Continuum spectrum of the star Θ¹ Ori C

Abstract

Published photoelectric measurements over a wide wavelength range (0.36–18 µm) are used to study the continuum spectrum of the star Θ¹ Ori C. The model that assumes the following three radiation sources is consistent with observations: (1) a zero-age main-sequence O7 star (object 1) of mass M ₁=20M _⊙, radius R ₁=7.4R _⊙, effective temperature T ₂=37 000 K, and absolute bolometric magnitude $M\mathop {bol}\limits^1 = - 7\mathop .\limits^m 7$; (2) object 2 with M ₂=15M _⊙, R ₂=16.2R _⊙, T ₂=4000 K, and $M\mathop {bol}\limits^2 = - 5\mathop .\limits^m 1$; and (3) object 3 with R ₃10 700 R _⊙, T ₃=190 K, and $M\mathop {bol}\limits^3 = - 0\mathop .\limits^m 6$. The visual absorption toward the system is $A_V = 0\mathop .\limits^m 95$ and obeys a normal law. The nature of objects 2 and 3 has not been elucidated. It can only be assumed that object 2 is a companion of the primary star, its spectral type is K7, and it is in the stage of gravitational contraction. Object 3 can be a cocoon star and a member of the system, but can also be a dust envelope surrounding the system as a whole.