As the endpoints of stars less massive than roughly eight solar masses, the population of Galactic white dwarfs (WD) contain information about complex stellar evolution processes. Associated pairs of WDs add an extra degree of leverage; both WDs must have formed and evolved together. The work presented in this dissertation uses various populations of double WDs (DWD) to constrain evolution of both single and binary stars. One example is the set of low-mass WDs with unseen WD companions, which are formed through a dynamically-unstable mass loss process called the common envelope. To work toward a quantitative understanding of the common envelope, we develop and apply a Bayesian statistical technique to identify the masses of the unseen WD companions. We provide results which can be compared to evolutionary models and hence a deeper understanding of how binary stars evolve through a common envelope. The statistical technique we develop can be applied to any population of single-line spectroscopic binaries. Binaries widely separated enough that they avoid any significant interaction independently evolve into separate WDs that can be identified in photometric and astrometric surveys. We discuss techniques for finding these objects, known as wide DWDs. We present a catalog of 142 candidate wide DWDs, combining both previously detected systems and systems we identify in our searches in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Having been born at the same time, the masses and cooling ages of the WDs in wide DWDs, obtained with our spectroscopic follow-up campaign can be used to constrain the initial-final mass relation, which relates a main sequence star to the mass of the WD into which it will evolve. We develop a novel Bayesian technique to interpret our data and present our resulting constraints on this relation which are particularly strong for initial masses between two and four solar masses. During this process, we identified one wide DWD, HS 2220+2146, that was peculiar since the more massive WD in this system evolved second. We construct an evolutionary formation scenario in which the system began as a hierarchical triple in which the inner binary merged (possibly due to Kozai-Lidov oscillations) forming a post-blue straggler binary. The system then evolved into the DWD we observe today. We further discuss the potential for identifying more wide DWDs, including peculiar systems like HS 2220+2146, in future surveys such as Gaia.

This is a spectroscopic and photometric study of suspected close binary systems among the massive stars. The stars studied here include stars with temperatures ranging from 45,000 Kelvin (K) to 15,000 K, corresponding to spectral types ranging from O3 V to B5 III, masses between 47 Solar Masses and 5 Solar Masses, and absolute V magnitudes from -6.28 to -2.0. I categorize 30 targets according to my spectroscopic observations into groups with no radial velocity variability, single-lined, and double-lined variability. My analysis of the 18 constant velocity stars results in estimates of stellar effective temperature, Teff, gravity, log g, projected rotational velocity, v sin i, and spectral classification. Analyzing single-lined systems, I find the same stellar parameters for five more systems, and also present the first orbits for these systems. I also explore the probable characteristics of the unseen companions in these systems. Three double-lined systems, two eclipsing and one with an ellipsoidal variation in the light curve, are fully analyzed, and I present important astrophysical parameters for each of these systems, including stellar masses, radii, ages, and distances to each system. The masses are accurate to 4.3% and 3.6% for the primary and secondary for LH 54-425, 2.1% and 1.6% for HI Mon, and 1.1% and 0.6% for HD 42401. Two more double-lined systems are studied, and preliminary results are presented. Photometric observations are analyzed for 56 targets from the All Sky Automated Survey in order to facilitate spectroscopic observations at key points in the binary orbit where spectral features of both components will be well separated. New spectroscopic observations of these eclipsing binaries with my computed ephemerides will allow us to obtain double-lined orbital elements and determine their masses, radii, ages, and distances. These computed parameters will then allow for comparison with theoretical stellar models, and a better understanding of the evolution of massive stars.

