The Orbit and Spectral Line Variations of the Massive Binary HD 163181 (V453 Scorpii)

Abstract

We present revised orbital elements for the massive interacting binary HD 163181, and we offer the first evidence of apsidal motion in the orbit (apsidal period yr). We searched for but found no U p 510 ‫ע‬ 100 obvious evidence of the secondary's spectral lines in our optical spectra. We do observe, however, systematic profile variations with orbital phase that probably result from a gas stream from the Roche lobe-filling supergiant to the faint secondary. The relatively small projected rotational velocity of the primary ( km s Ϫ1 ), the V sin i p 88 ‫ע‬ 3 faintness of the secondary, the reported lack of orbital motion in the Ha emission, and the presence of an IR excess all suggest that the system is surrounded by an extensive circumbinary disk (as is found in a similar binary, RY Scuti).

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey

“…Although the VFTS targets have higher masses and shorter periods than is typical for this group, their general characteristics, including lobe-filling, synchronously rotating primaries, and IR excesses, are in accord with this notion (Andersen & Nordström 1989;Mennickent & Kołaczkowski 2010), and there are clear similarities to related early-type systems such as RY Sct and V453 Sco (Grundstrom et al 2007;Josephs et al 2001).…”

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey. XXIII: two massive double-lined binaries in 30~Doradus

“…These observed properties are reminiscent of the W Ser class of binaries (Plavec 1980;Tarasov 2000). Although the VFTS targets have higher masses and shorter periods than is typical for this group, their general characteristics, including lobe-filling, synchronously rotating primaries, and IR excesses, are in accord with this notion (Andersen & Nordström 1989;Mennickent & Ko laczkowski 2010), and there are clear similarities to related early-type systems such as RY Sct and V453 Sco (Grundstrom et al 2007;Josephs et al 2001).…”