Interferometry and spectroscopy of Beta Cen: a Beta Cephei star in a binary system
arXiv:astro-ph/9809158 · doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02068.x
Abstract
Beta Cen is a bright Beta Cephei variable and has long been suspected to be a binary. Here we report interferometric observations with the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope at a single epoch which show the star to be a binary with components separated by 15 milliarcsec and having approximately equal luminosities at 486 nm. We also present high-resolution spectra taken over five nights with the ESO CAT which show Beta Cen to be a double-lined spectroscopic binary. We identify two pulsation frequencies in the primary. Further spectroscopic and interferometric studies of this double star should allow determination of its orbital parameters and component masses.
8 pages, 12 postscript figure files, grouped into 8 figures. Accepted for Monthly Notices of RAS. Topmargin revised for US Letter or A4 paper