The common envelope (CE) interaction is a still poorly understood, yet critical phase of evolution in binary systems that is responsible for various astrophysical classes and phenomena. In this thesis, we use various approaches and techniques to investigate different aspects of this interaction, and compare our models to observations. We start with a semi-empirical analysis of post-CE systems to predict the outcome of a CE interaction. Using detailed stellar evolutionary models, we revise the α equation and calculate the ejection efficiency, α, both from observations and simulations consistently. We find a possible anti-correlation between α and the secondary-to- primary mass ratio, suggesting that the response of the donor star might be important for the envelope ejection. Secondly, we present a survey of three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of the CE evolution using two different numerical techniques, and find very good agreement overall. However, most of the envelope of the donor is still bound at the end of the simulations and the final orbital separations are larger than the ones of young observed post-CE systems. Despite these two investigations, questions remain about the nature of the extra mechanism required to eject the envelope. In order to study the dynamical response of the donor, we perform one-dimensional stellar evolution simulations of stars evolving with mass loss rates from 0.001 up to a few M⊙/yr. For mass-losing giant stars, the evolution is dynamical and not adiabatic, and we find no significant radius increase in any case. Finally, we investigate whether the substellar companions recently observed in close orbits around evolved stars could have survived the CE interaction, and whether they might have been more massive prior to their engulfment. Using an analytical prescription for the disruption of gravitationally bound objects by ram pressure stripping, we find that the Earth-mass planets around KIC 05807616 could be the remnants of a Jovian-mass planet, and that the other substellar objects are unlikely to have lost significant mass during the CE interaction. / Graduate

I present a study of close white dwarf (WD) and M dwarf (dM) binary systems (WD+dM) to examine the effects that close companions have on the magnetic field generation in dMs. Using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 8 spectroscopic database, I construct a sample of 1756 WD+dM high-quality pairs. I show that high-mass dMs (≤M4) in close binary systems are more likely to be magnetically active (as measured by Hα emission) and are able to remain active longer than field dMs. At lower masses (≥M5), where dMs become fully convective, the activity fraction and activity lifetimes of WD+dM binary systems become more comparable to those of the field dMs. The implications of having a close binary companion may include, increased stellar rotation through disk disruption, tidal effects, and/or angular momentum exchange. Thus, the similarity in activity between late-type field dMs and late-type dMs with close companions is likely due to the mechanism generating magnetic fields being less sensitive to the effects caused by a close companion; namely, increased stellar rotation. Using a subset of 181 close WD+dM pairs, matched to the time-domain SDSS Stripe 82 catalog, I show that enhanced magnetic activity extends to the flaring behavior of dMs in close binaries. Specifically, early spectral type dMs (M0-M1), in close WD+dM pairs, are two orders of magnitude more likely to flare than field dMs, whereas mid-type dMs (M2-M3) and late-type dMs (M4-M6) flare as frequently or less than the mid- to late-type field dM sample. To test whether the presence of a close companion leads to star-star interactions, I search for correlations between the WD occultations and flares from the dM member in KOI-256, an eclipsing WD+dM system from Kepler I find no correlations between the flaring activity of the dM and the WD occultations, indicating the there are no obvious signs of star-star interactions at work. In addition, the dM member of KOI-256 flares more than any other dM observed by Kepler and shows evidence for solar-like magnetic activity cycles, a feature not seen in many dMs to date.

Central star binarity is often invoked as the main driver behind the shaping of aspherical planetary nebulae, however observational support for this hypothesis is lacking. This work presented in this thesis attempts to observationally test this theory by investigating the relationship between central star binarity and nebular morphology for several planetary nebulae. The discovery of six new binary central star systems is also reported. A detailed spatio-kinematical analysis of Abell 41 was performed, showing the nebula to have a bipolar morphology waisted by a toroidal structure, the symmetry axis of which is found to be perpendicular to the plane of the central binary. This alignment is exactly as predicted, indicating that the central binary, MT Ser, has played a significant role in shaping Abell 41. This is only the second planetary nebulae to have had this link, between binary and nebular inclination, explicitly shown. A spatio-kinematic model has been developed for ETHOS 1, indicating that its spectacular polar outflows are kinematically older than the central region of the nebula. This finding is discussed in the context of binary evolution, and it is concluded that the polar outflows in these nebulae are probably formed before their central binaries have entered the common-envelope phase. The central star of ETHOS 1 has yet to be the subject of detailed study, and as such, the orientation of the nebula could not be compared to that of its central binary. A spatio-kinematical analysis of SuWt 2 is presented, proving that the nebular ring is in fact at the waist of a much larger, extended bipolar structure. SuWt 2 is not known to contain a post-main sequence central star, required to eject and ionise the nebular shell, but rather a double A-type binary. The results of the analysis are discussed with relation to possible formation scenarios for SuWt 2. It is concluded that, while neither component of the double A-type binary could be the nebular progenitor, the presence of a third component to the system, which would have been the progenitor, cannot be ruled out. However, as there is no evidence that the central star of SuWt 2 is a binary alone, it is suggested that SuWt 2 should be removed from future lists of planetary nebulae known to host a binary central star. A sample of sixteen central stars of planetary nebulae, displaying morphological traits believed to be typical of central star binarity, were monitored for signs of periodic photometric variability associated with binarity. Six new photometrically variable close-binary stars were discovered, representing a ~15% increase on the previously known figure. The binary detection success rate from this investigation is compared to that of other surveys, and it is concluded that, while the results are promising, a more rigorous test is required to fully assess the extent to which specific morphological traits can be used as indicators of central star binarity.

