Surveying the Bright Stars by Optical Interferometry. II. A Volume-limited Multiplicity Survey of Main-sequence F Stars

Abstract

We present the results of a multiplicity survey for a magnitude-limited sample of 31 classical Be stars conducted with the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer and the Mark III Stellar Interferometer. The interferometric observations were used to detect companions in ten previously known binary systems. For two of these sources (66 Oph and β Cep) new orbital solutions were obtained, while for a third source (υ Sgr) our observations provide the first direct, visual detection of the hot sdO companion to the Be primary star. Combining our interferometric observations with an extensive literature search, we conclude that an additional four sources (o Cas, 15 Mon, β Lyr, and β Cep) also contain wider binary components that are physical companions to the narrow binaries, thus forming hierarchical multiple systems. Among the sources not previously confirmed as spectroscopic or visual binaries, BK Cam was resolved on a number of nights within a close physical proximity of another star with relative motion possibly suggesting a physical binary. Combining our interferometric observations with an extensive literature search, we provide a detailed listing of companions known around each star in the sample, and discuss the multiplicity frequency in the sample. We also discuss the prospects for future multiplicity studies of classical Be stars by long baseline optical interferometry.

Combining HIPPARCOS and Gaia data for the study of binaries: The BINARYS tool

“…We do not fully understand the reason for this high score, but a third component in the system is one possibility. One was previously listed in the Washington Double Star Catalog Mason et al (2001) before being classified as a non-detection by Hutter et al (2019). We note that both components are listed in Gaia EDR3 with a non-negligible multi-peak fraction (31% and 21% for the primary and the secondary).…”

“…HIP 88745 is known to be a binary system with a main sequence F star (Hutter et al 2019) and a circumbinary polarised debris disk (Kennedy et al 2012). Direct imaging studies of the system include Heintz (1972), Abt & Willmarth (2006), Kennedy et al (2012), Malkov et al (2012), andJao et al (2016).…”

Angular Diameters and Fundamental Parameters of Forty-Four Stars from the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

“…The NPOI has searched for binary companions in five additional targets as part of an ongoing multiplicity survey: no close companions were found for HD 9826 = υ And and HD 61421 = α CMi, and no companions were found for HD 19373 = ι Per (Hutter et al 2016(Hutter et al , 2019, HD 109387 = κ Dra, or HD 192909 = 32 Cyg (Hutter et al 2016).…”