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Interferometry and spectroscopy of Beta Cen: a Beta Cephei star in a binary system

J. G. Robertson, T. R. Bedding, C. Aerts, C. Waelkens, R. G. Marson, J. R. Barton

astro-pharXiv:astro-ph/9809158

Abstract

Beta Cen is a bright Beta Cephei variable and has long been suspected to be a binary. Here we report interferometric observations with the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope at a single epoch which show the star to be a binary with components separated by 15 milliarcsec and having approximately equal luminosities at 486 nm. We also present high-resolution spectra taken over five nights with the ESO CAT which show Beta Cen to be a double-lined spectroscopic binary. We identify two pulsation frequencies in the primary. Further spectroscopic and interferometric studies of this double star should allow determination of its orbital parameters and component masses.

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