Modeling Infrared Ellipsoidal Variations: Determining the Masses of Black Holes in Soft X-Ray Transients

Details Modeling Infrared Ellipsoidal Variations: Determining the Masses of Black Holes in Soft X-Ray Transients Modeling Infrared Ellipsoidal Variations: Determining the Masses of Black Holes in Soft X-Ray Transients

Dec 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001aas...19910804g&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, 199th AAS Meeting, #108.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 33, p.1474

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We present an observational study of four Soft X-ray Transient (SXT) systems (GU Mus, V616 Mon, J0422+32, and QZ Vul), with the goal of precisely determining their orbital inclination angles and primary object masses. We observe these systems in the near-infrared, and model their ellipsoidal variations based upon their geometries and non-uniform surface brightnesses. We find that the secondary stars in these systems generally have masses and radii that differ from those of ``normal'' main sequence stars: However, several of the secondaries seem to exhibit properties of stellar spots on their surfaces, consistent with late type dwarfs. We determine that the shape of the stellar black hole mass distribution is broader than previously thought, and that SXT accretion disks are effectively invisible in the infrared. In comparing the newly refined properties of these SXTs, several correlations present themselves. The SXT optical outburst magnitude appears to be directly correlated with the observable area of the accretion disk, while the outburst x-ray luminosity is strongly inversely correlated with the mass of the black hole. The time of the secondary x-ray maximum also appears to be inversely correlated with the mass of the black hole. Possible implications of these correlations are discussed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Modeling Infrared Ellipsoidal Variations: Determining the Masses of Black Holes in Soft X-Ray Transients does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Modeling Infrared Ellipsoidal Variations: Determining the Masses of Black Holes in Soft X-Ray Transients, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modeling Infrared Ellipsoidal Variations: Determining the Masses of Black Holes in Soft X-Ray Transients will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1236003