MOBSTER-V. Discovery of a magnetic companion star to the magnetic beta Cep pulsator HD 156424

• HD 156424 (B2 V) is a little-studied magnetic hot star in the Sco OB4 association, previously noted to display both high-frequency radial velocity (RV) variability and magnetospheric H alpha emission. We have analysed the Transiting Exoplanet Survery Satellite (TESS) light curve, and find that it is a beta Cep pulsator with 11 detectable frequencies, 4 of which are independent p-modes. The strongest frequency is also detectable in RVs from ground-based high-resolution spectroscopy. RVs also show a long-term variation, suggestive of orbital motion with a period of similar to years; significant differences in the frequencies determined from TESS and RV data sets are consistent with a light-time effect from orbital motion. Close examination of the star's spectrum reveals the presence of a spectroscopic companion, however, as its RV is not variable it cannot be responsible for the orbital motion and we therefore infer that the system is a hierarchical triple with a so-far undetected third star. Reanalysis of least-squares deconvolution profiles from ESPaDOnS and HARPSpol spectropolarimetry reveals the surprising presence of a strong magnetic field in the companion star, with < B-z > about +1.5 kG as compared to < B-z > similar to -0.8 kG for the primary. HD 156424 is thus the second hot binary with two magnetic stars. We are unable to identify a rotational period for HD 156424A. The magnetospheric H alpha emission appears to originate around HD 156424B. Using H alpha, as well as other variable spectral lines, we determine a period of about 0.52 d, making HD 156424B one of the most rapidly rotating magnetic hot stars.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

binaries: spectroscopic

stars: early-type

stars: individual: HD 156424

stars: magnetic field

stars: oscillations

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