@article{GeierDorschPelisolietal.2022,
  author    = {Geier, Stephan and Dorsch, Matti and Pelisoli, Ingrid and Reindl, Nicole and Heber, Ulrich and Irrgang, Andreas},
  title     = {Radial velocity variability and the evolution of hot subdwarf stars},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {661},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {0004-6361},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/202143022},
  pages     = {15},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Hot subdwarf stars represent a late and peculiar stage in the evolution of low-mass stars, since they are likely formed by close binary interactions. In this work, we perform a radial velocity (RV) variability study of a sample of 646 hot subdwarfs with multi-epoch radial velocities based on spectra from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST). The atmospheric parameters and RVs were taken from the literature. For stars with archival spectra but without literature values, we determined the parameters by fitting model atmospheres. In addition, we redetermined the atmospheric parameters and RVs for all the He-enriched sdO/Bs. This broad sample allowed us to study RV-variability as a function of the location in the T-eff - log g- and T-eff - log n(He)/n(H) diagrams in a statistically significant way. We used the fraction of RV-variable stars and the distribution of the maximum RV variations Delta RVmax as diagnostics. Both indicators turned out to be quite inhomogeneous across the studied parameter ranges. A striking feature is the completely dissimilar behaviour of He-poor and He-rich hot subdwarfs. While the former have a high fraction of close binaries, almost no significant RV variations could be detected for the latter. This has led us to the conclusion that there is likely no evolutionary connection between these subtypes. On the other hand, intermediate He-rich- and extreme He-rich sdOB/Os are more likely to be related. Furthermore, we conclude that the vast majority of this population is formed via one or several binary merger channels. Hot subdwarfs with temperatures cooler than similar to 24 000 K tend to show fewer and smaller RV-variations. These objects might constitute a new subpopulation of binaries with longer periods and late-type or compact companions. The RV-variability properties of the extreme horizontal branch (EHB) and corresponding post-EHB populations of the He-poor hot subdwarfs match and confirm the predicted evolutionary connection between them. Stars found below the canonical EHB at somewhat higher surface gravities show large RV variations and a high RV variability fraction. These properties are consistent with most of them being low-mass EHB stars or progenitors of low-mass helium white dwarfs in close binaries.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HillwigReindlRotteretal.2022,
  author    = {Hillwig, Todd C. and Reindl, Nicole and Rotter, Hannah M. and Rengstorf, Adam W. and Heber, Ulrich and Irrgang, Andreas},
  title     = {Two evolved close binary stars: GALEX J015054.4+310745 and the central star of the planetary nebula Hen 2-84},
  series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society},
  volume    = {511},
  journal   = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0035-8711},
  doi       = {10.1093/mnras/stac226},
  pages     = {2033 -- 2039},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {As part of a survey to find close binary systems among central stars of planetary nebula, we present two newly discovered binary systems. GALEX J015054.4+310745 is identified as the central star of the possible planetary nebula Fr 2-22. We find it to be a single-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 0.2554435(10) d. We support the previous identification of GALEX J015054.4+310745 as an sdB star and provide physical parameters for the star from spectral modelling. We identify its undetected companion as a likely He white dwarf. Based on this information, we find it unlikely that Fr 2-22 is a true planetary nebula. In addition, the central star of the true planetary nebula Hen 2-84 is found to be a photometric variable, likely due to the irradiation of a cool companion. The system has an orbital period of 0.485645(30) d. We discuss limits on binary parameters based on the available light-curve data. Hen 2-84 is a strongly shaped bipolar planetary nebula, which we now add to the growing list of axially or point-symmetric planetary nebulae with a close binary central star.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DorschJefferyIrrgangetal.2021,
  author    = {Dorsch, Matti and Jeffery, C. Simon and Irrgang, Andreas and Woolf, Vincent and Heber, Ulrich},
  title     = {EC 22536-5304},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {653},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/202141381},
  pages     = {22},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Helium-burning hot subdwarf stars of spectral types O and B (sdO/B) are thought to be produced through various types of binary interactions. The helium-rich hot subdwarf star EC 22536-5304 was recently found to be extremely enriched in lead. Here, we show that EC 22536-5304 is a binary star with a metal-poor subdwarf F-type (sdF) companion. We performed a detailed analysis of high-resolution SALT/HRS and VLT/UVES spectra, deriving metal abundances for the hot subdwarf, as well as atmospheric parameters for both components. Because we consider the contribution of the sdF star, the derived lead abundance for the sdOB, + 6.3 +/- 0.3 dex relative to solar, is even higher than previously thought. We derive T-eff = 6210 +/- 70 K, log g = 4.64 +/- 0.10, [FE/H] = - 1.95 +/- 0.04, and [alpha/Fe] = + 0.40 +/- 0.04 for the sdF component. Radial velocity variations, although poorly sampled at present, indicate that the binary system has a long orbital period of about 457 days. This suggests that the system was likely formed through stable Roche lobe overflow (RLOF). A kinematic analysis shows that EC 22536-5304 is on an eccentric orbit around the Galactic centre. This, as well as the low metallicity and strong alpha enhancement of the sdF-type companion, indicate that EC 22536-5304 is part of the Galactic halo or metal-weak thick disc. As the first long-period hot subdwarf binary at [FE/H] less than or similar to- 1, EC 22536-5304 may help to constrain the RLOF mechanism for mass transfer from low-mass, low-metallicity red giant branch (RGB) stars to main-sequence companions.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{IrrgangGeierKreuzeretal.2020,
  author    = {Irrgang, Andreas and Geier, Stephan and Kreuzer, Simon and Pelisoli, Ingrid Domingos and Heber, Ulrich},
