Phase-dependent photometric and spectroscopic characterization of the MASTER-Net Optical Transient J212444.87+321738.3: an oxygen rich Mira

TL;DR

This paper presents a detailed phase-dependent photometric and spectroscopic study of the oxygen-rich Mira variable MASTER-Net OT J212444.87+321738.3, revealing its variability, molecular features, and pulsation characteristics over time.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive long-term optical/NIR photometric and spectroscopic characterization of this specific Mira, including period, molecular features, and phase-dependent behavior.

Findings

Variability period estimated at 465 ± 30 days.

Detected phase lag of ~60 days between optical and NIR light curves.

Confirmed oxygen-rich nature through molecular spectral features.

Abstract

We describe the time-dependent properties of a new spectroscopically confirmed Mira variable, which was discovered in 2013 as MASTER-Net Optical Transient (OT) J212444.87+321738.3 towards the Cygnus constellation. We have performed long-term optical/near-infrared (NIR) photometric and spectroscopic observations to characterize the object. From the optical/NIR light curves, we estimate a variability period of 465 $\pm$ 30 days. The wavelength-dependent amplitudes of the observed light-curves range from $\Delta$I$\sim$4 mag to $\Delta$K$\sim$1.5 mag. The (J-K) color-index varies from 1.78 to 2.62 mag over phases. Interestingly, a phase lag of $\sim$60 days between optical and NIR light curves is also seen, as in other Miras. Our optical/NIR spectra show molecular features of TiO, VO, CO, and strong water bands which are a typical signature of oxygen-rich Mira. We rule out S- or C-type as ZrO bands at 1.03 and 1.06 $\mu$m and $C_2$ band at 1.77 $\mu$m are absent. We estimate the effective temperature of the object from the SED, and distance and luminosity from standard Period-Luminosity relations. The optical/NIR spectra display time-dependent atomic and molecular features (e.g. TiO, NaI, CaI, H$_2$O,CO), as commonly observed in Miras. Such spectroscopic observations are useful for studying pulsation variability in Miras.