The Astrophysical Journal (Jan 2024)

The Orbit and Mass of the Cepheid AW Per

  • Nancy Remage Evans,
  • Alexandre Gallenne,
  • Pierre Kervella,
  • Antoine Mérand,
  • John Monnier,
  • Richard I Anderson,
  • H. Moritz Günther,
  • Charles Proffitt,
  • Elaine M. Winston,
  • Grzegorz Pietrzynski,
  • Wolfgang Gieren,
  • Joanna Kuraszkiewicz,
  • Narsireddy Anugu,
  • Rachael M. Roettenbacher,
  • Cyprien Lanthermann,
  • Mayra Gutierrez,
  • Gail Schaefer,
  • Benjamin R. Setterholm,
  • Noura Ibrahim,
  • Stefan Kraus

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad5e7d
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 972, no. 2
p. 145

Abstract

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The Cepheid AW Per is a component in a multiple system with a long-period orbit. The radial velocities of Griffin cover the 38 yr orbit well. An extensive program of interferometry with the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy array is reported here, from which the long-period orbit is determined. In addition, a Hubble Space Telescope high-resolution spectrum in the ultraviolet demonstrates that the companion is itself a binary with nearly equal-mass components. These data combined with a distance from Gaia provide a mass of the Cepheid (primary) of M _1 = 6.79 ± 0.85 M _⊙ . The combined mass of the secondary is M _S = 8.79 ± 0.50 M _⊙ . The accuracy of the mass will be improved after the fourth Gaia data release, expected in approximately two years.

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