No description available.

We report on a search for short -period binary systems composed of pairs of evolved stars. The search is being carried out concurrently with a program to characterize the kinematical properties of two different samples of stars. Each sample has produced one close binary candidate for which further spectroscopic observations are planned. We also recapitulate the discovery of a close detached binary system composed of two cool DA white dwarfs, and we discuss the null results of Ha observations of the suspected white dwarf /brown dwarf system G 29-38.

Les nébuleuses planétaires (NP) sont le produit de l'évolution d'étoiles de masses intermédiaires après leur expansion sphérique à la fin de leurs vies. Il a été estimé observationnellement que 80 % des NP ont des formes non-sphériques. Une fraction si élevée est déroutante et a mobilisé la communauté de recherche sur les NP pendant plus de trente ans. Un scénario qui permettrait de justifier les formes observées serait que les étoiles progénitrices de noyaux de NP (NNP) ne sont pas simples, mais possèdent un compagnon. Les formes des nébuleuses seraient ainsi le résultat de l'interaction avec le compagnon. La fraction si élevée de NP non-sphériques impliquerait donc une fraction élevée de NNP binaires, faisant de la parité stellaire un canal de formation privilégié pour les NP. Après avoir présenté l'état de connaissance actuelle concernant la formation et la mise en forme des NP, je présente mes travaux visant à détecter un excès infrarouge qui serait la signature de la présence d'un compagnon orbitant le NNP. La première partie de ce projet consiste en l'analyse de données et photométrie acquises par moi-même. Dans la deuxième partie je présente une tentative d'utilisation de jeux de données d'archives : la campagne optique Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 et la version étendue de la base de données assemblée par Frew (2008). Je présente aussi les résultats d'une analyse de vitesses radiales de spectres VLT/UVES pour 14 NNP dans le but de détecter des compagnons spectroscopiques. Finalement j'expose les détails d'une analyse de photométrie de données optiques dans le but de détecter des compagnons orbitant autour de NNP en utilisant la technique de variabilité photométrique. Le résultat principal de cette thèse réside dans les analyses d'excès infrarouge proche que je combine avec des données publiées précédemment. Je conclus que si la fraction détectée d'excès infrarouge proche est attribuée à la présence de compagnons stellaires, alors la fraction binaire de NNP est plus grande que celle attendue en se basant sur la population binaire de progéniteurs de la séquence principale et ainsi conclus que la multiplicité stellaire est un canal de formation privilégié pour la formation des NP. Je clos en soulignant la nécessité d'un échantillon d'étude d'environ 150 objets pour réduire l'incertitude sur la fraction binaire et appuyer les conclusions statistiques de ce résultat. / Planetary nebulae (PNe) are the products of the evolution of intermediate mass stars that have expanded spherically at the end of their lives. Observationally, it has been estimated that 80% of them have non-spherical shapes. Such a high fraction is puzzling and has occupied the PN community for more than 30 years. One scenario that would allow to justify the observed shapes is that a comparable fraction of the progenitors of central stars of PN (CSPN) are not single, but possess a companion. The shape of the nebulae would then be the result of an interaction with this companion. The high fraction of non-spherical PNe would thus imply a high fraction of binary CSPN, making binarity a preferred channel for PN formation. After presenting the current state of knowledge regarding PN formation and shaping and reviewing the diverse efforts to find binaries in PNe, I present my work to detect a near-infrared excess that would be the signature of the presence of cool companions. The first part of the project consists in the analysis of data and photometry acquired and conducted by myself. The second part details an attempt to make use of archived datasets: the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 optical survey and the extended database assembled by Frew (2008). I also present results from a radial velocity analysis of VLT/UVES spectra for 14 objects aiming to the detection of spectroscopic companions. Finally I give details of the analysis of optical photometry data from our observations associated to the detection of companions around CSPN using the photometric variability technique. The main result of this thesis is from the near-infrared excess studies which I combine with previously-published data. I conclude that the if the detected red and NIR flux excess is indicative of a stellar companion then the binary fraction is larger than what we may expect based on the main-sequence progenitor population binary fraction and therefore conclude that binarity is a preferential channel for the formation of PN. I finish by underlining the need for a sample size of ∼ 150 objects to decrease the uncertainty on the PN population binary fraction and increase the statistical significance of this result.

