High-resolution optical spectroscopy of the R Coronae Borealis star V532 Ophiuchi at maximum light

TL;DR

This study presents high-resolution optical spectra of the R Coronae Borealis star V532 Ophiuchi at maximum light, revealing its elemental composition, luminosity, and stellar wind characteristics, confirming its classification within the majority RCB stars.

Contribution

It provides detailed spectral analysis of V532 Oph, highlighting its elemental abundances, luminosity, and stellar wind features, and compares its properties to other RCB stars for the first time.

Findings

V532 Oph has an absolute magnitude of -4.9 ± 0.5.

It is among the most oxygen-poor majority RCB stars.

Spectral features confirm presence of circumstellar material and stellar wind.

Abstract

High-resolution optical spectra of the R Coronae Borealis (RCB) star V532 Oph at light maximum are discussed. The absolute visual magnitude M_V of the star is found to be -4.9 \pm 0.5. The elemental abundances suggest the star belongs to the majority class of RCB stars but is among the most O-poor of this class with mild enhancements of heavy elements Y, Zr, Ba and La. The C_2 Swan bands are weak in V532 Oph relative to R CrB. Other aspects of the high-resolution spectrum confirm that V532 Oph is representative of majority RCBs, i.e., the radial velocity is variable, circumstellar material is present and the photosphere feeds a high-velocity stellar wind.