Related papers: A barium central star binary in the Type-I diamond…
An analysis of high-resolution near-infrared spectra of a sample of 45 asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars towards the Galactic bulge is presented. The sample consists of two subsamples, a larger one in the inner and intermediate bulge, and…
We present a detailed study of the stellar and orbital parameters of the post-common envelope binary central star of the planetary nebula Ou~5. Low-resolution spectra obtained during the primary eclipse -- to our knowledge the first…
We present low and high resolution long-slit spectra of three bipolar planetary nebulae (PNe) with bright central cores: A79, He2-428 and M1-91. He2-428 and M1-91 have high density (from 10^3.3 to 10^6.5 cm^-3) unresolved nebular cores that…
The substantial number of binary central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) now known ($\sim$50) has revealed a strong connection between binarity and some morphological features including jets and low-ionisation structures. However, some…
Our ongoing spectroscopic survey of faint planetary-nebula nuclei (PNNi) has revealed 30 new hydrogen-deficient central stars. The majority of them (21) belong to the PG1159 spectral class (having He-C-O-dominated atmospheres). They…
AR Aur A+B is a close binary of astrophysical interest, because dissimilar surface compositions are reported between similar late B-type dwarfs. A new spectroscopic study on this system was carried out based on the disentangled spectra, in…
The planetary nebula TS 01 (also called PN G 135.9+55.9 or SBS 1150+599A), with its record-holding low oxygen abundance and its double degenerate close binary core (period 3.9 h), is an exceptional object located in the Galactic halo. We…
Although the majority of known binary Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars are symbiotic systems (i.e. with a WD as a secondary star), main-sequence companions of AGB stars can be more numerous, even though they are more difficult to find…
B[\,e\,] supergiants are a rare and unusual class of massive and luminous stars, characterised by opaque circumstellar envelopes. GG Carinae is a binary whose primary component is a B[\,e\,] supergiant and whose variability has remained…
We present high resolution spectro-astrometry of a sample of 28 Herbig Ae/Be and 3 F-type pre-main sequence stars. The spectro-astrometry is shown from both empirical and simulated data to be capable of detecting binary companions that are…
A considerable fraction of the central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) are hydrogen-deficient. Almost all of these H-deficient central stars (CSs) display spectra with strong carbon and helium lines. Most of them exhibit emission line…
This paper provides long-period and revised orbits for barium and S stars adding to previously published ones. The sample of barium stars with strong anomalies comprise all such stars present in the Lu et al. catalogue. We find orbital…
The well studied carbon star V Hydrae is known to exhibit a complex asymmetric environment made of a dense equatorial wind and high-velocity outflows, hinting at its transition from the AGB phase to the asymmetric planetary nebula phase. In…
We present $\gtrsim 15,000$ metal-rich (${\rm [Fe/H]}>-0.2$dex) A and F stars whose surface abundances deviate strongly from Solar abundance ratios and cannot plausibly reflect their birth material composition. These stars are identified by…
The planetary nebula (PN) PB 8 around a [WN/WC]-hybrid central star is one of PNe with moderate abundance discrepancy factors (ADFs ~ 2-3), which could be an indication of a tiny fraction of metal-rich inclusions embedded in the nebula…
Planetary nebulae are one of the final stages in the evolution of low and intermediate mass stars. They occur in a variety of shapes. Older and fainter ones are generally more difficult to identify because of the lower surface brightness.…
Barium stars show enhanced abundances of the slow neutron capture (s-process) heavy elements, and for this reason they are suitable objects for the study of s-process elements. The aim of this work is to quantify the contributions of the…
We report on our search for spectroscopic binaries among a sample of AGB stars. Observations were carried out in the framework of the monitoring of radial velocities of (candidate) binary stars performed at the Mercator 1.2m telescope,…
Detailed spectroscopic studies of metal-poor halo stars have highlighted the important role of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in understanding the early production and ejection of carbon in the Galaxy and in identifying the…
Barium stars are thought to result from binary evolution in systems wide enough to allow the more massive component to reach the asymptotic giant branch and eventually become a CO white dwarf. While Ba stars were initially known only among…