The Solar Twin Planet Search program is an unprecedented eort that aimed to procure extrasolar planets in more than 70 stars extremely similar to the Sun. In the course of this program, hundreds of high-quality optical spectra were obtained for these stars using the HARPS spectrograph, which is fed by the ESO La Silla 3.6 m telescope. Beyond the search for exoplanets, the data are invaluable to study the physical properties of Sun-like stars. Particularly in this dissertation, we are interested in verifying if the Sun possesses a regular rotation for its age among stars that are strictly similar to it, how the rotation of solar twins evolve with age and if the rotation of Sun-like stars is influenced by the presence of stellar mass companions. Previous conclusions on the regularity of the Suns rotation have been conflicting, and this is the first time such a large sample of solar twins with high quality spectroscopic data is used to clarify this puzzle. Our results suggest that the Sun is indeed a regular rotator for its age, which favors the use of the solar rotation to calibrate gyrochronology -- the estimation of stellar ages from their rotation. However, these results also imply a rotational evolution process that saturates after the solar age, constituting a departure from the widely used Skumanich relation and posing a challenge for gyrochronology. We securely identified 18 binary or multiple systems in the solar twin sample, of which only three display enhanced rotation for their ages. I estimated the orbital parameters of the binaries from their radial velocity variations, and the results show that their spectroscopic companions lie at orbital periods varying from a few to several years. I conclude that the presence of red or brown dwarf companions at moderate to long orbital periods do not influence the evolution of rotation in these systems, and therefore the main stars should evolve as single in this regard. The peculiarities in HIP 19911, HIP 67620 and HIP 103983 can be fully explained by spectral contamination from their companions. / O programa The Solar Twin Planet Search é um esforço sem precedentes na procura de planetas extra-solares em mais de 70 estrelas extremamente similares ao Sol. Ao longo desse programa, centenas de espectros ópticos de alta qualidade foram obtidos com o espectrógrafo HARPS, que está instalado no telescópio de 3,6 m do Observatório de La Silla. Além da busca de exoplanetas, estes dados são úteis para estudar as propriedades físicas de estrelas como o Sol. Estamos interessados em verificar se o Sol possui uma rotação regular para sua idade quando comparado com estrelas estritamente similares a ele, como que a rotação de gêmeas solares evolui com o tempo e se a rotação dessas estrelas é influenciada pela presença de companheiras estelares. Conclusões anteriores na regularidade da rotação solar são conflitantes, e esta é a primeira vez que uma amostra grande de gêmeas solares com dados espectroscópicos de alta qualidade é usada para esclarecer essa questão. Nossos resultados sugerem que o Sol de fato rota regularmente para sua idade, o que favorece o uso da rotação solar para calibrar a girocronologia -- a estimativa de idades estelares a partir de sua rotação. No entanto, tais resultados também implicam em um processo de evolução rotacional que satura depois da idade solar, constituindo um desvio da amplamente usada relação de Skumanich e apresentando um desafio para a girocronologia. Nós identificamos 18 sistemas binários na amostra de gêmeas solares, das quais apenas três mostram rotações elevadas para suas idades. Os parâmetros orbitais das binárias foram estimados a partir da variação de suas velocidades radiais, e os resultados mostram que suas companheiras espectroscópicas possuem períodos orbitais variando de alguns poucos até muitos anos. Concluimos que a presença de companheiras do tipo anãs vermelhas ou marrons em períodos orbitais moderados não influenciam a evolução rotacional desses sistemas. As peculiaridades de HIP 19911, HIP 67620 e HIP 103983 podem ser completamente explicadas por contaminação espectral de suas companheiras.

