We undertook a non-LTE radiative transfer calculation to find out the possible conditions under which observed H and He I line profiles arise from some Be stars.

Different types of massive interacting binaries with Be components are discussed. Due to mass exchange, Be stars in these systems have some peculiar characteristics. Often it is even difficult to find traces of the Be star and/or mass-losing star in the optical region of the spectrum. Using the value of the orbital period as a primary parameter, it is possible to divide all massive interacting binaries into two large groups: short-period or classical Algols and long-period binaries. The last group includes a number of very active mass transfer systems named as W Serpentis. There is also a small group of double systems whose stars do not fill their Roche lobes but have emission lines in the spectrum. Properties of their spectral variability are discussed. Analysis of each group lets us find different behaviours in mass exchange that depend on the size of their Roche lobes.

This paper will review the status of our observations and understanding of Be stars in X-ray binary systems. In virtually all cases the binary partner to the Be star is a neutron star. The circumstellar disk provides the accretion fuel and hence stimulates the X-ray emission, whilst the neutron star provides a valuable probe of the environment around the Be star. The results coming from studies of such systems are helping in our understanding of the Be phenomenon.

Models of close binary evolution predict that mass gainers will be spun up to speeds close to the critical rotational velocity while the mass donors will appear as stripped down He stars, white dwarfs, or neutron stars. I argue here that the mass gainers are closely related to the Be stars. I present a list of the known Be binary systems which consists of those with bright, Roche-filling companions and those with faint or undetected companions. Notably absent are Be + B systems which are expected if the Be phase is a stage in the life of a single star. We now have the first example of a Be + He star system in the binary, ϕ Per, and taken together with the well known Be X-ray binaries, there is clear evidence that some fraction of Be stars are created in binaries; whether all such rapid rotators are so formed remains unknown.

We obtained X–ray (ROSAT, BeppoSAX and ASCA) and optical observations of a sample of newly discovered X–ray pulsars. We here report on the discovery of the likely optical counterpart of five of them in the Small Magellanic Cloud: 1SAXJ0103–7209, XTEJ0055–724, RXJ0052–7319, XTEJ0111–7317 and 2E0050–7247.

The influence of the spatial distribution of stellar wind velocities (Wind Rose effect) on the X-ray light curve of highly eccentric binaries is examined using the properties of Be disk-fed outflow. It is shown that a phase shift of the maximum X-ray luminosity is always present in the X-ray light curves. The observed X-ray light curves of some transient binaries are analysed using the developed model. We show that the Be/X-ray transients A0538–66, X0331+53 are likely to undergo transitions from the accreting neutron star regime to the propelling one. The example of evolutionary track which can lead to a formation of the Be/X-ray binary is presented. We conclude that synchronization is a very important process for Be star evolution in binary systems and calculate the critical orbital period for existence of a Be/X-ray binary.

Using a Monte Carlo simulation of the modern scenario of the evolution of binary systems (the “Scenario Machine”), we calculate the number of binary black holes with Be stars and their expected observational properties. So far, only two possible candidates for Be/BH binaries have been proposed among the observable sources, the superluminal source GRS 1915+105 in the Galaxy and RX J0117.6–7330 in the SMC. We obtained an evolutionary track that can lead to the formation of such systems. The modern evolutionary scenario predicts the existence of binary black holes on eccentric orbits around Be stars and such systems may be discovered in the near future.

Using the “Scenario Machine” we study the number and physical properties of binary Be stars with white dwarfs taking into account cooling of the compact object and discuss the formation of such systems. According to our calculations the number of binary systems containing a Be star paired with a white dwarf in our galaxy is very large − 46% of all Be stars formed as a result of binary evolution must have a white dwarf as companion. These white dwarfs should be very hot with a surface temperature lying in the range from 30,000 to 60,000 K.

Available spectroscopic evidence of various circumstellar gaseous structures in the well-known binary β Lyr is confronted with the results of 3-D gas-dynamical simulations of mass transfer between the binary components, obtained for the currently best available basic physical properties of the system. It appears that the gas-dynamical model is capable to explain, at least qualitatively, the formation of all basic observed components of the circumstellar matter, including the jet-like structures, recently found from interferometry and polarimetry of the object.

We examine the periodic component in the polarization of CX Dra, a spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 7 days. We find that this component originates in dense matter located in the direction preceding the secondary by about 4.5° from the primary-secondary direction. This dense scattering region is attributable to the region where the Hα emission peak is formed, i.e. the gas stream or hot spot on the accretion disk of the primary. Its mass is estimated as 1.3 · 10−11M⊙ in its well developed phase.

