The black hole binary nova Scorpii 1994 (GRO J1655-40): an improved chemical analysis

González Hernández, J. I.; Rebolo, R.; Israelian, G.
Bibliographical reference

Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 478, Issue 1, January IV 2008, pp.203-217

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1
2008
Number of authors
3
IAC number of authors
3
Citations
32
Refereed citations
28
Description
Context: The chemical analysis of secondary stars of low mass X-ray binaries provides an opportunity to study the formation processes of compact objects, either black holes or neutron stars. Aims: Following the discovery of overabundances of α-elements in the Keck I/HIRES spectrum of the secondary star of Nova Scorpii 1994 (Israelian et al. 1999, Nature, 401, 142), we obtained VLT/UVES high-resolution spectroscopy with the aim of performing a detailed abundance analysis of this secondary star. Methods: Using a χ2-minimization procedure and a grid of synthetic spectra, we derive the stellar parameters and atmospheric abundances of O, Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, Fe and Ni, using a new UVES spectrum and the HIRES spectrum. Results: The abundances of Al, Ca, Ti, Fe and Ni seem to be consistent with solar values, whereas Na, and especially O, Mg, Si and S are significantly enhanced in comparison with Galactic trends of these elements. A comparison with spherically and non-spherically symmetric supernova explosion models may provide stringent constraints to the model parameters as mass-cut and the explosion energy, in particular from the relative abundances of Si, S, Ca, Ti, Fe and Ni. Conclusions: Most probably the black hole in this system formed in a hypernova explosion of a 30-35 {M}_&sun; progenitor star with a mass-cut in the range 2-3.5 {M}_&sun;. However, these models produce abundances of Al and Na almost ten times higher than the observed values. Based on observations obtained with UVES at VLT Kueyen 8.2 m telescope in programme 073.D-0473(A).
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