Establishing $\alpha$ Oph as a Prototype Rotator: Precision Orbit with new Keck, CHARA, and RV Observations

TL;DR

This study refines the orbital and mass measurements of the alpha Oph binary system using new interferometric, imaging, and radial velocity data, establishing alpha Oph as a key prototype for rapid rotator models.

Contribution

The paper provides the first precise dynamical mass measurement of alpha Oph's primary star, improving orbital parameters and validating rotation-inclusive stellar evolution models.

Findings

Primary star mass: 2.20 ± 0.06 M☉

Secondary star mass: 0.824 ± 0.023 M☉

Alpha Oph is a useful astrometric reference source.

Abstract

Alpha Ophiuchi (Rasalhague) is a nearby rapidly rotating A5IV star which has been imaged by infrared interferometry. $\alpha$ Oph is also part of a known binary system, with a companion semi-major axis of $\sim$430 milli-arcseconds and high eccentricity of 0.92. The binary companion provides the unique opportunity to measure the dynamical mass to compare with the results of rapid rotator evolution models. The lack of data near periastron passage limited the precision of mass measurements in previous work. We add new interferometric data from the MIRC combiner at the CHARA Array as well as new Keck adaptive optics imaging data with NIRC2, including epochs taken near periastron passage. We also obtained new radial velocities of both components at Fairborn Observatory. Our updated combined orbit for the system drastically reduces the errors of the orbital elements, and allows for precise measurement of the primary star mass at the few percent level. Our resulting primary star mass of $2.20\pm0.06$ M$_{\odot}$ agrees well with predictions from imaging results, and matches evolution models with rotation when plotting on an HR diagram. However, to truly distinguish between non-rotating and rotating evolution models for this system we need $\sim$1\% errors on mass, which might be achieved once the distance is known to higher precision in future Gaia releases. We find that the secondary mass of $0.824\pm0.023$ M$_{\odot}$ is slightly under-luminous when compared to stellar evolution models. We show that $\alpha$ Oph is a useful reference source for programs that need $\pm$1 milli-arcsecond astrometry.