Model atmospheres of B stars irradiated by their companion are calculated using our model atmosphere computer code under the assumption of hydrostatic, radiative, and statistical equilibrium (NLTE). The external source of radiation (a hot white dwarf) is able to change the temperature structure of the outer atmospheric layers of B stars significantly. The changes of the temperature structure cause changes in the profiles of some lines, especially in those of hydrogen.

Be/X-ray binaries are generally assumed to have formed as the result of the evolution of moderately massive binaries in which mass is transferred semi-conservatively from the originally more massive component on to its companion. An alternative model proposes a binary system with a very massive component which loses a large fraction of its mass via very unconservative mass transfer. This scenario allows the formation of Be/X-ray binaries without requiring an asymmetric supernova explosion. We show that the observed properties of most Be/X-ray binaries for which an orbital solution has been found are incompatible with this model.

We present a new scenario for the behaviour of Be/X-ray binaries based on long-term multiwavelength monitoring and the decretion disc model. The circumstellar discs of the primaries are truncated because of the tidal and resonant effect of the neutron star. The geometry of the systems and the value of viscosity determine the presence or absence of Type I X-ray outbursts. The interaction of a strongly disturbed disc with the neutron star originates Type II X-ray and optical outbursts.

We present results of our long-term monitoring of LS I +61° 235 in the optical and infrared bands. This Be/X-ray binary exhibits V/R variability in the Hα line, which can be explained in the framework of the Global One-armed Oscillation model: a high density perturbation moves around inside the circumstellar disc of the Be star. The V>R and V<R peaks occur when the perturbation moves towards and away from the observer, respectively. In this work we show that the perturbation also affects the He I λ6678Å and Paschen lines. We also report on a correlation between the infrared emission and the V/R variability.

We argue that the slowest known Be/X-ray pulsars X Per and RX J0146.9+5121 currently possess relatively weak (≲ 1012 G) magnetic fields. Unless these pulsars were born rotating very slowly (initial periods longer than tens of seconds), in order to explain their long spin periods (~ 835 and ~ 1412 s, respectively), they must have had magnetic fields stronger than a few 1013 G; that is, their magnetic fields must have decayed.

We present new JHK photometry of the Be/X-ray binary L SI +61 303, obtained during the period 1994-1998. The IR light curves do not show the modulation with the orbital period apparently present in the smaller photometry set analyzed by Paredes et al. (1994).

The reddening-corrected standard photometric values indicate that the circumstellar envelope is optically thick at infrared wavelengths, and much denser than those of isolated Be stars. It is argued that this higher density is produced by disk truncation due to the presence of the compact object in a close orbit.

We report our attempts to detect and confirm a narrow moving component in the Hα emission line of LS I+61°303. The existence of this spectral feature was already suspected in the past. As a result, we find that this component does exist and that its radial velocity varies in agreement with the radio period of the system. We interpret it tentatively as due to a denser region, or bulge, orbiting near the outer edge of the Hα emitting disk.

Infrared JHK photometry from October 1998 revealed a remarkable change in the Be/X-ray binary system A0535+26, manifesting itself as a dramatic reduction in emission from the circumstellar disc. Optical and IR spectra presented here have confirmed this disc-loss in greater detail showing radically reduced Hydrogen and Helium line emission, to a degree never before seen in this system, and only rarely in a handful of Be/X-ray binaries. Optical spectroscopy has revealed the re-appearance of a small, stable inner disc, and IR spectra/photometry show the eventual regrowth of a robust circumstellar disc resembling the pre-disc-loss state.

Over the last year we obtained X-ray (ROSAT, BeppoSAX and ASCA) and optical (at ESO and at the Astronomical Observatory of Loiano) to infra-red (AAO) observations of a sample of newly discovered X-ray pulsars. Among this sample we discovered the likely optical counterpart of three of them located in the Galactic plane: GS 0834–43, 1WGA J1958.2+3232 and AX J1820.5–1434.

A summary of the Alicante meeting, entitled The Be Phenomenon in Early Type Stars, is presented here. The emphasis at this meeting was on Be stars, but possible connections to other types of stars were also considered. Some suggestions for the directions of future approaches are provided. The meeting was dedicated to the late Mercedes Jaschek, Carlos Jaschek, and Arne Slettebak, all of whom made significant contributions to our current understanding of Be stars.