Abstract

POURBAIX, Dimitri  and  BOFFIN, Henri M. J.. 𝛅 mus revisited: Rectifying a 82 yr-old mistake. Rev. mex. astron. astrofis [online]. 2018, vol.54, n.2, pp.355-361. ISSN 0185-1101.

The red giant δ Muscae is known since 1919 to be a spectroscopic binary, and the first and only orbit was determined in 1936, claiming the period to be 847 days. This was discrepant with the Hipparcos determined astrometric orbit. Using the latest data available for this object - leading to a 100 yr timespan - we show here that the correct period is 423 d, and are able for the first time to combine the spectroscopic orbit with the Hipparcos orbit. Using all the available information, we find that the ≈ 1.2 M⊙ red giant must have a ≈ 0.3 − 0.4 M⊙ M dwarf companion, and that the system will soon evolve towards a He WD binary system. Given its relatively short period, δ Muscae may be an ideal benchmark for testing astrometric orbits obtained by Gaia for very bright stars.

Keywords : astrometry; binaries: spectroscopic; techniques: radial velocities.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )