Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997hst..prop.7269b&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #7269
Physics
Hst Proposal Id #7269 Cool Stars
Scientific paper
We propose to observe the ultraviolet spectrum of the long- period eclipsing binary VV Cephei {M2 Iab + B0?} through its next eclipse in 1997/98 with HST. This eclipse will provide an unprecendented opportunity to obtain spatially resolved information about the density, ionization and velocity structure in the outer atmosphere of the M supergiant primary {a spectral proxy for Alpha Ori}. We will use the STIS high resolution echelle spectrographs to probe the absorption spectrum of the chromosphere and wind of the primary, which appears superimposed upon the early-type UV continuum of the secondary. The narrow absorbing column sampled along the line of sight allows the spatial structure of the supergiant atmosphere to be resolved in a manner impossible to achieve with usual spectroscopic observations, which are averaged over the entire stellar disk. Repeated observations at different orbital phases near eclipse will permit a tomographic reconstruction of the outer atmosphere o f the M2 supergiant, enabling us to derive an empirical model of its chromosphere and wind. Furthermore, VV Cep is unique in consisting of an eclipsing M supergiant system bright enough to allow high resolution spectroscopy. However, the long orbital period of VV Cep {20.3 years} means that this opportunity is extremely time critical. The proposed HST observations must be obtained in Cycles 7 and 8 in order for this project to be carried out before the investigators retire.
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