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AMBER discovers a companion to HD87643 by image-synthesis




JPEG - 57.2 ko
Zoom-in into the core of HD87643
This figure illustrate the wide range of scales covered by this study : left is the wide field image showing the large-scale nebula, middle is the high-resolution NACO adaptive optics image, and right is the higher-resolution synthetised image of the AMBER instrument, revealing the companion star to the main star.

B[e] stars are B-type stars with emission lines and a large infrared excess betraying the presence of dust in their vicinity. HD87643 is one of the most extreme example of this type of stars, as its infrared excess is much larger than the one of any other B[e] stars. Using a wide range of ESO instruments, a team led by F. Millour gave a new insight into this puzzling star.

By observing in the infrared bands H (1.6-1.8 microns) and K (1.95-2.45 microns), they were able to image the innermost dusty regions of this star, unveiling for the first time and without any doubt a stellar companion to the main star. In addition, the main star (seen in the South of the AMBER image) was partly resolved by AMBER, revealing that it is enshrouded in a compact dusty disk. Comparisons with NACO adaptive-optics images revealed that the whole system itself is embedded in a dusty environment. Finally, Wide-Field Images showed arc-like structures in the nebula surrounding HD87643, which may be linked to the central binary star.

As a conclusion, this study of HD87643 give a totally new view of the system : two dust-enshrouded stars embedded in a dense dusty nebula, orbiting in a very eccentric orbit which might be at the origin of periodic violent ejections seen in the nebula.

More information

  1. A binary engine fuelling HD87643’s complex circumstellar environment, using AMBER/VLTI
    F. Millour, O. Chesneau, M. Borges Fernandes, A. Meilland et al. 2009, A&A in press (arXiv:0908.0227)
  2. ESO press release
  3. ESOcast video


 

Latest articles :
  • AMBER proposals selected for P85 (Apr’10-Oct’10)
  • [ Date : Wednesday 30 December 2009 ]
  • AMBER discovers a companion to HD87643 by image-synthesis
  • [ Date : jeudi 17 septembre 2009 ]
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  • [ Date : jeudi 30 juillet 2009 ]
  • AMBER proposals selected for P84 (Oct’09-Mar’10)
  • [ Date : Thursday 2 July 2009 ]
  • List of AMBER publications
  • [ Date : Thursday 4 June 2009 ]
    Latest news
    Thursday 17 September
    New baselines for VLTI
    For P85, a new station is offered: I1. It is included in the three new configurations with 4 telescopes (out of which any 3 can be chosen for AMBER):
    A0-G1-K0-I1
    D0-H0-G1-I1
    E0-G0-H0-I1
    Friday 27 February
    AMBER open in H band medium resolution for P84
    AMBER is open to the community in H band in medium spectral resolution (R=1500). More details can be found on the official ESO call for proposal and on the AMBER ESO webpage.
    Monday 23 February
    First stellar image from AMBER
    The image of star obtained with AMBER is from the Mira star T Leporis. This result has been published by Le Bouquin et al. in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
    More details on the Recent Events page.
    Thursday 5 February
    First image obtained with VLTI/AMBER
    The first image obtained with AMBER is from the young binary Theta 1 Ori C. This result has been published by Kraus et al. in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
    More details on the Recent Events page.
    Saturday 20 September
    Forum for support on AMBER data reduction
    Until today, there were 2 email lists dealing with AMBER Data Reduction:
    amb-drs@obs.ujf-grenoble.fr>: Expert forum on AMBER Data Reduction
    jmmc-amb-datared@ujf-grenoble.fr>: Forum on AMBER data reduction Since there are not much traffic and not much expert discussion on these lists, we (...)



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