The chromospherically--active binary CF Tuc revisited

TL;DR

This study provides updated orbital and physical parameters of the active binary CF Tuc using new spectra, light curves, and advanced analysis methods, revealing complex period variations possibly due to a third body or magnetic activity.

Contribution

The paper presents new high-resolution spectroscopic data and refined orbital parameters for CF Tuc, incorporating light curve analysis and period variation studies, including potential evidence for a third body.

Findings

New radial velocity curves and orbital elements obtained.

Detection of Hα and CaII emissions indicating chromospheric activity.

Possible presence of a third body affecting orbital period variations.

Abstract

New high-resolution spectra, of the chromospherically active binary system CF Tuc, taken at the Mt. John University Observatory in 2007, were analyzed using two methods: cross-correlation and Fourier--based disentangling. As a result, new radial velocity curves of both components were obtained. The resulting orbital elements of CF Tuc are: $a_{1}{\sin}i$=$0.0254\pm0.0001$ AU, $a_{2}{\sin}i$=$0.0228\pm0.0001$ AU, $M_{1}{\sin}i$=$0.902\pm0.005$ $M_{\odot}$, and $M_{2}{\sin}i$=$1.008\pm0.006$ $M_{\odot}$. The cooler component of the system shows H$\alpha$ and CaII H & K emissions. Our spectroscopic data and recent $BV$ light curves were solved simultaneously using the Wilson-Devinney code. A dark spot on the surface of the cooler component was assumed to explain large asymmetries observed in the light curves. The following absolute parameters of the components were determined: $M_{1}$=$1.11\pm0.01$ $M_{\odot}$, $M_{2}$=$1.23\pm0.01$ $M_{\odot}$, $R_{1}$=$1.63\pm0.02$ $R_{\odot}$, $R_{2}$=$3.60\pm0.02$ $R_{\odot}$, $L_{1}$=$3.32\pm0.51$ $L_{\odot}$ and $L_{2}$=$3.91\pm0.84$ $L_{\odot}$. The orbital period of the system was studied using the O-C analysis. The O-C diagram could be interpreted in terms of either two abrupt changes or a quasi-sinusoidal form superimposed on a downward parabola. These variations are discussed by reference to the combined effect of mass transfer and mass loss, the Applegate mechanism and also a light-time effect due to the existence of a massive third body (possibly a black hole) in the system. The distance to CF Tuc was calculated to be $89\pm6$ pc from the dynamic parallax, neglecting interstellar absorption, in agreement with the Hipparcos value.