The Solar Twin Planet Search program is an unprecedented eort that aimed to procure extrasolar planets in more than 70 stars extremely similar to the Sun. In the course of this program, hundreds of high-quality optical spectra were obtained for these stars using the HARPS spectrograph, which is fed by the ESO La Silla 3.6 m telescope. Beyond the search for exoplanets, the data are invaluable to study the physical properties of Sun-like stars. Particularly in this dissertation, we are interested in verifying if the Sun possesses a regular rotation for its age among stars that are strictly similar to it, how the rotation of solar twins evolve with age and if the rotation of Sun-like stars is influenced by the presence of stellar mass companions. Previous conclusions on the regularity of the Suns rotation have been conflicting, and this is the first time such a large sample of solar twins with high quality spectroscopic data is used to clarify this puzzle. Our results suggest that the Sun is indeed a regular rotator for its age, which favors the use of the solar rotation to calibrate gyrochronology -- the estimation of stellar ages from their rotation. However, these results also imply a rotational evolution process that saturates after the solar age, constituting a departure from the widely used Skumanich relation and posing a challenge for gyrochronology. We securely identified 18 binary or multiple systems in the solar twin sample, of which only three display enhanced rotation for their ages. I estimated the orbital parameters of the binaries from their radial velocity variations, and the results show that their spectroscopic companions lie at orbital periods varying from a few to several years. I conclude that the presence of red or brown dwarf companions at moderate to long orbital periods do not influence the evolution of rotation in these systems, and therefore the main stars should evolve as single in this regard. The peculiarities in HIP 19911, HIP 67620 and HIP 103983 can be fully explained by spectral contamination from their companions. / O programa The Solar Twin Planet Search é um esforço sem precedentes na procura de planetas extra-solares em mais de 70 estrelas extremamente similares ao Sol. Ao longo desse programa, centenas de espectros ópticos de alta qualidade foram obtidos com o espectrógrafo HARPS, que está instalado no telescópio de 3,6 m do Observatório de La Silla. Além da busca de exoplanetas, estes dados são úteis para estudar as propriedades físicas de estrelas como o Sol. Estamos interessados em verificar se o Sol possui uma rotação regular para sua idade quando comparado com estrelas estritamente similares a ele, como que a rotação de gêmeas solares evolui com o tempo e se a rotação dessas estrelas é influenciada pela presença de companheiras estelares. Conclusões anteriores na regularidade da rotação solar são conflitantes, e esta é a primeira vez que uma amostra grande de gêmeas solares com dados espectroscópicos de alta qualidade é usada para esclarecer essa questão. Nossos resultados sugerem que o Sol de fato rota regularmente para sua idade, o que favorece o uso da rotação solar para calibrar a girocronologia -- a estimativa de idades estelares a partir de sua rotação. No entanto, tais resultados também implicam em um processo de evolução rotacional que satura depois da idade solar, constituindo um desvio da amplamente usada relação de Skumanich e apresentando um desafio para a girocronologia. Nós identificamos 18 sistemas binários na amostra de gêmeas solares, das quais apenas três mostram rotações elevadas para suas idades. Os parâmetros orbitais das binárias foram estimados a partir da variação de suas velocidades radiais, e os resultados mostram que suas companheiras espectroscópicas possuem períodos orbitais variando de alguns poucos até muitos anos. Concluimos que a presença de companheiras do tipo anãs vermelhas ou marrons em períodos orbitais moderados não influenciam a evolução rotacional desses sistemas. As peculiaridades de HIP 19911, HIP 67620 e HIP 103983 podem ser completamente explicadas por contaminação espectral de suas companheiras.