V1507 Cygni (HD187399): A Highly Evolved, Enigmatic Interacting Binary System with an Eccentric Orbit

TL;DR

This study analyzes the properties and evolution of the eccentric binary system V1507 Cyg, revealing its stable period, mass transfer history, and the nature of its components through spectral analysis and environmental context.

Contribution

It provides detailed spectral and dynamical analysis of V1507 Cyg, including component masses, orbital stability, and evolutionary state, highlighting its complex mass transfer history and environmental interactions.

Findings

Component masses: 6.4 and 14.0 solar masses

Stable orbital period over decades

Eccentric orbit likely due to hierarchical evolution

Abstract

The properties of the interacting, eccentric orbit binary V1507 Cyg (HD187399) are examined with spectra that cover wavelengths from 0.63 to 0.68um. The spectrum of the brightest star is very similar to that of the B8 I star Beta Ori, although with absorption lines that show sub-structure consistent with a varying tidal field. The bulk of the Halpha emission in the spectrum appears to be associated with the brighter star. Evidence is presented that the period of the system has been stable over timescales of many decades, arguing against large-scale mass transfer at the current epoch. Absorption and emission lines are identified that originate in an expanding asymmetric envelope around the companion, and component masses of 6.4 +/- 0.9 and 14.0 +/- 0.9 solar are found, where the former applies to the brighter star and an inclination of 46 degrees has been assumed. The evolutionary state of V1507 Cyg is then that of a system in which mass transfer has progressed to the point where the mass ratio has been reversed, with the brighter star stripped of much of its initial mass. It is argued that the brighter star is an Alpha Cyg variable, and that it is those light variations that dominate the system light curve. V1507 Cyg is observed at or near the center of a diffuse HI bubble that is detected at 408 and 1420MHz. It is suggested that the eccentric orbit is the result of evolution in a hierarchical system.