  title     = {A stripped helium star in the potential black hole binary LB-1},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {633},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {0004-6361},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201937343},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Context The recently claimed discovery of a massive (M-BH = 68(-13)(+11) M-circle dot) black hole in the Galactic solar neighborhood has led to controversial discussions because it severely challenges our current view of stellar evolution. Aims A crucial aspect for the determination of the mass of the unseen black hole is the precise nature of its visible companion, the B-type star LSV +22 25. Because stars of different mass can exhibit B-type spectra during the course of their evolution, it is essential to obtain a comprehensive picture of the star to unravel its nature and, thus, its mass. Methods To this end, we study the spectral energy distribution of LSV +22 25 and perform a quantitative spectroscopic analysis that includes the determination of chemical abundances for He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ar, and Fe. Results Our analysis clearly shows that LSV +22 25 is not an ordinary main sequence B-type star. The derived abundance pattern exhibits heavy imprints of the CNO bi-cycle of hydrogen burning, that is, He and N are strongly enriched at the expense of C and O. Moreover, the elements Mg, Al, Si, S, Ar, and Fe are systematically underabundant when compared to normal main-sequence B-type stars. We suggest that LSV +22 25 is a stripped helium star and discuss two possible formation scenarios. Combining our photometric and spectroscopic results with the Gaia parallax, we infer a stellar mass of 1.1 +/- 0.5 M-circle dot. Based on the binary system's mass function, this yields a minimum mass of 2-3 M-circle dot for the compact companion, which implies that it may not necessarily be a black hole but a massive neutron- or main sequence star. Conclusions The star LSV +22 25 has become famous for possibly having a very massive black hole companion. However, a closer look reveals that the star itself is a very intriguing object. Further investigations are necessary for complete characterization of this object.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchaffenrothCasewellSchneideretal.2020,
  author    = {Schaffenroth, Veronika and Casewell, Sarah L. and Schneider, D. and Kilkenny, David and Geier, Stephan and Heber, Ulrich and Irrgang, Andreas and Przybilla, Norbert and Marsh, Thomas R. and Littlefair, Stuart P. and Dhillon, Vik S.},
  title     = {A quantitative in-depth analysis of the prototype sdB plus BD system SDSS J08205+0008 revisited in the Gaia era},
  series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society},
  volume    = {501},
  journal   = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0035-8711},
  doi       = {10.1093/mnras/staa3661},
  pages     = {3847 -- 3870},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Subdwarf B stars are core-helium-burning stars located on the extreme horizontal branch (EHB). Extensive mass loss on the red giant branch is necessary to form them. It has been proposed that substellar companions could lead to the required mass loss when they are engulfed in the envelope of the red giant star. J08205+0008 was the first example of a hot subdwarf star with a close, substellar companion candidate to be found. Here, we perform an in-depth re-analysis of this important system with much higher quality data allowing additional analysis methods. From the higher resolution spectra obtained with ESO-VLT/XSHOOTER, we derive the chemical abundances of the hot subdwarf as well as its rotational velocity. Using the Gaia parallax and a fit to the spectral energy distribution in the secondary eclipse, tight constraints to the radius of the hot subdwarf are derived. From a long-term photometric campaign, we detected a significant period decrease of -3.2(8) x 10(-12) dd(-1). This can be explained by the non-synchronized hot subdwarf star being spun up by tidal interactions forcing it to become synchronized. From the rate of period decrease we could derive the synchronization time-scale to be 4 Myr, much smaller than the lifetime on EHB. By combining all different methods, we could constrain the hot subdwarf to a mass of 0.39-0.50 M-circle dot and a radius of R-sdB = 0.194 +/- 0.008 R-circle dot, and the companion to 0.061-0.071 M-circle dot with a radius of R-comp = 0.092 +/- 0.005 R-circle dot, below the hydrogen-burning limit. We therefore confirm that the companion is most likely a massive brown dwarf.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{IrrgangGeierHeberetal.2019,
  author    = {Irrgang, Andreas and Geier, Stephan and Heber, Ulrich and Kupfer, Thomas and F{\"u}rst, F.},
  title     = {PG 1610+062: a runaway B star challenging classical ejection mechanisms},
  series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  volume    = {628},
  journal   = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal},
  publisher = {EDP Sciences},
  address   = {Les Ulis},
  issn      = {1432-0746},
  doi       = {10.1051/0004-6361/201935429},
  pages     = {17},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Hypervelocity stars are rare objects, mostly main-sequence (MS) B stars, traveling so fast that they will eventually escape from the Milky Way. Recently, it has been shown that the popular Hills mechanism, in which a binary system is disrupted via a close encounter with the supermassive black hole at the Galactic center, may not be their only ejection mechanism. The analyses of Gaia data ruled out a Galactic center origin for some of them, and instead indicated that they are extreme disk runaway stars ejected at velocities exceeding the predicted limits of classical scenarios (dynamical ejection from star clusters or binary supernova ejection). We present the discovery of a new extreme disk runaway star, PG 1610+062, which is a slowly pulsating B star bright enough to be studied in detail. A quantitative analysis of spectra taken with ESI at the Keck Observatory revealed that PG 1610+062 is a late B-type MS star of 4-5 M⊙ with low projected rotational velocity. Abundances (C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ar, and Fe) were derived differentially with respect to the normal B star HD 137366 and indicate that PG 1610+062 is somewhat metal rich. A kinematic analysis, based on our spectrophotometric distance (17.3 kpc) and on proper motions from Gaia's second data release, shows that PG 1610+062 was probably ejected from the Carina-Sagittarius spiral arm at a velocity of 550 ± 40 km s-1, which is beyond the classical limits. Accordingly, the star is in the top five of the most extreme MS disk runaway stars and is only the second among the five for which the chemical composition is known.},
  language  = {en}
}