The radial velocities and physical parameters of HD 553

Abstract

HD 553 was discovered as an eclipsing binary by Hipparcos. Here, we present the first radial velocity curve for this system. It is found that HD 553 is a double-lined spectroscopic binary. Despite the large luminosity difference, the two components of the system are of very simmilar mass. The primary, a K0-giant, fills a large fraction of its Roche-lobe. The secondary is, despite its very similar mass, still a late-type dwarf. The radial velocity curve allows to constrain several stellar and system parameters.

6 pages, 3 Postscript figures, accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysics