Observations of the Ultraviolet-Bright Star ZNG 1 in the Globular Cluster M5 (NGC 5904)

Abstract

We have analyzed archival spectra of the hot UV-bright star ZNG 1 in the globular cluster M5 (NGC 5904) obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS). From these data, we derive an effective temperature $T_{\rm eff} = 43{,}000 \pm 1400$ K, a surface gravity $\log g = 4.47 \pm 0.08$, a rotational velocity $v \sin i = 157 \pm 12$ km s$^{-1}$, and a mass $M = 0.92 \pm 0.17 \, M_{\odot}$. The atmosphere is helium-rich ($Y = 0.99$) and enhanced in CNO (relative to the cluster). The spectrum exhibits wind features with a terminal velocity near 1500 km s$^{-1}$ and strong discrete absorption components (DACs). The high helium abundance, stellar mass, and rotational velocity suggest that the star is a merger remnant, and its parameters are consistent with models of a pair of merging He-core white dwarfs.