraints to the model parameters as mass-cut and the explosion energy, in particular from the relative abundances of Si, S, Ca, Ti, Fe and Ni. Conclusions: Most probably the black hole in this system formed in a hypernova explosion of a 30-35 {M}_&sun; progenitor star with a mass-cut in the range 2-3.5 {M}_&sun;. However, these models produce abundances of Al and Na almost ten times higher than the observed values. Based on observations obtained with UVES at VLT Kueyen 8.2 m telescope in programme 073.D-0473(A).
Related projects
Project Image
Observational Tests of the Processes of Nucleosynthesis in the Universe
Several spectroscopic analyses of stars with planets have recently been carried out. One of the most remarkable results is that planet-harbouring stars are on average more metal-rich than solar-type disc stars. Two main explanations have been suggested to link this metallicity excess with the presence of planets. The first of these, the “self
Garik
Israelian