An abundance analysis of the symbiotic star CH Cyg

Abstract

The photospheric abundances for the cool component of the symbiotic star CH Cyg were calculated for the first time using high-resolution near-infrared spectra and the method of of standard LTE analysis and atmospheric models. The iron abundance for CH Cyg was found to be solar, [Fe/H] = 0.0+/-0.19. The atmospheric parameters and metallicity for CH Cyg are found to be approximately equal to those for nearby field M7 giants. The calculated [C/H] = -0.15, [N/H] = +0.16, [O/H] = -0.07, and the isotopic ratios of 12C/13C and 16O/17O are close to the mean values for single M giants that have experienced the first dredge-up. A reasonable explanation for the absence of barium star-like chemical peculiarities seems to be the high metallicity of CH Cyg. The emission line technique was explored for estimating CNO ratios in the wind of the giant.