High Resolution Optical Spectroscopy of the F Supergiant Proto-Planetary Nebula V887 Her=IRAS 18095+2704

TL;DR

This study provides a detailed high-resolution optical spectral analysis of the post-AGB star V887 Her, revealing its atmospheric parameters, elemental abundances, and evidence of dust-gas separation effects, with implications for stellar evolution.

Contribution

First detailed abundance analysis of V887 Her using high-resolution spectra, highlighting its chemical composition and dust-gas separation effects in a post-AGB star.

Findings

Star's atmosphere shows no significant C- and s-process enrichment.

Elemental abundances indicate dust-gas separation effects.

Standard LTE analysis may not fully apply due to complex velocity fields.

Abstract

An abundance analysis is presented for IRAS 18095+2704 (V887 Her), a post-AGB star and proto-planetary nebula. The analysis is based on high-resolution optical spectra from the McDonald Observatory and the Special Astrophysical Observatory. Standard analysis using a classical Kurucz model atmosphere and the line analysis program MOOG provides the atmospheric parameters: Teff = 6500 K, log g = +0.5, and a microturbulent velocity Vt = 4.7 km/s and [Fe/H] = -0.9. Extraction of these parameters is based on excitation of FeI lines, ionization equilibrium between neutral and ions of Mg, Ca, Ti, Cr, and Fe, and the wings of hydrogen Paschen lines. Elemental abundances are obtained for 22 elements and upper limits for an additional four elements. These results show that the star's atmosphere has not experienced a significant number of C- and s-process enriching thermal pulses. Abundance anomalies as judged relative to the compositions of unevolved and less-evolved normal stars of a similar metallicity include Al, Y, and Zr deficiencies with respect to Fe of about 0.5 dex. Judged by composition, the star resembles a RV Tauri variable that has been mildly affected by dust-gas separation reducing the abundances of the elements of highest condensation temperature. This separation may occur in the stellar wind. There are indications that the standard 1D LTE analysis is not entirely appropriate for IRAS 18095+2704. These include a supersonic macroturbulent velocity of 23 km/s, emission in H-alpha and the failure of predicted profiles to fit observed profiles of H-beta and H-gamma.