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Detection of the optical counterpart of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24.
- Source :
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; 1/1/2000, Vol. 311 Issue 1, p75-84, 10p, 1 Diagram, 10 Graphs
- Publication Year :
- 2000
-
Abstract
- We have detected the optical counterpart of the proposed double degenerate polar RX J1914+24. The I-band light curve is modulated on the 9.5-min period seen in X-rays. There is no evidence for any other periods. No significant modulation is seen in J. The infrared colours of RX J1914+24 are not consistent with a main-sequence dwarf secondary star. Our ASCA spectrum of RX J1914+24 is typical of a heavily absorbed polar and our ASCA light curve also shows only the 9.5-min period. We find that the folded I band and X-ray light curves are out of phase. We attribute the I-band flux to the irradiated face of the donor star. The long-term X-ray light curve shows a variation in the observed flux of up to an order of magnitude. These observations strengthen the view that RX J1914+24 is indeed the first double degenerate polar to be detected. In this light, we discuss the synchronizing mechanisms in such a close binary and other system parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CATACLYSMIC variable stars
LIGHT curves
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00358711
- Volume :
- 311
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 5518930
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03065.x