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Title: A THIRD MASSIVE STAR COMPONENT IN THE {sigma} ORIONIS AB SYSTEM

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, E-38200 La Laguna, Tenerife (Spain)
  2. Centro de Astrobiologia (CSIC-INTA), P.O. Box 78, E-28691 Villanueva de la Canada, Madrid (Spain)
  3. Departamento de Fisica, Ingenieria de Sistemas y Teoria de la Senal, Universidad de Alicante, P.O. Box 99, E-03080 Alicante (Spain)

We report on the detection of a third massive star component in the {sigma} Orionis AB system, traditionally considered as a binary system. The system has been monitored by the IACOB Spectroscopic Survey of Northern Massive Stars program, obtaining 23 high-resolution FIES-NOT spectra with a time span of {approx}2.5 years. The analysis of the radial velocity curves of the two spectroscopic components observed in the spectra has allowed us to obtain the orbital parameters of the system, resulting in a high eccentric orbit (e {approx} 0.78) with an orbital period of 143.5 {+-} 0.5 days. This result implies the actual presence of three stars in the {sigma} Orionis AB system when combined with previous results obtained from the study of the astrometric orbit (with an estimated period of {approx}157 years).

OSTI ID:
21612628
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 742, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/742/1/55; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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