Phase dependent polarization variations of southern Galactic WR + O systems

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Binary Stars, O Stars, Stellar Magnetic Fields, Wolf-Rayet Stars, Astronomical Spectroscopy, Radial Velocity, Stellar Mass, Stellar Orbits

Scientific paper

The ESO polarimeter on the 2.2-m Max-Planck telescope was used during six nights in early May 1987 to observe phase-dependent polarization variations of six southern Galactic WR + O binaries. The polarization variation was monitored in the visual broad band. Linear polarization (P) was observed with a rotating half-wave plate as variable retarder and a Foster prism as an analyzer. The six WR + O systems were found to range in brigthness from V = 9 to 11 mag. For two systems, HDE 311884 and HD 90657, plots of P and phase theta versus the spectroscopic orbital phase, and of the Stokes parameters Q (Q = P cos 2 theta) versus U (U = P sin 2 theta) are presented. From the shape of the Q-U figures traced out during the orbit, the masses of the WR for the two systems were deduced to be equal 9 solar masses for the HD 90657 and 43 solar masses for the HDE 311884. These masses support previous suggestions that the hotter WN stars tend to be less massive on the average than the cooler ones.

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