A New Method of Determining the Characteristics of Evolved Binary Systems Revealed in the Observed Circumstellar Patterns: Application to AFGL 3068

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple observational method to determine binary star characteristics from circumstellar patterns, specifically applied to AFGL 3068, aiding understanding of binary influence on stellar envelope structures.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, straightforward technique to constrain binary star parameters from circumstellar envelope patterns, demonstrated on AFGL 3068.

Findings

Estimated companion mass > 2.6 solar masses for AFGL 3068

Derived orbital parameters including inclination, period, and separation

Method applicable to other AGB stars for binary characterization

Abstract

The binary characteristics of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are imprinted in the asymmetric patterns of their circumstellar envelopes. We develop a simple method for constraining the orbital parameters of such binary stars from the characteristics of a spiral-like pattern observed at large distances from the central stars. We place constraints on the properties of AFGL 3068 (i.e., the masses of binary components, the viewing inclination of the orbital plane, as well as the orbital period, velocity, and separation). In particular, the mass of the companion star of AFGL 3068 is estimated to be greater than 2.6 solar mass. This method is applicable to other AGB stars, providing a step toward understanding the role binary stars can play in explaining the diverse patterns in observed circumstellar envelopes.