The optical binary light curve of LMC X-3

Details The optical binary light curve of LMC X-3 The optical binary light curve of LMC X-3

Oct 1985

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1985a%26a...151..322v&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 151, no. 2, Oct. 1985, p. 322-328. Research supported by the Danish Board for

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

27

Accretion Disks, Astronomical Photometry, Black Holes (Astronomy), Light Curve, X Ray Binaries, Astronomical Models, Charge Coupled Devices, Ephemerides, Mass Ratios, Orbital Elements

Scientific paper

The authors present B and V-band CCD photometry of the black-hole candidate LMC X-3. The light curve is smooth, and in the phase intervals 0.175 - 0.425 and 0.575 - 0.825 symmetric. It is unlikely to be purely ellipsoidal, the minimum at phase 0.0 being very probably deeper than that at phase 0.5. The sources of uncertainty in these measurements are discussed. The authors consider the limits which can be put on the orbital inclination of the system and the mass of the compact object for several different assumptions about the generation of the light curve. Possible explanations for the non-ellipsoidal character of the light curve are (1) X-ray heating of the surface of the optical star, or (2) mutual eclipses between the optical star and an accretion disk. Both discussed models predict a positive correlation between the X-ray flux and the phase-averaged optical flux, and a negative correlation between these quantities and the depth of the minimum at phase 0.5.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The optical binary light curve of LMC X-3 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 The optical binary light curve of LMC X-3, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The optical binary light curve of LMC X-3 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1545175