A Spectral Classification System for Hydrogen-deficient Carbon Stars

Abstract

Stellar spectral classification has been highly useful in the study of stars. While there is a currently accepted spectral classification system for carbon stars, the subset of Hydrogen-deficient Carbon (HdC) stars has not been well described by such a system, due predominantly to their rarity and their variability. Here we present the first system for the classification of HdCs based on their spectra, which is made wholly on their observable appearance. We use a combination of dimensionality reduction and clustering algorithms with human classification to create such a system with eight total classes corresponding to temperature, and an additional second axis corresponding to the carbon molecular band strength. We classify over half of the known sample of HdC stars using this, and roughly calibrate the temperatures of each class using their colors. Additionally, we express trends in the occurrence of certain spectral peculiarities such as the presence of Hydrogen and Lithium lines. We also present three previously unpublished spectra, report the discovery of two new Galactic dustless HdC (dLHdC) stars and additionally discuss one especially unique star that appears to border between the hottest HdCs and the coolest Extreme Helium (EHe) stars.

30 pages, 18 figures, submitted to MNRAS January 11, 2023 revision: Changes updated according to referee comments

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• Hydrodynamic simulations of WD-WD mergers and the origin of RCB stars
• Oxygen Isotope Ratios in Hydrogen-Deficient Carbon Stars: A Correlation with Effective Temperature and Implications for White Dwarf Merger Outcomes
• IRAS 00450+7401 and the mid-infrared fade/burst cycle of R Coronae Borealis-type stars
• WISE J005128.08+645651.7: An enigmatic R Coronae Borealis star