Observational studies of early-type binary stars: VV Orionis

Abstract

New and previously published observations of the bright eclipsing binary VV Orionis are analyzed. We present new radial velocities and interstellar reddening measurements from high-resolution spectra of this detached, short-period (P=1.48 d) binary. We discuss the validity of prior claims for the existence of a third body and show that our new velocities and light curve solution cast doubt on them. The components of VV Ori are shown to be a B1 V primary with a mass $M{_1}=10.9 \pm 0.1 M_{\sun}$ and a radius $R_{1}=4.98 \pm 0.02 R_{\sun}$ and a B4.5 V secondary with a mass $M{_2}=4.09 \pm 0.05 M_{\sun}$ and a radius $R_{2}=2.41 \pm 0.01 R_{\sun}$.