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M. Kennedy, S.M. Dougherty, P.M. Williams & A. Fink

Cyg OB2 #5: When three stars are just not enough.

(Volume 80 - Année 2011)
Article
Open Access
Mots-clés : en, 572 - 577

Abstract

Archival observations from the Very Large Array (VLA) at frequencies between 1.4 GHz and 43 GHz of the 6.6-day O6.5-7+O5.5-6 binary Cyg OB2 #5 over 20 years are re-examined. The aim is to determine the location and character of its known variable radio emission. The radio emission consists of a primary component associated with the binary, and a non-thermal source (NE), 0.8” to the NE. This work reveals that NE shows no evidence of variation demonstrating that the variable emission arises in the primary component. With NE constant, the radio flux from the primary can now be well determined for the first time, especially in observations that do not resolve both the primary and NE components. The variable radio emission from the primary has a period of 6.7 ± 0.3 years which is described by a simple model of a non-thermal source orbiting within the stellar wind envelope of the binary. Such a model implies the presence of a third, unresolved stellar companion (Star C) orbiting the 6.6-day binary with a period of 6.7 years. The non-thermal emission arises from either a WCR between Star C and the binary system, or possibly from Star C directly. Examination of radial velocity observations suggests reflex motion of the binary due to Star C, for which a mass of 23+22/−14 Mo is deduced. Together with the star associated with NE, this implies that Cyg OB2 #5 is a quadruple system.

To cite this article

M. Kennedy, S.M. Dougherty, P.M. Williams & A. Fink, «Cyg OB2 #5: When three stars are just not enough.», Bulletin de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liège [En ligne], Volume 80 - Année 2011, 572 - 577 URL : https://popups.ulg.ac.be/0037-9565/index.php?id=3058.

About: M. Kennedy

University of Victoria, BC, Canada

About: S.M. Dougherty

NRC-HIA DRAO, Penticton, BC, Canada, and Institute for Space Imaging Science, University of Calgary, AB, Canada

About: P.M. Williams

Institute for Astronomy, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland

About: A. Fink

NRC-HIA DRAO, Penticton, BC, Canada