Optical Spectroscopic Observations of CI Camelopardalis

TL;DR

This paper reports optical spectroscopic observations of CI Cam, revealing double-peaked line profiles, changes in line intensities, and environmental effects linked to mass loss and outbursts in the system.

Contribution

First detection of double-peaked profiles in multiple lines and analysis of their implications for the circumstellar disk and outburst activity.

Findings

Double-peaked profiles observed in hydrogen, He I, and Fe II lines.

Decrease in line intensities preceding an outburst.

Increase in line intensities and brightness during outburst.

Abstract

We present the results of optical spectroscopic observations of CI Cam. Double-peaked profiles were simultaneously observed for the first time in the hydrogen Balmer, He {\small I} $\lambda$6678 and Fe {\small II} lines during an observational run in 2001 September. An intermediate viewing angle of the circumstellar disk around the B[e] star is consistent with our data. A significant decrease in the intensity of the H$\alpha$ and He {\small I} lines in our 2004 September observations might have been the precursor of a line outburst at the end of 2004. The remarkable increase in the intensity of all lines and the decrease in visual brightness in 2005 might be due to the environment filling with new material ejected during the outburst. The environment of CI Cam is influenced by mass loss from the B[e] star and the outburst of its compact companion.