Towards a dynamical mass of a PG 1159 star: radial velocities and spectral analysis of SDSS J212531-010745

TL;DR

This study aims to determine the dynamical mass of a PG 1159 star in a close binary system by analyzing spectra, radial velocities, and light curves, providing a direct measurement to calibrate stellar evolution models.

Contribution

First dynamical mass determination of a PG 1159 star in a close binary system using combined spectroscopic and photometric analysis.

Findings

Radial velocity curves for both binary components were obtained.

Spectral analysis refined the parameters of the PG 1159 star.

System modeling constrained radii, temperatures, and separation.

Abstract

The evolutionary scenarios which are commonly accepted for PG 1159 stars are mainly based on numerical simulations, which have to be tested and calibrated with real objects with known stellar parameters. One of the most crucial but also quite uncertain parameters is the stellar mass. PG 1159 stars have masses between 0.5 and 0.8 M_sun, as derived from asteroseismic and spectroscopic determinations. Such mass determinations are, however, themselves model-dependent. Moreover, asteroseismically and spectroscopically determined masses deviate systematically for PG 1159 stars by up to 10%. SDSS J212531.92-010745.9 is the first known PG 1159 star in a close binary with a late-main-sequence companion allowing a dynamical mass determination. We have obtained 14 Calar Alto spectra of SDSS J212531.92-010745.9 covering the full orbital phase range. A radial velocity curve was extracted for both components. With co-added phase-corrected spectra the spectral analysis of the PG 1159 component was refined. The irradiation of the companion by the PG 1159 star is modelled with PHOENIX, yielding constraints on radii, effective temperature and separation of the system's components. The light curve of SDSS J212531.92-010745.9, obtained during three seasons of photometry with the Goettingen 50 cm and Tuebingen 80 cm telescopes, was modelled with both the NIGHTFALL and PHOEBE programs.