ABSTRACT. We present the results of optical spectroscopic observations of CI Cam. Double-peaked profiles were simultaneously observed for the first time in the hydrogen Balmer, He I λ6678, and Fe II lines during an observational run in 2001 September. An intermediate viewing angle of the circumstellar disk around the B[e] star is consistent with our data. A significant decrease in the intensity of the Hα and He I lines in our 2004 September observations might have been the precursor of a line outburst at the end of 2004. The remarkable increase in the intensity of all lines and the decrease in visual brightness in 2005 might be due to the environment filling with new material ejected during the outburst. The environment of CI Cam is influenced by mass loss from the B[e] star and the outburst of its compact companion.

Key words: binaries: close; stars: emission-line, Be; stars: individual (CI Camelopardalis); techniques: spectroscopic; X-rays: binaries

Print publication: Issue 4 (2007 April)
Received 2006 April 26, accepted for publication 2006 November 27
Published 2007 March 2