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arxiv: 1703.02086 · v1 · pith:A3YXAF7Knew · submitted 2017-03-06 · 🌌 astro-ph.SR

The Most Massive Heartbeat: An In-depth Analysis of {iota} Orionis

classification 🌌 astro-ph.SR
keywords tidalheartbeatiotamassiveanalysisbeenphotometrystar
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{\iota} Ori is a well studied massive binary consisting of an O9 III + B1 III/IV star. Due to its high eccentricity (e = 0.764) and short orbital period (P orb = 29.13376 d), it has been considered to be a good candidate to show evidence of tidal effects; however, none have previously been identified. Using photometry from the BRITE-Constellation space photometry mission we have confirmed the existence of tidal distortions through the presence of a heartbeat signal at periastron. We combine spectroscopic and light curve analyses to measure the masses and radii of the components, revealing {\iota} Ori to be the most massive heartbeat system known to date. In addition, using a thorough frequency analysis, we also report the unprecedented discovery of multiple tidally induced oscillations in an O star. The amplitudes of the pulsations allow us to empirically estimate the tidal circularization rate, yielding an effective tidal quality factor Q $\approx 4 \times 10^{4}$ .

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